Milwaukee announced their new REDLITHIUM battery technology today, which is said to provide their cordless tools with unmatched run-time, performance and durability. The new REDLITHIUM batteries will be fully compatible with all M12 and M18 cordless products currently on the market.
These new batteries are expected to provide “up to 40% more run-time, 20% more power and 50% more recharges than other Lithium products.” They’re also designed to work in extreme temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C) and operate 20% cooler with fade-free power and without any memory effect.
This sounds pretty darn good to us! Simply buying a new battery would instantly boost the power and run-time of existing tools.
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Milwaukee will introduce 8 new cordless tools powered by the RL batteries this Fall before a full-line REDLITHIUM transition begins.
Here’s a list of all the new cordless tools launching this Fall:
- 2432-20 M12™ ProPEX Expander
- 2330 M12™ Heated Jacket
- 2411-20 M12™ Hammer Drill Driver
- 2458-20 M12™ Palm Nailer
- 2426-20 M12™ Multi-Tool
- 2632-20 M18™ ProPEX Expander
- 2682-20 M18™ 5-3/8” Metal Saw
- 2615-20 M18™ Right Angle Drill
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MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Electric Tool revolutionized cordless power tools by introducing the world’s first Lithium system, and began the industry-wide transition from NiCad to Lithium. As the clear leader in cordless battery development, Milwaukee continues to demonstrate unrelenting commitment to innovation as they introduce the next generation of Lithium technology. REDLITHIUM™ batteries will provide unmatched run-time, performance and durability for the professional tradesman.
Fully compatible with all M12™ and M18™ cordless products currently available, the new REDLITHIUM™ batteries will provide up to 40% more run-time, 20% more power and 50% more recharges than other Lithium products. The new technology will also operate in extreme temperatures as low as 0°F/-18°C and will run 20% cooler with fade free power and no memory effect. In short, users are able to instantly upgrade the performance, run-time and durability of the M12™ and M18™ tools they already own, simply by switching to the REDLITHIUM™ battery packs.
“We are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that re-define end-user productivity, and will continue to raise industry standards for cordless performance and reliability,” says Steven Richman, president of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. “Milwaukee REDLITHIUM™ batteries provide an exclusive integration of chemistry, cell design, construction and electronics to optimize the user’s experience and ultimately make users more productive on the jobsite.”
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In the Fall of 2010, Milwaukee will introduce eight new cordless products* powered by REDLITHIUM™. Users will then see a full transition to REDLITHIUM™ batteries throughout all Milwaukee cordless products; including 30 unique products and 68 total offerings on theM12™ system, 25 unique products and 60 total offerings on the M18™ system and 15 unique products and 26 total offerings on the M28™ system.
REDLITHIUM™ Advantage:
Performance
Up to
· 40% More Run-Time
· 20% More Speed
· 20% More Torque
· Fade Free Power
Durability
· Operates Down to 0°F/-18°C
· Runs 20% Cooler
· Up to 50% More Recharges
· No Memory Effect
*New Cordless Products Launching in 2010 with REDLITHIUM™ Battery Technology:
2432-20 M12™ ProPEX Expander
2330 M12™ Heated Jacket
2411-20 M12™ Hammer Drill Driver
2458-20 M12™ Palm Nailer
2426-20 M12™ Multi-Tool
2632-20 M18™ ProPEX Expander
2682-20 M18™ 5-3/8” Metal Saw
2615-20 M18™ Right Angle Drill
About Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY) is an industry leading manufacturer and marketer of professional, heavy duty power tools and accessories. Products include the legendary SAWZALL® reciprocating saws, M12™, M18™ & M28™ LITHIUM cordless tools, HOLE-HAWG® drills, portable band saws, circular saws, driver drills, hammer drills, rotary hammers, grinders, sanders and a line of Test & Measurement and Hand Tools. Accessories include SAWZALL® blades, SWITCHBLADE® self-feed bits, BIG HAWG® hole cutters, THUNDERBOLT® drill bits and SHOCKWAVE Impact Duty™. For more information on the full line of Milwaukee® power tools and accessories, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit www.milwaukeetool.com.
Pro Tool Reviews (Everett)
I’m going to be jealous if you actually got an image of the RedLithium battery – I had to Photoshop mine! lol. It seems we were so careful to follow their NDA rules, we didn’t load up on pics for when the info was able to be released… In any case the big deal we noted in our Milwaukee RedLithium batteries report was that they won’t stall out as quickly under heavy load. Bosch saw an improvement in this when they switched to their second generation batteries as well (and I think they are readying gen 3 pretty soon on their 12V line). Being able to operate at very cold temps is also a huge help and will be welcome to those crazy people up north who take on construction projects during the winter season.
I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop in terms of economy of scale – when the price of Lithium-ion brings the cost of tools even lower.
Stuart
The photo was provided by Milwaukee after I bugged them a little about it.
Under heavy load, are you sure that the tools actually stall out rather than it being the battery triggering an interrupt to protect itself from over-current draw or thermal damage? In making the battery chemistry more robust and resistant to over-current damage, Milwaukee was probably able to decrease the sensitivity of their safety switches/sensors as well, resulting in a secondary performance boost.
I do wonder how they were able to achieve their low-temperature advantages. Resistive or chemical heating seems out of the question, so they must have come up with a breakthrough in battery chemistry.
Ken
DEWALT nano and compact Li-ion already works below -20C; seems they are just playing catch up
Stuart
Ken, are you sure about that? When I was over at B&D for the 12V MAX Launch, the product manager explicitly conveyed that the 12V NiCad compact drill was not going to be retired since it does offer better extreme cold weather performance over the compact 10.8V Li-ion batteries.
I haven’t heard too many cold-weather complaints about Dewalt’s 18V Li-ion batteries, but I have heard many about other brands’ batts.
Concord Carpenter
Good job on the pic.
Pilot Ed
Wondering who the makes their batteries..I believe that there only 2 or 3 companies in the workd that make them. I know Hilti has used Panasonic in the past with great success. Any thoughts?