Extend Your Runtime With The Ryobi 40V Backpack Power Supply

Back in 2021, Ryobi made a noticeable jump in performance with their 40V lawn care lineup. In 2022, the design teams brought out innovation we didn’t expect, such as a joystick-controlled zero-turn. We asked the question back then… is Ryobi going to target the professional market? We’re getting closer to an answer as we take a look at the Ryobi 40V Backpack Power Supply.

Using the Ryobi 40V Backpack Power Supply

How it Works

Unlatching the cover, there’s room for three Ryobi 40V batteries inside and you can use just one or two if you want. This can be anything from 2.0Ah batteries to the big 12.0Ah packs. Each port powers your tools independently, so you can mix and match different battery capacities. All three ports are also active and automatically switch from one pack to the next, starting with the pack that has the greatest charge.

From the backpack, a cable connects to a dummy pack that you slide in place of a standard battery. LED indicators on the back of the pack show you the remaining charge in each of the batteries under the cover.

The backpack is also a sequential rapid charger—but the dummy pack doesn’t connect to a charger. There’s a charging block that comes in the box, providing 295 watts of charging power. It connects to the side of the backpack and to a standard 120V wall outlet. Total, the cord offers just under 13 feet of reach.

Harness

The harness features shoulder and chest straps along with a padded hips strap to shift the weight of the backpack to your hips. Ryobi did a good job making the harness fit a wide range of body types and we were able to easily (and quickly) find a comfortable fit.

On the right hip strap, there’s a guide for the cable. It’s not reversible, though. Considering the cable comes down from the center of the power supply and can easily go on the right or left side, adding a cable guide on the left is something to consider down the road.

If it makes charging easier or you want to clean the straps, you can remove the harness from the power supply. Just release the latch on the top and tilt the power supply forward to remove it.

Additional Highlights

• Gasket offers some water and dust protection
• Dummy pack has a belt clip for when you’re switching tools
• Works with all Ryobi 40V batteries

Who It’s Good For

The big draw for using this power supply is to have the runtime of three batteries on your back and gain longer runtime. It also lets you use higher capacity batteries than you normally would. No one wants the weight of a 12.0Ah battery on a chainsaw, but when you’re cleaning up after a hurricane, it sure is nice to have the runtime of them.

Whether it’s long runtime for a single tool, quickly switching tools to cover a large property, or using one power supply to hit multiple properties, those are the scenarios where buying this makes sense.

Ryobi 40V Backpack Power Supply Price

The power supply runs $449 at Home Depot and doesn’t include batteries. It has a 5-year warranty on the unit and 3 years on the charger.

The Bottom Line

With products like the Ryobi 40V Backpack Power Supply and others on the horizon, Ryobi is creeping into the professional lawn care space. Whether you’re looking for the runtime to cover multiple yards or you have a large property to maintain, having the capacity of three batteries on your back can make your work more efficient.

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The Nexpow G17 Jump Starter Puts Real Power in Your Hands

I still remember the days when a dead car or truck battery meant having someone pull up alongside you and running cables between the vehicles. While that certainly still works, new products like the Nexpow G17 2000A Jump Starter make that method a thing of the past—and boy, talk about convenience.

How The Nexpow G17 Jump Starter Works

The Nexpow G17 jump starter (and others like it) works using an internal Lithium-Polymer battery with quick discharge capabilities. This lets it deliver up to a maximum of 2000 amps. That’s 3 to 5 times better than their 2nd generation model.

This jump starter is capable of reviving up to a 7.5L gas engine or 6.5L diesel engine as many as 20 times. It features heavy-duty clamps and cables that are built to withstand extreme temperature swings from -4°-140°F and heavy electrical current. Keep in mind, the G17 isn’t limited to just cars and trucks. Use it to start up motorcycles, ATVs, riding lawnmowers, boats, and PWCs too!

Startup Procedure

Step 1: Insert the jumper cables into the G17’s EC5 interface. Be sure that the internal battery has at least a 25% charge prior to attempting to jump a battery.

Step 2: Connect the color-coded jumper cable leads onto your vehicle’s battery. Remember, the red clamp always corresponds to positive and the black clamp always corresponds to negative.

Step 3: Press the red button on top of the pack to activate the jump starter and proceed to start your vehicle as you normally would. Once the vehicle has turned on, immediately remove the jumper cable leads from your battery and then disconnect the cable from the Nexpow jump starter.

Safety Tech

As with many portable jump starters in this category, the Nexpow G17 includes some helpful features to keep you safe and prevent accidental damage to your vehicle’s battery. The features protect you from reverse polarity, battery overload, excessive current, and high temperatures. Its onboard indicator notifies you immediately of incorrect use by sounding an audible buzz and flashing lights.

Nexpow G17 Jump Starter Design

Size and Weight

One of our favorite features of these portable jump packs is their extremely compact profile, especially compared to a Pro-level jump starter! It weighs a mere 2.2 pounds and measures 9 inches from tip to tail. Everything you need to get started fits into a convenient storage case that easily stows in a vehicle’s trunk.

USB Outputs

The blue USB output port on the Nexpow Jump Starter can charge mobile phones and even some laptops. It operates at either 5V/3A, 9V/2A, or 12V/1.5A. Another 5V 2.1A USB port provides fast charging for phones. The single USB-C port serves as the input charging port for the Nexpow G17 jump starter, but can also output 5V/3A.

LED Flashlight

The onboard LED work light has 3 modes—flashlight, strobe, and SOS. This multi-purpose flashlight is great for outdoors, indoors, camping, and emergencies.

Nexpow G17 Jump Starter Price

The Nexpow G17 Jump Starter retails for $79.99 from Amazon and comes with a 2-year warranty as well as a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy.

Click here to learn more about Nexpow!

Specifications

• Model: Nexpow G17
• LED Lighting Modes: Torch Mode/SOS/Strobe
• Peak Current: 2000A
• Engine Capacity: Up to 7.0L Gas / 6.5L Diesel 12V engines
• USB-A Output Capacity: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
• USB-C Output Capacity: 5V/3A
• Dimensions: 9 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Warranty: 2-year
• Price: $79.99

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Charge More Batteries Faster With The Milwaukee M18 Packout Six Bay Rapid Charger

Milwaukee’s Packout storage system has an add-on for just about everything you can think of. Now, with the introduction of the Milwaukee M18 Packout Six Bay Rapid Charger, keeping your M18 batteries juiced up has never been easier. Check out the details and see if this charging station can reduce downtime and keep your team productive.

Milwaukee M18 Packout Six Bay Rapid Charger: The Big Deal

This charger features six total charging ports compatible with all M18 batteries. It simultaneously charges two batteries at a rapid charge rate, one on each side at a time. Once a battery is charged, it automatically moves sequentially to the next available pack on that side.

In total, it takes three hours to charge six M18 RedLithium XC 5.0 battery packs. This rate, according to Milwaukee, is 40% faster than its other standard rate chargers. Milwaukee’s Super Charger is still the go-to for the fastest single pack charge times, but this is a better solution for crews working with a larger number of tools.

Another major draw here that sets this charger apart from the rest is its compatibility with the Packout storage system. Its base attaches to the detents on any Packout box, letting you transport and store all the power you need for a day on the jobsite. It’s a 1/2-size base, so you can fit two of these on the top of your Packout stack if you have the need.

With the Packout mounting plates, you can also mount this charger onto a convenient spot in your garage, workshop, or wherever you need wall-mounted charger access.

Moreover, this charger features RedLink Intelligence, which optimizes the charge rates based on the type of battery and the temperature. This can help minimize charge duration while maximizing the lifespan of your batteries.

Additional Features

• USB-A port provides charging capabilities for personal devices like phones and tablets
• Side storage caddies for small personal item storage
• Cord wrap clip
• AC power source
• Carrying handle

Milwaukee M18 Packout Six Bay Rapid Charger Price

This charger hits Milwaukee retailers in October 2022. It sells for $249 as a bare tool and includes a 5-year warranty from Milwaukee.

Specifications

• Model: Milwaukee 48-59-1809
• Length: 15.1 in
• Width: 9.76 in
• Height: 12.12 in
• Weight: 7.91 lbs
• Cord length: 6 ft
• Power source: AC electrical outlet
• Material: Plastic

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Ridgid 18V Power Inverter Extends Battery Capability

We rely on our phones and other devices a lot throughout the day for work and leisure. When that dreaded “20% or less” battery alert pops up, having something on hand to charge your device back up again can be a lifesaver. That’s where the Ridgid 18V 175-Watt Power Inverter (AC86097) comes in. Take a closer look to find out what else it has to offer.

Ridgid 18V 175-Watt Power Inverter: The Big Deal

Ridgid boasts a big upgrade to this power inverter when compared to its previous iteration. The last model (RD97100) maxed out at 100 watts, so if you needed to charge something that pulled more than that, you were out of luck. Although the old model costs significantly less (right now it’s listed at less than $20), you get much better power with the new 175-watt capacity.

Of course, the main benefit of the cordless design ensures that you can take it with you anywhere you need it to charge a variety of small electronic devices. Unlike the last model, which drew power from a 12-volt outlet, you have the convenience of being completely cord-free when it comes to portable power.

The Ridgid AC86097 power inverter features four charging outlets (a 120V AC outlet, two USB-A outlets, and one USB-C outlet), for simultaneous charging of up to four devices at a time. It’s ideal for laptops, tablets, phones, or other small electronics that pull up to 175 watts.

Additional Features

• Compatible with any Ridgid 18V battery
• Integrated LED flashlight for low-light use

Ridgid 18V 175-Watt Power Inverter Price

You can find the power inverter at The Home Depot for $89 beginning in September 2022. At the time of writing, we don’t see any kitted options for this tool and we don’t expect to see one with this type of product. However, Ridgid is known for its promos and you never know when you might see the inverter as an add-on with a combo kit or bare battery purchase.

Ridgid backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.

Specifications

• Model: Ridgid AC86097
• Length: 3.08 in
• Width: 5.08 in
• Height: 2.67 in
• Voltage: 18V

The post Ridgid 18V 175-Watt Power Inverter appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Milwaukee M12 RedLithium High Output Batteries Make Their Debut

In 2018, Milwaukee released the M18 RedLithium High Output batteries, which supported their M18 tool platform with much higher available power. Now, Milwaukee has announced that their M12 batteries will also join the RedLithium High Output lineup, designed to deliver more power and better performance for the M12 tools. Is it time to give your tool arsenal a battery upgrade? You be the judge.

Milwaukee M12 RedLithium High Output Batteries: The Big Deal

Two M12 battery packs were given the RedLithium High Output branding: the CP2.5 (48-11-2425) and the XC5.0 (48-11-2450) batteries. Milwaukee tells us that they provide 25% more power on high-demand tools. In fact, they were designed to deliver on lithium-ion’s fade-free power promise in heavier draw applications.

The M12 Redlithium High Output batteries provide increased performance while maintaining the same footprint as the current M12 RedLithium CP and XC battery models. Improved thermal technology also helps to keep the battery packs up to 25% cooler to avoid overheating. Heat is one of the biggest challenges to allowing batteries to provide more current, so that level of thermal control is a really big deal.

Another aspect Milwaukee improved upon was the batteries’ durability. The updated M12 RedLithium High Output batteries were designed to withstand wear, and as a result, they are resistant to oils, solvents, and greases commonly found on the job.

First Impressions

We got a chance to use these new batteries in the updated 3rd-Gen Milwaukee M12 Fuel impact driver. In a head-to-head against their former batteries, the new models squeezed out a little more power and speed. If I had to guess, I’d say around 5-10%. We look forward to doing more testing once we have the new batteries in-house.

Another thing we noticed, however—Milwaukee improved the connection point. The new batteries seem to attach and detach with a more secure feel than the old batteries. The new mechanism feels more reliable. We also need to test that out, but it looks like an improvement.

Overall, since you can’t jam thicker 21700 cells into the space afforded by an in-handle M12 battery—nor would you want to—this looks like a great incremental improvement for the line.

Additional Features

• Lighter and more compact than some of the previous M12 batteries
• Overload protection via RedLink Intelligence
• All-weather performance
• Compatible with the full M12 tool system

Price

The CP2.5 RedLithium High Output battery pack (48-11-2425) retails for $79 including a 2-year warranty. The XC5.0 RedLithium High Output battery pack (48-11-2450) goes for $119 and includes a 3-year warranty. Both battery packs are set to launch in August 2022.

Specifications

• Model: Milwaukee 48-11-2425 / 48-11-2450
• Weight: 0.45 lbs / 0.95 lbs
• Amp hours: 2.5 / 5.0
• Voltage: 12V
• Housing material: Plastic

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Never Worry About Your Phone Dying Again With Festool’s Charging Block

Few things annoy us more than our phone dying in the middle of the workday. Whether listening to music, making business calls, or covering a trade show—at some point, everyone has had a close call with their phone’s battery life. Festool just released its mobile phone charger with an integrated wireless inductive charging pad. This might just be the coolest thing we’ve seen in a long time for recharging your mobile devices.

Festool Wireless Mobile Phone Charger – The Big Deal

The Festool mobile phone charger charges up to three smartphones or other mobile devices at the same time. It uses any Festool 18V battery (excluding the 3.1 Ah Ergo batteries) as a power source, so you can take it with you wherever you go both on and off the job.

On top of that, you have three different charging options to choose from. The charger provides ports for USB-A and USB-C cords, as well as inductive wireless charging on the top for phones that support that feature. All of these options offer rapid charging so that downtime is reduced.

Festool’s mobile phone charger has the ability to charge a phone with a battery capacity of 3000 mAh up to eight times when combined with a 5.2 Ah Festool battery. (For reference, most iPhone batteries fall at or below 3000 mAh with the exception of the newer Pro Max models.)

This is Festool’s first venture into the mobile device charging market. The company used the same dimensions and design as its 3.1 Ah battery packs to ensure that the chargers would be robust and durable. This design lets you easily store it in a Festool systainer when not in use. It also comes with a rubberized surface to ensure your phone is held securely during inductive charging.

Additional Features

• Compatible with almost all Festool 18V battery packs
• Fully cordless when using inductive charging

Final Thoughts and Price

Festool really knocked this one out of the park! The combination of size and capabilities of the Festool PHC 18 makes it a perfect solution for traveling, workshop, or on-location charging. Charge your laptop and smartphone and pop your watch on top for good measure.

The Festool PHC 18 mobile phone charger retails for around $49. That’s a great price for what you get. ToolNut lists it already, but look out for more online retailers to stock it closer to the July 2022 release date.

Specifications

• Model: Festool PHC 18
• Battery voltage: 18 V
• USB port compatible with type A: 5V / 2.4 A /12W
• USB port compatible with type B: 5V / 3.0 A / 15W
• Inductive charging compatible with Qi-BPP/PPDE: 5W / 9W

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Consolidate Your Ridgid Battery Charging With One Convenient Device

The Ridgid 6-port sequential charger (R86096) works with all Ridgid 18V batteries and offers twice the charging speed of its predecessor. Ridgid lauds the 6-port charger as a major upgrade in its battery charging line. Having reviewed the Ridgid Dual-Port simultaneous charger, we wanted to see if this model could work well for overnight charging of bulk tool batteries.

Ridgid 6-Port Sequential Charger Performance

The main feature of the Ridgid 6-port sequential charger is its ability to charge any 6 Ridgid 18V batteries sequentially (one at a time). It fully charges a 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery, for example, in just 30 minutes. As mentioned above, Ridgid claims the R86096 charger tops off batteries twice as fast as the R86093 single-port model.

The Ridgid R86096 consists of six battery ports with an LED light above each port. There is a single battery port selector button. This lets you manually select which battery to charge first—though that’s optional. Once your desired battery is finished charging, any additional batteries begin charging in counterclockwise order.

Ridgid 6-Port Sequential Charger Design Notes

The Ridgid R86096 charger also includes temperature delay technology. This postpones charging a battery that is too hot or too cold until an acceptable temperature is reached. Charging automatically begins once the battery reaches an acceptable temperature.

This charger’s power source is an AC cable with an integrated pass-through plug for extra outlet space. This means that even with your 6-port sequential charger plugged in, you can still connect a separate cord to the back of it if needed. Given our need for outlets around here, we really value that feature!

Additional Features

• LED indicators provide battery charge info
• Energy save mode lowers energy consumption to maintain charge and maximize battery life
• Carrying handle for easy transport
• Keyhole hangers for wall mounting
• 6-foot power cord

Ridgid R86096 6-Port Sequential Charger Price

The Ridgid sequential charger has a retail price of $139. It includes a 3-year warranty, with the option to register for Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement within 90 days of your purchase.

The Bottom Line

Charging up to six Ridgid 18V batteries is easier than ever with the Ridgid R86096 6-port sequential charger. With a comparable price to other brands offering the same technology, this Ridgid accessory seems like a good choice for those with a number of Ridgid tools and batteries to maintain.

Specifications

• Model: Ridgid R86096
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 10.3 x 7.4 x 7.88 in
• Power: 120VAC
• Supported charging voltage: 18V

The post Ridgid 6-Port Sequential Charger R86096 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

If you’re a fan of Ridgid power tools, you may have been hoping for an expansion in battery charger offerings. After all, advanced Max Output battery technology and a new generation of more compact tools have made Ridgid’s 18V lineup better than ever. There are two new offerings to satisfy your craving: a dual-port charger (Ridgid AC86095) and a 6-port charger (Ridgid AC86096). Today, we’re focusing on the Ridgid Dual-Port Simultaneous Battery Charger.

Ridgid 18V Dual-Port Simultaneous Battery Charger Design

I know, it’s just a battery charger, and how exciting can that be, right? Without diving into all the engineering details, there are a few things worth pointing out that we think make this charger worth a look.

First of all, it’s a simultaneous charger, and that’s a big win. Right off the bat, you’re getting two batteries recharged at once instead of waiting for one to finish before the other begins.

It’s also a rapid charger. Compared to Ridgid’s standard battery charger, this one is twice as fast.

Compared to what you’re used to from Ridgid’s standard single-port charger, you now get two batteries back to work in half the time it took one battery to charge. Expect a pair of 2.0Ah batteries to go from dead to 100% charge in 30 minutes with the charger’s 4-amp output.

Another element you might notice is that the design team slimmed up the profile of this charger. The dual-port charger we’ve been using has a battery interface where each pack inserts perpendicular to the base. The Ridgid AC86095 shifts so they insert parallel to the base. Whether you’re using it portably on the jobsite or mounting it with keyholes on the back, the entire package takes up less room.

Additional Highlights

• Pass-through outlet plug (on the plug itself, not the charger)
• Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries (including Octane and Max Output)
• LED indicators offer charge status and diagnostic feedback
• Built-in energy save mode maintains battery charge and optimizes battery life

Ridgid 18V Dual-Port Simultaneous Battery Charger Price

Grab this Ridgid battery charger from The Home Depot for $109. It’s eligible Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement, so be sure to register it within 90 days of purchase to take advantage of that.

The Bottom Line

The average DIYer might not have much need for an upgraded charger. On the other hand, Pros and other serious users can gain productivity or keep fewer additional batteries on hand with the Ridgid 18V Dual-Port Simultaneous Battery Charger. If that sounds like you, it’s completely worth the price to make the upgrade.

