Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Besides having all the conveiences that are obvious from the product description, this product had a pleasant surprise benefit. Upon receiving the charger, I tried charging previously dead, unchargable batteries with success. I have two standard Milwaukee chargers that refused to charge 3 older batteries. I had given up on them but was holding onto them until I could get to a proper NiCad disposal center. I attributed their failure to poor battery design primarily due to the poor reviews these batteries have received in the past. To my surprise, this charger resurrected them, making the price of the unit seem all the more reasonable. I used to like the tools and hate the batteries. Now I'm happy with the whole system.

I've only had this charger for a few weeks, but I'm very pleased with the way it works. I'm a licensed contractor and have several Milwaukee tools with batteries. Last year I began to notice a problem with one of my 18 volt drills and took it to a service center nearby. They replaced the battery for free, but more importantly told me the single chargers that came with the tools were only capable of a "quick charge." The multi-bay charger also does the quick charge, but then goes into a trickle charge mode of up to 4 hours. The key to bringing the battery up to its full, like new, charge is this last step. That, along with the added advantage of being able to charge three batteries of different voltages at the same time sealed the deal for me. As already noted... I've been very happy with how it works.

if you use multiple milwaukee cordless tool you will like this charger. keeping 3 batteries on charge at once is a huge improvement . it also make a nice carrier with a nice padded top handle and the conditioning phase does seem to get a little more out of each charge if you have the time ( it takes a while ) on the job I usualy need a batery sooner so they generaly get the conditioning after hours . it seems a rugged unit and the cord with it's built in pass through plug saves a socket on the overcrouded extention cord

Its too bad one reviewer got a lemon but dont let that sway you.
I have two of these and they perform flawlessly, I can take 4 year old batteries that would not hold a charge and put them on this 3 bay and they get refreshed and perform again.

This charger has enabled me to go truly cordless with tools like the circular saw and drill, With 3 chargers going I can use the cordless tools all day.

Its also a great holder for my batteries and the roll bar is a great handle for carrying it around.

Cons: if the power goes off and comes back on the charger will start to recharge fully charged packs, it is the same when you plug in the charger first thing in the morning, it will trickle charge fully charged packs. Milwaukee should add smart circuitry
to this charger so fully charged packs dont get cycled at all.

Also the roll bar is kind of void because if the charger tips over all the batteries just fall right off.

All in all and excellent product and worth more than the price tag.

I'm shocked and dismayed that the other reviewer had so many problems with their charger. I own three in my ornamental metals company and it's a godsend. It's one of the primary reasons that we chose to stay with the Milwaukee line of cordless products and haven't had any problems with them (using 18V and 14.4V batteries). I would highly reccomend the product to anyone having to stay ahead of the line of dead batteries when using a high-torque application.

Great product!!!! Bought this because my 18 volt batteries were not holding a charge. Received item charged batteries and they are just like new ones again. Cannot say enough about this charger. love it.

I purchased the Milwaukee 18 V four pack and 18 V Sawzall. I use it very intermittently and after about six or seven months I notice the batteries wouldn't keep a charge or even charge up a little bit. I went online and read that this was a common problem and that the only way to really get around itt was to buy the three bay charger. I bought it and have been able to resuscitate all but one of the five batteries I have. It seems to work very well. But the batteries are still dogs.