4Ah vs 5Ah batteries

[MattF]

What type of runtime difference is likely to be noted between those two; Minimal or notable?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Only real difference I noticed is size and weight but I've never actually tested. I'd say fairly negligible

 

[MattF]

That's what I was thinking it'd be. The manufacturers come out with so much bunkum on the matter, you can't take their "spec's" as being reality, so thought it best to ask those with real world experience.

 

[Rrobson]

You’d expect them to last 25% longer but it’s a case of whether you’d notice or not. If you got 20 minutes of constant running out of say a drill, would you notice the extra 5 mins of theoretical run time?
One thing I noticed with a bigger capacity was its cold weather performance, the extra capacity meant it lasted longer especially when discharged but that’s a bit of a niche example and probably not enough justification for the disadvantages associated with a larger battery…

 

[Bobupndown]

You’d expect them to last 25% longer but it’s a case of whether you’d notice or not. If you got 20 minutes of constant running out of say a drill, would you notice the extra 5 mins of theoretical run time?
One thing I noticed with a bigger capacity was its cold weather performance, the extra capacity meant it lasted longer especially when discharged but that’s a bit of a niche example and probably not enough justification for the disadvantages associated with a larger battery…

I'm sure it depends a lot on the brand as well. Unless you need new batteries I wouldn't buy 5ah if I had good 4ah already.

 

[Cato]

The only difference I've noticed between the 3/4/5 ah batteries is the charge time being extended.

 

[Richiew]

Useful on grinders, chainsaws etc. Less so on drills.

 

[premmington]

I use Milwaukee 18v 5Ah and 12v 2Ah.

Run times and charging times always supprise me! 18v 5Ah battery charges really quick.

It is just the weight of big batteries I don't like.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I use Milwaukee 18v 5Ah and 12v 2Ah.

Run times and charging times always supprise me! 18v 5Ah battery charges really quick.

It is just the weight of big batteries I don't like.

My flexvolt batteries are big heavy lumps. 54 volt though. /or 18 if I put them in an 18v tool.

 

[knighty]

I notice the extra power with bigger batteries in impact guns,

bought some copy 5ah Milwaukie batteries and notice straight away they don't last as long or have as much power as legit batteries... (but at 1/3 the price they're fine for anything but the big impact gun)

feels like the bigger batteries last longer... but never really timed it and hardly ever empty batteries back to back for a good comparison

 

[julianf]

If you can get a spot welder that works, then a 5AH battery costs you about £15 for the shell, and BMS from china, and then a few scrap laptop batteries.

 

[optima21]

all depends on the quality of the cells that are being used, a battery with a lower AH (and less internal resistance) may give longer duration that a high AH battery with a higher internal resistance under load.

 

[James1979]

All I’ll add is I use Milwaukee 5ah. I was advised to get ‘High Output’ especially for the ugga dugga. What a difference!

I’m going to them as I buy replacement now

 

[brightspark]

What type of runtime difference is likely to be noted between those two; Minimal or notable?

obviously 1 percent more power

 

[colnerov]

This is all assuming stated AH is the same as actual AH.

 

[Kayos]

I could tell when I had a 3 instead of a 5 as they ran out noticeably quicker, they were older as well

 

[MetalMonkey]

all depends on the quality of the cells that are being used, a battery with a lower AH (and less internal resistance) may give longer duration that a high AH battery with a higher internal resistance under load.

^^ This.

You really have to look at each battery on its own merits, as it depends what type of cells they have used (21700, 18650 etc), the quality, and how the battery is constructed.
Generally the bigger battery should give longer runtime, sometimes they deliver more power as well - and occasionally the smaller battery can actually perform better.

 

[Fred Trevvett]

This is all assuming stated AH is the same as actual AH.

I asked some Chinese factories for a price to get a load of fake DeWalt ones. Hoping to beat eBay prices which isn't hard. They asked me what ah I wanted, then what ah I wanted printed on the outside

 

[MattF]

Cheers chaps. It's the Makita 18V LXT batteries I'm wondering about. I have six 4AH, but that mower goes through them at a rate of knots, especially whilst the grass is growing at the rate it is. Was simply wondering if plumping for some 5AH may make me spend notably less time rotating & charging them whilst mowing.

 

[Kayos]

Cheers chaps. It's the Makita 18V LXT batteries I'm wondering about. I have six 4AH, but that mower goes through them at a rate of knots, especially whilst the grass is growing at the rate it is. Was simply wondering if plumping for some 5AH may make me spend notably less time rotating & charging them whilst mowing.

The mower rinses all my batteries, don't bother with the 3s

I make sure I charge 4 X 5ah, once the first 2 are done I put them back on charge. Second set will die so brew time then finish the lawn off