Joined
·
26 Posts
I have an older cordless Makita circular saw (model: BSS611) I bought with a set of Makita cordless tools. One of my batteries died and I bought a newer 4.0 amp battery (the 5 amp batteries are still quite pricey) and a new charger (model: DC18RC) because Makita says the 4 and 5 amp batteries should not be charged on the old one (model: DC18A). The new battery fits all my old tools except the circular saw, even thought I bought them all as a package. I did the research and I know about the "yellow connector" and/or "star" on the connector plate of the tool which indicates it is compatible with the new battery type. My saw does in fact lack this indicator while the other tools have it.
There is a small lug on the saw connector plate that prevents the new battery from connecting. I have read some internet posts from individuals that say they ground off the lug and have used the new battery on the old saw. There are some industry website posts, going way back to when Makita first intruduced the 18V 3.0 amp battery, that say the saw was manufactured with the saw to prevent its use with the even older 1.5 amp battery because the saw would overheat the 1.5 amp battery which was intended only for certain lighter duty tools. If this is the ony reason for the lug, then it would seem harmless to remove the lug since the 5 amp battery could easily handle the load. However, newer information from Makita talks about how the "yellow" and "star" marked tools have computer chips which somehow talk to a computer chip in the new batteries to somehow prevent damage to the battery and extend its duty cycle and life.
So, my question: Is there any harm in modifying the saw connector so it accepts the newer 4 and 5 amp batteries? Is the Makita claim about the computer chip preventing damage really true? If so, why does the battery fit my old hammer drill and impact driver? Certainly they don't have the computer chip since they were manufactured long before the 4 amp battery was on the market. Howe much of this is true and how much is manufacturer hype?
There is a small lug on the saw connector plate that prevents the new battery from connecting. I have read some internet posts from individuals that say they ground off the lug and have used the new battery on the old saw. There are some industry website posts, going way back to when Makita first intruduced the 18V 3.0 amp battery, that say the saw was manufactured with the saw to prevent its use with the even older 1.5 amp battery because the saw would overheat the 1.5 amp battery which was intended only for certain lighter duty tools. If this is the ony reason for the lug, then it would seem harmless to remove the lug since the 5 amp battery could easily handle the load. However, newer information from Makita talks about how the "yellow" and "star" marked tools have computer chips which somehow talk to a computer chip in the new batteries to somehow prevent damage to the battery and extend its duty cycle and life.
So, my question: Is there any harm in modifying the saw connector so it accepts the newer 4 and 5 amp batteries? Is the Makita claim about the computer chip preventing damage really true? If so, why does the battery fit my old hammer drill and impact driver? Certainly they don't have the computer chip since they were manufactured long before the 4 amp battery was on the market. Howe much of this is true and how much is manufacturer hype?