Earlier this year I got to try out the new Milwaukee Rapid Charge Station48-59-1807 which brought about some huge advancements such as the ability to charge 6 batteries (3 at a time), could charge M18 and M12 batteries, and charge each battery up to 40% faster. It charged individual batteries much faster than the Rapid Charge Station. I thought it was amazing and wondered if Milwaukee could make the current dual voltage charger with the same rapid charging capabilities as the Rapid Charge station. My dreams came true, and we now have the Milwaukee Rapid Charger 4859-1808.
This charger can charge individual batteries upto 40% faster than the Rapid Charge Station. Also, just like the dual voltage charger included in M18 power tool kits, this new charger can charge one M18 battery and one M12 battery so you can charge 2 batteries on one charger. Although just like the regular dual voltage charger, it wont charge both batteries at the same time. It works by charging the first battery first, while the second battery waits for its turn.
At a quick glance it looks almost identical to the original M18/M12 dual voltage charger but a closer look reveals the entire unit has received a face lift making it a bit more modern while keeping the same overall shape and function of the previous model. It works exactly the same as well and they didnt change the way the LED indicator lights function and keep the same red light to signal charging, green means its done, and flashing red means the battery is waiting its turn to be charged. This charger has a flashing green light that indicates you have at least 80% of the battery charged. This indicates that your battery is nearly dead and that you can take it out.
This review would be finished right here BUT I went a little further and actually charged a few batteries to see what sort of charge time improvements were looking at to see if its charge times are as good as the Rapid Charge Station or not. I ran the same test as I did with the Rapid Charge Station, although now I have 2 new batteries to test out, an M18 2.0 and M18 XC 3.0 which I didnt have on hand before. And becausethe charge times were consistent on the Rapid Charge Station, I only charged each battery once.
Charge times on this charger:
- M18 2.0 = 34 minutes (24% faster vs 45 minutes*)
- M18 XC 3.0 takes 51 minutes (5% faster than 1 hour*).
- M18 XC 4.0 = 1 hour 3 minutes (30% faster vs 1 hour 30 minutes*)
- M18 XC5.0 = 55 minutes (47% quicker than 1 hour 45 minutes*).
- M12 1.5 = 20 minutes (33% faster vs 30 minutes*)
- M12 2.0 = 34 minutes (24% faster vs 45 minutes*)
- M12 XC4.0 = 54 minutes (40% faster than 1 hour 30 minutes*).
For comparison, see the Charge Times on the Rapid Charge Station
- M18 XC 5.0 = 56 minutes (46% faster*)
- M18 XC4.0 = 1 hour 6 min (26% faster*).
- M12 1.5 = 23 min (23% faster*).
- M12 2.0 = 28 min (37% faster*).
- M12 XC4.0 = 54 minutes (40% quicker*)
Disclaimer * versus regular charge times on M18 or M12 chargers
We can see that this dual voltage Rapid Charger can charge batteries just as fast as the larger Rapid Charge Station. All batteries benefit from the faster charge times ranging anywhere from 15% fasterall the way up to 47% faster charge times. It is interesting to note that the Rapid Charger can charge M18XC 5.0 batteries much faster than the 40 percent charge time claimed by Milwaukee. I was able to get 47% more charge time with this battery. Its a 1% increase in charge speed over the Rapid Charge Station which really equates to one minute faster but it could be due to the battery being newer, and also dependent on remaining charge when depleted. To be honest, I fully charged each battery before charging them until they stopped working.
The reason the M18 XC 5.0 batteries charge much quicker than the others is because they are Rapid Charge compatible meaning the battery packs are optimized to charge faster when charged with a Rapid Charger. Rapid Charge compatible batteries are marked with a lightning bolt symbol at the top of the battery pack near the terminals. At the moment, I am only aware of one M18 XC5.0 battery that has this symbol.
The new charger has faster charging capabilities for all batteries. Its form factor and functionality are similar to the regular charge speed dual-voltage charger. However, it charges faster and lets you know when your battery is at least 80% charged. At the moment its not being packaged with M18 power tool kits so it doesnt appear to be replacing the current regular speed dual voltage charger and sits above that current charger in the Milwaukee charging ladder. The unit can be purchased separately and costs a fair bit more than the current dual-volt charger, but it is much cheaper than the highly prized Rapid Charge Station.
DISCLOSURE:
