Using Cordless Tools
--Size of the Battery-- Battery voltage determines the power available in a cordless tool.
Generally, the higher the voltage, the more power and torque the tool has.
However, power and torque are not the only two factors to be taken into consideration.
You should note that higher power adds to extra cost and weight.
Let's have a comparison to elaborate the point.
A standard 9.
6 Volt cordless drill weights roughly 3-1/2 pounds and costs between $35 and $150.
On the other hand, a 19.
2 Volt cordless drill weights up to 10 pounds and costs between $125 and $300.
The extra expenditure makes sense, only if the added torque and power of 19.
2 Volt cordless drill is extremely important.
However, if you require cordless drill to infrequently tighten some screws in your house, a 19.
2 Volt cordless drill will not add any value because it's not only heavier but expensive as well.
In case you do not require the extra power, and inexpensive and light weight cordless drill will certainly meet your needs in a better way.
-- Quantity of Batteries-- The number of batteries available with the cordless tool should also be taken into consideration.
If, at one stretch, your usage of cordless tool generally exceeds couple of hours, you should not settle for any cordless tool which has less than two batteries.
Imagine yourself waiting for hours in the middle of important fitting work, only to recharge the batteries again! Therefore, always look for extra battery while buying a cordless tool.
Add the cost of add-on battery if the cordless tool does not include it in a standard pack before comparing costs of different tools.
--Type of Battery-- Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) are two popular types of batteries.
Remember, never ever go for a cordless tool that comes fitted with a NiMH batteries! No doubt, it may be much cheaper, but there is a reason behind it.
NiMH batteries have memory issues (in order to recharge them, they have to be fully discharged, else they lose their charge capacity), they last very less charge cycles (the batteries die very fast), and their power output is way less than Li-Ion batteries.
--Storage of Battery and Tool-- The wireless equipment consume small amount of energy from the battery, even when they are powered-off.
Technically, this amount seems insignificant; however, over a period of days and weeks this adds up to a considerable loss of electrical charge.
Therefore, always remove the batteries before you put away the cordless tools.
Do not overcharge your battery.
Even though some chargers claim to be smart (with auto turnoff feature), but in general batteries which are kept in charging mode for extended period of times die much sooner.
Avoid storing your batteries in extreme hot and cold conditions.
Even though cold does not damage the batteries, yet it reduces the available charge when cordless tool is being used.
Avoid high temperatures, and do not charge your batteries in a place which is too hot, this can have long lasting damage on your batteries.
--Charging Your Batteries-- Several expensive and high ranking wireless equipment, nowadays, have hi-tech chargers that allow battery to be recharged in as less as 15 minutes.
Whereas, a regular charger takes up to 3 hours to fully recharge the battery.
If you are short on time and need a rapid-charging battery for your cordless tool, look into the charging options before buying a cordless tool.
--Choose a Brand-- The best option to stay out of battery problems is to identify your battery size requirements and decide on a brand and stick to it.
If you use different wireless kit such as, trim saws, reciprocating saws, screwdrivers, etc, of the same brand, you will be able to interchange batteries among these tools.
This will increase the number of available batteries and chances are that you will never run of charged batteries.
Moreover, reading reviews of cordless tools from the magazines and journals can guide you in better ways.
Generally, the higher the voltage, the more power and torque the tool has.
However, power and torque are not the only two factors to be taken into consideration.
You should note that higher power adds to extra cost and weight.
Let's have a comparison to elaborate the point.
A standard 9.
6 Volt cordless drill weights roughly 3-1/2 pounds and costs between $35 and $150.
On the other hand, a 19.
2 Volt cordless drill weights up to 10 pounds and costs between $125 and $300.
The extra expenditure makes sense, only if the added torque and power of 19.
2 Volt cordless drill is extremely important.
However, if you require cordless drill to infrequently tighten some screws in your house, a 19.
2 Volt cordless drill will not add any value because it's not only heavier but expensive as well.
In case you do not require the extra power, and inexpensive and light weight cordless drill will certainly meet your needs in a better way.
-- Quantity of Batteries-- The number of batteries available with the cordless tool should also be taken into consideration.
If, at one stretch, your usage of cordless tool generally exceeds couple of hours, you should not settle for any cordless tool which has less than two batteries.
Imagine yourself waiting for hours in the middle of important fitting work, only to recharge the batteries again! Therefore, always look for extra battery while buying a cordless tool.
Add the cost of add-on battery if the cordless tool does not include it in a standard pack before comparing costs of different tools.
--Type of Battery-- Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) are two popular types of batteries.
Remember, never ever go for a cordless tool that comes fitted with a NiMH batteries! No doubt, it may be much cheaper, but there is a reason behind it.
NiMH batteries have memory issues (in order to recharge them, they have to be fully discharged, else they lose their charge capacity), they last very less charge cycles (the batteries die very fast), and their power output is way less than Li-Ion batteries.
--Storage of Battery and Tool-- The wireless equipment consume small amount of energy from the battery, even when they are powered-off.
Technically, this amount seems insignificant; however, over a period of days and weeks this adds up to a considerable loss of electrical charge.
Therefore, always remove the batteries before you put away the cordless tools.
Do not overcharge your battery.
Even though some chargers claim to be smart (with auto turnoff feature), but in general batteries which are kept in charging mode for extended period of times die much sooner.
Avoid storing your batteries in extreme hot and cold conditions.
Even though cold does not damage the batteries, yet it reduces the available charge when cordless tool is being used.
Avoid high temperatures, and do not charge your batteries in a place which is too hot, this can have long lasting damage on your batteries.
--Charging Your Batteries-- Several expensive and high ranking wireless equipment, nowadays, have hi-tech chargers that allow battery to be recharged in as less as 15 minutes.
Whereas, a regular charger takes up to 3 hours to fully recharge the battery.
If you are short on time and need a rapid-charging battery for your cordless tool, look into the charging options before buying a cordless tool.
--Choose a Brand-- The best option to stay out of battery problems is to identify your battery size requirements and decide on a brand and stick to it.
If you use different wireless kit such as, trim saws, reciprocating saws, screwdrivers, etc, of the same brand, you will be able to interchange batteries among these tools.
This will increase the number of available batteries and chances are that you will never run of charged batteries.
Moreover, reading reviews of cordless tools from the magazines and journals can guide you in better ways.
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