Are Ryobi 40V And 36V Batteries Interchangeable?

In the United States, the Ryobi energy software battery platform is fairly easy so far as voltage categorization goes. As of publication, the software model sells 4-volt, 18-volt — a favorite among many power tool brands — 40-volt, and 80-volt batteries to energy its varied instruments and home equipment. However, outdoors of the U.S., the Ryobi battery catalog expands its attain, a minimum of at first look. In Australia, for example, Ryobi sells 36-volt batteries, however these aren’t a brand new or totally different selection in any respect. These batteries are simply what Americans acknowledge as 40V batteries, making them fully interchangeable voltage-wise when put to make use of in 40V and 36V-labeled instruments alike.

These identical energy degree batteries are recognized by totally different voltage classifications. In Australia, in addition to different areas outdoors of the U.S., Ryobi exchanges its batteries utilizing the 36V nominal voltage, or the common working voltage it delivers whereas the battery is utilized in a software. They do attain 40V at their peak, opposite to what this naming may appear to recommend. Meanwhile, within the U.S., Ryobi opts for promoting the 40V peak voltage, which is the very best voltage the battery reaches as soon as it is absolutely recharged and faraway from the charger. These usually function at round 36V on common, however for the sake of selling, the upper, extra “spectacular” 40V quantity takes precedent. It’s no totally different than how 20V and 18V batteries are basically the same, too.

Despite their totally different voltage labels, 36V and 40V instruments from Ryobi shouldn’t have any hassle powering the identical set of instruments. For these curious, even their bodily design permits for swappability as vital — so long as their bodily rail mounting {hardware} and housing shapes match.

While their labels are totally different, 36V and 40V instruments ship the identical quantity of energy whereas in use, so there needs to be no problem swapping instruments and batteries round. This truth is compounded by the matter of their bodily design, which, other than their label and minor aesthetic variations, is mostly precisely the identical. Many 36V and 40V batteries function the identical horizontal connection rails that enable them to slip and click on into Ryobi instruments so long as these connector rails match the plastic housing on the software you are utilizing. Theoretically, this implies they’ll make the most of the identical chargers, too, additional including to their interchangeability. 

If you reside someplace that makes use of one kind over the opposite and need to attempt the alternative voltage label, it’s best to train warning. All of this interchangeability applies strictly to official, genuine batteries straight from Ryobi itself. It’s not a pleasure to pay full worth for these, however as tempting as they’re, unofficial Ryobi 36V or 40V batteries aren’t the best way to go. Knockoff power tool batteries can be incredibly dangerous, seeing as they’re usually cheaply-made with subpar components vulnerable to breakage, leakage, or worse. Not to say, Ryobi warranties do not cowl injury from third-party objects or something attributed to misuse, abuse, or neglect, so an inexpensive, faux battery may destroy your software and go away you no alternative however to purchase a substitute with your individual cash.

All of that is to say that if you find yourself with 36V and 40V Ryobi batteries, you shouldn’t have any downside utilizing them in the identical methods, as they’re equivalent electrically even when their housings could also be totally different. Just be certain that they’re the true deal, or the results might be critical.