Harbor Freight has launched new Hercules Extreme Performance batteries for their line of 20V Max cordless power tools.
Hercules Extreme Performance batteries are built with 21700 Li-ion cell technology, for more power and longer runtime.
There are two new batteries – 8Ah and 12Ah.
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Harbor Freight says that the new 8Ah battery deliver up to 35% more power compared to their 5Ah battery, 60% longer runtime compared to their 5Ah battery at 15A discharge, and 50% more cuts per charge when cutting 2×6 white pine with a circular saw.
The new 12Ah Extreme Performance battery, is said to deliver up to 90% more power than a 5Ah battery, 145% longer runtime than a 5Ah battery at 15A discharge, and 140% more cuts per charge when cutting 2×6 white pine with a circular saw.
Both batteries have built-in fuel gauges.
Safety features include innovative temperature and overload protection that optimizes the battery and tool during heavy use.
The cases also feature an impact-resistant overmold for increased protection against drops and jobsite debris.
Price: $100 for 8Ah, $140 for 12Ah
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The new batteries are coming soon to Harbor Freight stores.
Discussion
This is good news for Hercules cordless power tool users, and I wonder – what kinds of new cordless power tools might be coming out soon that these beefy new batteries were designed to power?
mauser
As somebody heavily invested in Makita LXT tools, quite sad to see that even a Harbor Freight brand is far ahead in battery tech…
Lance
Wow, I was thinking EXACTLY the same thing reading this!!!
Makita, WAKE UP!!! You have legions of customers invested in 18v LXT, show us some commitment already!!!
Stuart
Makita is never going to come out with higher capacity 18V batteries, especially now that they’re trying to sell the new XGT 36V-in-18V-size platform.
They could have went to 21700 for 18V long ago, they just didn’t want to for whatever reason.
Bill
I “have went” there as well.
Franck B.
👍🏼
Matthew
I’d be happy with a slim 3.0 to go along with the full 6.0.
Wake up Makita!
Tojen1981
Gotta buy into the heavier, larger, more expensive xgt platform to get newer battery tech from Makita.
Ryan B Roberts
How is harbor freight battery tech ahead of makita? They don’t even offer a high amperage charger and they don’t use 20C cells, by the way they keep mentioning a 15 amp load on a 12 amp hour battery that’s barely over a 1C discharge rate, if Makita made a 12 amp hr battery it would be capable of at least 100 amp
Vince Tkac
Are these compatible with any other tool brands? Can I use that battery in my Dewalt driver?
PETE
they do make adapter plates- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=hercules+battery+adapter
Jared
While adapters work (and I have several), there are factors to consider.
1. Some adapters don’t have heavy-enough gauge wiring to support high draw tools.
2. Some brands have over drain protection in the tools, others in the batteries. Usually adapters don’t include the wiring to support that protection. You might kill a battery by draining it to low – so using an adapter requires caution and watching the battery level.
3. There are sometimes physical connection issues. E.g. adapters add height and sometimes offset the battery slightly – battery compartments on some tools aren’t designed to accommodate that. .
4. You can’t charge a battery with an adapter – you need the proper brand’s charger.
5. Especially with larger batteries, brands often have additional tech to maximize performance. Think of Ridgid Octane, Milwaukee HO, Dewalt Flexvolt (and Flexvolt Advantage and Power Detect). Using an adapter your tool will likely treat the battery as though it’s a compact pack, regardless of size.
Nevertheless, I have several different adapters because I own a bunch of different brands. Sometimes it’s handy to be able to use batteries in other tools -just be aware of the risks and drawbacks.
Stuart
No, they only work with Hercules 20V tools.
John
Could never bring myself to pay for a $140 battery from HF.
Rumor has it that Hercules tools will soon come with a standard 3 year warranty. About the only way to justify buying their tools.
MT
My HF rule-of-thumb: if it requires electricity or has more than one moving part, avoid it.
PETE
***FIXED *** lol My HF rule-of-thumb: avoid it.
Franck B.
Agreed… at 1/2 that price (coupons?) I would consider them for conversion/shucking.
Ben
I think it’s 5 year. The new ultra torque impact on their website is already advertising 5.
Joe
I agree u know Lowe’s sells the dewalt drill/ driver or compact impact @ $100 l have had great service from these all a home owner or handyman needs comes with charger and 2 batteries
John Smith
5 year tool 3 year battery
Nathan
I thought coupons don’t apply to any herc items – or so my store tells me when I tried to shop down their herc mitre saw.
I only go in there for consumables now – and look at storage or the like. I don’t trust any “measured” device from there either. IE a sized socked or wrench – drill bit – etc. been burnt twince with stuff – never again.
I’ll go to autozone or advance auto if I need a measured tool for something like an o2 sensor wrench etc.
Nick
They just released two 1/2 in. High torque Hercules impacts. One is slightly more powerful than the other and both come with a 5 year warranty. Check it out under the “new tools” tab on their website.
Tom+D
I still have a hard time determining who their customers are for these things, as they don’t usually get coupons applied and without that, they’re only really price competitive when compared to higher end brands. Ryobi and friends get close or beat them, and have longer warranties.
Menard’s master force has a 90 day *no questions* return policy and a three-year warranty.
JR Ramos
If a forthcoming 3-year warranty does happen as John alluded to above, this might be an ok deal for some tools, for some people. I suppose there can be some slight overlap in cell choice/performance between certain 18650 vs 21700 but by and large all of the 21700 cells can deliver so much more. Even if HF went with some cheaper Lishen or BAK (or unbranded from one of the good major Chinese cell or battery manufacturers) these could be very good batteries and pump some life into the tools. Assuming the BMS is up to snuff. The price on them is attractive compared to major brands – might be a harder sell to the usual HF customer crowd, though.
Without a warranty to speak of, however, not a good value at any price.
It does perhaps say something good about HF’s direction in the category, though.
John
What I read on reddit HF subforum is this weekend all Hercules brushless 20v tools will come with 5 year warranties. I guess we wait and see. Either way I have no interest in buying any.
Mopar4wd
So HF has been listening. Looks like starting 8/19 Hercules has a 3 year warranty on everything and a 5 year warranty on brushless tools.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hercules
Collin
Looks like everyone’s trying to move upmarket. New brands, i.e. Flex. New product segments, i.e. Kobalt XTR, Skil XP, Hercules Ultra Torque.
I wonder if the upmarket pie is getting bigger or if the main players in the upmarket are losing marketshare.
PW
I suspect it’s more that it’s a crowded and maturing market and everyone wants better margins.
John Smith
I’m on 3 or 4 of the platforms, mostly red. The Hercules line is probably #2. I have several hurcules tools and they have proven their worth. Recently picked up the new high torqued impact, looking forward to the larger batteries.
Ron+Harris
I want to buy the blue now.
Rob "the fix it" guy
I started with a hammer drill, bought a battery and single charger. Used it in a job, feel from a 13ft height on to ground (not concrete). Picked it up, out battery back on (it popped off). No real damage other than scrapes and scratches. That was more than a year ago, still using that hammer drill, no problems. I now own the oscillating tool, standard drill, 6.5″ and 7.25″ circular saws, 1/2in and 3/8in impacts, flashlights, heat gun, switched angle grinder, dual charger, 12Ah and 8 5Ah batteries. I work professionally with these tools.
Based on cost IF one broke, I’d go buy another because I can find a harbor freight in most areas I’ve been working. No worries. I can’t wait for a warranty return from manufacturer. They’ve been solid, YMMV, but mine has been positive.