Bosch Set 3 x GBA 18V 5.0Ah Battery + GAL 18V-40 Charger in L-BOXX 136, 0615990L3T

Bosch Set: 3 x GBA 18V 5.0Ah Battery + GAL 18V-40 Charger in L-BOXX 136, 0615990L3T

Article 0615990L3T is a power set from the professional Bosch Professional 18 V system. It contains three lithium-ion GBA 18V 5.0 Ah batteries (order number 1 600 A00 2U5), one GAL 18V-40 charger (1 600 A01 9RJ) and an L-BOXX 136 case (1 600 A01 2G0). There is no power tool in the set - this is energy plus a case, for someone who already owns blue Bosch Professional 18 V machines or buys them in the SOLO version, without batteries.

The arithmetic is simple: three 5.0 Ah packs at 18 V hold roughly 270 Wh in total (about 90 Wh per battery). That is a full day's supply for a drill driver, rotary hammer or angle grinder without walking back to a socket every half hour - while one battery works, the second charges and the third waits ready.

The GBA 18V 5.0 Ah batteries

GBA 18V 5.0 Ah is a lithium-ion pack with a voltage of 18.0 V and a capacity of 5.0 Ah. Bosch states 25% longer run time than an 18V 4.0 Ah battery from the same system. A single pack measures 74 x 114 x 56 mm and weighs 0.62 kg.

The cells are protected by COOLPACK 1.0 - a design that moves heat from the inside of the pack to its surface. Heat is the main enemy of lithium cells, so better cooling means a longer service life and longer periods of continuous work under heavy load. The housing carries a battery status indicator that can be read without putting the pack into a tool.

The GAL 18V-40 charger

GAL 18V-40 is a compact charger with a charging current of 4 A and a working range of 14.4 - 18 V, so it also serves the older 14.4 V packs of the blue system. It weighs 0.55 kg. The charger has one bay - the batteries are charged one after another, not simultaneously. The housing has openings for wall mounting, which is a practical solution in a van, workshop or store room.

The charging times stated by Bosch, to 80% and to 100%, are:

• GBA 18V 2.0 Ah - 24 / 35 min
• GBA 18V 3.0 Ah - 36 / 50 min
• GBA 18V 4.0 Ah - 48 / 65 min
• GBA 18V 5.0 Ah (the batteries in this set) - 60 / 70 min
• GBA 18V 6.0 Ah - 72 / 95 min

For the three batteries in this set that means about 3 hours to reach 80% on all of them if they are charged in sequence, and about 3.5 hours to a full charge.

The L-BOXX 136 case

L-BOXX 136 is not a cardboard box but part of the Bosch storage and transport system. Its outer dimensions are 360 x 444 x 151 mm, the inner ones 302 x 386 x 114 mm, the weight is 1.9 kg and the material is ABS. It carries up to 100 kg on the top, up to 25 kg inside the box, and its tensile strength is 50 kg.

The cases click onto one another and open without taking the whole stack apart. The latches lock securely and the additional front handle lets the case be carried close to the body. L-BOXX 136 works with the tool inserts and with the Sortimo vehicle system.

Who this set is for

The set makes sense in three situations: when buying a machine in the SOLO version (without battery and charger), when replacing worn-out packs that no longer last a shift, and in a crew of two or three people, where one battery per person is not enough and the tools stand idle. When the main machine is an angle grinder, rotary hammer or circular saw - a consumer that pulls current in bursts - three 5.0 Ah packs cover the working day more comfortably than two 4.0 Ah ones.

Compatibility

The GBA 18V 5.0 Ah batteries are compatible with all tools and chargers of the Bosch Professional 18 V system as well as with the AMPShare alliance. The GAL 18V-40 charger in turn is 100% compatible with all Bosch Professional 18 V batteries, including the ProCORE18V packs, and is also part of AMPShare. This is the blue professional system - the batteries do not fit the green Bosch tools for home use.

Technical specifications

Scope of delivery

• 3 x Bosch GBA 18V 5.0 Ah rechargeable battery, Li-Ion (1 600 A00 2U5)
• 1 x Bosch GAL 18V-40 Professional charger (1 600 A01 9RJ)
• 1 x Bosch L-BOXX 136 case (1 600 A01 2G0)
• No power tool - the set is energy and a case only
• No consumables - drill bits, screwdriver bits and discs are not included
• No tool insert - foam and inserts for the L-BOXX are bought separately

Tips for daily use

• Rotate all three packs. A battery that sits unused for months ages faster than one kept in rotation.
• Do not leave a pack fully discharged for a long time. For storage a partially charged battery is better.
• Let a hot battery cool down for a few minutes before putting it on the charger - the electronics will wait for the temperature to drop anyway.
• The charger has a single bay. If you work in a crew, start charging at lunchtime rather than at the end of the day.
• Keep the battery rails free of dust and chips; dirty contacts are a common reason for "the tool will not start".

Questions and Answers