Customer Reviews

Black & Decker PS130 Fire Storm 12-Volt 1-2/5-Amp Hour NiCad Pod Style Battery

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

The PS130's are an inferior battery. Mine died a sudden death after three years of casual service. Not impressive. Another review suggested the DeWalt DC9071. It has the same contact as the PS130. It charges fine with a B&D charger and works with the 12volt drill/driver. In fact, it puts the drill on steroids. The only problem is that the Dewalt has a ridge around the battery case that prevents the clip holders from grabbing. I just use a big, strong rubber band to hold the thing in place. A little flakey, but it's worth the extra kick and power of the Dewalt battery. Buying a replacement PS130 is throwing good money after bad.

...but if you've got the cash, you might as well go ahead and get a REAL drill. The number one problem I have with this lemon is that it can't hold small bits...the chuck is poorly designed. I just had the charger conk out on me...first of all, these batteries don't hold a charge for too long; now, no one carries the charger...

Well, almost no one:
http://doityourself.com/store/028877325163.htm

So I hope that helps the person who posted about not being able to find the charger.

Piece of S***. I recently, very recently, purchased a Black & Decker hedge trimmer powered by the PS130 FireStorm Battery. After using the tool only once I was unable to get the battery to recharge. When I attempted to find a replacement Black & Decker battery I was told by the local dealer that Black & Decker no longer shipped that item to stores and the only place where this battery could be purchased was over the internet.

Well guess what, the DeWalt DC9071 rechargeable battery in the DeWalt DW9216 dual charger does just fine in the Black & Decker hedge trimmer. In fact, since it works and is readily available at the local hardware store, it is far superior to the Piece of S*** 130 by Black & Decker.

Had I to do it over, I'd just avoid the Black & Decker PS130 system entirely and instead go with something with either an engine or a cord.

I bought 4 of these drills - two for me and two for friends.
All batteries get tired quickly with usage and they die quickly ( in that they no longer hold a charge at all ). A new battery costs $35 and I only paid $45 for the complete drill/charger/bits so buying new batteries seems like a waste. I bought the Dewalt drill ($180) which came with two batteries and _really_ like it. It charges fully in 1 hour has _lots_ of power and the batteries last quite a while.

Works just like the one that comes with your Black & Decker tool. Will also work with the DeWalt tools that are the same voltage and footprint. I use the DeWalt charger with mine. Price is well worth getting a new battery here and you may save some not using DeWalt. No use going generic if you can get Black & Decker.

I found this item here and from the manufacturer. It was half the price at Amazon with free shipping & handling. I would have had to pay twice the price AND S&H from the manufacturer. Actually, the manufacturer is the one that told me to check on Amazon for this item. Thanks!

I have to agree here. I've had one of these Firestorm 12V Drills for about 3 years. The chuck does tend to have to be re-tightened sometimes, the charger died suddenly and I got another one. Then one of the two batteries started to act funny, like I would charge it up for an hour and then it runs slow and any effort you give it, it dies. I came here today with the idea of maybe getting a new second battery. We all know the advantage of having two batteries. That was why I got this in the first place, but now after reading several familiar experiences, I've changed my mind. I think I'll skip B & D for my next power tool purchase. I do have a corded one that works fine thank goodness, but enough is enough. Next time I'm going with a brand I can get parts for a whole lot easier first of all. I have used Craftsman in the past and had better luck than this. One nice thing, at least where I live, is that I can go to a Sears outlet that sells refurbished power tools & accessories. If they don't have a part in stock, you order it and it is shipped to your home. I will also consider Makita or DeWalt for example too.

This battery, after minor modification (small tab needs to be cut off using knife), can be used in Dewalt 12V tool range. This battery costs more than 2 times less than DeWalt battery, so you may think "Why should I pay for brand name, if I can get same for less money?" And you will be wrong. This battery is very, very weak. While declared capacity is 1.2ah, the real capacity is around 0.7ah I guess. I've installed it, fully charged, into DeWalt DC940 cordless drill. Used 8x120mm screws into pine. The 1st screw went in fine, but battery emitted bad odour. I've tried to screw another one, but on halfway, drill stopped, and battery emitted much more bad odour (something rotten-flesh like, never seens such odour from battery).

That's ALL!!!

One fully charged battery managed to screw only one and half screw into wood!

So, if you going to buy this, remember that you can only use it for light duty applications, and never put it into any Dewalt XRP series tools.

The original battery died due to lack of use. The replacement does not have to be drained and recharged frequently to stay alive.
Good news for the person who does not use a drill frequently.

Was looking for replacement batteries - since I like the drill. Debate was to purchase replacement batteries or buy a new drill. Went for the lowest cost battery I could find. This was it. Ordered batteries, received them on date they said I would. Charged new battery for 24 hours and drill works just like new. Ended up saving myself a couple of $ while still having a full-functioning cordless drill.