subject: The Three Main Different Types Of Electrical Power Tool Batteries [print this page] Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad) present approximately 400 cost cycles previous to needing a replacement Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) can previous much more than 400 periods of recharge. While, Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries can electrical power up your cordless energy instruments by using a lifespan of over 1,200 situations recharges (as for every manufacturer's product description) previous to an essential alternative.
Cordless drills, saws, weed whackers and other cordless electric tools use one of four different types of batteries --- nickel-cadmium (NiCad), nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), and lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sealed lead-acid (SLA). The different chemistries produce differences in key characteristics such as run time, discharging rate and cycle life. Tool makers choose the battery type that offers the best combination of cost, power output, run time and overall life for the tools they produce.
Cordless tool batteries are certainly a requirement in order for us to be able to use cordless power tools like a cordless power drill, hedge trimmer, leaf blower and many more. When buying a cordless power tool for your household projects, keep in mind that battery voltage is not the only important factor to consider. Other factors such as the battery's amp/hour capacity as well as its type should not be taken for granted when purchasing batteries for your cordless power tools.
Cordless tool batteries are available up to 36 volts. A 19.2-volt battery or even a 14.4-volt one can surpass the battery rating of a 36-volt battery if those batteries with lower voltage capacity have higher amp/hour capacity than the latter. In rating cordless tool batteries, voltage as well as Amp hour is considered. Ampere-hour is a measure of how long the battery can last, while voltage is a measure of the battery's electric current or power. Thus, basing on the information mentioned, the higher the voltage and the higher the amp/hour capacity, the more powerful the battery is.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are an old design but remain in wide use because they resist damage from heat and impact, are cheap, have long overall life (over 1,000 charge/discharge cycles) and put out a strong current flow. But they have drawbacks, including weight, a relatively short run time and the environmental hazard posed by toxic cadmium. They also require users to adhere closely to a particular battery maintenance regimen for charging and discharging, or suffer greatly shortened battery life from "memory effect," a phenomenon where improper charging and discharging limits the amount of charge the battery can take, shortening its useful life.
Nickel-metal-hydride batteries offer two to three times the run time of NiCad power packs, are somewhat lighter than NiCads and don't contain environmental toxins. They can sustain almost as many charge/discharge cycles as NiCads if properly maintained. But they are costlier than NiCads and lose the ability to hold a full charge if stored or used in subfreezing temperatures. They also lose their charge faster than other types in storage. As with NiCad batteries, users must adhere to a particular charging/discharging regimen to prevent loss of run time and shortened overall life from memory
Lithium-ion batteries are the current cutting edge in cordless tool batteries. They offer the most run time for the least weight, can be made into any shape, hold their power for very long times in storage, don't suffer from memory effect and don't contain environmental toxins. But they are the most expensive rechargeable battery type, have a relatively short cycle life (300 to 500 charge/discharge cycles) and are very prone to damage from overheating.
What about their charging time? The greater part of older ones will need 6 several hours of recharging time however final only an hour when employed for works. When purchasing batteries your cordless energy resources, charging time must be set into consideration. You don't want to waste your valuable time whilst performing, just awaiting the battery to get thoroughly charged. Employing Lithium Ion battery can surely triumph over this predicament and it's the ideal way because this battery only requires fifteen minutes to recharge.
