Milwaukee 48-59-0260 Multi-Bay 12-Volt to 18-Volt Slide Style 3 Bay 45 Minute Battery Charger

by Milwaukee

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Milwaukee multi-bay charger charges up to three Milwaukee battery packs in 45 minutes or less. It has a steel handle and a blow-molded base for impact protection, and can survive an 8-foot drop to concrete. The steel handle shields the charger and battery packs from falling objects, accidental kicks, or knocks on the job site.

The multi-bay charger is also a convenient way to store and carry batteries when they're not in use. After the charger goes through the 45-minute fast charge, the battery can either be removed for use or allowed to remain on the charger to go through the top-off mode process. The top-off mode reconditions the battery pack during every charge to provide longer pack life and increased tool performance. The multi-bay charger accepts all Milwaukee slide-on style 12, 14.4, and 18-volt batteries ,and it comes generator and inverter ready. It measures 16.4 by 10.9 by 9.7 inches, and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

Product Description

The Milwaukee 48-59-0260 is a 12V - 18V Multi-Bay Battery Charger. The Multi-Bay charger charges three Milwaukee battery packs in 45 minutes or less. It has a steel handle and a blow-molded base for impact protection and survives an eight-foot drop to concrete. The steel handle protects the charger and battery packs from falling objects or if the charger is tipped over while on the job site. The Multi-Bay Charger is also a convenient way to store and carry batteries. The Multi-Bay Charger accepts all NiCd Milwaukee slide-on style 12V, 14.4V and 18V batteries and is generator and inverter ready. Note: This charger is NOT compatible with Lithium Ion batteries.

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 12.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000WUQIE
• Item model number: 48-59-0260
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,529 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Milwaukee gets it right--well mostly, November 20, 2006

By 

Dr. Johnny Fevre (Largo, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 48-59-0260 Multi-Bay 12-Volt to 18-Volt Slide Style 3 Bay 45 Minute Battery Charger (Tools & Home Improvement)

OK, I've been using the multi-bay charger almost every day for over 3 months now. Note that not everyone will have exactly the same results as I did. Also, my opinions on it are just that, opinions. Here's are some of my conclusions:
1.When the top-off maintenance charge is complete, pull the battery off the charger as soon as possible. As a test I tried leaving a known good 18 & 14.4V battery on for a few hours after solid green lights and they both seemed to lose some of their charge. This doesn't seem right to me and I believe that Milwaukee could have put some kind of discharge block in the circuit to prevent bleed off after full charge. I believe the charger should be smart enough to sense a fully charged battery and automatically switch to a tiny charge current to prevent any discharge at all. Or perhaps even shut down entirely, preventing accelerated drain.
2.It can bring new life to old/tired batteries but only to a certain point. I had an older (dead) 18V battery that I hadn't used for over 8 months and it _did_ charge it when the single bay charger didn't even sense it. However, the battery didn't hold a charge for very long, even after completing a lengthy (4+ hours) maintenance trickle charge. I realize there are a limited number of charges in every battery.

I'm convinced this charger is superior to the single unit and absolutely does a more complete charge. However, I'm concerned about the apparent discharging issues. For a company as deliberately thorough (and frustratingly slow to release new product) about quality as Milwaukee is, to let a substandard tool slip through is thought provoking.
A quick note on batteries: I've found that the newer, "black" stripe batteries _seem_ to hold a charge longer than the older "red" stripe units. Your mileage may vary.

In conclusion, if you can afford this unit, it's a worthwhile investment especially if you have many batteries and use them all day. Follow the instructions for proper charging procedures to the letter and you'll be very happy with your battery life. I know Milwaukee would never publicly own up to any issues but I'm pretty convinced there are some flaws in the circuit design. I hope they got it right with the new lithium ion charger/battery system.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Multi-Bay Charger has some problems, December 10, 2004

By 

Troy K. Witt (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milwaukee 48-59-0260 Multi-Bay 12-Volt to 18-Volt Slide Style 3 Bay 45 Minute Battery Charger (Tools & Home Improvement)

The concept and design of the Milwaukee Multi-Bay charger is fantastic. If they work out the bugs it should win an award. The problem is that the device (at least the one I bought in December 2003) doesn't do what it is supposed to do. By design the device should charge your batteries, then keep them in "trickle charge" mode to top them off. This is supposed to maintain battery life, and ensure maximum power. If I leave my batteries on the charger longer than about an hour they are completely dead when I take them off. So far Milwaukee has failed to admit to this problem (go to the message board in the "Heavy Duty Club" on their website.) If you buy one, make sure you keep your receipt and understand the return policy. If they have worked out the bugs on newer chargers you'll love it. If not, get back to the store ASAP to get your money back.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MILWAUKEE GREAT CHARGER, September 24, 2006

By 

BUYER ONE "HAMMER" (PA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 48-59-0260 Multi-Bay 12-Volt to 18-Volt Slide Style 3 Bay 45 Minute Battery Charger (Tools & Home Improvement)

MILWAUKEE MULTI-BAY CHARGER IS VERY LIGHT WEIGHT

AND EASY TO USE.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE A BATTERY READY TO GO.

LEAVING THE BATTERIES ON SOFT CHARGE IS VERY CONVENIENT.