Replacement NiMH C12 Batteries

[fdengel]

I need to replace a battery for my pre-Lithium C12.

I found the item number 494522 on the Festool USA web site, and I was at Woodcraft this afternoon and tried to order one, but they were not able to because the part was showing as discontinued in their catalog - I don't see it as being discontinued on the Festool web site?

Can someone enlighten me on the current status of this - if there is a different item number, what would it be?

Thank you!

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm not sure these batteries are still offered by Festool.  Even if you do find someone that has them they will be old, and will likely not hold a charge very well.  I'd suggest you get the batteries rebuilt, there are plenty of places out there that will do that at a reasonable price.

 

[bobfog]

I'm not sure these batteries are still offered by Festool.  Even if you do find someone that has them they will be old, and will likely not hold a charge very well.  I'd suggest you get the batteries rebuilt, there are plenty of places out there that will do that at a reasonable price.

When was the last tool that used these batteries discontinued? I thought Festool had a policy of keeping parts/consumables available for discontinued tools for a minimum of 10 years?

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm not sure these batteries are still offered by Festool.  Even if you do find someone that has them they will be old, and will likely not hold a charge very well.  I'd suggest you get the batteries rebuilt, there are plenty of places out there that will do that at a reasonable price.

When was the last tool that used these batteries discontinued? I thought Festool had a policy of keeping parts/consumables available for discontinued tools for a minimum of 10 years?

I believe it is a minimum of 7 years in the US.  It's been more than 7 years since the NiMH C12 was discontinued here. 

 

[TomE]

Picked up a branded one from Amazon and a 'compatible' from a third party about a year ago.
They work but have no idea how fresh they are.
Believe it took several recharges to get them up to snuff

 

[McNally Family]

I need to replace a battery for my pre-Lithium C12.

I found the item number 494522 on the Festool USA web site, and I was at Woodcraft this afternoon and tried to order one, but they were not able to because the part was showing as discontinued in their catalog - I don't see it as being discontinued on the Festool web site?

Can someone enlighten me on the current status of this - if there is a different item number, what would it be?
http://www.festoolproducts.com/Festool-494522-Battery-12-Volt-3-Ah-NiMH-p/494522.htm
Thank you!

http://www.amazon.com/Festool-49452...003KN3VH8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[john molloy]

try jumping the battery with a bit of wire .look it up on you tube

 

[fdengel]

http://www.amazon.com/Festool-49452...003KN3VH8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Interesting...  same part number, status shows as "Only 11 left in stock (more on the way)."  If the battery had been discontinued, wonder where more would be "on the way" from?

Doesn't appear to be a 3rd party seller either, at least not obviously so.

I'm going to try ordering one from Amazon and see what happens.

 

[Brice Burrell]

http://www.amazon.com/Festool-49452...003KN3VH8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Interesting...  same part number, status shows as "Only 11 left in stock (more on the way)."  If the battery had been discontinued, wonder where more would be "on the way" from?

Doesn't appear to be a 3rd party seller either, at least not obviously so.

I'm going to try ordering one from Amazon and see what happens.

I would be reluctant to buy one of these batteries, they may have been sitting in a warehouse for a long time.  Again, I'd suggest you get your batteries rebuilt at a place like batteriesplus.com

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festool does not make NiCD batteries anymore, but NiMH batteries are newly produced and have not been sitting for years on a shelf. Festool does not make them themselves, but just orders them from a supplier.

There are many cheaper options available of course, like Brice already pointed out, have them rebuild, or just buy a 3rd party battery for 1/3rd of the Festool price.

 

[Chip S.]

As [member=5277]Alex[/member] said, NiMH batteries are available. Festool informed dealers of this change from NiCd to NiMH in September/2010.

[member=8650]fdengel[/member], the item number (494522) you have is correct. I just checked and this item comes up as NOT Discontinued, Active, & orderable by dealers from Festool USA.

 

[TomE]

There are many cheaper options available of course, like Brice already pointed out, have them rebuild, or just buy a 3rd party battery for 1/3rd of the Festool price.

My third party version (3.3Ah) was about $20.00 cheaper with shipping than the branded one, not quite 1/3 the cost but better.
One year warranty on the no-name vs the 3 year for the Festool.
The charger likes both of them.

 

[AlexThePalex]

My third party version (3.3Ah) was about $20.00 cheaper with shipping than the branded one, not quite 1/3 the cost but better.

I forgot that in the states you get the Festool batteries dirt cheap. Here they really are 1/3rd the cost. €130 vs €40.

 

[TomE]

[quote author=Alex ]
I forgot that in the states you get the Festool batteries dirt cheap. Here they really are 1/3rd the cost. €130 vs €40.
[/quote]

Holy crap! Yes they are, even more so!

 

[Ed Harrow]

Wake up, Festool!  There is no excuse for not supporting the product that you have made with replacement batteries!  I recently gave my old (9.6) Makita to my daughter, with two NEW Makita batteries...  OMG, at least offer a factory rebuild or exchange program. 

You can bet your bippy I'll not be looking to Festool for my next tool, battery or plug-in!  I've bought into Festool - router, sanderS, jigsaw, but I think the run is over.

I look forward to hearing from you.