C12 Batteries

[Dan Clermont]

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I crossed the border to pick up a tool or accessory so its time.

I am planning on purchasing a C12. I was convinced I wanted the 1.3Amp Hour batteries cause they are lighter and I can't screw enough to drain them in 25 minutes before my other battery recharges. Then I started thinking about longevity and a 3.0Amp Hour battery will outlast a 1.3Amp hour over the years due to the higher amp hour rating

What is the size difference between a 1.3 and 3.0? How about the balance?

Is it worth paying the extra money for the 3.0Amp hour battery? Who thinks Festool will come out with Lithium ion batteries/chargers sooner then later and this will be a mute point.

NiCad technology has been around for years, most manufacturers have moved onto Lithium ion however Festool seems to use higher end cells so they seem to be doing fine

TIA
Dan Clermont

 

[Eli]

The difference in weight seemed very little to me. I'm thinking go big, but somebody might have a really good reason why not to.

 

[SeriousLee]

The 3.0 Ah battery should give you much longer service life due to less charge/discharge cycles for a given amount of work.

 

[ccmviking]

I prefer the 1.3 on my drill.  I don't have the 3.0 but do have the 2.4 and it's very noticeable.  If your having to reach over head a lot like I do while installing, the 1.3 would be the way to go (way less fatiguing).  If your just going to use occasionally in comfortable positions why not go with the bigger ones.

Chris...

 

[GreenGA]

Well, I have the 3.0 amp battery on my recently purchased C12.  Last weekend a few of us sheetrocked a 13x13 foot dining room, ceiling and all plus we drilled some holes in 2-by material for electrical wires.  All on the single charge of the 3.0 battery.  I have two batteries but never needed to swap for a fresh battery.  Of course, YMMV.

Oh, if you get that C12, I can not recommend the Depth Stop Chuck highly enough!  Drove a couple of screws to get the proper depth adjustment and the rest were dead on perfect.  Never have I screwed in sheetrock with such ease and not a single screw broke the paper. 

Like a forlorned lover, my poor old 18 volt DeWalt sits in the corner, just waiting for my return.  And I did return, only once for a quickie.  That was this morning when we needed to drill a 1" hole in 3 old 2-by's and the C12 just did not have the torque to drive the 18" electricians bit.  This was the first time I strayed from my new love since we got together.

 

[gkeas]

A side note, the Lithium Ion battery will also be far less likely to develop a "memory" like NiCAD tend to.  Its worth the upgrade for that reason alone.