So will the new Makita batteries actually work on the older tools? Today, I'll explain something you need to know about Makita batteries and tools and the solutions to this problem in this guide.
What Makita Batteries Are Available?
Makita launched their first 4Ah 18V lithium-ion battery pack back in 2013, following it up in 2014 with the even larger 5Ah. In 2016, they then launched the 6.0Ah BL1860B yet interestingly, the company offers a wide range of batteries for their power tools. Here are some of the Makita batteries that are currently available:
- Makita 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion battery: This battery is compatible with all Makita 12V Max CXT power tools and has a capacity of 2.0Ah or 4.0Ah.
- Makita 12V Max CXT Compact Lithium-Ion battery: This battery is even more compact and lightweight than the standard 12V Max CXT battery, with options for 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah capacity.
- Makita 12V Max CXT High Capacity Lithium-Ion battery: This battery has a higher capacity than the standard 12V Max CXT battery, with a capacity of 4.0Ah.
- Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery: This battery is compatible with all Makita 18V LXT power tools and has a capacity of 2.0Ah, 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, or 6.0Ah.
- Makita 18V LXT Compact Lithium-Ion battery: This battery is designed to be more compact and lightweight than the standard 18V LXT battery, making it ideal for use in tight spaces. It has a capacity of 2.0Ah, 3.0Ah, or 4.0Ah.
- Makita 18V LXT High Capacity Lithium-Ion battery: This battery has a higher capacity than the standard 18V LXT battery, with options for 5.0Ah or 6.0Ah.
- Makita 40V Max XGT Lithium-Ion battery: This battery is compatible with Makita's 40V Max XGT power tools and has a capacity of 2.5Ah, 4.0Ah, or 7.5Ah.
Some of the newer Makita lithium battery models include:
- BL1830B: This is an 18-volt LXT Lithium-Ion battery with a capacity of 3.0Ah, which is compatible with all Makita 18V LXT tools.
- BL1840B: This is an 18-volt LXT Lithium-Ion battery with a capacity of 4.0Ah, which is compatible with all Makita 18V LXT tools.
- BL1850B: This is an 18-volt LXT Lithium-Ion battery with a capacity of 5.0Ah, which is compatible with all Makita 18V LXT tools.
- BL1860B: This is an 18-volt LXT Lithium-Ion battery with a capacity of 6.0Ah, which is compatible with all Makita 18V LXT tools.
Makita lithium-ion batteries are designed to be interchangeable with their tools. However, it is important to check the compatibility of the battery with the specific tool you are using, as some older models may not be compatible with newer batteries. It is also recommended to use batteries of the same voltage and chemistry as the original battery that came with your tool for optimal performance.
Which Cordless Tools Will the Makita 18V Lithium Battery Power?
I'll break this down further for you by answering the following question:
1. Which Makita 18V Tools Will Support 4Ah and 5Ah Batteries?
Here’s the basics: the batteries are backwards compatible with Makita tools that display:
- A black panel with a Star
- A yellow panel with a Star
- A yellow panel
Obviously, all new Makita 18V cordless power tools will be compatible with the 4Ah and 5Ah li-ion batteries.
2. What Tools Is the Makita 18V Battery Compatible With?
The diagram below displays everything we just learned about Makita battery compatibility. If you are interested, you can learn about Makita's new “Star Protection Computer Controls” technology.
3. What’s the Difference Between “B” and “D” Makita Power Tools?
There’s some confusion over this; why buy a “B” lettered Makita power tool if it’s just the same as “D” version. Here’s what Makita told us – “this is essentially a sticker change“. What that means, as far as we can tell, is that the tools are exactly the same. The “D” denotes it’s definitely compatible with the new higher-capacity batteries. And going forward, all new Makita 18V cordless tools will started with a “D”.
After knowing the above information, I believe you already know the basic fact that if there is the "yellow connector" and/or "star" on the connector plate of your older Makita cordless tool, which indicates it is compatible with the new Makita battery type. However, there are so many types of Makita tools that not the connector of all Makita tools is yellow or has a star, does that mean new Makita batteries won't work on these tools? Here we introduce two cases:
- How to use new batteries on Makita Li-ion tools without this kind of connector
- How to use new batteries on Makita NiCad tools
How to Modify Older Makita Tool to Fit New Battery?
If the connector of your older Makita tool is not yellow or without a star, and there is a small lug on the sliding connector plate that prevents the new battery from connecting, you may need to ground off the lug from older tools and the new batteries will fit. There is a Youtube video of cutting them off as below, the whole process is so simple, just takes about 10 seconds, most people have done this modification and you can operate with confidence.
There are some notices to follow:
- Please keep an eye on the charge indicator when working on older tools so you don't over-discharge the battery.
- It is not recommended to use Makita new batteries with larger capacity on old tools, such as 4ah, 5ah, or 6ah. More amps means if you push the older tool hard it could draw more current than it was designed to handle, causing it to overheat and catch on fire. Since the older tool doesn't have the computer chip it can't tell the battery when it is being overdriven.
How to Use Makita LXT Battery on Makita NiCad Tool?
