Rigid LSA and Li-Ion Batteries...

[Greg Cuetara]

I currently have a 18v Ryobi drill and it has treated me very well over the past 8 or so years. About 3 or 4 years ago the original batteries died on me and I purchased 2 ni-cad replacement batteries. I am still able to charge them but they don't hold their charge for very long anymore.

I have been looking at a few different options. I can purchase a new Ryobi Li-ion drill package with 2 batteries, charger and drill and the new batteries will work in all my old Ryobi tools. The other option would be to get a Rigid Li-Ion drill but that only comes with one battery but is supposed to have the Lifetime service agreement on everything including the batteries. So when the battery does go I could get a new one for free.

Has anyone ever had to change out their Rigid batteries using the LSA. Is it difficult to do?...trying to figure out if the rigid is worth it due to the LSA or if I should stick with the Ryobi so that I can now have 2 drills and new batteries for all my other cordless stuff, trim saw, light, vac etc...

Thanks,
Greg

[Jacob Muldowney]

I have read many stories of issues with cashing in on that LSA when it comes to drills. I own some Rigid tools. I opted for Milwaukee when I just upgraded my drill/impact combo. It took me a month on what brand to buy. In the long run I didn't choose Rigid for this application because there wasn't a service center near by and I just heard to many people say they got hosed on new batteries.

[Dick Holt]

Greg,
About two years ago, I purchased a Ridgid cordless drill with Li-Ion batteries. I promptly sent in the required info to register it for the LSA. To this day, I never received the LSA. About the same time, I purchased a Ridgid Job-Max multi-tool. It had been used very little when one of the batteries would not take a charge. I took the battery to the nearest Home Depot to be repaired/replaced. Six weeks later I got a call saying the battery was in. Turns out it was a new battery, but SIX WEEKS is ridiculous! Maybe my experience with Ridgid is unusual, but I personally would think twice about Ridgid and their LSA.

Dick

[Bill Petersen]

I bought a Ridgid drill with the LSA and it took about a year and a half to finally get confirmation from them. I have had my batteries replaced once and am ready to have another one replaced. Luckily, there is an authorized repair center in Las Vegas that just exchanges them out with no wait. I wish Las Vegas wasn't a three hour drive, but I do get there once a month for family.

Bill

[Tom Esh]

Greg,
...Maybe my experience with Ridgid is unusual, but I personally would think twice about Ridgid and their LSA.
Dick

Similar experience, plus a 40 mi round trip to their SC to exchange the packs. Seems they went out of their way to locate it as far away from the population centers (and dealers) as possible in this area. Pretty much makes their LSA worthless to me. I happily sold them for 1/3 of what I paid. I replaced them with DeWalt, which means I'll be on the hook for pack replacements, but I've yet to have one give up. So far it's been zero failures vs 3 in about the same time frame.

[bill tindall]

Both myself and daughter have Rigid drills for past several years. I have replaced my batteries twice and her's once. You must precisely fill out the warranty material for drill AND battery packs. I (actually daughter)take the ill batteries to a service center near Greeneville, SC. Takes 2-3 weeks to get a new one. If I don't pick them up they get mailed for free. However, I was told recently that my local Home Depot would take the batteries for replacement (Kingsport, TN).

If you own a battery powered drill the batteries will die in a few years more or less depending on your use. The economy of the free replacement can not be beat in my opinion.

[Joseph Tarantino]

HDs with tool rental departments are now, i'm told, administering the LSA. tools may be brought there for transport to repair centers and batteries are replaced there also. i've no first hand knowledge of this and my local HD doesn't rent tools.

[mreza Salav]

I have replaced 3 batteries under LSA; as I'm in a big city and there is a service center in town it took less than two weeks for the batteries to arrive (new ones); no hassle and very easy.
Be sure to re-register the new batteries each time you change them. In fact every time you change a tool or battery the new one should be registered again.
I think it's well worth the little work of registering if I really get free battery for life as they are almost 2/3 of the price of a tool.

