18v Battery, High Powered vs the 5.0's

[idratherplaytennis]

Hey all- I've recently become aware of a limited edition 5.0 battery set and it got me to thinking with the eventual release of the tabless batteries that I might or might not want to pick it up. I have two of the pre-bluetooth pre5.0 batteries that came with my T18+3 a ways back, the 5.2's with no bluetooth, and I use the drill all the time, but not like full rundown of the battery over any single session- and I have two of the newer 4's that came when they released the updated Quad PDC and Impact set.. and I have what I think (I forget) is the 5.0 set that was bundled with my CSC 50. I kind of like the 4's but honestly for my work I haven't run out yet, even using the table saw on and off- and I really don't exactly notice the difference going between the 4 and 5.2's (although it may be because the 4's tend to stay on the heavier drill and impact).

I was wondering- the 5.0's are still not upgraded to high output... is that currently still the case? I tried searching the forums and online, and it sounds like they're still recommended for the csc 50 compared to maybe the 4's... but at the same time- my use case isn't like my use case with my Makita batteries where I'll go out for hours at a time shredding through 5.0's doing yard work with my 36 volt trimmer, blower, mower. This is just sort of an internal struggle I have going on over if I should get the 5.0 kit with the 4 batteries. Technically... it's more expensive than just buying 4 individual.. I already have one of the chargers, and I relatively never have to charge on-site and I have 2 regular single chargers, one being the rapid airstream one that came with the T18 originally.

Just looking to get others' thoughts on their batteries. Writing this out now, I can see how for my use case- it may not be worth it for now, and just wait to see what comes out with the tabless stuff in the future, figuring they may have a different energy set they may release.. but yeah. I think it's more of a case of "I want new shiny" than, "I need new shiny" hahaha.

 

[morts10n]

I bought a used but great condition CSC 50 with the 4x5aH charging set and stand for $1600 last year. Absolutely love the kit but battery charge doesn't last that long. Hasnt been a problem since they charge so fast, but Id rather have the 8.0 for longer run time

 

[luvmytoolz]

I wouldn't be buying more 4/5's unless you really needed them for drills/impacts, even if they are a limited/branded edition.

As morts noted above, if the SYSY 50 is your primary concern, 8's are the only real way to go to get a good runtime on the saw.

I've kept a few 4-5's for my drills and impact, and sold off the excess 5's, and plan to buy a second set of 8's so I can switch out to charge for the saw, effectively giving me an infinite runtime.

 

[mkasdin]

I have four 18V 4.0 amp batteries, two of them failed and Festool stood by the original purchase and replaced the original purchase. The batteries were made in China and degraded after 100 cycles. I suspect the TBX4 / 8 batteries will restore production in Europe or simpler chemistry and schematics will provide a more robust platform.

That said I have a CTC SYS cordless vacuum so I would really like the TCL6 duo charger and #2 pairs of batteries to swap out for longer times when doing demolition work and remodeling. I’ve been debating about getting the Energy set in 5.0 to have the flexibility to leave batteries at the job site or specific to a tool. It’s the same reason I leave an extra long sleeve shirt and clean work pants to have as a backup so I’m not juggling batteries. HTH. The price drop makes the buying decision easier and if I lived in Europe I would wait for the new batteries adding April-May. I suspect North America will get this around November towards the end of the year.

 

[idratherplaytennis]

I have four 18V 4.0 amp batteries, two of them failed and Festool stood by the original purchase and replaced the original purchase. The batteries were made in China and degraded after 100 cycles. I suspect the TBX4 / 8 batteries will restore production in Europe or simpler chemistry and schematics will provide a more robust platform.

That said I have a CTC SYS cordless vacuum so I would really like the TCL6 duo charger and #2 pairs of batteries to swap out for longer times when doing demolition work and remodeling. I’ve been debating about getting the Energy set in 5.0 to have the flexibility to leave batteries at the job site or specific to a tool. It’s the same reason I leave an extra long sleeve shirt and clean work pants to have as a backup so I’m not juggling batteries. HTH. The price drop makes the buying decision easier and if I lived in Europe I would wait for the new batteries adding April-May. I suspect North America will get this around November towards the end of the year.

That's a shame about the 2 failing, glad they did that. It's nice when companies don't make you go through hoops (I really tried to warn my dad away from Ridgid and their "lifetime battery" thing. He learned they're a pain the hard way unfortunately.

Overall.. runtime isn't much of a deal, or the weight since I've used the 5.2 so long with the T18. I get pretty great life for now from the dual 5's in the saw. I was just thinking more towards the future. That said, I still have the corded sys vac for on site on and off quick repairs, it's just that the convenience of corded and not needing to find a free plug in a tenant's apartment or whatever, no extension cord carrying etc is nice. But I also know only the 4.0's fit the ct sys vac so the 5 set wouldn't do me much good for anything except the saw which I more or less have enough batteries to get by with.

I do agree the best thing for my work is to just play the waiting game. I haven't noticed my Makita or Festool having this issue but my plumber told me if you don't use the Milwaukee batteries in a long time, hes had a lot go bad- they also tend to drain just sitting still. My other brands have been amazing and I'm glad I ditched Milwaukee but at the same time, I'm becoming more aware to try and make sure any and all rechargeable batteries I have maintain a decent charge level and go through use to maintain their effectiveness. Definitely a learning curve and more and more things are becoming quick usb charge and play which is fine under normal use but for cases where its an item you may not reach for allll the time (I rarely go to my 3.0 Makita batteries now for example and I may have one that just broke, need to look into it), it's something everyone needs to keep in mind.

