Why aren't the batteries for my Festool CXS available???

[Part135]

Hello All,

Forgive me if I'm missing something, but after many years of service, I need to replace the batteries of my Festool CXS driver/drill - T-nr: 496118.  The batteries are 10.8V and 1.3 Ah LiIon, T-Nr:496754.

After an extensive search, the only batteries that come close are available on ebay from the UK with $120 shipping!  How can this be?  How can festool sell a tool and then simply stop making batteries for it? 

Now, before you say, "There are batteries available all over the place!" please look at the picture I've attached. I can't find a single Festool battery that has this physical configuration! 

View attachment 1  View attachment 2View attachment 3

What am I missing? 

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Best,

C

 

[Cheese]

Those batteries have been obsoleted. The replacement battery 500243 is 2.6 Ah while the original battery was only 1.5 Ah. There’s a huge runtime difference between the two. Also the new version is only around $45. Pick up the 500243...you’ll   it.

 

[bertv]

You could also opt for having the accu-pack rebuilt (or do it yourself). The components (eg the batteries) are widely available. And fairly cheap.

 

[threesixright]

I think FT upgraded the batteries, and now for the CXS we are 2.6 Ah (3rd gen?).

I do think the CXS self is still same (form factor wise for accepting batteries), and I'm pretty sure the new machines can run on the older style batteries as-well, and vice versa. Same for the charger. I don't have the older CXS, just guessing here  tbh [blink]

When I take my battery off  (new CXS) I still see the space for the old "magazine style" battery.

I think you should be good.

 

[Part135]

Thanks for all the great information!  500243's are on the way!

Thanks again to all!

Best,

C

 

[Cheese]

Here's a comparison in size. The base was widened to hold more cells. This makes the CXS more stable when you set it down.  All the batteries and chargers are interchangeable along with the drills. There's really no down side.

[attachimg=1]

 

[mrboult]

I think FT upgraded the batteries, and now for the CXS we are 2.6 Ah (3rd gen?).

I do think the CXS self is still same (form factor wise for accepting batteries), and I'm pretty sure the new machines can run on the older style batteries as-well, and vice versa. Same for the charger. I don't have the older CXS, just guessing here  tbh [blink]

When I take my battery off  (new CXS) I still see the space for the old "magazine style" battery.

I think you should be good.

All true  [thumbs up]

 

[Bob D.]

Too bad you couldn't make use of that obsoleted space in the tool for bit storage. It would probably be risky to have metal bits floating around inside the tool though.

 

[threesixright]

Too bad you couldn't make use of that obsoleted space in the tool for bit storage. It would probably be risky to have metal bits floating around inside the tool though.

I think they could, but change is the battery would become to heavy? im guessing they tried to keep the weight down. Altogether the new batteries contains 2-3 more Ah then 1st gen. I think?

 

[xedos]

The new batteries have more energy because they use better cells capable of storing more energy.  The weights are going to be the same for all intents and purposes.

What's changed is the balance point and feel with all the cells being in the base instead of some of their weight being higher up in the handle.  Has to be cheaper to manuf. a pack without the stalk.

Panasonic used to have bit storage inside their drills for bits back when they were king of the battery drill world. There were clips in the battery compartment.  Haven't seen one in the wild for decades so don't know if they're still doing it though.

  I have seen that they are starting to put some of their tools in black and white Systainers for you collectors out there.