I have 2 bosch pocket drivers – the 12 volt and the 10.8 volt. The batteries are identical except for the slight different voltage. Will it damage the tool or the battery if I were to use them interchangeably?
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! – MyToolbox.net
See my work – TedsCarpentry.com
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Replies
It will end the world as we know it
"Shawdow boxing the appoclipse and wandering the land"
Wier/Barlow
Okay, as long as it doesn't damage the tool.~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
yes...
from the word of Bosch....
tech support...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Thanks everybody. I feel safer now that I won't go and start a nuclear reaction.
Peace!
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Edited 4/1/2009 8:08 pm by Ted W.
Just don't let it tip over and spill all the electrons on the floor.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
BTW...
the 10.2's have all been relabeled 12V
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
No difference. Bosch just changed the number they use to reflect the initial voltage of 12V , basically the voltage just off the charger, instead of the "average" voltage they used to use. I think it was just to compete with other brands who used the same number of cells and called it 12 volts. Here is their official word from the web site:
"Bosch now refers to its ultra-compact Litheon battery platform as "12V Max." The change is due to lithium ion battery voltage ratings that have been adopted in the marketplace since Bosch first introduced its ultra-compact Litheon products in 2006. The new terminology, which replaces 10.8V, is meant to reduce confusion in the marketplace by clearly identifying tools that are rated at maximum voltage (i.e. 12V) rather than nominal voltage (i.e. 10.8V) by using the "Max" designator. Bosch's 12V Max Litheon batteries are 100% compatible with all past and future Bosch ultra-compact tools.."
"The change is due to lithium ion battery voltage ratings that have been adopted in the marketplace since Bosch first introduced its ultra-compact Litheon products in 2006."So the company that rated its product honestly had to change its marketing language to keep from losing business to the ones that exaggerated. Is this a great country or what?BruceT
Edited 4/1/2009 9:43 pm by brucet9
Is this a great country or what?
I'm not sure that has much to do with our country. Marketing is marketing, no matter where it's done. ;)~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Absolutely, they are the exact same battery except labeled differently, chargers are the same. The documentation says you can. They changed the label because others were marking theirs at what the voltage was just after being charged. Bosch had been conservative at first. At least that is what I have read.
I have three of the first 10.8 tools and one 12v (multi-x). You can not tell the difference because there is none. They are both BAT411 model/part #, the 12v one says 10.8/12v max on the bottom. I was going to put a meter on a freshly charged one of each but it is not worth
Back in the early 80s, the only right-angle cordless on the market was a single-speed 7.2v Makita (can you believe we used to use drills that small?).
That was before they came out with the "monster" 9.6v VS model.
I used to use the big batteries regularly -- it upped the RPMs.
BTW, how come I can still get that battery to take a charge, when my Festo didn't last 5 years? Some say it's the long, thin, and therefore cooler-running configuration of the packs...
AitchKay
Funny. My Makita 9.6v/12v drill also still takes a charge. After not having used it for several years, it wouldn't initially take a charge, but I dropped the batteries in the freezer for a few days, let them thaw out, and now they work fine! They'll even keep the charge for several weeks.
Just to update, Bosch replied:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Ted,
Thank you for writing. Yes, you can use the batteries interchangeably. Actually the batteries are the same.
12V Max is simply the new category reference for our Ultra Compact tools (10.8v tools). When the battery is fully charged, the battery is at its maximum voltage (12V). After some period of time, the battery loses some of its voltage and exhibits a steady state or nominal voltage (10.8v), until close to the end of its capacity. The tools and batteries are the same. The only difference is the new PS20 has a magnetic chuck so you will not have to use a power groove bit like the previous versions.
The reason we changed to advertising it as the 12V is to address confusion in the marketplace. We believe it is our role to better educate the consumer and prevent competition from muddying the water by overstating the power and performance of these categories of tool or implying that their maximum voltage is their nominal voltage. That is why we have clearly added "MAX" to the logo.--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a related note, I noticed Bosch's regular size drill at Lowes with the 12V Max battery. Not in the budget now but I'd like to add that to my collection. Nice to have small cordless tools for all the handy tasks I do. ~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
I have the original driver at 10.8 V and it was said to be able to drive some crazy number of 3" screws. No way, Jose..it is a total POS. Not even 1 deck screw can be sunk...fresh charged batts or not, it has no guts and is really slow.
I hate to say it, but I think Bosch is slipping, my 12" slider was a recon. and they didn't even include a carbide blade, AND the fence was warped, 40.00$ to get a new one. Now it also is binding when swinging to miter settings.
Bosch ain't on my happy list much these days.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
When I got my first one I drove and sunk about 30 3" screws into a scrap of 4x4, and it didn't show any signs of slowing down. That was when they first came out. Hope that hasn't changed any.
I know what you mean about the miter fence. Posted about that same issue just yesterday, in another thread. Mentioned how I square up one side and tighten it down, then force the other side into square. Almost broke the middle section doing it. That and the depth adjustment are my only gripes with the 5412.~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
I also had to superglue the rubber cap on the bevel release and lots of lil dinking around'
I picked up the Kobalt 10" slider for site work, the Bosch is just too much for most of my site stuff, so it stays in the shop on a MSUV stand...that lil kobalt is surprisingly good with a Frued blade added. I did FU and try carrying it by the pull handle tho and busted it..DUH..a few wraps of Gorilla tape and shes good as new.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
I like most of the Kobalt tools I've used. Cheap, fairly well made.. but them's just the hand tools. Haven't tried any of their power tools yet. They should make a pocket driver knock-off. Everyone else seems to be making 'em.
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Edited 4/3/2009 7:36 pm by Ted W.
I was wondering about that too...(great little tools!)
Accidentally charged the 12V battery in the charger for
the pocket driver, and nothing bad happened.