Makita 18V Battery Has Big Problem!

In this video I was solving the biggest Makita 18V battery problem once and for all. No more faulty dead cells inside and prolonged lifespan.
Used components and more:
- Cell Meter 8: rb.gy/et4zlb
- JST-HX 5s connectors: rb.gy/tdloow
- Spade connectors: rb.gy/cz3v5p
- iMax B6 V2 smart charger: rb.gy/yyaoxe
- ToolkitRC M7AC - A better smart charger: rb.gy/7i2eww
- Adapter file for 3D printing: www.thingiverse.com/thing:635...
18V Li-ion Makita Battery Protect Circuit Board:
- Compact: rb.gy/39cne2
- Balanced: rb.gy/9a1kjj
Battery case for 9Ah battery:
- With compact board: shorturl.at/dyLPV
- With balancing board: shorturl.at/ertNX
DIY video of 9H Makita battery: • Why Makita isn't Makin...

[@izoyt]

looks like you should change title to after-market "makita" batteries have huge problem..

[@Guishan_Lingyou]

I don't know what kind of electronics they have inside but I have several genuine Makita batteries that will no longer charge on a Makita charger. I will have to open them up to see if they have balancing connections to each cell.

[@Brentpn]

It's quite obviously not a genuine makita battery.....

[@izoyt]

@@Brentpn exactly, but that didn't stop author of the video to click bait title as it is original (aka makita batteries doesn't have cell balancing).

[@pubcollize]

@@izoytI was wondering why he didn't mention how to tell which battery has the load-balancing board before buying. That explains it.

[@davey2k12]

​@@izoytit's because it's in the charger 😂

[@Eratas1]

It is good to mention that original Makita 18V battery does not include low voltage and over voltage protection. A MOSFET is inside every Makita tool. Important if you use the battery for purposes other than Makita. That's why I added a whole new BMS to the battery that has over and under voltage protection MOSFET included.

[@tohmsquare9957]

Hello, do you have a reference to advise and perhaps a tutorial to watch? Thank you so much

[@uhjyuff2095]

actually search youtube for Tool_Scientist and you will see makita battery video about the makita bms which does have a mosfet!

[@dr.bik.sauerlanderene_HR]

@Eratas1 . Thats a bullshit what you wrote here.

[@yxcvmk]

I totally agree that these batteries will drain to zero - no protection IN the battery. Do you have any information about your protection setup. I'd really like a voltage protection, especially to prevent deep-discharge. Overcharge I am not too concerned about - the Makita charger should take care of that, no?

[@uhjyuff2095]

@@yxcvmk you can make a external bms if you build the packs with the balance wires exposed like in this video. Its weird because you have exposed battery connections but if you are careful with the wires you can get it to have low voltage protection

[@SamiMarjeta]

Funny thing, I came up with exactly same situation about 5 years ago. I got a bucket full of discarded Makita batteries. Some were ok, just low voltage. Some had 1 phase dead, others fine. Makita's charger would not charge them since battery circuits have low voltage memory. I did exactly same solution. I didn't have 3d printer so I made the adapter out of plywood. Also I didn't use epoxy for connector attachment (I think I wil do it now). Still use it today to charge them with hobby charger. Great video!

[@dr.bik.sauerlanderene_HR]

I own over 50 makita baterys, some of them 12 years old and none of them gone bad. Still working fine, all of them. How do you get bad makita batterys??

[@BitTwisted1]

Discovered this issue a few years ago, specifically on the 14.4 battery packs, (because these were the ones we were using). On the early batteries the battery management board is permanently powered from the first pair of cells, resulting in the first pair of cells always being slightly more discharged than the rest of the cells. This issue builds up, especially if the batteries are stored for a long period. When the battery is used with the drill the first pair of cells eventually get slightly over discharged, which degrades them faster than the rest of the pack and reduces their effective capacity. I believe there is some natural cell balancing when the battery is repeatedly discharged and charged, however if the battery is stored this does not appear to be enough and the first pair of cells dies first. It feels like a design fault/money saving exercise/intentional battery lifetime limiting feature, which makita have decided is acceptable because it doesn't normally kill the batteries before the 1000 charges in continuous professional use of the 4-5 years of DIY use. As a side note, The battery management board on the early batteries communicates with the charger and appears to count charges and disable the battery if the number if charges exceeds a number, I have guessed at 1000 charges, remember putting a full battery onto the charger to see if it is full counts as a charge... I expect this is a 'safety feature' which the marketing department wet themselves over.

