Makita 18V LXT Lithium Battery Upgrades

Makita 18V 3 Year Warranty

Makita Tools have one of the longest track records for solid performing cordless tools, we still see guys using 9.6V drills which have got to be 20+ years old, not even sure how that is possible. Makita was one of the first to jump to the 18V lithium Ion technology and remain the fastest charging batteries as their only charger options are 30 minute rapid chargers.

That being said there have been 2 key complaints, which the competition have promoted that give them advantages over the Makita 18V Cordless. First is a longer replacement warranty, which effective October 1, 2015 Makita has retroactively extended all their battery warranties from 1 year to 3 years! Second complaint is that the 18V batteries don’t have a fuel gauge on them, for pros with a bunch of loose batteries in the truck this can be a problem. Well starting now there will be Makita 18V 2.0, 4.0 & 5.0Ah batteries will have L.E.D. charge level indicators on back.    

Makita 18V LED Battery Gauge

The 3 new batteries will have separate part numbers ending with a “B” and the kits that will include the new batteries will also get new part numbers ending with “B” so customers can make sure to get the right ones. We would anticipate at some point in the not too distant future all the Makita batteries and kits will make the switch over eliminating both of the complaints we’ve heard about Makita batteries in past.

They have had battery indicators on most of their cordless tools but with 3 lights we’ve always seen these as much less accurate. The new battery gauges go to 4 LED lights for more accuracy and of course you don’t need to plug a battery into a tool and pull the trigger to see if it’s got juice.

For questions about Makita Tools give the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 a call. For questions on Makita repairs and warranties these are also you guys you want as they have a full shop of skilled repair techs. For more info on the Battery Gauges and 3 year warranties we have also included both the Makita press releases below.

MAKITA RELEASES NEW 18V LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES WITH ON-BOARD L.E.D. CHARGE INDICATORS

La Mirada, CA – Makita®, the industry leader in cordless power tool technology, has released new 18V Lithium-Ion batteries with on-board L.E.D. charge level indicators. New 18V L.E.D. batteries include the 18V 2.0Ah (BL1820B), 18V 4.0Ah (BL1840B), and the 18V 5.0Ah (BL1850B) Lithium-Ion batteries.

Makita has the world’s largest 18V cordless tool line-up powered by an 18V Lithium-Ion slide-style battery.

The new 18V L.E.D. batteries are part of Makita’s expanding 18V Lithium-Ion series, which offers 100+ tools and is the world’s largest cordless tool line-up powered by 18V Lithium-Ion slide-style batteries. Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries have the fastest charge times in their categories, so they spend more time working and less time sitting on the charger.

New Batteries Available in Kits

The new 18V L.E.D. 2.0Ah, 4.0Ah and 5.0Ah batteries will be available as battery-only and included in an increasing number of 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion tool kits. The new 18V L.E.D. batteries are compatible only with Star Protection tools, indicated by the Star Symbol™ and/or Yellow Battery Receiver under the tool. Makita 18V 3.0Ah batteries are not available with on-board L.E.D. charge level indicators at this time.

The new 18V L.E.D. batteries – as well as all Makita Lithium-Ion Power Tools, Batteries and Chargers – are covered by a limited 3-Year Warranty, which warrants them to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of THREE YEARS from the date of original purchase.

Fastest Charge Times

Makita 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion batteries charge faster and work longer than standard lithium-ion batteries, giving users unmatched performance and productivity to take on the most demanding applications. Makita batteries have category-leading charge times: the 18V 2.0Ah reaches a full charge in only 25 minutes; 18V 3.0Ah in only 30 minutes; 18V 4.0Ah in only 40 minutes; and the 18V 5.0Ah in only 45 minutes.

Category-Leading Battery Technology

Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries are engineered for consistent power and run time in extreme temperatures, even in winter (-4°F/-20°C), and they resist self-discharge so they’re ready for use even after long periods of storage. The Makita Rapid Optimum Charger (sold separately) is a smart-charging system that communicates with the battery during the charging process to monitor current, voltage and temperature. This advanced charging technology helps optimize battery life and deliver a faster charge. In addition, the Charger has a built-in fan to cool the battery for faster and more efficient charging, even in hot weather conditions.

For improved tool performance and extended battery life, Makita created STAR Protection Computer Controls™. STAR Protection is communication technology that allows the tool and battery to exchange data in real time and monitor conditions during use to protect against overloading, over-discharging and overheating.

MAKITA LAUNCHES UPGRADED 3-YEAR LITHIUM-ION WARRANTY

La Mirada, CA – Makita, the innovation leader in cordless, is upgrading to a 3-Year Limited Warranty for all Makita Lithium-Ion tools, batteries and chargers, as well as qualifying Lithium-Ion battery-powered accessories. This new 3-year limited warranty goes into effect October 1, 2015.

“Tool users are looking for solutions that help them solve problems and work more efficiently,” said Adam Livingston, Senior Product Manager, Cordless Tools.

“With the world’s largest 18 volt Lithium-Ion cordless tool line-up powered by an 18V slide-style battery and the industry’s fastest-charging 18V batteries, Makita is giving contractors more opportunities than ever to unplug the cord. Now, we’re backing up our expanding cordless line-up with an upgraded 3-year limited warranty that covers all Lithium-Ion tools, batteries and chargers.”

Upgraded 3-Year Limited Warranty

Under the new limited warranty, each Makita Lithium-Ion power tool, battery and charger is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of three years from the date of original purchase.

For users who purchased Lithium-Ion tools, batteries, and/or chargers prior to October 1, 2015, their purchases will be covered by the new 3 year limited warranty for 3 years from their date of purchase. The warranty covers all current and future Makita Lithium-Ion tools, batteries and chargers including 7.2V, 12V max, 18V, and 36V.

Industry Leadership in Cordless

Makita created the 18V Lithium-Ion category in 2005 with cordless tools that gave contractors industrial performance, superior ergonomics, and the industry’s fastest battery charge times. 2015 marked the release of the 100th Makita 18V cordless tool, and the line-up continues to expand with a range of solutions from woodworking and carpentry to concrete, metalworking, landscaping, and more. Makita also offers 18V Brushless tools and 18V X2 LXT (36V) powered by two 18V batteries. Makita has a growing range of 18V cordless LED jobsite lights, flashlights, radios, vacuums, blowers, and more.

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