Ryobi now offering Lithium batteries
 

Ryobi, one of the "low cost leaders" in tools, is now offering lithium 2.4Ah (18V) battery systems. On Ryobi's web site, a battery and charger have a list price of $99 USD. Looks to be a cheaper competitor to Dewalt batteries for the A123 style packs. I'm looking around for who their supplier is. So far, I've found that they are owned by Techtronic Industries Co..

I think you should pick up a pack and do some exploratory surgery. :smile: Or, better yet, just wait until someone at rcgroups does it...

I'm planning to pick up a pack... I have a Ryobi 18v set, so I have a good excuse. Then of course I will have to take it apart and get to the goodies.

I would like to build a truck that uses the pack just like it comes... just pop it into the truck like you would a drill. Then use the Ryobi charger too. :)

The only issue with using the packs "as-is" is that the form factor generally isn't optimized for our use. Plus, the connections aren't as robust as we would like since we tend to draw more burst current than most powertools.

Dont the batteries (as is) have over-current protection as well?

but 18V is halve the power of 36V; that 99 bucks, is that for a charger AND the battery?

I would, but I'm like a bull in a china store when it comes to soldering electronics! I can weld almost anything, but for some reason when it comes to electrical stuff, I fall flat on my face.

Its for (1) battery and (1) charger. So hopefully, just the batteries will be quite a bit cheaper. I doubt if they will have A123 quality, but until they are tried, one never knows.

I do see one potential problem for Ryobi in this venture. They are making the new batteries backwards compatible with the old Nimh/Nicd tools, meaning the new Li packs will plug into your existing tools. Which also means the batteries will also fit their old chargers - which arent intended for Li charging......

lol, I guess that would be a problem. Not too many people weld their batteries. :smile:


They probably incorporate a circuit in the pack that simply cuts the charge at the end of the CC phase eliminating the CV phase. Similar to how the lipodapter works.

most of them are spot welded actually.

I guess I should have said "end-users"...

i was playin Brain..

You are one of the people i know sure of they know how batteries are connected..

I know. :tongue:
I just wanted to clarify for others' benefit.

And the name is Brian. :slap: :smile:

thanks for clarification Brain, oh mighty king of clarifying clarifications..

What are you talking about... I thought Brian has seen my iron I use for building packs....

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...70_47520_47520

lol. No, I guess I must have missed that one (you must keep it hidden in your van). The only one I've seen is the oxidized one you've had on your pit table. :smile:

Owh, you brag... :p

Man, I get that all the time too. In 3rd grade my teacher even put Brain Roberts on my report card.

He claimed it was because I had done so well. :whip:

If I could, I'd change my username here, although to what I have no idea...

So I emailed TTI (owner of Ryobi, Rigid, Milwaulkie, etc), and asked who their battery supplies was. Here is the response!


Dear Sir,

Thanks for your email.

We consider the information on suppliers as confidential and will not disclose the supplier names.

with best regards,

Jess

how about "Brain Brian G" That way either spelling works. :wink:

I looked at these today at Home Depot... almost talked myself into buying a combo set. LOL...

They didn't have any separates available... only the combo. It's $269 which is not bad at all. Charger and two packs... oh, and some tools too... sawzall, circular, drill, light, ???,....

I still think it would be cool to have a plug and play R/C using cordless tool packs. :)

How about a brushless circular saw with a sevo and some foams. Make a mockery out of the power tool racing they do on tv.

I thought about making a BL weed trimmer. A nice 4s 10Ah lipo pack, outrunner motor (for less overall RPM), on a Quark. Would be expensive, but cool!

Too much free time on your mind Brian.

You could design me a brushless/lipo blender, long runtimes for all those mixed drinks needed to get the ladies agreeable with me!

:drunk: :love::whip::slap: :cry:

:yes:

:rofl:

:no: