Black & Decker 18-Volt Cordless Electric Lawncare Center #CCC3000
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Black & Decker 18-Volt Cordless Electric Lawncare Center #CCC3000
Customer Review: Really Works Well
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I admit it. I hate yardwork! So, who doesn't! I have a gas powered trimmer and a corded electric trimmer but both seem to be a pain to use for quick trims. I have to work to get the gas trimmer started and it is overkill for most of what I need. I also have a corded hedge trimmer and blower/vac but I hate getting out the electric cord and dragging it around the yard -- particularly around the pool. Consequently, I trim, ect. much less that I really should.
I finally decided to try this despite disappointing results many years ago with rechargeable trimmers. I have only used it for a brief period of time but I am entirely satisfied. All the tools work well. I was quite surprised with the blower since I thought it would be more of a toy than a useful accessory. However, it did a fine job of blowing grass clippings from my sidewalk, which is the main reason I have a blower. I was also surprised with the hedge trimmer. It handled my dense honeysuckle bush without a problem and is light enough to maneuver with one hand.
I can't say how long the batteries will last before needing replacement but I was able to string trim, hedge trim and blow grass clippings on one battery which still had juice left.
The main negative I see is the use of NiCad batteries. I would have preferred NiMH or Lithium Ion or at least a NiCad charger which also conditions. However, with Amazon selling replacement batteries for under $32 I can live with that if the battery life is long enough.
Of course, now my wife will expect me to do the yard more often ;-)
Customer Review: Handy but charger died after first night
Summary: 2 Stars
These tools are handy. I have had a previous model battery Bush Hog trimmer and it has stood the test of time - still working after five years! When the combo pack reached a reasonable price I bought it. I charged up the three batteries for an initial period of 15 hours and started using all three tools. They all did a pretty decent job but the blower is rather weak.
When I finished I went to replace the batteries in the charger. No red light came on to indicate they were on charge. I checked the unit and it was running but not putting out power to the three charge stations. I inserted and re-inserted the batteries to make sure they were "locked" in the charger tight. That did nothing. I moved the charger to two other outlets - nothing. So, after one charge the thing blew is all I can figure.
I had planned on buying the B&D fast charger everyone thinks so highly of anyway but I did not want to do it right now but it looks like I'll have to. I don't know if I can return the charger unit alone as the shipping to return the entire lawn center would cost more than the charger. I'll have to contact Amazon after the July 4th holiday and find out what I can do.
So, I would have given this tool center four, maybe five stars after I used it a couple more times but I have to give it zero to two stars only due to the quality of the charger issue.
EDIT: Well, here it is the day after. Last night I decided I had nothing to loose so I took the charger unit all apart. I checked each of the wire connections, tapped on the transformer a bit and tightened down on all the circuit boards. When I was finished I put the batteries back in and it works like a charm. The red lights came on and each battery is now warm to the touch telling me each is charging. I have no idea what I did to fix the thing but it works - for now at least. I don't trust it of course because it can go out again anytime so I will be buying the smart charger on my next trip to the hardware store.
Edit: Here it is a week later and the charger went out again but I think I found the problem with these things - I hope. I hung the charger unit along side the tool rack in my garage and had all three batteries installed as suggested in the manual. I'm in Texas and it is hot, and even hotter in the garage. For a day or two the lights on all three charge stations were on but then I noticed they were off again. No charge. I removed the charger unit and put it and the batteries in the house. I tried it later that day after everything cooled down and sure enough, the red lights came on and the batteries were once again charging.
I think the culprit is heat and these units must be very sensitive to it. The charger may sense that the batteries are overheating from the charge (when in fact that heat is supplemented by the ambient air temps). If that happens then the unit will shut down to protect the batteries. That is all I can figure. So for all of you that have a charger fail while hung in the garage (which is probably most people), take it down, let it cool and try it again later at normal room temperature. I bet it will work. Also, to be double safe, I am charging only one battery at a time so it does not overload the charger and removing the battery after it has been fully charged. I think keeping the batteries going all the time in the charger, regardless of what the manual says, is not a good thing.
Update July 30, 2008. After contacting B&D by email and describing the unreliability of the charger unit, they simply asked for my code date number and my address. They sent me out another charger unit right away and did not even ask for the return of the defected one. So far so good with the new charger but only time will tell. Anyway, that's pretty darn good customer service.
Customer Review: The Time Has Come For Cordless
Summary: 5 Stars
As others have said, don't buy this if you have a big friggin lawn. But it does a very nice job for the typical suburban home. I really like the performance of the edger. It is light and easier to use, but gets the job done. The first time I used it I had not edged in quite some time. Because of that I used up two batteries. Since then I can do the job on only one. The blower is replacing a corded blower. My corded one definately has more power and I will still use it on really big jobs(like clearing pine needles off my drive-way). But I am amazed at how often I am using this new one. It is so light and easy to handle that I keep finding more uses for it. My corded blower was such a hassle with dealing with the extension cord, that I usually just used a broom to clear the porch, patio, and sidewalk. Just keep those batteries charged up! Only used the trimmer once, but it was fine. Again, much nicer not dealing with those electrical cords.
In conclusion, if your one of those macho guys who have a need for more power(like Tim the Tool Man Taylor), don't buy this set. But if you are confident in your manlyness and don't need to compensate for "other" short commings.......go for it!
Customer Review: perfect light weight and durable
Summary: 5 Stars
very happy with black & decker 18v tools. i have this set for 2 yrs. i'm thinking to buy one more set for spare. totally green and thumbs up!Customer Review: Great Product, Very Impressed!
Summary: 4 Stars
I wasn't sure at first about the battery powered hand tools but they are light weight and easy enough for me to use.