Milwaukee 48-11-1828 M18 XC RED LITHIUM 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Tool Battery

by Milwaukee

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Milwaukee RED LITHIUM batteries are the next generation in Lithium-ion technology. Compatible with all products in the M18 Cordless tool system, RED LITHIUM battery packs will provide unmatched runtime, performance and durability for the professional tradesman. Managed by Milwaukee’s exclusive Digital Power Management (DPM) System, the battery features Overload Protection, a Temperature Management System, Individual Cell Voltage Monitoring, Discharge Protection and a Battery Fuel Gauge. Overload Protection - Prevents user from damaging their cordless power tool investment in abusive situations. Temperature Management System - Keeps battery in ideal temperature range to provide maximum life. Individual Cell Monitoring - Ensures optimal charge and discharge for maximum life. Discharge Protection - Prevents cell damage from over-discharge.

Product Description

The Milwaukee M18 Red Lithium XC High Capacity LITHIUM-ION Battery pack offers increased run-time with 40% less weight than an 18V NiCd battery. Compatible With: Certain Milwaukee Cordless Tools, Battery Amp/Hour: 2.8, Battery Type: Lithium Ion, Volts: 18, Thermal Protector: Yes, Low Battery Indicator: Yes, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 3 x 6 x 7 1/2

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001F0QLCA
• Item model number: 48-11-1828
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,132 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #13 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Cordless Tool Accessories > Battery Packs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great battery, but know your tool before purchasing., October 5, 2010

By 

Matthew_U - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milwaukee 48-11-1828 M18 XC RED LITHIUM 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Tool Battery (Tools & Home Improvement)

Great battery! I bought this specifically for my job site radio (2790-20), but recently purchased a cordless sawzall and will be using it for the sawzall as well. Additionally, I have two XC batteries that came with my hammer drill (2602-22) and impact driver (2650-22). These batteries last a loooooong time for almost all applications; it seems like each battery will last for several hours doing even mid-level work. So far, the only time that the battery completely drained on me while I was working was when I used my drill to mix concrete (using an attached paddle for mixing concrete in a bucket).

As far as the weight, it's really not that bad and you get used to it quickly. I have used the 18V compact li-on batteries, which are great, but half the amperage; this battery is 2.8 amps and the compact is 1.4. Additionally, if you buy this retail at Home Depot, you're paying $120 + tax versus the $75 here. Totally worth it.

Now comes my critique. I absolutely loooooove Milwaukee, but they really should have taken a lesson from DeWalt: Their Ni-Cad and Li-On batteries are not "backwards compatible" with each other, that is, you HAVE TO USE the respective battery with its respective tool. Even worst, certain tools REQUIRE the XC M18 battery and cannot be powered by the compact M18 (for example, the cordless sawzall [2620-20]). To me, Milwaukee should have made every battery--from Ni-Cad to Li-On, and regardless of XC/compact or voltage--compatible with every tool and charger, but they didn't . . . so yeah. The good thing about purchasing this battery from the get-go is that it can be used on all of Milwaukee's M18 series tool line, whereas the compact M18 cannot.

As for charging, it's pretty reasonable. If it only has one bar left on the fuel gauge, I find that it takes anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes to charge. I called Milwaukee about leaving the battery charging overnight, and they said that it's not an issue with these batteries--a sigh of relief for those of us used to older batteries with "battery memory."

I would highly recommend this battery, but KNOW if the tool you intend to use it on is compatible with it. Again, Milwaukee's Ni-Cad tools are NOT compatible with their Li-On batteries, and vice versa. Know your line of Milwaukee cordless tools before purchasing.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Performance, March 21, 2010

By 

B. Faulkner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milwaukee 48-11-1828 M18 XC RED LITHIUM 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Tool Battery (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have a multi-tool M18 kit along with three of these M18 XC batteries. They've been used and abused my me and all my helpers while building a house. The tools have been dropped and kicked around at times, and I've cringed as I've watched tools fall and direct hits taken by the batteries. The little Milwaukee circular saw took a 15' plunge (a new table fixed it) and the battery had a ding indicating it had taken a hit also. I saw the drill/driver take two direct hits. To no avail. They all still lock on properly, they all work properly, they all recharge very quickly.

They've been drained to nothing, or been run for just a little bit then topped off. It seems to make no difference, as they all seem to be running tools just about the same duration after one year of use. The little 1/4" impact driver has seen an insane amount of screws, thousands of 2-1/2" torx, 5,000 1-1/2" washer heads, 250 7" torx lags, 500 5" torx lags, and on and on (that little Milwaukee impact driver is an animal). It really was shocking to see how long these batteries would run these screws before needing a charge/change. Tons of sawzall work, tons of circular saw work, tons of drill/driver work.

Only one trick to keep in mind during cold winters and subzero temperatures... The battery charger will give a blinking LED indication if the battery is too cold to recharge. This happened when we were pushing through temps around zero. We took the batteries into warmth each night when we shut down, topped them all off, so that they were all warm and raring to go in the morning. During the day we just put the battery in the charger (a warm area) and within a few minutes it was up to temperature and quickly recharging.

I really, really, value the Milwaukee M18 cordless line and batteries and recommend them wholeheartedly.

24 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only 2.6 Amps, October 19, 2009

By 

Tiro Savage (Arcata, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 48-11-1828 M18 XC RED LITHIUM 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Tool Battery (Tools & Home Improvement)

I purchased a couple of these batteries with a four tool combo kit. While the tools seem to be solid and comfortable, the batteries are bit of a disappointment. Why would Milwaukee downgrade the amperage of their batteries from the V18's 3 amp to the M18's 2.6 amp? When Makita has set the benchmark @ 3 amps, it seems foolish to offer anything less. This wouldn't really bother me that much, after all it is only about 14% less, but Milwaukee went out of their way to obscure this fact. Nowhere on their website does it state the amperage for these and the battery itself only gives it's rating in watts, on the bottom in very small writing, 47 watt hours. Not a good way to treat your base who loved the V18 batteries, only to see that line discontinued. I gave it three stars because I think these batteries will probably live up to their expectations, mostly, but feel like I got tricked into buying something that's not equivalent to Makita's LXT, and that is who they are chasing after, IMH0.