Cordless Power Tools - Batteries Are the Key

Batteries are the key to any cordless power tool, either selecting a cordless drill, hedge trimmer, leaf blower, or any other type of cordless tool. Battery voltage is not the singular most foremost factor to reconsider when selecting cordless power tools. With cordless tools available all the way up to 36 volts, amperage/hour, and battery type must also be taken into account. Many 14.4 volt tools will outperform 19.2 volt tools due to battery type and amp/hr rating.

Power Tools

Battery Rating Basics

Amperage hours and voltage are used to rate a cordless tool battery. Amperage hours are used to determine how long a battery will last and voltage refers to the flow or impel of the electrical current. As I was taught in high school shop class the system of electrical current is easier to understand if you think of it as water being pumped straight through a pipe.

Voltage is used to measure the speed at which water is flowing straight through the pipe. Amperage represents the size of pipe that will be filled to capacity. Amperage hour rates how long the flow can be maintained or how long the battery will last.

As you can see by using this analogy the higher the voltage in conjunction with higher amp/hr the stronger the battery. Cordless power tool batteries are normally available in 1.4, 2.4, and 3.0 amp/hr. The amp/hr rating of the battery can be found on either the side or bottom of most batteries.

Battery Types

There are three types of batteries used in contemporary cordless power tools.

Ni - Cad ( Nickel - Cadmium ) are the oldest type used and are prone to developing a memory and early failure. Even when properly maintained they are lucky to be recharged 400 times before failure occurs. Ni -Mh ( Nickel Metal Hydride ) are a newer design than Ni - Cad and can design a memory, though not as quick. The worst issue discovered with this type of battery, the higher the amp/hr rating, the fewer fee cycles before battery failure occurs. Li - Ion ( Lithium - Ion ) are the most recent type available and much better, compact, and costly than the other two types. Memory is not a problem, and manufacturers claim up to 1,200 charging cycles before replacement.
Charging Time

Is another foremost consideration when considering cordless power tool batteries. Many older batteries need charging after only an hour or less of work and wish six hours of charging time. If you have a lot of work to achieve can you afford to wait for your batteries to recharge? There are Lithium - Ion batteries available that only wish 15 minutes to recharge.

Stability and Maintenance

With the high cost of transfer batteries for cordless tools it pays to consequent manufacturers recommendations for the care and maintenance of these tools. Cordless power tool batteries are just like any other piece of tool and have an imaginable assistance life. When they come to be worn out and need replacing it is sometimes more prudent to replace the entire tool kit. The cost of two transfer batteries is often times more than a new cordless tool with charger and two batteries.

Cordless Power Tools - Batteries Are the Key