I've been using my M18 chainsaw and blower without any issues for a few years with both an 8.0 and a 12.0 battery. Recently, someone gave me a M18 gen 1 string trimmer, and after using it only 4-6 times, both batteries have become unbalanced and only charge up to 3 bars. Could this be just a coincidence, or is it possible that the trimmer is damaging the batteries?
3 Answers
I've encountered similar problems with my trimmer while using a 12.0 battery. These tools can really work the batteries hard, especially if you're using anything below a 6.0; they tend to overheat in about five minutes! I usually run multiple 5.0s to avoid overheating. It's a grind, but keeping them cool helps in the long run.
I’ve faced the same issue with my 8.0 battery, which was exclusively used with the trimmer. It definitely puts a strain on the batteries.
It could be a mix of both. Those specific batteries sometimes have reliability issues, and string trimmers can really be tough on batteries. I’ve heard of them getting seriously damaged, even melting down in some cases.