An 18650 battery, when fully charged actually puts out 4.2V. So the 3 cells in series, fully charged will give around 12.6V. However, the cells are nominally labeled by lg/samsung/sony/etc as 3.6 or sometimes 3.7V cells. The way Bosch labeled their tools/batteries as 10.8V, though more correct, while most other tool makers called them 12V, gave people the false impression that the 12V tools were more powerful.
The cell is called an 18650, so named because they are 18mm in diameter and 65mm in length.
Note some newer 18v stuff uses 21700 batteries.
Just started googling this question expecting a confusing set of results and you cleared it up perfectly, I can now continue to buy the "naked" 12v tools, brilliant, thanks.
You just answered my question.. I was actually setting up my own test similar to the one you have and then found your channel..
Thanks..
I like your clear speech like a professor.
My Bosch 10.8v driver is still working great after 15+ years, original batteries! Glad to hear I can use the 12v batteries when I need to replace them.
Not really. There are mechanical differences between the 10.8V and 12V batteries. 12V may work in old tools but if you want to use an old 10.8V in a 12V tool, you need to cut away some plastic. I haven't tried the other way round, so take a close look before you buy new batteries.
Bosch batteries are impressive. I took an impact driver out of retirement (for 7 years) and the batteries are still in really good shape.
Mate.
I'm using on daily basis tools and batteries manufactured in 2013.
Simplicity at its best
What an amazing, clear, concise answer to my seemingly simple question... I had a hard time figuring out why a 10.8V batterry would have a dedicated 12V charger. 1 video in, you already have my sub. Thanks!
Thanks, Nadia! Glad I could help. I had the same questions as you which is what drove making the video!
I was looking for this info. Thanks for the discharged stats too!
Thanks for the video and the time spent at an excellent presentation. Looking for a rotary tool and came across both voltage ratings.. Quick search led me right here and answered my questions. Great job!
Small correction: lithium cells go to about 4.2V when fully charged, not 3.7V.
Seems like a minor difference, but put them in series and its a different story.
Thanks for the excellent video, you did a great job!
Isn't 3.6-3.7 some kind of 'nominal' voltage of these cells? Like 1.2 v rechargeable AA cells actually hold like 1.5 fully charged.
Thanks for the clarification on these differences.
Excellent! Short and to the point. I own a few Bosch tools - mainly corded - but bought the drill/driver 10.8v combo about 10 years ago. When I went in search of replacement batteries, I could only find 12v. Both drill and driver are still going strong, and although I tend to use my Hitachi 18v drill and impact for more demanding work, I have had a good decade of use out of these excellent tools. Good to know I can now pick up a couple of replacement batteries that will be compatible with the charger and the tools. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it helped! My 10.8 and 12v-labeled batteries are all running strong after so many years. Thx for watching 😊
Short, simple and helpful. Very nice.
Appreciate it.
Thank you.
Thank you for clearing up between Bosch 10.8V and 12V batteries. I've several 10.8V batteries in use and bought a bare tool Bosch Jig Saw GST 12V-Li. I was afraid I might have to spend another $100+ to get the 12V battery & charger. Now I happy I don't have to spend that money after seeing your video. THANK YOU :)
You're welcome and thanks for the comment! I was in the same spot as you which is why I made the video. Glad it helped.
LIterally perfect answer to the question I had! You just earned a sub.
Great answer to my question and very well explained; many thanks - keep up the good work!
just what i imagined....we have both batteries
Brilliant video, much needed information thanks heaps
Excellent video, and very helpful! This is how every informative video should be- clear, short, direct to the point, explained very clearly without either dumbing things down or making it any more complicated than need be. And you show the tests in real time so we don't have to just trust your word for it. Kudos!!
Only one minor quibble, and I hate to criticize, but it would be better to round your numbers properly: If the final digit (in this case) is 5 or above, you should round up; 4 or below, round down. Instead of just chopping off the final digit, which in this case resulted in you rounding down when you should have rounded up, twice (for the first and last batteries). It doesn't change the conclusion at all in this case, but in general it's poor form and mathematically / scientifically incorrect.
Thank you for your explanation, I am confused when choosing these tools 😊
Super useful Fella. I also run these incredible little tools for my lighter work. I have 4 of the 10.8v 4AH batteries as well as a couple of 2AH. I need a palm router but was a little perplexed as to whether or not the new Bosch 12v router would work with my existing kit. You have made my decision so much clearer now. Thank you.
Thanks sooooo much for clearing this up for me!
Great work. Quick and to the point. Thank you for the clarification. Appreciate
Perfect video. Thanks.
I'm a big fan of Bosh tools, even though they are the older models.
Excellent test. Thanks.
Excellent video! Thank you for your time. I like your jig for testing the voltage! As a suggestion you may include a load at your jig to drain like 1amp form the battery. With this you could see if the battery holds the voltage it has been charged for.
Yes, very good idea! I really should have hooked up a power analyzer and drained both batteries to prove they held a similar amount of energy, but I hadn't become familiar with those back when I made this video!
Good vidéo.