[Kim Gibbens]

I bought into that LSA crap, will NEVER buy Ridgid again. Should be simple to replace a LIFETIME battery. I was told I had to ship the drill, battery and charger to a service center so they could determine IF they would replace my battery. Shipping both ways on my dime would be almost as expensive to buy a new battery. I have since switched over to Makita. Screw Ridgid. Maybe you can guess I'm not a happy camper

[Richard Coers]

I bought into that LSA crap, will NEVER buy Ridgid again. Should be simple to replace a LIFETIME battery. I was told I had to ship the drill, battery and charger to a service center so they could determine IF they would replace my battery. Shipping both ways on my dime would be almost as expensive to buy a new battery. I have since switched over to Makita. Screw Ridgid. Maybe you can guess I'm not a happy camper

I'm with Kim,
Had one fail, called a service center 15 miles away. They wouldn't let me bring it in, nor would they work on it since they were "swamped". I took it over after Christmas and they told me they still would not take it, and I would have to ship it somewhere after the first of the year. I'm standing in the service center and I have to ship it? Never will I buy another Rigid. Do a Google search, complaints are rampant. Many complain of poor life on the replacement packs, long waits for replacement, and failed requests for replacements when the customer didn't register the replacement pac sent by Rigid. We have Bosch cordless at work, that's what I buy the next time.

[Bruce Wrenn]

My experience has been GOOD. Have replaced several sets of LI batteries under LSA. If service center has batteries in stock (and Ridgid has paid them what they are owed,) it only takes a few minutes. Service center registered my batteries, as they have account for every battery, both defective and new. Nothing in ORIGINAL paperwork requires owner to register replacement batteries. It says "FREE FOR LIFE with LSA.

[Greg Cuetara]

thank you everyone for your experiences....guess i am still more confused than ever on what i should get. guess I will have to do some more thinking this weekend.

[Joseph Tarantino]

My experience has been GOOD. Have replaced several sets of LI batteries under LSA. If service center has batteries in stock (and Ridgid has paid them what they are owed,) it only takes a few minutes. Service center registered my batteries, as they have account for every battery, both defective and new. Nothing in ORIGINAL paperwork requires owner to register replacement batteries. It says "FREE FOR LIFE with LSA.

that's recently been changed. please see the LSA T&C. under "How to Obtain Service", "Replacement":

http://www.ridgid.com/tools/power-tool-warranty

still, ridgid are the only hand held and stationary power tools i try to buy. i never like paying for things twice. and since i'm in the NYC tristate area, there's a lot of places to get the products serviced, including HDs with tool rental depts. but i cab see having to get the defective items to a service center of any kind being a hassle if one lives in a rural area.

[Joseph Tarantino]

thank you everyone for your experiences....guess i am still more confused than ever on what i should get. guess I will have to do some more thinking this weekend.

FWIW, back in 2003/03, we started collecting power tools. started with ryobi but changed to ridgid for the 3 year guaranty and the LSA. never regretted it.

[Bruce Wrenn]

LSA terms in effect at time of purchase govern. Any changes would be a change of contract, upon which both parties must agree. They also say any extras (batteries) not included with tool aren't eligible for LSA. However some of their advertising says different, including current banner on display in HD. When I bought my last drill, it came with a extra free battery, which display indicated it was eligible for LSA. I made a copy of display and keep it with my paper work. This is an item for state attorney general's office to determine. Costs me nothing for them to examine display, and determine if extra battery is covered or not. Goes under false and deceptive advertising laws.

[John Lifer]

Guess my question is I have Ridgid tool with defective battery. Pretty sure I submitted paperwork, but not positive as the tool was a gift and I think they needed copy of receipt sent in. So, what chance on getting battery replaced? Zero?
Thanks

[Morey St. Denis]

Further clarification to all those who have never actually read the terms of Ridgid's Limited Lifetime Service Agreement... Within their published LSA text that defines precisely how this warranty applies to cordless tools, rechargeable batteries are "redefined" as "consumable items". As such, the period of the LSA that applies to all Ridgid batteries is clearly stated to be 3 Years, full Repair or Replacement during this term. Power tools are warranted for the lifetime of the original purchaser, Lithium batteries are covered for 3 years. Still pretty useful; how often do you see any rechargeable battery type warranted beyond 3 years?

I have personally experienced over four years of steady and reliable service from my Ridgid 18V X3 Lithium rechargeable batteries without any problems. In other aspects of my experience with Ridgid power tool warranty coverage, servicing and replacement have been exemplary.