Specifications

• Model: Ridgid AC86095
• Power Source: 120V AC
• Compatible Batteries: All Ridgid 18V batteries
• Output: 4A
• Warranty: Lifetime Service Agreement with registration
• Price: $109

The post Ridgid 18V Dual-Port Simultaneous Battery Charger Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

By now, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about lithium-ion pouch cells. Widespread in electronics, the technology is making its way into the power tool industry and DeWalt was the first to get it in our hands. In this video, we put the DeWalt PowerStack 1.7Ah battery up against standard round cell packs to see if pouch cell technology really makes a difference.

Want to read the article instead? Click here.

Pouch cell technology may be new to our industry, but DeWalt isn’t the only game in town. Take a look at what Flex has coming this year.

The post DeWalt PowerStack Battery Video Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Flex Stacked Lithium Battery Levels Up Your Power Tool Game

The power tool world is learning about the benefits of lithium-ion pouch cell technology. The Flex Stacked Lithium battery takes advantage of that tech and sends it to a whole new level.

Flex Stacked Lithium Batteries Pouch Technology

Pouch cells open up the possibility for more than just a different form factor compared to round cells. Connection tabs open up far greater energy flow, resulting in higher power output and faster charging without producing dangerous levels of heat.

How much of a difference does it make?

According to Flex’s data, it’s massive. Just look at this chart from the Flex Faceoff Round 2 video.

First of all, keep in mind Flex uses a 24V max system based on rows of 6 cells instead of 5, so there’s already an advantage built-in. Even so, two things stand out from this data. First, Flex’s compact 3.5Ah battery is producing the same power as DeWalt and Milwaukee’s 8.0Ah packs.

At the top of the chart, DeWalt and Milwaukee top out at 1800 watts—exactly the maximum power you get from a 15-amp, 120-volt circuit. Flex jumps all the way up to 2520 watts, giving the 10.0Ah pack potential beyond any 15-amp corded tool. In fact, it’s more than a 20-amp, 120-volt power source can provide.

Check out how Flex Stacked Lithium batteries compare to their standard ones in terms of power:

• 2.5Ah: 480 watts
• 5.0Ah: 960 watts
• 8.0Ah: 1680 watts
• 12.0Ah: 2520 watts
• 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium: 1200 watts
• 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium: 1920 watts
• 10.0Ah Stacked Lithium: 2520 watts

Additionally, these packs can charge up to twice as fast and last up to three times longer than round cell packs, all while remaining 100% compatible with all Flex 24V tools.

With the 550-watt dual fan-cooled Flex Super Charger, here’s what you can expect for full charge times:

• 2.5Ah: 27 minutes
• 5.0Ah: 27 minutes
• 8.0Ah: 27 minutes
• 12.0Ah: 35 minutes
• 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium: 15 minutes
• 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium: 18 minutes
• 10.0Ah Stacked Lithium: 30 minutes

Flex Stacked Lithium Batteries | Beyond the Pouch Cell

While the cell itself opens up significant doors, there’s more to the story. You can’t just slap some pouches in a battery housing, install it on the tool, and hope for the best.

Flex has impressive heat management from what they call ThermaTech Plus. It allows the cells to dissipate heat more effectively than other brands. The design also offers some cushioning that reduces the risk of failure if you drop the pack to the ground.

Add in electronic monitoring of each cell with advanced communication to the tool and you have a battery that’s safe to use in demanding applications with far greater productivity than standard round cell packs.

Flex Stacked Lithium Battery Price

Look for individual and multi-packs, starter kits, and combo kit packages with Stacked Lithium batteries to roll out over this year. Here’s what we expect the individual prices to run:

• 2.5Ah: $99.99
• 5.0Ah: $149.99
• 8.0Ah: $199.99
• 12.0Ah: $249.99
• 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium: $179.99
• 6.0Ah Stacked Lithium: $229.99
• 10.0Ah Stacked Lithium: $329.99

The Bottom Line

The additional power potential coming from smaller batteries is really exciting. When you add in faster charging and a much longer service life, the transition to Flex Stacked Lithium batteries is one that makes a lot of sense and opens the door to all-new levels of power tool performance.

The post Flex Stacked Lithium Battery | More Power, Shorter Charge Times appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.