If your Makita tools are NiCad tools, you will only be able to use NiMh & NiCad batteries instead of new Makita batteries, for the reason we all know: the appearance and structure of Makita nickel batteries and lithium batteries are completely different. But is there a way to make the new Makita lithium batteries work with NiCad cordless tools? To do this, you'll need a Makita NiCad to Lithium battery adapter. Here I will introduce this adapter to you:
Adapter Function:
This battery adapter can convert Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion battery to Makita 18V plug in pod style NiCad & NiMh battery model, which allows your new Makita 18V Li-Ion batteries to be shared with older Makita NiCad & NiMh cordless tools.
Adapter Advantages:
- Replacement (Old "Pod" Style) NiCad Battery with the Latest Lithium Slide Technology.
- The adapter allows the use of Lithium slide battery - Lithium is Lighter.
- Replace Pod Battery like # 1822 or # 1833 or # 1834- Lithium charges faster.
- Give New Life to Older 18 Volt Tools - Lithium holds a charge longer.
Best Replacement for All Makita 18V NiCad/NiMh Battery:
- Makita 18 Volt Plug in Pod Style Battery PA18, 1822, 1823, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1835/F, 1835F
- Makita 18 Volt Plug in Pod Style Battery 19159-1, 192828-1, 192829-9, 193061-8, 193102-0, 193140-2, 193151-1, 193783-0, 194205-3, 194230-4, 194309-1, 196673-6, 419276-2
Compatible with Makita LXT Lithium Batteries Model:
Makita 18 Volt Slide Style Lithium Battery BL1830B BL1850B BL1850 BL1840B BL1820B BL1860B BL1820 BL1830 BL1815N BL1840 BL1815 BL1430 BL1445
Compatible with Makita 18V NiCad/NiMh Tools Model:
- 5036DB, 5036DWB, 5036DWD, 5036DWFE, 5046DB, 5046DWB, 5046DWD, 5046DWDE, 5046DWFE, 5620DWD, 5621DWD.
- 6343D, 6343DBE, 6343DWB, 6343DWDE, 6343DWFE, 6347D, 6347DWDE, 6347DWFE, 6349DWDE, 6349DWFE, 6391D.
- JR180D, JR180DWB, JR180DWBE, JR180DWD, LS711D, LS711DWBEK, LS800DWB, LS800DWBE, LS800DWD.
- 8443D, 8443DWDE, 8443DWFE, 8444DWDE, 8444DWFE.
- 5026DB, 5026DWB, 5026DWD, 5026DWFE.
- 4334D, 4334DWD, 4334DWDE.
- SC190DWDE, UB181D.
How to Maintain This Adapter:
- Do not leave 18V battery plugged into the adapter after working.
- This 18 volt battery adapter no need to be charged (Please remove on adapter before charging battery).
- If you don't plan on using the 18V battery adapter for a month or more, store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects.
I found a Youtube video showing the adapter to enable the more modern Makita 18V LXT lithium-ion batteries to be used with older NiCad / NiMh tools like the 8391D cordless combi hammer drill driver, you can watch the below video to learn more:
Where Can I Buy This Makita NiMh to Li-Ion Battery Adapter?
The good news is that this adapter is currently for sale on our website, if you want to use Makita's new Lithium battery on NiCad tools, you can click the below image to buy this Makita NiCad battery adapter converter, don't forget to use the POW20 coupon to enjoy an extra 20% off discount at checkout!
Tips: If you are interested in other power tool battery adapters, here is a most comprehensive cordless tool battery adapter buying guide for your reference!
Conclusion
The above is about the detailed explanations and solutions for the topic: "Can I use new Makita batteries on old tools?". Which case does your older Makita tool belong to? If you also have the need to use Makita new batteries on older tools, I hope this article will help you!
You can also read more guides about cordless power tool battery adapters:
- Cordless Power Tool Battery Adapter Buying Guide
- How to Use Any Brand Battery With Any Power Tool
- How to Adapt Makita Batteries to Other Tools
- How to Build a Power Tool Battery Adapter
- Bocsh Battery PBA Vs. GBA
FAQs
1. Are these 5AH batteries compatible with the earlier 18 volt tools that take the 3AH batteries?
All star batteries will fit all star tools.
2. Do Makita 14.4v Batteries Work on Makita 18v Tools?
14.4 would fit 18v, but not the other way around.
3. Is there any harm in modifying the older tool connector so it accepts the newer 4 and 5 amp batteries?
The hazard to the older tools presented by modifying it to accept a larger capacity battery is that you can push the tool at high amp draw for longer than it was designed. Thus the tool's smaller gauge wiring can heat to the point beyond the tools ability to dissapate the heat, causing the wiring to burn, damaging the tool and possibly catching fire.
4. Does Makita NiMh to Li-ion adapter work for the drill that uses 18v ni-mh?
Yes it does. I use this adapter with everything that took the older form factor.
5. Can I use an 18V battery in a 14.4V Makita drill?
No, you cannot use an 18V battery in a 14.4V Makita Drill. This is because the amount of voltage needed by a tool is specified by the manufacturer and using a higher voltage than what is specified can cause the tool to become damaged.
This is because the tool may not be able to handle the increased load, resulting in a burnout of components or allowing too much current to flow through, which can cause damage. For your specific Makita drill, you will need a 14.4V battery.
It is important to always follow the manufacturer’s specifications and ensure that you are using the correct type and amount of voltage for your tool.