[@kayaker2k]

The clone battery does not have any balancing leads. the leads which are connected are a measuring wire to check the first cell. This is used to do the fuel gauge and the internal electronics, which are much easier to drive from 3.5V-4.2V and not the full pack voltage. The original board is deactivating the charging, not only with unbalanced cells, but also with low-voltage cells. Which could be charged but are very likely to fail soon and are not capable any more to deliver the currents needed. Therefore makita is deactivating the battery. I dont really like this from a sustainability point of view, but as a manufacturer which have to garanty the current and power delivery for these battery it makes sense.

[@aleksandersats9577]

I find this a bit interesting. I have actually recovered a 14.4v Makita battery where 3 cells were basically at 0V and 1 pair was 2v. I manually fully charged them and the battery continues to work. Even the Makita charger accepts them now and so far there have been zero issues. So the BMS didn't brick itself somehow during this process?? It was connected the entire time I manually charged it back

[@MCsCreations]

Really well done, dude! Fantastic work! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊 And happy holidays!

[@drsquirrel00]

You can get the DIY kit cases with the larger balancing board too.

[@viorsa8200]

Excelente tutorial maestro, buen trabajo, gracias por compartir sus conocimientos y experiencias, un saludo cordial y por supuesto un merecido like desde Narón (Galicia)🔝👍🤓

[@wallacegrommet9343]

I bought Makita first gen LXT lithium cordless tools in 2007. Quite a few of those batteries died within 5 years. Makita learned that battery lifespan is important to construction professionals. They rolled out second gen lithium batteries, gave me two on goodwill warranty. I bought many more. Have only managed to kill one of those over ten years. My fault, too.

[@BobsterAction]

If I'm buying Makita batteries say on Ebay, is there a way to tell if they're gen 1 or 2?

[@christiano.4808]

Cells will become unbalanced with age, it's a normal part of the degradation process. When charging it with a RC charger like this, you're top balancing them and you might find at some point that you need to do this more and more often and maybe even with every charge, because they will not stay in balance. This might cause problems with the low voltage protection, because the individual cells aren't monitored during discharge and you rely on the low voltage protection that only checks the pack voltage. With the same modifications shown in the video, you could also bottom balance the cells. You discharge all cells individually to, for example, 3.0V. For optimal efficiency, you match this voltage times five with the low voltage protection of the power tool or the battery protection circuit. Then, you charge the pack, but without balancing the cells (much like the original charger would do, or the RC charger does without the balance wires connected or the balance charge option selected). While charging, you monitor the individual cell voltages through your newly fitted balance connector. Towards the end of the charge, the cell voltages will drift and become unbalanced at the top of their charge cycle. You wait until the first cell reaches your desired end of charge voltage. Could be 4.20V, but you could also consider a slightly lower voltage, like 4.1V or 4.0V, which will increase the longevity of the cells. At that point, all the other cells will have a different voltage. You then take note of the pack voltage. This is your new end of charge voltage for the entire pack. You can then discharge the pack by using it in your power tools and the cells will be balanced at the bottom, just like you've set it up at the start. And then you can charge them again without balancing, using the RC charger or a lab bench power supply with adjustable voltage, set to your determined end of charge voltage. By doing that, you make sure that all the cells, even though they're different because their different states of degradation, are in balance at the bottom of their voltage range. This is a bit more work at the start compared to top balancing, but there are two advantages. The first, you make sure that the low voltage protection still works properly. The second, charging will be quicker, because a top balance charge will take longer than just a normal charge.

