Aftermarket batteries

[Blackswanwood]

I need to get a couple of new batteries for a Bosch drill and have noticed how much cheaper aftermarket batteries seem to be.

Does anyone use them and is there anything to watch out for/avoid?

Thanks

Robert

 

[Pete Maddex]

I have some from eBay for my Makita 12V tools and they all work fine, I have also got a couple of 7.2V stick ones for really old angle drill again both work fine and are cheap.

Pete

 

[wallace]

I got some for my old makita and I've found them a bit gutless. I could stop the chuck in my hand and they didnt seem to last that long. I'm hoping they improve with a bit use. They were very cheap.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LDCY2DR?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I also got these for my little impact and drill.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BZF7ZBG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[Woodbloke]

We have a Dyson vacuum cleaner and tried an 'el cheapo' Chinese knock off battery when the original failed after a couple of years. The bit of Chinese tat lasted about a month so we contacted Dyson and bought a proper one. The bloke chortled on the 'fone and told us to always buy the 'real deal'. Buy cheap, buy twice - Rob

 

[9fingers]

Make sure you buy the same battery technology* as the originals otherwise the charger will need to be changed to match too.

*NiCad, NimH or Lithium Ion

 

[AJB Temple]

18v clone batteries for Makita are rubbish in my experience compared with the expensive Makita branded ones. I've tried several and they all have issues with charging and power retention. I don't bother with knock offs any more. For interest, my Milwaukee fuel 5Ah batteries are 9 years old and still fantastic. Festool batteries also last ages. De Walt 5Ah batteries for my nailer are 5 years old have had lots of use and still as good as new.

 

[Doug71]

I get the impression that with old NiCad type batteries the cheap ones can be okay but when it comes to the modern Lithium ion ones you are best sticking to the OEM batteries.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Thanks everyone - I’ve ordered and stuck with Bosch manufactured.

 

[Blackswanwood]

They’ve arrived (ordered lunchtime yesterday) and the added bonus I hadn’t thought about is they’re made in Malaysia as opposed to China.

 

[9fingers]

Don't be disappointed if the new ones initially don't seem to have the capacity you expect. It is not unusual for batteries that have been stored for a while to need a few charge/discharge cycles to "wake them up" to full capacity.