Lithium batteries for Milwaukee 18v tools

[Brokentoolsrme]

I have and older 18v Milwaukee drill. I have had the batteries rebuilt and also bought new ones. My problem is that my drill is in my truck were the batteries get cold. This kills them in about a 1year. I have heard some of the other trades take about upgrading there batteries to lithium. I know I would need a new charger, and I am not sure if Milwaukee offers a car charger. Has anyone had any experience with these upgrade? I like the drill and it works great when it has a good battery

[PutnamEco]

I also have the older NiCad set, and a V-18 set. The V-18 Lith-Ion is a definite improvement over the NiCads which ever drill they are used in. But they have lasted over a year already, for me. The run time is much improved. I would think it is almost doubled. It is really noticeable when I use my circular saw.
They do not make a 12 volt powered charger for the V-18 series. I use a small (400 watt) inverter to charge mine when I can't plug into a generator.
I have found that there big differences in battery rebuilders. Some rebuilds barely last a year. The last couple that I've gotten rebuilt have lasted over two years so far and are still going strong. I used the heavy duty rebuilds from MTO Battery. They where about what new batteries cost, but for the improved performance I think they are worth it.
I can't really say how well they work in cold weather as I live in FL.
I really don't think that leaving batteries in the cold will shorten their serviceable life, as a year is all I ever got out of the new batteries that I had.

http://www.mtobattery.com/

[Dale]

95% of all power tool battery's are made by panasonic or sanyo. Ive been told they have 5 grades of battery's. your more industrial tools will use the higher grades. Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, and so forth. Cheep tools use Cheep Battery's. Skil, Ryobi, and all the garbage from china, What Ive found With Ni cad battery's. Cold temps. And not being use is what will kill them. Also when they get drained down all the way to nothing. I have had battery's last 13 years. I'm in a warm shop and they get used every day. except when I'm Fishing. As for lithium battery's. Heat and vibration are the enemy. over using a tool and bouncing around in a truck bed. Most companys say they can get 2000 charges.Ha its more like 150. hope this helps Dale