So one of the 10.8v batteries for my Bosch cordless died 

 

Went to my local magic shop, cos they are always very helpful and after phoning round she told me that they don't do 10.8v replacements anymore only 12v and it will be a straight swop/fit with no problems  

 

OK I can see that 10.8v to 12v won't make much difference to the operation of the drill, perhaps make it go a bit faster and give a bit more torque, but what about the charger?

 

The charger that came with the drill states output at 10.8v so how will this charge a 12v battery?

 

I always assumed chargers output the same or even a little more voltage than the battery they are charging, so will 10.8v charger on a 12v battery work? 

  

 

 

Looking at the Bosch chargers on Lazada, they seem to be ok for anything from 7v to 14v, so my guess is that yours will be ok.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/110-240v-bosch-72v-96v-12v-144v-ni-cd-ni-mh-batteri-batteri-gsr72-gsr96-gsr12-gsr144-al1411dv-junyi-i667054642-s1302080530.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.5.3f1b3378zCUAx8&search=1

Have same drill and indeed the batteries are 12v (several years old).  Charger is rated 12v at 1 amp on wall brick.

Also, 10.8v "Bosch" batteries on Lazada (probably copies.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/battery-bosch-108v-30ah-108v-bat411-i990594861-s2155194006.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.1.4b11eceeNWrD7l&search=1

I see all the chargers at different ratings, and they are marked as such, mine is only rated for 10.8v:-

I have tried it in the charger and does seem work.

 

I did have a look through Lazada but the 10.8 v batteries all looked like copies and at that time did not know the 12v batteries would work or even fit.

 

Anyway got it now so not much to do about it but just curious how a 10.8v charger can fill a 12v battery. 

 

Guess time will tell 

 

1 hour ago, Daffy D said:

OK I can see that 10.8v to 12v won't make much difference to the operation of the drill, perhaps make it go a bit faster and give a bit more torque, but what about the charger?

 

I've been through this with a DeWalt 10.8V drill. In reality the 12V and 10.8V batteries are the same inside, it's a spot of marketing hype to describe the "new" version as 12V. The original charger charges it just fine.

 

Charging any Lithium/Something batteries is a lot more complicated than just connecting x volt. There is a lot of electronic in between - and there must be to make sure it doesn't blow up.

So be careful about what you are doing.

It's easy to find videos on YouTube about bad problems with (wrongly used) Lithium batteries.