[@lyndonthan4350]

Excellent info ! Thank you

[@SteveSmith-kf9on]

Great video mate. Quick question, some of my old makita batteries need changing a lot quicker, any fix for that one ? Many thanks

[@nueschtsNutzername]

This is just brilliant!! Thank's a lot!

[@jeffryjebaraj503]

Well done nice experiment.....

[@ArthurCliveWalter]

Very clear, well done.

[@Edmorbus]

Well Done Thanks for sharing

[@davideyres955]

Great stuff. You should take a look at the dewalt flexvolt batteries. I suspect they have the same problem. Would like to see you do a mod to those.

[@PM-wt3ye]

Thats a Problem with After market, Not genuine ones

[@julesgraham6186]

Goes to show you get what you pay for. Cheap aftermarket generic batteries are cheaper for a reason and this video shows why. It was a bit poor that the video didn’t clearly state the battery with the problem was a clone copy and not a genuine Maikta battery.

[@Iamsuccesspro]

Where's the balanced board battery fix you mentioned for 2nd half of the video?

[@kenlee5461]

Hi, Great video. Is there a link which will tell me the wiring of the balance wires to the batteries?

[@alexsafonov7270]

I love it! nice work sir :)

[@jkkater]

Wow nice. Hi I have a question do you by any chance know how you can dewalt battery bms reset? I replaced single cells but unfortunately bms doesn't allow to charge them.

[@saltycarpenterr3127]

I've been using 20 18v makita for 6 years even for my mower. Never. Any. Problems.

[@saautotek7586]

I am very impressed 👍

[@johnibbertson2960]

great piece of electronic improvement, why dont the manifacturers do that ?

[@user-zm4ox4jd5n]

It's a very wonderful idea.

[@zanmarinic]

Great video!

[@pajajaska]

Thats a great idea!

[@armandine2]

... pity you didn't flesh out the Makita equal balance board with bricked BMS - though I picked up what solution was implied.

[@SirMillz]

Dealing with many Makita battery issues; considering switching whole kit to Dewalt.

[@schonsospaet22]

It would be so nice if all that was integrated into the makita charging station. To adjust the charging speed would also be nice, so you can expand the battery life.

[@grafslo4453]

I have many Makita 18V tools.. and no problems with the batteries !

[@cryingeva]

The aftermarket battery is junk, that’s not last a year, my older original battery 10 years still going strong

[@yvesvandemaele8012]

Great video

[@Tesla.Channel2024.]

Have you considered selling those batteries online? It would be fantastic to have them available in our country, especially since they appear to be of high quality and durability. I believe many people will find them useful and convenient to purchase from an online platform.

[@yordannedelchev4784]

Got a replacement board and like the dude mentioned the charger doesn't accept it. Says it overheating. Any solutions?

[@marvindalla6336]

The ToolkitRC M7AC use same JST-HX 5s conector to balance thes cells?

[@PM-wt3ye]

How can this device discharge without a cooler for Heat dissipation?

[@johnthetrucker344]

I wait for your Solution for the Big Mainboard with Cell Balancing. I have change the cells but the Charger blinks and Chirp the all time

[@JakeRobb]

Some of those batteries are Makita, but the one you disassembled is a cheap copy in a size Makita has never sold. Which is probably why it has this problem. I’d guess that all _real_ Makita batteries have the balanced control board. BTW, the B in PCB stands for Board, so “PCB board” is redundant. Like PIN number or ATM machine.

[@ijaslt4617]

THANK YOU YOU SAVE MY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Video is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@slinkos]

I have a similair problem with my Parkside battery. I connected it to my cellmeter 8 and it recognises all the cells and I see disbalance between the cells. When I hold the dischargge button it double beeps and doesn't go into discharge mode. What could be wrong?

