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0 pointsmindslight2y ago0 comments

But you generally can use a low power battery with a high power tool within the same brand. My 2Ah battery fits in my Dewalt 20V chainsaw. I'm guessing it has drastically less power and drastically reduced runtime (fewer cells -> more series resistance). And this would reflect entirely on the brand, except that people generally know enough to understand that using a much smaller battery than what came with the tool might result in a problem.

Marketing comparisons across brands is a matter of regulation (as opposed to say letting manufacturers post blatantly fraudulent specs like they did for shop vacs for the longest time). Or the market will adapt and it will just be common knowledge that "4Ah" in Ryobi land is more like "3Ah" in Milwaukee land (I've no idea if that's the case, just making up an example).

Overall yes, companies will come up with a myriad of reasons why they need more control in the name of "helping" people, and some reasons may even have some legitimacy. But ultimately they want that control to further their own self interest.

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StueyGuyd2y ago

I'm guessing it has drastically less power and drastically reduced runtime

Yes, pretty much. A lot of people don't realize this and have no reason to assume otherwise.

Let's say you can lift up to 50 pounds, and your friend can lift up to 100 pounds. You are both tasked with moving a pile of 5 pound weights from one spot to another.

You can move (50) 5 lb weights before getting tired, your friend has the energy to move (100). So, you have the energy to move 250 lbs, and your friend 500 lbs.

However, increase the load to 40 pounds. 45 pounds. 49 pounds. If your friend can move 10 49 pound weights before tiring, are you going to be able to move 5? The work being done is 50% of their max effort, but 99% of your max effort. You might give up after 2 despite technically starting with the energy to move 5.

But ultimately they want that control to further their own self interest.

Of course. But given many of the questions I've fielded over the years, consumer education and expectations will be a considerable challenge.

A common battery interface wouldn't be enough - if even possible at this point; there would also have be industry standards in how tools and batteries are characterized.

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