After market power tool batteries

The generic brand Chinese battery backs will use recycled/upcycled used cells. May have reduced capacity, life span, voltage drops or all of the above. It's a crap shoot.

I own a LOT of Dewalt batteries, 20V and Flexvolt, and wouldn't risk replacing one with some off-shore 3rd party. There's a reason why they are so much cheaper; the often use recycled cells, lower grade cells, wrong battery management chips, and lower quality build quality. Not going to risk a fire just to save some money.

I use the Ryobi 18v and 40v


I have bought the Amazon replacement batteries for both and have had zero issues. I have a ton of the 18v tools and use them everyday.

I have a 40v blower, weed wacker and leaf vac that I use to clean up inside my pool cage. They last a while.


LINK

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May have reduced capacity, life span, voltage drops or all of the above. It's a crap shoot.

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At a 1/3 of the price, it's probably worth it. I've been using Craftsman knock offs for over a year with no issues in the mower or other devices. 8 amp batteries for $33 that are already stateside and arrive in 4-5 days worked for me.

Look for cheaper or on sale versions of other big brand OEM batteries and use a DeWalt adapter?

I"m a frugal arse mufer, but even I won't entertain the idea of laying in bed wondering if I took the knockoff dewalt battery off the charger.

I bought an Amazon battery adapter to use my rigid batteries on Bauer tools for when I want a tool I won’t use a whole lot. It works awesome!

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I"m a frugal arse mufer, but even I won't entertain the idea of laying in bed wondering if I took the knockoff dewalt battery off the charger.

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Dewalt has a new two-bank 32-amp total fast charger coming out, I damn sure wouldn't trust a Chinese knockoff battery to survive 16-amp fast charge...

Great thread.

I was 100% in the "buy three knock offs instead of one name brand" camp for a couple of years. My knock off Amazons work great and are practically as good as my OEM batteries. I had one that wouldn't fit correctly and gives me issues getting a charge unless I am really careful about putting it in the charger just so. The other eight I have work great.

FAST FORWARD TO LAST MONTH - Across the street neighbor left a knock off battery on the charger under his house after running the weedeater in the yard that morning. Early evening and the battery exploded in his shop and lit the shop on fire in multiple locations. Caught the ceiling on fire and smoke coming in the house through the floor is what alerted them. By the time fire department arrived, the shop was fully involved. They saved the house but the built out shop and garage is a loss. If they hadn't been home, or had been asleep, the house and maybe them would be gone now.

Needless to say, I am now very nervous about my battery stockpile. Haven't decided if I should toss the cheapos and buy name brands or keep rolling the dice.