[@yakuzapapi7211]

i have 30 batteries, non of them had this problem lol

[@mattmatt2539]

you are genius .thank you so much 🤝

[@tombowman4489]

I'm charging each cell of a Wheatley 6ah pack that has gone dead in hope that when they are all charged to the same voltage the Makita charger will charge the pack again... So far I'm at 3.43v - 3.7v. trying to get them all up to the 3.7v mark. When I started 4 if the cells where reading a 0 voltage. But they all seem to be holding a charge now. The pack indicator is now saying 60%. Is this attempt likely to work? Meany thanks advance 🙏

[@user-mt3go4yv4t]

excellent!

[@gyij3876]

Y is it heated so much plus I smell the plastic burn smell and so stopped after the light just showed in 2nd step which it needed for 3rd step light to be fully charged?smell not normal?

[@beemergb]

The JST-Hx is that a 6s pin ? And not a 5s pin ?

[@lemanhanh2822]

Great!

[@-_Robert_-]

Why not place inside whole 5S BMS which takies USB C and charge battery directly?

[@TranTek]

looks like the one without much stuff are knock off not Makita you can tell the spot welder strip

[@100-Prozent-MICHAEL]

You are completely wrong. It's not Makita batteries that have a problem, but the counterfeit cheap clones. Your headline is not serious.

[@LovingIdaho]

No problem with any of my makita batteries yet . I have been using them a lot for 12 years now .

[@johanneslaxell6641]

My 18V makita batteries are over 15 years old and still work fine...

[@vegetablepolice1]

might have to bypass the safty board and charge with a bench power supply if possible man

[@youngstuden78]

Why you choose lipo type

[@aicisha]

the title should be "makita 18v rip-off battery has a big problem" !!

[@terukopops]

Of course the fake battery has a problem, not Makita 18v batteries!

[@MartinMartinX]

Its because the bigger 9Ah battery is not a Makita product. Its a Chinese clone which is Makita compatible. Big difference !

[@TheOnlyDominik]

IT'S A FAKE MAKITA! Use original Batteries!

[@adassociates8235]

This kind of misleading content like this should be monitored, he should change title to FAKE MAKITA Batteries😅

[@uhjyuff2095]

use female connector on battery side and the male connector for battery balancer device.

[@forestranger312]

Lithium cells are wonderful aren’t they! Can you imagine the electronic circuit complexity within the ev cars. Then it goes wrong and needs repairing. Nightmare begins. Bank balance crashes. Realisation that you may have made a big mistake believing the government that evs are the answer to the worlds perceived problems.

[@seamusphelan228]

First off that’s a counterfeit or knockoff cheap copy of a Makita 18v battery and nothing to do with genuine Makita. I’ve seen these cheap copies overheat and burn on site from normal use. Always use the original Makita for durability safety and reliability. There is no substitute.

[@sergsergo6581]

плату балансера проще впаять

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

Had mine 5 years 5amp never had one problem

[@allantamm2185]

old school 🙃🔋

[@madworkzer]

👍

[@vegetablepolice1]

not an expert but an easy way to make it charge

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

Seems like spending a bunch of time and money to make cheap knockoff batteries work. Are you really saving anything in the long run?

[@user-pp2cf1rg8h]

Makita battery. How to unlock and restart the BMS board? After a month of operation, the LEDs began to blink and it would not charge. (as in the 10 second video on the link) The BMS board does not work. The battery is original, new. But I opened it myself after it was blocked. There is no longer a guarantee. / The battery pack itself works, everything is fine with the cells. Temporarily soldered a jumper from the short contact group to the adjacent positive contact group, the battery pack works, but in this option there is no protection for the cells kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYCxon2KeNiba6c

[@jsaurman]

0:48 Can someone explain to me what that yellow multipin connector on the top of the battery pack actually does? It doesn't ever seem to ever connect to any device which uses the battery...

[@v3nato]

It allows the original makita charger to communicate with the battery chip. To check battery integrity, voltage level, temperature, how many times it has been charged.

[@nb1843]

jeez

[@mynameis5886]

7:10 Why do you charge a Li-Ion battery as LiPo? I guess you don't know what going is.

