Power tool battery differences
Ni-Cd/Ni-Mh/Li-Ion !!??
You don't know what kind of power tool should you buy? Or you already bought one, but you don't know how to handle its battery?
Then read this article!
Differences between power tools with battery, and some tips & tricks
There are two types of battery using power tools. At first glance, you won't see much differences, but when it comes to actually using it, you will find some big gaps.
Nickel Cadmium(NiCd)/Nickel Metalhidrid (NiMH):
Power tools equipped and sold with this type of batteries, are the most common, because this is the oldest technology,
however nowadays there are more and more drawbacks compared to Litium-Ion batteries.
Tulajdonságai:
Specifics:
- Self-discharge:
Even if you put it aside when fully charged, it will lost its condition, and fully discharge
in 3-4 months. Also when discharged, it loses around 30% of its capacity every month.
- More weight compared to Litium-Ion batteries
- Memory effect:
Basically this means, that if you charge it partially, for short periods of time, and not fully
(usually it takes 3+5 hours to fully charge it up from 0 to 100%), the battery will "remember"
this and it will sees this as a full charging cycle. This basically means, that it will lose capacity.
We say all the time about these types of batteries: "Full charge, full discharge!!"
Eg. #1:
The user put the battery aside when it was 100% charged, and didn't use it for 3-4 months.
When it is needed immediately for some quick work, the user recognizes, that the battery is
fully discharged, the power tool doesn't even move.
The user begins to charge it, but doesn't wait until it's fully charged - because it is needed
immediately - only charges it for 1-2 hours, and then starts to work.
At first nothing changes, but in reality if for example the battery was only charged up to 60%,
the next time no one will be able to charge it above 60% - basically it becomes the new 100%.
After using a powertool for 2-3 years most users experience that their battery discharges fast,
even if it is charges properly (3-5 hours).
In reality this is the consequence of bad usage.
Eg. #2:
The user knows that a fully charged battery is needed, because there will be a big work.
So the user puts the battery on charge, however there is still some power in it (for example: it is on 50%).
The battery remembers the state, where it was at the start of the charging, and it will become the new 0%.
So basically the battery loses half of it's capacity, and it couldn't be used anymore.
In reality this is the consequence of bad usage.
Tips and tricks for longer life-cycle:
Always discharge it completely!
(Those with some bigger DIY skills could connect a light bulb to the battery.
But be careful! 1 cell should only discharge to 1V!!!!)
After buying the new battery, charge it for 12-13 hours, for the first 3-4 charge discharge cycle.
Also keep in mind to only charge it, when it is fully discharged.
After that you only have to charge it for 3-5 hours, but only charge, when it is on 0%.
Don't leave it on the charger for more, because it won't stop charging, (of course this only apply to
the non-automatic chargers) and then it will be overcharges, which can also damage the
chamicals in the battery.
If you use the battery by following these steps, it will last for ~3-4 years.
After that, the cells should be replaced - we recommend you to replace ALL the cells together!
(we recommend you to read the manufacturers manual)
Lithium Ion (Li Ion) "the other one":
Specifics:
- No self-discharge (actually there is - but it is really minimal - 1% at max. / month)
- No memory effects
- Can be charged whenever you want to - you don't have to fully dischage, and
you don't have to watch the time
- Shorter charging cycles: 80% charged after half an hour, fully charged at 2 hours max.
- Smaller, and lighter
- More powerful, can supply greater emphasis
- Lifecycle: 2-3 years
(it can be affected by the brand - different brand use different electronics, and cells)
- Electric charge regulation: can't be overcharged, because when it is fully charged
it automatically turn charging off with the built in electronics.
In reality this is the consequence of bad usage.
Nem kell oda figyelni
You don't have to pay attention to
- the period of the charging cycles
- the discharging, because you can charge whenever you want
However it is good to know, that the lifecycle of the li-ion battery cells, is usually 300-400 cycles.
So if someone charges its battery everyday it can be exhausted in 1(!!) year.
Don't use it in under 0°C for a long period of time
-it doesn't harm the battery, but in cold it discharges faster
