Makita Global
New battery charger plugs into 12V DC sockets
JULY 21, 2008 – La Mirada, Calif. – Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories, is proud to announce the release of its new Optimum Automotive Charger (model DC18SE). The charger plugs into 12V DC sockets equipped in most automobiles and trucks.
“Contractors and dealers alike have been asking us for an automotive charger for Lithium-Ion batteries, and we listened,” said Brad Wheeler, Makita product manager – cordless products. “The new Makita Optimum Automotive Charger delivers charging power wherever your car or truck takes you.”
Makita’s new charger is compatible with 12-volt DC sockets found in most autos and trucks. The DC18SE will charge slide-style Makita Lithium-Ion and Ni-MH batteries. This includes Makita’s best-selling 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah and 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 1.5Ah batteries.
The new Automotive charger will charge an 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah battery in only 60 minutes, and an 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 1.5Ah battery in just 30 minutes. The DC18SE communicates with the battery’s built-in chip throughout the charging process to optimize battery life by actively controlling current, voltage and temperature. The charger also has a built-in fan to cool the battery to produce more lifetime work.
Makita’s Battery Chargers
The new DC18SE Optimum Automotive Charger joins Makita’s current line of chargers, including the Rapid Optimum Charger (DC18RA) for Lithium-Ion and Ni-MH slide-stile batteries, and the 7.2 Lithium-Ion Charger (DC07SA). They are part of Makita’s growing line of cordless tools powered by Makita’s breakthrough Lithium-Ion battery technology. Nearly two years after its debut, Makita’s 18V LXT Series has grown from seven to 26 tools (over 40 total models), providing a wide range of cordless solutions for professional tradesmen.
Makita’s growing line of LXT cordless product features a wide range of industrial-quality power tools, including drills, impact drivers, saws, metalworking, concrete tools, and more. The Series also offers a jobsite radio, rechargeable flashlights, and several different combo kits.
Specifications
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DC18SE
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Name
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LXT Lithium-Ion Optimum Automotive Charger
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Battery cell type
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Lithium-Ion/Ni-MH
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Battery style
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Slide
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Input
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D.C. 12V – 24V
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Output
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D.C. 7.2V – 18V
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Amp hour (Ah)
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1.3 – 3.3
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Net Weight
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2.2 lbs.
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Suggested Retail
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$99
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Makita’s 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Tool Series
Since its introduction on October 3, 2005, Makita’s LXT Series featuring 18V Lithium-Ion Battery Technology has been providing the professional end-user with more work solutions. The 18V Lithium-Ion battery is a breakthrough in cordless with more power, less weight and better engineering, and Makita is proud to be the first to bring it to jobsites across America.
"Makita did not just design a longer run time battery; we designed a complete tool solution to redefine the way pro users work,” said Ken Hefley, senior vice president marketing, Makita USA. “The LXT solution is all muscle and no fat, with 18 volt power at 12 volt weight. LXT allows the pro user to work longer with a better engineered tool solution."
Makita\'s new LXT Series has been designed specifically for Lithium-Ion battery technology with less weight in a more compact size. LXT is 40% less weight and more compact. The ergonomic shape fits like a glove with even pressure while adding more control. The LXT Series is also equipped with built-in L.E.D. lights that operate independently from the tool to illuminate the work area.
Makita LXT Lithium-Ion Batteries and Optimum Charging System produce 430% total lifetime work with two-and-a-half times more battery cycles than the traditional Ni-Cd batteries. The Optimum Charging System is ENERGY STAR rated for its efficient charging process. Makita\'s LXT Lithium-Ion batteries provide the pro user with many benefits, including 2,000 battery charge cycles, longer run time, 40% less weight, five-times lower self-discharge to keep cells active and ready to use any time, a built-in memory chip to communicate with the Optimum Charger for more work, built-in shock absorbing features to protect the battery, and sixteen firm-holding contact terminals for constant high power. The battery works in conjunction with the Optimum Charger during the charging process for a more efficient charge and maximum battery life.
The new Rapid Optimum Charger communicates with the LXT battery throughout the charge cycle using the built-in memory chip in the battery and the built-in CPU chip in the charger to recognize the history and battery condition to select the optimal charging method. The optimal charging method uses Active 3 Controls for current control, thermal control and voltage control. The charger has a built-in fan to cool the battery to produce more lifetime work.
Makita has better technology with a new smart Battery Diagnostic System (sold separately) that enables users to understand the battery condition to maximize battery life. This new system is ideal for large pro and industrial users with many batteries. This system is able to indicate how the battery was used and can optimally refresh each cell for more lifetime work, determine the battery life expectancy based on how many times the battery has been charged or gone through a cycle and can log each battery to keep a permanent record.
Makita has also added compact cordless power tools to its line of Lithium-Ion products, and they are unique in both appearance and performance: The 18V Compact Lithium-Ion (1.5Ah) battery weighs just .85 lbs. and reaches a full charge in only 15 minutes, four times faster than the competition. The compact battery combined with the compact design of the tools delivers a superior power-to-weight ratio. These compact tools – including the ½” Compact Driver Drill (BDF452HW) – feature a new black and white exterior design, distinguishing these compact cordless models from Makita’s familiar teal-colored top-of-the-line cordless product in the LXT Series.
Makita’s newest compact products are powered by a 10.8V Lithium-Ion battery. These lower-voltage products clearly have a place in Makita’s series of Lithium-Ion cordless tools.
“Makita’s Lithium-Ion platform is not solely focused on 18V power, as evidenced by the recent launch of our 10.8V Lithium-Ion ultra-compact tools,” said Brad Wheeler, product manager – cordless products. “Makita applies power, precision and compact design to every tool it makes, and these same qualities have been built into the new 10.8V Lithium-Ion 2-speed driver-drill and impact driver. These ultra-compact tools have been engineered for trades that require professional power and quality in a convenient size.”
The new 10.8V products fill a need for Lithium-Ion battery power in an ultra-compact size. They are positioned as a first step into the Lithium-Ion battery platform from older battery technologies.
“For those pros using 9.6 and 12 volt tools every day - and there are many of them - Makita’s new ultra-compact 10.8V Lithium-Ion line of tools is a great way to step into Makita and into the superior advantages of Makita Lithium-Ion power.” said Wheeler. “These tools come in handy for so many lighter duty jobs out there. Every tool box should have one.”
Warranty
Makita LXT Lithium-Ion is backed by Makita’s new Three-Year Warranty which covers repair due to defective materials or workmanship up to three years from the purchase date.
About Makita USA
Makita is a leading manufacturer of over 450 professional, industrial quality power tools and has over 2,000 industrial accessories. Makita’s new, innovative 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Power Tool Series has a three-year limited warranty and all Makita tools are covered by a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship and may be serviced at any of our 25 factory service centers or by more than 1,000 authorized service centers nationwide. Makita USA, Inc.’s home office is located in La Mirada, California and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. For more information, please contact us at 1-800-4-MAKITA (1-800-462-5482) or visit the website at makitatools.com.
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