Ridgid has a new 18V rapid charger, model AC86098, which they say is up to 3X faster compared to their standard charger.
The new Ridgid 18V battery charger can charge a 6Ah battery in an hour.
Ridgid also launched new 6-port and simultaneous 2-port chargers last year.
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The charger has an energy-saving mode that Ridgid says “lowers energy consumption to maintain battery charge and maximize battery life.” This seems to be a feature for DIY users that leave their batteries on a charger for an extended period of time.
Here are some sample charging times:
- 2Ah: 30 minutes
- 4Ah: 40 minutes
- 6Ah: 60 minutes
- 8Ah: 85 minutes
The charger has a pass-through plug, so that you can still plug something else into the same outlet – like a USB charging adapter or similar.
This isn’t really an innovation as Ridgid describes, as I’ve seen this on some other chargers years ago, but it can be a convenience at the cost of a bulkier plug.
It also has key holes for wall-mounting the charger.
Price: $79
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At the time of this posting, Home Depot has a promo on the simultaneous 2-port charger, where you buy the charger for $119 and get a free 2-pack of 2Ah batteries. The deal has an end date of July 24, 2023, unless supplies sell out sooner.
Jason Watkins
I wonder how long that 12ah battery takes
Big Richard
At least 120 minutes. Looks like it is a 6A charging rate, based on the 4Ah and 6Ah charge times. Though there appears to be a little extra time when you get to larger packs, as the 8Ah takes 85 minutes instead of the calculated 80 minutes based on a 6A rate. So I would guess 130 minutes?
BobbyG
The Rigid dual charger with bats shows a $268 price and $119 for the charger only.
Big Richard
You may be looking at the bundle kit, I also see that at $268. Go to the page for the charger only and it will give you the option to add your “free” batteries – https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-Dual-Port-Simultaneous-Charger-AC86095/318370172
BobbyG
Omg, yes that worked! Not intuitive at all. Thxs!
Stuart
Isn’t that what I linked to in the post?
Home Depot shows the batteries as a gift item you must select.
Sorry, I take for granted that not everyone is as familiar with how HD sets up their “buy this and get something for free” promos.
Mark M.
This seems like a good upgrade. I tried to stay team Red and Yellow to minimize battery platforms but Ridgid pulled me in with some really useful tools (hand vac, jobsite fan and bandsaw to name three). So far I’ve been 100% happy with all my Ridgid purchases. And it seems like if you can keep an eye on the HD app/website there are definitely some deals to be had.
Frank D
I don’t know how smart it is to charge 3x as fast in terms of battery longevity.
Regular charge speed works fine for me.
I wouldn’t mind the dual, but the charger pricing is out of whack to me. (even if in keeping with competition) This new one (80) and the dual (120), are more than double what might be an affordable / easy spend that will translate to actual sales. I don’t see a reason why these things should be that expensive …