Battery pack BP 18 Li 3,1 CI not compatible with TSC 55

[Joelm]

I just picked up a new Vecturo OSC El-set. I just took it out and noticed the 3.1 ah battery is not compatible with my 18v TSC 55. Anyone know why?
My local dealer said it would not be a problem but the Festool USA site specifically states that it won't work.
Maybe I should return this one and buy the set without batteries and purchase some new 5.2 ah batteries instead. (Or wait for the new 4 ah batteries coming in January).

 

[mrboult]

Yeah it’s been mentioned here before. It’s a shame and I don’t really understand given hire I believe it works with the older full sized 3.0ah 18v batteries. And I think the old 12v batteries.

Anyway. Given how 4 of my 7 batteries are the compact, it hasn’t made the TSC overly tempting. . Not that I’ve been clamouring for one, but it might have happened if this wasn’t the case.

 

[PeterK]

This is a huge issue for Festool. I own 3 battery tools of theirs all requiring different chargers and batteries. A real pain. Makita has the sense to utilize the same battery mount for over 200 tools all using one charger. All my newer tool purchases requiring batteries are now Makita.
I understand the compact batteries for the 125 series sanders are logical for balance and weight but to be totally unusable for anything else makes no sense in a “system”. Same for my CXS drill. My full sized Festool drill again uses a different battery that does fit a few other Festool products but I am not going to buy any of them.

 

[Joelm]

I'm a little annoyed with myself. I had the kit without batteries at the checkout but decided to switch to the full kit at the last second. Now I've got to go back and stick ro the original plan. Oh well, live and  learn.

 

[Coen]

Huh? You can still use the compact batteries with the Vecturo, so if you can get them cheap in the kit; just do that.

It's quite logical the smaller batteries don't work on power hungry machines like the TSC. The same current on a half-sized battery feels like double the load for it, increasing heat and reducing lifespan.

The older 3,0 batteries might have slightly different battery technology that could cope better with the high currents. The batteries with the highest density are usually not the same that allow the highest discharge rate. Like with most things in life, there is a trade-off.