Lithium v NMH batteries

[Shedhand]

This is probably a REALLY stoopid question but does anyone know why I can't replace a dead NmH battery with a Lithium battery for my Festool C12 drill?
Thanks
Sheddie the Stoopid

[Wimmera Jack]

No reason at all. Just have to have the appropriate battery charger for the Lithium.

[Shedhand]

Interesting. I threw a perfectly good 18v DeWalt NmH drill in the bin because all the batteries were dead and they were too expensive to replace. Damn! Guess I'll rob a bank and buy some Lithiums and a charger then. Thanks for the info Jack.

[Shedhand]

Apparently, C12 drills manufactured prior to 2008 won't accept a lithium battery. Mine was manufactured in 2006. Seems I'm stuck with NiMH. At least 3rd party batteries of this type are relatively cheap. I paid $75 for one.

[Old Croc]

You may want to do some searching on the interweb for 3D printed adaptors. I have seen a few advertised to use later model batteries on old drills.
Rgds,
Crocy.

[elanjacobs]

If it's anything like the Festool T drills, the Li batteries have extra pins and the bodies have extra electronics to monitor everything, so adaptors aren't going to help.