Festool cordless circular saw voltage

[Samo]

I'm thinking a trade in program for newer 5.2 to Airsteam batteries.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks Phil, we're getting closer...I think.

But man this is really like herding cats.

"Will take 2x18v also 18+15 and also 15+15."

This is interesting that you can mix voltages but can't you also use a single battery?

"TSC - (and HKC) Not 12v for starters."

Does this mean the saws will not run with 12v batteries or does this mean they will run but sooo slowly you'll only want to use 12v batteries if all your other batteries are dead and you're outside working with MDF and it's about to rain? 

Not that I even have any 12v batteries but this stuff should be part of the official descriptions of the tools.

This is what you find in the description of the TSC at FestoolProducts.com (so maybe this is all Shane's fault  [eek])

"The Festool TSC 55 Cordless Tracksaw can operate with one or two batteries installed, for a maximum of 36 volts of power, and is compatible with all flat-pack style Festool batteries has made since 2005 including NiMH and NiCD batteries. It's compatible with 12-volt, 15-volt and 18-volt batteries..."

That is very cool but why do the spokesmen for Festool seem to think it isn't true?

I guess you guys need an editor in chief?

 

[Cheese]

Hey [member=297]Michael Kellough[/member],
The information you're looking for is pretty straightforward, there is the practical answer and the corporate answer. Unfortunately..........you've become a victim of the corporate answer. Although I give Phil extra credit [big grin]

I have a HKC 55 that I'm using to cut Hardie backer board with, I'll swap out the blade and try cutting some ply with a 15V 4.2 amp battery tomorrow. I do know the HKC fires up with a 15 volt battery as I tried it while the 5.2 amp batteries were charging.

 

[Shane Holland]

A quick search of the internet yields a lot of sites including publications, Festool AU and other sources that say that the TSC will use the 12 volt batteries. Plus...


Just sayin'.  [popcorn]

 

[Michael Kellough]

A quick search of the internet yields a lot of sites including publications, Festool AU and other sources that say that the TSC will use the 12 volt batteries. Plus...
Just sayin'.  [popcorn]

HA!
You want us to believe what we read on the internet?

Oh wait...

 

[Phil Beckley]

Thanks Phil, we're getting closer...I think.

But man this is really like herding cats.

"Will take 2x18v also 18+15 and also 15+15."

This is interesting that you can mix voltages but can't you also use a single battery?

"TSC - (and HKC) Not 12v for starters."

Does this mean the saws will not run with 12v batteries or does this mean they will run but sooo slowly you'll only want to use 12v batteries if all your other batteries are dead and you're outside working with MDF and it's about to rain? 

Not that I even have any 12v batteries but this stuff should be part of the official descriptions of the tools.

This is what you find in the description of the TSC at FestoolProducts.com (so maybe this is all Shane's fault  [eek])

"The Festool TSC 55 Cordless Tracksaw can operate with one or two batteries installed, for a maximum of 36 volts of power, and is compatible with all flat-pack style Festool batteries has made since 2005 including NiMH and NiCD batteries. It's compatible with 12-volt, 15-volt and 18-volt batteries..."

That is very cool but why do the spokesmen for Festool seem to think it isn't true?

I guess you guys need an editor in chief?

Hi
If you put a 12v on the bottom slot which is the is the position that supplies the initial voltage the TSC not run. It requires 15v or a combination.

I will leave 2p or her Majesty Queen Elizabeths currency...as a small innocent bet on this one

Rg
Phil

 

[Shane Holland]

Thanks for taking the time to verify, Phil.

I have updated our website accordingly.  [embarassed]

I guess somewhere along the way some misinformation was communicated. Even in that video I linked to, Steve Bace mentions that it works with the 12 volt.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks for getting to the bottom of this guys.

It is the bottom isn't it...?

 

[semenza]

Thanks for getting to the bottom of this guys.

It is the bottom isn't it...?

  Not really.

  I have a TSC55. It will not run with the 1.5 12v LiOn batteries. This is not from internet research, manuals or guess work. I actually tried this a couple of times to be sure because I was planning on just having 1.5 12v for everything. New fully charged batteries.

  I have not tried 12v combined with another voltage since that wouldn't have served my purpose anyway. But I have a 15v on the charger now and will try the combination later.

    The TSC55 does run on two 3.0 15v batteries. It seems to cut at speed just fine. I don't have any 18v to try. I can't comment on run time since I only use for occasional cuts at no real cutting time duration.

    My understanding is that part of the run / not run deal has to do with the amp rating as much as the voltage. I think it will run on 3.0 12v. And  maybe not on the compact 2.6 18v.

Seth

 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Seth, I'm interested in what else you discover about the batteries as well as your impressions overall. I'm considering buy the TSC as well.

 

[Cheese]

My understanding is that part of the run / not run deal has to do with the amp rating as much as the voltage. I think it will run on 3.0 12v. And  maybe not on the compact 2.6 18v.

There's probably a minimum wattage that's necessary to run the motor. That's where the old power formula comes in. P = V x I or Power (Watts) = Voltage (volts) X Current (amps).

So in that case, a 15 volt 5.2 Ah battery would have a higher wattage than a 18 volt 3.0 Ah battery.

 

[semenza]

Seth, I'm interested in what else you discover about the batteries as well as your impressions overall. I'm considering buy the TSC as well.

The combination of 1.5 12v and 3.0 15v was a no go.

If someone has a TSC55 and a couple 2.6 18v , it would be good to know if that works.

Seth

 

[nickao]

My understanding is that part of the run / not run deal has to do with the amp rating as much as the voltage. I think it will run on 3.0 12v. And  maybe not on the compact 2.6 18v.

There's probably a minimum wattage that's necessary to run the motor. That's where the old power formula comes in. P = V x I or Power (Watts) = Voltage (volts) X Current (amps).

So in that case, a 15 volt 5.2 Ah battery would have a higher wattage than a 18 volt 3.0 Ah battery.

Actually  the ah rating is a rating of capacity, like how much gas is in the tank.

The 5.2ah battery may last longer but, the 18V battery has more power because the ah rating is based on how many amps per hour it can give.

In very simple terms look at it this way - 18V at one amp every hour is producing more power(wattage) for that 3 hours than that 15 volt at one amp for that 5.2 hours.

ah is a capacity rating ie how long, how far

If my understanding is wrong I would like someone to chime in, my formal school  background in Electronics Engineering, but I have been a woodworker for the last 25 years, still I am nearly certain ah is nothing more that how much gas is in the tank, the length of time of charge.

 

[Michael Kellough]

This question is a good example of why other manufacturers keep it simple by restricting batteries to specific tool lines.

It is good for the tool owner (to whatever extent it actually works) that Festools keeps the interface of the batteries and tools the same.

My understanding of electricity is pretty basic. In the past I've managed to get a higher voltage battery to fit a lower voltage tool (before Festools) and the result was that the motor ran faster.

I'd guess that a TSC or HKC requires a minimum voltage to work at all, higher voltage batteries would make it run faster, and the higher Ah batteries would simply allow it to run for a longer time.

But these days, with MOSFETs and inverters who knows (maybe Rick) what's happening to those poor little electrons after they leave their cells. (aren't the brushless motors 3 phase or something?)

 

[semenza]

I realize that the amp hour rating is a measurement of capacity. However I have now found an internet description on a dealers site of the 18v 2.6 battery that says it is not for use with the TSC55.  No details though.

Seth