New Aldi "Ferrex" cordless tool range

[Onoff]

Well...

The Makita to Ferrex adapter works...'ish.

First mistake was not tinning the copper blades prior to inserting them into the plastic. I put too much heat on one of the blades and it "sunk" into the print. Tbh that's just aesthetics.

In use...the hedge trimmer works fine...for about 2 seconds then stops. Release & pull the front handle again and you get another 2 seconds. Makita (clone) battery is fine and charged. I tried 2 batteries, same issue. It's actually useable as in you cut on one pass, stop, then go again. I wonder why.....some intelligence in the tool or battery?

 

[ukracer]

Well...

The Makita to Ferrex adapter works...'ish.

First mistake was not tinning the copper blades prior to inserting them into the plastic. I put too much heat on one of the blades and it "sunk" into the print. Tbh that's just aesthetics.





View attachment 238578


In use...the hedge trimmer works fine...for about 2 seconds then stops. Release & pull the front handle again and you get another 2 seconds. Makita (clone) battery is fine and charged. I tried 2 batteries, same issue. It's actually useable as in you cut on one pass, stop, then go again. I wonder why.....some intelligence in the tool or battery?

Sounds damn weird...lol

 

[Onoff]

Sounds damn weird...lol

Says in the manual for use with the 20V 2Ah battery or the 20/40V 2.5Ah one. Doesn't mention the 4Ah Ferrex battery.

Seem to recall someone saying at the start of this thread that the Ferrex stuff has some sort of current limiting. I tried it on Makita 3Ah and 5Ah clones of different makes. On all Makita type batteries it cuts out after about 2 seconds but then starts again immediately.

Wonder if the tool "takes too much" because it can on the bigger battery then cuts out?

 

[angellonewolf]

on some batterys do they not have a tempature senser if thats not connected it could not work ?

 

[Onoff]

on some batterys do they not have a tempature senser if thats not connected it could not work ?

The "3rd wire", yep I'm wondering about that too...

The print doesn't allow for a 3rd wire connection.

I'll try it with some fly leads.

 

[ukracer]

Not sure if any of this helps..
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/what-were-aldi-thinking-t119994.html

 

[Onoff]

@ukracer I guess I need to try the hedge trimmer on a proper Ferrex battery for a start but I've not got one or know anybody local who has. The nephew has some cheap Li-ion tools with 1.5Ah batteries might be worth a go. I've also a Bosch 18V Li-ion kit battery I could try on the hedge trimmer

Next interesting step I guess is to see if your Ferrex batteries will work on the Bosch. I'll get to work on finishing that!

 

[Onoff]

on some batterys do they not have a tempature senser if thats not connected it could not work ?

I've a Makita drill with only two battery prongs and that works fine on the clone Makita batteries with 3 connections, +,- and T.

 

[Onoff]

Well...a 3Ah Bosch Li-ion battery connected via +&- to the Ferrex hedge trimmer...

The hedge trimmer works for 2 seconds then stops. Pull the trigger again and it works for 2 seconds...and stops. Exactly the same as with a 3Ah Makita battery.

Time to try the "3rd wire".

 

[Onoff]

on some batterys do they not have a tempature senser if thats not connected it could not work ?

You win tonight's star prize!

Connecting the "3rd wire" from the 18V battery to the 20V Ferrex hedge trimmer and it works fine without cutting out after 2 seconds. Need to do a bit of redesign now to incorporate another battery tab on the adapter.

 

[angellonewolf]

You win tonight's star prize!

Connecting the "3rd wire" from the 18V battery to the 20V Ferrex hedge trimmer and it works fine without cutting out after 2 seconds. Need to do a bit of redesign now to incorporate another battery tab on the adapter.

just throwing it out there was just a thought not that i had known

im not going to ask what ive won prob end up being a pair of old knickers or a half eaten chicken

 

[Onoff]

im not going to ask what ive won prob end up being a pair of old knickers or a half eaten chicken

Close, it's a pair of half eaten knickers.

 

[angellonewolf]

its ok donate them to mis (easy way for this is to send them to @The_Yellow_Ardvark) for auctioning so the funds go to something worth while

 

[Onoff]

Nards!

Attaching the "3rd wire" from a BOSCH Li-ion battery and the Ferrex hedge trimmer runs just fine without cutting out every two seconds.

HOWEVER...if I connect the "TH" pin on the Makita clone battery to the 3rd pin on the Ferrex tool, rather than running for 2 seconds and stopping the hedge trimmer just doesn't work at all.

WTF?

 

[angellonewolf]

have you got a original makita battery as its possably on the clone there is no protection for the battery ? or its a differant temp setting and its to low so your unit thinks its to warm ?

 

[Onoff]

have you got a original makita battery as its possably on the clone there is no protection for the battery ? or its a differant temp setting and its to low so your unit thinks its to warm ?

Both original, genuine, Makita BL1830 batteries died I'm afraid. A right pita!

 

[angellonewolf]

Both original, genuine, Makita BL1830 batteries died I'm afraid. A right pita!

 

[Onoff]

Lost access to the 3D printer for a while so my lad can print Oculus Rift controller holder things for his mates to play Beat Saber! (I don't do games).

Currently talking a quick diversion for the BiL and doing a Makita battery to Champion tool adapter, in this case an old circular saw. So Li-ion battery to an ancient 18V Nicad tool. Works via fly leads. Luckily I've already done the basic CAD for both bits a while back so hopefully a quick job.

@ukracer, are you fussed which way the battery slides on on this Ferrex battery to Bosch drill adapter? Just easier for me if I can keep the + terminals the same side. Rough renderings:

 

[ukracer]

Lost access to the 3D printer for a while so my lad can print Oculus Rift controller holder things for his mates to play Beat Saber! (I don't do games).

Currently talking a quick diversion for the BiL and doing a Makita battery to Champion tool adapter, in this case an old circular saw. So Li-ion battery to an ancient 18V Nicad tool. Works via fly leads. Luckily I've already done the basic CAD for both bits a while back so hopefully a quick job.

@ukracer, are you fussed which way the battery slides on on thie Ferrex battery to Bosch drill adapter? Just easier for me if I can keep the + terminals the same side. Rough renderings:

View attachment 241398
View attachment 241399

No mate. Whatever is easier..

 

[Onoff]

@ukracer can you tell me the dimensions as near as, from the end of the Ferrex battery to the adapter at both ends please!