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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Default Cheap Ebay batteries vs Genuine from Bunnings

    Hi Guys,
    I am looking at buying another battery 18V 5Ah ( or 6 is it now ?) for my AEG batteery tools.
    The genuine ones from Bunnings are very expensive and the Ebay chinese clones are very cheap!

    Bunnings ( 5Ahr ) = $189, Ebay(6 Ahr ) = $52!

    Anyone have expereiences with the cheap ones? Are they any good, or just lame copies?

    Don't want to waste my money either way......

    Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Southern Flinders Ranges
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    Default

    Third option is to have them repacked. Having an 18V battery repacked with reputable cells such as Panasonic will cost around $100-120

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Newcastle, NSW Aus
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    9

    Default

    Not AEG specific, but a fairly comprehensive look at genuine vs knock off batts. Long time since I watched but I seem to remember that the genuines did better, but in terms of price/performance, the chinese may have come out ahead. Or something!

    https://youtu.be/RjBiM0GQEe8

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Default

    My experience is that you usually end up with about the same $/x where "x" is things like total kWh, recharge time, total lifetime etc. If you're happy enough to deal with more batteries, and recharging and replacing them etc more regularly then cheap is a way to go.

    However, after dabbling myself with a few cheap batteries I found battery clutter from too many batteries, swapping in and out of chargers, dying mid job, etc is a PITA. I'd rather have 2 branded batteries than 4-6 unbranded ones.

    Here's an indication of lifetime. At the mens shed, the Dewalt cordless gear and batteries were getting a solid workout but we never had enough batteries to last so after about a year of use (the batteries were still good) we bought a half a dozen cheap batteries and they lasted for about a year which was about the same time as the original (year older) batteries died.

    The most significant improvement in battery performance I found was when I switched my 4 drill/drivers over to brushless. Also I only use 3 and 4Ahr batteries as I don't like the added weight of the 5+ Air batteries.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    se Melbourne
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    62
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    54

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    You might be able to get a good battery at a cheaper price second hand.

    Most of my batteries I have bought from Cash Converters. I bought one 5 Ah when it was incorrectly described as 3 Ah.
    The outside condition is a good guide to the amount of use and abuse the battery has had.
    The link below has been refined to just show items in Western Australia.

    https://www.cashconverters.com.au/sh...ory=1073742960

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Default

    Cash converters is a great option if you are OK with buying stolen goods….

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    North Brisbane. Qld. Australia
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    I have a few AEG tools. Bought two brand new 5Ah from Cash Converters about four years ago. Only cost $100 for the two. Bargain. A pair of them now from Bunnings is about $299. One battery was only good for half charge recently but has now come good again. Don't know how that happens. The other has now also gone like the first, but still plenty of charge for lots of holes with a brushless drill. I also have their blower and considered another two 5Ah, but wanted more run time with the blower without changing batteries, so got the 9Ah force for $219. The 9Ah is a little heavy for drills etc so is mainly for the blower. Have considered the eBay option, but always go with branded batteries, but look out for bargains. I have Ryobi, AEG 18V, Bosch 12V, Dremel 10.8V and Panasonic 3.6V and probably something else I have forgotten. All genuine batteries.
    Nev.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
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    Default Cheap Ebay batteries vs Genuine from Bunnings

    My experience - Makita 18v batteries. The original 3Ah ones that came with the kit I bought 8 years ago - one finally died about a year back, the other 2 have reduced capacity but still fine for a light use like in the impact driver or radio.
    I bought 2 non-genuine batteries from eBay a few years back as I needed some extras having got a couple of additional tools. Supposedly a seller with good reputation etc. First one faulted in less than 6 months, the second at about 9 months. Some internal fault and it showed as being faulty when you put them on the charger.
    Couldn’t get a response out of the seller.
    The eBay ones were about half the price of genuine.

    I decided at that point the cheap batteries were just a lottery, and since it only takes one dodgy cell to kill a battery - the odds weren’t good.

    Between the other tools I’ve bought and a couple of bare spare batteries we’ve probably got around a dozen batteries now.
    All genuine Makita ranging from 3-5Ah, and apart from the originals the oldest ones would be around 6yo. No failures of the genuine ones apart from the one original at about 7yo.

    I have had a genuine charger die though. Best option for replacement was to buy another kit with a couple of batteries, rapid charger and tool. I managed to time it with free battery promo from totaltools so worked out even better

    Steve

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Australind , WA
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    Default

    Thanks guys.
    I forgot to mention that I wanted a second battery, as I only have one, at the moment.

    I think you have convinced me....I will just go with genuine AEG.

    I had a genuine battery die on me only after a couple of years and I just binned it. I should have investigated the failure, as others have said, it only takes one cell to kill a pack....

    I'll grab one when I'm next in Bunnings. ( I don't think I'll have to wait too long....lol)

    Steve

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Tennant Creek, Aust
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    Quote Originally Posted by racingtadpole View Post
    Cash converters is a great option if you are OK with buying stolen goods….
    Steal and Deal.

    Ratty 05/2004 -05/07/2010 COOPER 01/08/1998-31/01/2012

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