18650 cells are rated to 3.6 volt ( x3= 10.8v ) but full have not to go Over 4,2 per cell ( 4.2x3= 12.6v)
In diy 18650 Battery system, we are usually using 3s dénomination for 12v system ( lithium 18650 ), safe from 3,3v per cell ( 9.9v ) to 4,2v per cell Max ( 12,6)
At the end, capacity of each cell is important for long time using of our nice tools 👋🏼😁.
Congrates!
Thanks for clearing that up. The message is clear: Beware of Marketers.
You cleared that up for me. Thank you!
Thank you so much..this is very helpful.
So clear and concise, thanks so much!
Good honest review!
Thank you. I just ordered a bosch jigsaw and it doesnt come with a battery so i panicked bec. what i have is a 10.8v battery. so thank you for putting my mind at ease.
Excellent helpful video. I have been concerned that if I bought a 12v battery to use when my 10.8v (hedge trimmer) battery runs down it wouldn't be compatible with the charger or the trimmer. Thanks!
Nice video jesse Makes
Clear and concise explanation, thanks.
Great report, clearly given.
Thank you. I was going crazy looking for a replacement of my 10.8V charger. Now I can just get a 12V charger.
Me too . I have 2 of them. Most of after market compatible chargers are 12v.
The 10.8 and 12v are interchangeable. I was made aware of this when Bosch replaced the 10.8 with the 12v.
This video helped me a lot.
Clear, straight to the point, no other useless chatter... You have gained a subscriber from me
Thanks, Adam! Slow going over here with making videos, so I appreciate the feedback.
This video has some useful information and thank you for posting it. The lithium cell's operating range is from the low 3s to about 4.2 when fully charged. Cell manufacturers specify the average voltage of about 3.6 or 3.65 as the cells nominal voltage. Tool manufacturers, however, often quote a cell voltage of 4.0 per cell but that number is pure marketing hype. Sadly, once one company inflates the voltage they all do it because it makes it looks like a 12 volt tool is somehow more powerful than a 10.8 volt one when their power is exactly the same. 18 V vs 20 V tools with lithium cells also have the same potential power.
Great vide, I changed all my tools to Bosch about 4 years ago, and no complaints at all. I'm thinking of picking a 12v impact up , what's the difference between the 12v max and the standard 12v gba battery? I know there is the one for the green tools, but as I understand, both the 12v max and the standard one are for the blue professional tools.
Brilliant short video.
Question, answer. Done.
UA-camrs - learn from this guy.
thank you sir for the efforts and the explaination. now i know my 10.8v bosch drill can use 12v battery with no worries. no wonder on the market there is no 10.8v drill anymore.
lana lang 12V MAX for North America, 10.8V normal for other countries then North America
Yeah that right & release my tension for looking 10.8v for my bosch gsb 10.8v..now i already buy 12v battery that fit my gsb 10.8v perfectly..12v long lasting than my 10.8v battery..more compact
I was confused for two different voltages. But it seems, it is marketing naming change from 10,8 to 12. This new "label" is introduced probably because of competitors that are labeling this way (12V).
Really useful thank you for clearing that up.
thank you for quick explanation
because this guy doesn't minimize his audience and tell us to subscribe, ring the bell etc I subscribed.
Thanks for clearance
GREAT! So simple - market speak. Thanks!
Thank you so much mate! Was just searching this exact thing for Dremel 8220. They have a 10.8v they are selling here in Australia but 12v is sold overseas. I think you just answered every question I had!
Much appreciated and great professional recording with great delivery!
Very helpful, thanks.
Thanks bro. Really helpful
Very useful information. Thank You...
Someone at Bosch tech support once told me that they were identical and fully compatible; just a naming change 10.8V to 12V MAX. I personally find the 10.8/12V line great for pocket impact/screw guns and flashlights; but for most anything else I prefer their 18V line
That's my understanding too! And agreed.... The 12v ones are super convenient for kind of handyman type work and work on ladders etc but the 18v carry a lot more punch for real construction etc.
Thank you. So well explained. I had a 10.8 drill and impact driver and one broke. I was wondering if I could replace it with a 12 volt system.
That is the right way to explain something.Right in head.Clear fast logical top top.Long live U.S.A. Subscribed!!
SO useful ! I have lost 1 year asking myself this question as I already got 10.8V tool and was wondering if I can buy a 12v and used the same batteries between 10.8V and 12V !
Glad it helped! I made the video because I, too, had the same question and had to dig into it to get the answer!
Many thanks!
Tnx. Nice explanation.
Thanks bro👍
SPOT ON... Thank you... Regards
Great video! Do you have any Bosch 36V tools? my 36V flash light bulb is not good and i can't find a place to buy it
Good to know, thank you
Outside of America, Bosch still markets its tools and batteries as 10.8V. 12V is called the nominal voltage; 10.8V is the voltage under a typical load.
Interestingly, Makita and Milwaukee both use the honest, voltage-under-load rating for their 18av tools but their dishonest, nominal rating for their 12V tools.
Dewalt, as we know, uses the dishonest rating to market all their powertool lines: 12V, 20V, and 60V.
Hilti 21.6V = Kobalt 24V.
Very Good Video
Cylindrical Lithium Battery 18650 size usually hold charge nominal charge at 3.6~3.7v depends on the chemistry (LiPo, LiIo, etc). Fully charged it usually around ~4.2v. Each pack contain 3 cells. So in theory battery connected in series 3 x 4.2 = 12v. Older indication because it takes 3.6 x 3 = 10.8v as you've mentioned. For fully discharge cutoff per cell usually around 2.9~3.0v so around ~9.0v depends on battery type. Also need to mention is the Ah which is the capacity. Older battery maybe can hold around 1.5 Ah charge while newer Lithium Ion battery could hold up around 2.5Ah up to 3.4Ah depends on manufacturers design and high discharge rate (C ratings). Hopefully this explanation helps.
Thank you
Cell name is 18650 18mm stands for the diameter and 650 which is 65mm is the lenght of the cell
You're a legend!
The difference is a legislative one. For example in Australia the product is required to display the average available voltage during use, i.e. from fully charged to flat. But in the US (where everything is bigger and better) legislation allows the product to display the maximum available voltage for the battery type, i.e. on a freshly charged battery. Bosch also explain exactly this on the parent company site. Same battery, different labelling allowed by different rules.
Awesome info! Thanks for the comment. Totally makes sense with that global legislative lens on.
Thank you, very useful information, I have 10.8 old lith battery & my cordless drill 1080 2 li is broken, I just want to buy gsr 120 without charger and battery. I guess it is fit and compatible. Thanks
Thank you
it helps
Thank You Sir
good job ,THX
Thanks man
Great info
1:33 Which of the little terminals on the battery does the tool use to monitor minimum voltage? Thanks for the video!
I think it's more real to check the voltage of both batteries when they are discharging through an experimental load, say 12 ohm resistance load (giving aprox 1A of current spent). And at that moment measure the voltage with the voltmeter (multimeter) between plus (+) and minus (-) batteries terminals. When one measure voltage without load, the high impedance (internal resistance) of the voltmeter causes a void measure, because it doesn't consume almost any current and the measure is a high theoretical (virtual) value, not the real voltage value. When discharging through a load, the battery drops to aprox. the nominal value 10.8 V ou 11,1 v (3x 3,6V or 3x3,7V, if battery fully charged) not the 12,2V or 12,57V. Please confirm if the measure was without any load.
i just got a bosch kit for fathers day has the impact and drill. i literally just wanted to test them 😀went through the house and re screwed the doors tighter door handles and also bought and re-insalled new blinds and i absolutely love the bosch 12v.../10.8 volt lol i have both too even though I'd like to point out my old PS-31 says not to use the new 2ah battery with my old 1.3ah drill
Thanks
got 10 of these batteries knackered sitting in the shed and a bag full of tools with no usable batteries. Will never but another Bosch due to poor customer service dealing with premature battery failure.
Thank you sir.
A concise presentation that was a pleasure to experience. I have subscribed (my first).
Would you do a followup video, to show if it is possible to refurbish these battery packs? In case Bosch ceases production I'd like to know, if it is possible to replace the dead 18650 cells with new ones - without seriously damaging the plastic package.
I would be happy to if I had a dead pack to experiment on. But none of mine have ever died 🤷♂️
The difference in name is just a change from nominal voltage (3.6V/cell x 3 = 10.8V) to fully charged (4.2V/cell x 3 = 12.6V).
21700 cells are just the same (Nominal 3.6V/cell) only larger ( 21 x 70mm) thus higher capacity (Ah).
I dont have a multimeter, but does this technically applies to Makita and all other brands in general?
Good sharing..
And old style batery packs comes in 1.5 am and new in 2.0 am 0.5 am realy makes diferes .. how long it will last at the end? Im very much use dewalt 20v line but last year im begain swiching mi power tools to bocsh cause they ar smaller compear to dewalt and on mi opinion bocsh it's doing a grat job on the 12 v max line 👍
What is the pinout of the battery pack? There are 3 pins: positive, negative and??
What are the 3 pins on the back side of the battery?
Excellent!! So next question is there are 1.5Ah and 2.0Ah versions. Are these fully interchangeable between drill models or will a 2.0Ah damage a nominal 1.5Ah drill motor?
Ah is capacity and has nothing to do with voltage or current, so you're all good. It's literally amps pulled for a number of hours. You motor will pull what it pulls... But a higher capacity battery can supply it for longer.
Buy Bosch gsr 10.8 2 li with 1.3ah in 2011...n buy newer 2 pieces 2.0ah..in 2016...more ah(amp/hour) mean more longer time consumption...
Drill- Packedge in typical box, came with a tool bag (added bonus), two batteries, one charger, drill, and driver. Two words "plenty of Torque" ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxW1vOBRCMrgTCDEijzpVzDWsgI-Jm2iQv well I guess that's three. Nice upgrade from current setup. Has belt clips, I don't think I will be using those. Driver and drill were bigger than what I expected but it is an upgrade from the current setup. For the money I would say that this is a great setup for Professionals and DIY/Weekend warriors.
I love that guy. Still my go-to for most tasks even though the 18v is more powerful.