 

[catchy_username]

I have four 18V 4.0 amp batteries, two of them failed and Festool stood by the original purchase and replaced the original purchase. The batteries were made in China and degraded after 100 cycles. I suspect the TBX4 / 8 batteries will restore production in Europe or simpler chemistry and schematics will provide a more robust platform.

That said I have a CTC SYS cordless vacuum so I would really like the TCL6 duo charger and #2 pairs of batteries to swap out for longer times when doing demolition work and remodeling. I’ve been debating about getting the Energy set in 5.0 to have the flexibility to leave batteries at the job site or specific to a tool. It’s the same reason I leave an extra long sleeve shirt and clean work pants to have as a backup so I’m not juggling batteries. HTH. The price drop makes the buying decision easier and if I lived in Europe I would wait for the new batteries adding April-May. I suspect North America will get this around November towards the end of the year.

I bet the TBX4/8 batteries are probably going to use chinese cells, so it'll probably be cheaper for festool to just make it all in China. I have a strong feeling they're going to use the same cells as the M18 Forge batteries (ampace JP40). I would be pleasently surprised if they put Murata VX40s in it especially considering how cheap the JP40s are and how well they work.

The Hipower 4.0s are perfectly ergonomic but unfortunately the more I use them the more i regret buying them. I have one failing currently on 32 charge cycles but out of warranty. I also have another one that failed nearly two weeks old, that one was covered by warranty. The build quality is good, the cells just aren't that good unfortunately and go out of balance really quickly. Out of 6 batteries ive got 2 failures which is not great.

I feel all tool batteries that used those cells (Samsung 40T) are terrible.... the old 8ah and 12ah milwaukee "High output" m18 batteries used the same cells, and same problem. I feel 32 charge cycles is kinda unacceptable for a failure.

 

[Cheese]

The Hipower 4.0s are perfectly ergonomic but unfortunately the more I use them the more i regret buying them. I have one failing currently on 32 charge cycles but out of warranty. I also have another one that failed nearly two weeks old, that one was covered by warranty. The build quality is good, the cells just aren't that good unfortunately and go out of balance really quickly. Out of 6 batteries ive got 2 failures which is not great.

I feel all tool batteries that used those cells (Samsung 40T) are terrible.... the old 8ah and 12ah milwaukee "High output" m18 batteries used the same cells, and same problem. I feel 32 charge cycles is kinda unacceptable for a failure.

I have 4 each of the 4.0 HighPower batteries and 2 of them are essentially trashed as they will only charge to the 60% level. I sent both of the batteries back to Festool Service but they refused to warranty them despite only being charged 12 times and 23 times respectively. Both batteries were out of warranty by about 6 months, however I did feel that the small number of charging cycles for both batteries would be a positive factor in their decision...unfortunately that didn't work out well. I'll not purchase more 4.0 batteries, and thus more problems, and am waiting for the release of the TBX4 batteries.

I should add, I own at least one of every other battery Festool has offered over the years and the 4.0 batteries are the only ones I've had an issue with.

 

[Lincoln]

I have 4 each of the 4.0 HighPower batteries and 2 of them are essentially trashed as they will only charge to the 60% level. I sent both of the batteries back to Festool Service but they refused to warranty them despite only being charged 12 times and 23 times respectively. Both batteries were out of warranty by about 6 months, however I did feel that the small number of charging cycles for both batteries would be a positive factor in their decision...unfortunately that didn't work out well. I'll not purchase more 4.0 batteries, and thus more problems, and am waiting for the release of the TBX4 batteries.

I should add, I own at least one of every other battery Festool has offered over the years and the 4.0 batteries are the only ones I've had an issue with.

I've also had x2 of the 4.0 batteries fail. Very disappointing.

 

[mkasdin]

I have 4 each of the 4.0 HighPower batteries and 2 of them are essentially trashed as they will only charge to the 60% level. I sent both of the batteries back to Festool Service but they refused to warranty them despite only being charged 12 times and 23 times respectively. Both batteries were out of warranty by about 6 months, however I did feel that the small number of charging cycles for both batteries would be a positive factor in their decision...unfortunately that didn't work out well. I'll not purchase more 4.0 batteries, and thus more problems, and am waiting for the release of the TBX4 batteries.

I should add, I own at least one of every other battery Festool has offered over the years and the 4.0 batteries are the only ones I've had an issue with.

I was in the same boat. I bit my tongue and just let it go. But every time I called Festool tech application support I would mention the failed batteries. I got into a short discussion about my CTC Sys Vacuum and told him how wonderful it was… the caveat was the Chinese 4.0amp batteries. I was about 3-6 months out of warranty. Eventually one of the new techs took sympathy. I believe they can see how much FT you own from the registration on the app. It was nice of them to send #2 batteries as a replacement.

That said I just bought the energy set 4.0 batteries with the TL6 duo charger today. I’m bringing it back to the dealer for exchange since the SOC was very low 10% with a single blinking light. I’m not sure how long the batteries been dead in the systainer. Anything more than 1-2 weeks is a “no bueno,” if it becomes a warranty issue in the future. The CTC sys vacuum really puts the batteries to the test more than a cordless drill or sander.

 

[Cheese]

I believe they can see how much FT you own from the registration on the app. It was nice of them to send #2 batteries as a replacement.

The CTC sys vacuum really puts the batteries to the test more than a cordless drill or sander.

If that's the case, I need to update my registration.

Amen...and when they release the TBX4 batteries, only then will I consider purchasing the CTC Sys.