[@luukie0000]

HAHAHAHA

[@stevevorpe5735]

Traduire en Francais.Mercie

[@catdayl]

👏👏👏👏

[@JunaidKhan-ub4es]

❤ good

[@MrAndzzeys]

hahahah! Showing non Makita batteries is hilarious :D

[@cimuraisampi]

its no way i can do that 🤠

[@raitshots]

😎👍

[@kolrobi]

Misleading title as genuine batteries already have balancing future. Who will play around with this type of charging while in middle of work on a job site. These type of ideas only good for making videos about but in real life, nobody (who is a real user and not diy user) will play around like this. There are far more important things in life than playing around with how to charge batteries what already existing btw. I did too refresh /repair a faulty battery, but all the effort, time and parts needed did not worth it as the repairing cost was close to a new battery's price. And the ones I repaired was copies. Still have original working battery from 2008.

[@JulianLuigiNocamasi]

fake makita problems should be the name

[@christopherstaples6758]

those are not official Makita batteries

[@TheMrjogas]

Unsafe.good idea

[@frankandersson7112]

All the stuff needed & time it takes.... aint it better 2 just buy A new battery?

[@yovolvo9130]

exactly makita charger itself destroy the batteries. The makita charger doesn't charge and shows the batteries have problems. I tested the batteries in severals makita chargers ... the same ... the lights of the chargers flashing, saying the batteries are broken. Well ... i put the batteries in a cheap chinese charger ... BINGO ... is charging. So ... i sold the makita charger and i have 4 years charging just with a cheap chinese charger. Simple. So ... fu_k the Makita Factory, fu_k the designers of the Makita batteries

[@femator1]

Makita 9AH 😂😂😂😂 clons not original dont misliding

[@johnspartan3465]

I have owned 2 makita drills over the years, they are the 2 worst drills I have ever had

[@max_pokerface]

title :makita 18v battery has big problem video: lets add bms to knockoff makita battery 9ah ones keep dying! misinformation here is next level..all geniune 18v line up have bms built in and they have just 6 ah battery using samsung or panasonic or sony cells.....better inform ppl correctly

[@BOSS_805]

No one has time for this

[@MrAdam73cb]

And who has time for such nonsense when you can order a new BMS without a battery charge counter? there are even simpler solutions.

[@michaelfairchild]

Nice clickbait title. Obviously those are knockoff batteries and with low price, comes sh*t quality. Same other way around with knockoff tools for Makita 18V batteries.

[@user-mu3jx6hk6i]

Makita never produced three-row batteries, a video for idiots.

[@preezeso]

Makita battery has a charge counter, after a number of cycles breaks down.

[@Popajaja]

Unlike Makita, Hikoki and Bosch batteries, Milwaukee batteries can be unlocked. The intelligent Milwaukee charger, after checking all Li-Ion cells, reactivates the battery's electronics. Yesterday I received 5 pieces of "defective" Milwaukee M18/5Ah batteries for free. After two hours, all batteries work like new without changing cells, BMS and soldering iron!

[@user-fd6ul2ol7t]

Дам совет:не покупайте аккумуляторы на китайской али-помойке!!!!!!!-там теоритически не может продаваться оригинальные аккумуляторы!

[@user-ze4gi1hq5z]

Правильно! Покупайте у Российских перекупов! И тогда одна банка для сборки вам выйдет дороже чем готовый оригинальный аккум для шурика!🤗

[@user-fd6ul2ol7t]

@@user-ze4gi1hq5z наивные верят что бывают оригинальные банки по 5$....продолжайте верить.....

[@user-fd6ul2ol7t]

@@user-ze4gi1hq5z некоторые индивиды верят в то что оригинальный аккумулятор может стоить 5$.....

[@anthonygregory3022]

Ain't worth it. Makita is garbage

[@A6D6E6]

Some misleading comment in this video. Your 15 cell pack,with a 0.11v imbalance,wiil NOT cause the tool to shut down.