Ryobi Batteries and Chargers (Can I Use an Older Charger?)

LThe Hawk on 28/12/2022 - 13:42

I have a couple of older (read 2012 and 2014) BCL14181H chargers. It's a 1.5A "Fast" charger.
https://manualsau.ttigroupna.com/system/files/18/original/ry…

My batteries are from the same era and while they are still working, one has started flashing an error on its last charge… so it's probably time to look for a new battery or two. The current set of four 2.0Ah batteries + one 4Ah are sufficient for my home needs. Even if their capacities are down, I rarely run out of a single battery mid-job, so as long there is no swelling and they charge, I'm good (unless someone can tell me why I shouldn't be??)

In any case, the manual (unsurprisingly) hasn't been updated in a long while and it seems there was a transition to the current form of the batteries and chargers.

Now the new chargers look like they are more flash, so I lean towards needing a new charger, the manuals seem to not list the old batteries from compatibility too… so maybe I need an old charger for the old batteries and a new charger for the new ones??

Which leads to the next few thoughts. Batteries by themselves vs just buying new tools with batteries and chargers because the pricing structure is stupid.

Before we get to that, most of the cheaper sets come with the basic charger which can't be wall mounted (which my current ones are). The RC18115 is only a 1.5Ah charger and looks remarkably similar in capability to my old ones, which reflects the original question on if they are interchangeable?

Manual for reference:
https://manualsau.ttigroupna.com/system/files/965/original/9…

Onto Battery options (at Bunnings as at 28/12/22):

1 x 4AH = $139
1 x 4Ah with wall mountable charger = $104.30 WTF??
2 x 4Ah = $199 but if I need a charger this adds to the cost
4 x 4Ah = $249 and is likely best value if you need that many batteries but still need a charger.

But with tools, none of which I need and I would only buy because it's better value than batteries alone):
1 x 4Ah + 1 x 2Ah + Hammer Drill = $132 but the non wall mountable charger
1 x 4Ah + 1 x 2Ah + Hammer Drill = $199 Different model drill, but wall mountable charger for the extra $$

The sane answer is to just buy a single battery and charger for $104.30, drop it on the wall mounting I already have and call it done for one. Even if I need a second one later, it's still barely more expensive than that $199 set (and I don't have another tool I don't need).

Am I missing something in this line up?

Home & Garden Rechargeable Battery RYOBI

Comments

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 28/12/2022 - 14:18
    +1

    I'd look at buy the battery and charger, and buy a Powered Rotary Hammer (I hear the Ozito is okay, as it's far better than the Hammer drill (as long as you have a long extension cable). Ryobi were clearing them out in July

    • The Hawk on 28/12/2022 - 15:57

      I've already got a Ryobi hammer drill and a Ryobi non hammer drill which are sufficient for my needs. The only reason I'd buy tools if is the package was better than buying individually. But in writing that down I'd be better off spending 2 x $104.30 = $208.60 since I don't need to the tools and would get two battery chargers. If they charge the old batteries that would be idea since I could swap out the older ones and still be able to charge two at a time of any combo of new/old.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 29/12/2022 - 09:01

        With all my buying, swapping, re-selling etc, I have
        * My original Ryobi Drill,
        * 2 x hammer drills
        * 2 x Impact Drivers (I lost one, and bought a replacement under >$70).

  • Master Bates on 28/12/2022 - 15:01
    +2

    You don’t say where you live, but no doubt there is an OzBargainer nearby with plenty of spare chargers from all of the deals posted here. They might sell you one cheap, or even better, give you one for free.

    • Franc-T on 28/12/2022 - 19:19

      Yeah I have quite a few. OP post where you live you can end up with a charger

  • tebbybabes on 28/12/2022 - 16:10

    I had the same charger from 2013, but it recently died. All my lithium batteries are from that era and all still work. (1x 2.0Ah, 1x4.0Ah)

    I was going to buy one of these, but didn't like the wall brick. They're easy to find on eBay and FB marketplace though.

    Anyway, ended up with one of these - works fine and has given me identical performance as my old one. It is also wall mountable. However, the mounts are not a like-for-like replacement for your old charger.

  • The Hawk on 28/12/2022 - 16:15

    I use the term "mount" a little generously… it's a single screw with the top mounting point hanging off that… I suspect I will be just fine on the mounting front :P

    Good to hear the old batteries are still working fine with the newer charger, one thing to cross off the list.

  • Euphemistic on 28/12/2022 - 19:22

    I’ve been using my original charger from around 10y ago with all batteries (including present). Still works. Newer charger in kits seem to be slower charge rate.

    Look for a cheaper kit with batteries. Might get another tool you are considering for cheaper than battery only. Alternatively, can sell spare items. I bought a blower kit a few years ago and sold the blower because it was cheaper than buyin battery only.

  • mapax on 29/12/2022 - 10:18

    If you haven’t purchased already, the sale has ended so some of those prices may be incorrect.

  • The Hawk on 29/12/2022 - 12:10

    I didn't notice anything marked as "sale" when I was looking or I might have moved a little quicker and probably just grabbed the $104.30 battery and wall mountable charger.

    Maybe they are making changes to this live (I would have expected overnight??), but as of right now the 4Ah battery with or without the wall mountable charger are now the same price @ $139.

    But the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hammer Drill R18PD2422B Kit is still listed at $132 with a 2Ah and 4Ah battery, although not the wall mountable charger I would prefer. I've snapped up one of these before anything changes since the second battery is effectively free. I also see the same drill with a single battery is $169 so figure this kit must be more like $199 normally.

    If anyone happens to have a spare Ryobi RC18120 charger like pictured here that want to let go cheap or free I'd be willing to take it off your hands. I'm in East Melbourne but postage is an option if it's cheap enough. That or I have a brand new hammer drill up for trade (R18PD3)!

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