This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links.
Many batteries require charging in dedicated chargers instead of in universal chargers. This isn’t such an inconvenience when you come to think about it because it can also make your life easier – just plug in Charger A and place Batteries A into the slots and voila! There’s no need to worry about whether certain batteries are suitable for charging specific batteries, especially considering the possible safety issues.
This appears to be the case with the Ryobi P128 Upgrade Kit, which comes with two parts. These are the Intelliport 18-volt lithium-ion battery charger designated as P117 and the single 18-volt lithium-ion battery designated as P102. These are designed to be used with each other so there’s no doubt as to their compatibility.
Table of Contents
Features of the Ryobi P128 Upgrade Kit: Intelliport 18V Lithium-Ion Charger
The Ryobi P128 Upgrade Kit has several features that counteract the few minor issues in its design.
- One+ compatible
If you have a collection of Ryobi One+ tools, then you will likely appreciate the usefulness of the P128 kit. The One+ collection includes a wide range of tools from string trimmers and drills to reciprocating saws and combo tool sets, which are among the best in home-use cordless power tools. Your own collection may even be the envy of your fellow DIY enthusiasts, thanks to the tools’ proven durability and functionality.
But the battery kit isn’t just compatible with the One+ collection of tools. According to the manufacturer’s description, the charger can also be used for charging batteries from the older blue-colored Ryobi tool system. You may have the older versions so you don’t have to buy another charger for their batteries because you already have it in the P128 kit, if you decide to buy it.
- Comes with the charger and battery
The kit description is accurate because it comes with the P117 charger and the P102 battery, both of which are useful in many applications. The P117 charger is the upgraded version of the P118 so there are more practical features, such as faster charging times, a digital power gauge, and an intelligent charging system.
The charger can fully charge many of the Ryobi batteries in approximately 3o minutes, which is as fast as it gets in chargers. You can minimize downtime due to the fast charging time, too, so your productivity in the workshop can increase. Your projects will likely be completed in time, partly thanks to the 30-minute charging time, all other factors (e.g., work ethics) being the same.
LED display
The P117 also has a built-in LED display that shows the charging capacity of the batteries being charged. The smart port technology, which makes the display possible, also automatically turns off when the battery is fully charged and turns off when it loses its charge.
Your fears of overheating and overuse of energy can then be eliminated, even when you leave the battery on the charger overnight, because of such technology. Of course, you can just wait for half an hour for the battery to become full again. Just plug the charger into a power outlet, place the battery in for charging, and wait for the magic to happen. The charger requires a 120-volt 60-hertz input power as well as a standard two-prong North American plug for normal operations.
There are many more features that make the P128 upgrade kit a good buy. The lithium-ion battery (P102) lasts significantly longer than most of the original One+ Ni-Cad batteries, as well as being lighter in weight. There’s also the fact that the P102 charges faster than the original batteries that came with the One+ power tools, which is an added bonus when you buy the P128 kit. The charger can even be used with P100 batteries, thus, proving the manufacturer’s claim of backward compatibility.
You can buy more of the P102 lithium-ion batteries separately if you so wish, just so you will always have spare batteries to facilitate the faster completion of your projects, whether these are woodworking or gardening projects. You will find that you can’t have too many batteries when you want minimum downtime and maximum productivity.
Plus, there’s also the fact that the P102 lithium-ion batteries are compatible with old and new Ryobi tools. You don’t have to discard the old tools since you will be reusing them again and again.
Pros
- Complete kit with charger and battery
- The charger works with Ryobi batteries
- Lithium-ion battery works with most, if not all, of the old and new Ryobi tools
- Durable materials and construction
- Easy to use and maintain
- With overheating protection and LED display
Cons
- Only works with Ryobi batteries
Verdict
If you have a collection of Ryobi tools, then you should seriously consider buying the Ryobi P128 upgrade kit! You will find that its charger and battery have several uses that will put your Ryobi tools to their best uses instead of being idle while waiting for their batteries to full charge.
Buy Now on AmazonFor more reviews of battery chargers for power tools, click here
