Can you run out of tabs in a browser looking at all these different models ? I must be getting pretty close...

MartinGZ:

 

I'd be interested in what model it is, how powerful, and what runtime you get. My Stihl (petrol) is near the end of its life, so I'm browsing the market. Typically when I bash the weeds I'll be doing 2-4 hours at a time and the going is pretty heavy. Often I don't just cut, I clear them right down to bare soil.

 

The first one was a DUR181 which I'm sure would be fine for people with small gardens and soft grass, the second one is a DUR192L.

I'm just using it to trim the edges of a 900m2 section with a 140m2 house in the middle, driveway and garage, so there's a reasonable distance there. I think I go through two 5Ah batteries to do it all in one go, I don't honestly remember.

rb99:

 

I'm good at analysis paralysis. So many to choose from.

 

That Dewalt is nice, but 315 plus 225 for a charger plus 199 for a (large nice) 5Ah battery. Eek.

 

OTOH that B+D is way cheaper and has that edging wheel, but battery seems a bit small and not sure if the kit includes a charger.

 

EGO look nice but again not cheap. Sigh.

 

Would be nice if there could be the odd sale around as well...

 

Yeah starting out the upfront costs are high, but once you're on a platform [doesn't have to be dewalt] you only have to buy 'skins' since the batteries are interchangeable between tools 

Mitre10 and dewalt in particular quite regularly run promos where you buy xx tool or spend $xx and receive a 5.0a battery for free via redemption - they ship from Stanley NZ so you receive them very quick

Ive got 2x 5.0 batteries this way. I already had a fast charger from a impact + hammer drill combo pack [which also had a battery redemption at the time] but I also scored a second hand dual fast battery charger from trademe for $90~ so that an option as well if you want to do a bit of bargain hunting - there's plenty of new ones on there at the mo for $100 as tradies usually flog them when they buy new tools as they already have plenty of chargers 

Thanks. Yep, does seem to cost a bit to start off with. And the tradie thing is interesting. Guess they're not so enthusiastic when it comes to flogging batteries though...

Bung: Watch out for higher voltage units like Ego. Their 56v battery is effectively 3 x 18v and it monitors for differences in voltage between groups of cells. If a set is too low the charger won't charge. Unless you are a regular user I'd stick to 18v if it delivers what you need.

Do you think that might also apply to this -

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ryobi-36v-brushless-line-trimmer-4-0ah-kit_p0215285

If I go that high...

it would but you have to consider the benefits of the extra power too.

Look at the battery warranties the companies offer.

All seem to be 3 years for batteries / chargers, sometimes more the actual trimmer, up to 6 for Ryobi.

rb99:

 

Guess they're not so enthusiastic when it comes to flogging batteries though...

 

haha yup, if a tradie is trying to sell a battery.. you probably wouldn't want it 😁

dt:

 

rb99:

 

Guess they're not so enthusiastic when it comes to flogging batteries though...

 

 

haha yup, if a tradie is trying to sell a battery.. you probably wouldn't want it 😁

 

Or they "found" them onside and its not for the brand that they use.

Bung: Watch out for higher voltage units like Ego. Their 56v battery is effectively 3 x 18v and it monitors for differences in voltage between groups of cells. If a set is too low the charger won't charge. Unless you are a regular user I'd stick to 18v if it delivers what you need.

3 x 18 = 56?  Who knew, 🤣

MikeAqua:

 

Bung: Watch out for higher voltage units like Ego. Their 56v battery is effectively 3 x 18v and it monitors for differences in voltage between groups of cells. If a set is too low the charger won't charge. Unless you are a regular user I'd stick to 18v if it delivers what you need.

 

3 x 18 = 56?  Who knew, 🤣

 

Also all lithium packs should be monitoring each cell and not operating if they are out of spec. This is basic protection to not have them go all samsung note on you.

Its dewalt that have the 3x18 v packs in one case, which is their way of getting around the 100 watt hour limitation for freight and air travel, since when its not on the tool it is 3 batteries, and they either go parallel or series depending on the tool. Very nice workaround for arbitrary limits.

The issue is the lack of balancing on many tool packs, so as one cell ages and has slightly higher internal resistance it will quickly go to one extreme or the other and the pack will become inoperable as a result. If they balance when charging, then the worse performing cell will get taken up to full on its own time and have a longer pack life. But that doesn't drive sales.

I've got a Ego line trimmer too and it's pretty darn good. Very powerful and the line I've put in there can even make a decent indent into the fence palings! Came with a 2.5Ah battery which can get me about 30 minutes of use. Any larger battery and the trimmer may be a tad too heavy to use.

Seeing as we've just got some new wooden retaining, not sure if thats really a plus...

BTW I learnt something new about Powerload EGO trimmers today: if you use out of spec line, they will not load. I had some 3mm line that refused to wind in. 2.4 mm line loaded just fine.