I'm working on balancing a set of Milwaukee M18 batteries, and I can't help but wonder why we don't have a custom aftermarket battery shell that allows us to use individual 18650 or 21700 cells, just like some fancy flashlights. Balancing my other batteries, like those in my big LED flashlights, is way easier because I can quickly check each cell's voltage. I think a Milwaukee battery pack that allows for easy swapping and charging of loose cells could be really beneficial. It would let users optimize their charging routines way better than the standard Milwaukee chargers, which seem pretty primitive in comparison. Does anyone know if such a product exists or if there's potential for one?
3 Answers
You're right about Milwaukee's charging being pretty basic. While their chargers likely balance cells, they don’t seem to adjust the charging curves as well as we might prefer. You could look into modifying existing chargers or creating your own. Just a heads up though, if you're considering a spring-loaded design, keep in mind the contact resistance issues. Milwaukee's use of welded tabs keeps things robust, so replicating that with swappable cells might take a bit more engineering.
I watched a YouTube video where they analyzed the communication between Milwaukee batteries and their chargers. They found no evidence of balancing at all. In fact, Dewalt doesn't balance their packs either, so it’s not just Milwaukee that operates this way.
I did a quick search for "M18 battery replacement shell" and found a few options, but none of them had great reviews. The main issue seems to be the RedLithium firmware, which might complicate things further. It's definitely a challenge to create a true quick-release type case for swapping out 18650 cells.
Yeah, most of the stuff I found looked like regular replacement shells rather than what we actually need. A well-designed case with proper contact connections is definitely key, but it's surprising that the aftermarket hasn't come up with something like this yet.
Good point! When it comes to high-drain applications like flashlights, we usually see stricter requirements for battery integrity, but I think Milwaukee batteries can keep up. It’s all about matching the right cells to the applications, and I’ve seen some DIY projects that make it work!