Regarding the science behind Lithium rechargeable cells, it bears mentioning that inherent operating voltage for all Lithium cell chemistry is generally 3.6V, meaning that only 5 banks of Lithium cells are required, while the 1.2V individual NiCd cell requires entire current output to pass through 15 considerably smaller units connected in series, equating to that same 18 volts. Lithium (Li) is element 3 on the periodic table (falling between noble Helium & alkaline earth metal Beryllium). Ni & Cd are both relatively heavy, biologically toxic metals, having atomic weights of 59 & 112 respectively, as compared to the atomic weight of alkali metal leader Lithium, which comes in at under 7! This helps explain the considerably lower weight and higher power density of these batteries.

Environmentally non-toxic Lithium technology is more compact, lighter in weight, capable of maintaining higher charge capacity, with extended operation between charge cycles while maintaining fully regulated 18 Volt output. Demonstrates greater overall service life, and holds its charge even during extended periods of inactivity; considerably longer than any NiCd battery. Lithium beats NiCd in any comparative category for rechargeable battery chemistry you'd care to name!

[mreza Salav]

Further clarification to all those who have never actually read the terms of Ridgid's Limited Lifetime Service Agreement... Within their published LSA text that defines precisely how this warranty applies to cordless tools, rechargeable batteries are "redefined" as "consumable items". As such, the period of the LSA that applies to all Ridgid batteries is clearly stated to be 3 Years, full Repair or Replacement during this term. Power tools are warranted for the lifetime of the original purchaser, Lithium batteries are covered for 3 years. Still pretty useful; how often do you see any rechargeable battery type warranted beyond 3 years?


That is INCORRECT. The LSA provides free batteries for life and not just 3 years, here are the terms:

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Power-Tool-Warranty

"The Lifetime Service Agreement provides the original owner of qualifying RIDGID® Brand tools a lifetime of free replacement batteries, free service and free replacement parts subject to the limitations set forth below."

And in the conditions you are required to register them within 90 days of purchase.

http://www.ridgid.com/THD/lsa.html


FYI I (along with many others) have replaced batteries well past the 3 year mark (I've done 6 years later).

[Morey St. Denis]

Admittedly, it does get confusing, but I disagree and suggest you actually try reading the text of any warranty card enclosed with a Ridgid battery purchase, such as upgrading to the high capacity 3.0 Ahr 18V Lithium battery. All combo kits that I am aware of come only with 1.5 Ahr battery packs. Rechargeable battery powered is a more specific, smaller subset within the realm of hand-held power tools and this disclaimer likely trumps the LSA blanket statement regarding the more generalized hand-held tools. It reads:

"3-YEAR Limited Service WARRANTY: This battery is a consumable item; therefore it is warranted against defective parts and labor only and not misuse or deterioration of the battery pack through normal wear and tear."

I do not disagree with factual accounts and your assertion that battery warranty issues most often may get honored according to the larger LSA that does not specifically mention any special terms or exclusion for the rechargeable consumable tool items. Just sayin', if you should happen to get an agent that really wants to be difficult, rechargeable batteries could be specifically excluded and extended only their usual 3 Year coverage as for any other "consumable item" component. Fortunately, this seems uniquely rare and is easily corrected.

[mreza Salav]

Did you look at the second link I provided? It says in bold face right at the top "free batteries for life".
Furthermore it says:

"LIFETIME SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR RIDGID® HAND HELD POWER TOOLS, STATIONARY POWER TOOLS AND PNEUMATIC TOOLS
In addition to the 3-Year Limited Service Warranty currently included with RIDGID® Brand Hand Held Power Tools Stationary Power Tools, and Pneumatic Tools, purchasers of these products may elect for a limited time to receive a free Lifetime Service Agreement. To accept this Lifetime Service Agreement, you must register your product and submit proof of purchase as described below. The Lifetime Service Agreement provides the original owner of qualifying RIDGID® Brand tools a lifetime of free replacement batteries, free service and free replacement parts subject to the limitations set forth below."

Go ahead and read it carefully. The 3-year warranty is different from LSA and LSA is on top of the 3-year and requires registration and is not automatic (whereas 3-year is automatic).
If you like to think batteries are not included in LSA (which btw is the main selling point of the LSA) and ridgid is changing it for free just as a courtesy to us that's fine with me.