{"id":908,"date":"2013-10-14T03:44:50","date_gmt":"2013-10-14T03:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/?p=908"},"modified":"2013-10-14T04:21:14","modified_gmt":"2013-10-14T04:21:14","slug":"cordless-power-tool-battery-types-pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/cordless-power-tool-battery-types-pros-and-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"Cordless Power Tool Battery Types, Pros and Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Cordless Power Tool Battery<\/strong><strong> Ty<\/strong><strong>pes<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are three major rechargeable battery technologies in use today for cordless power tools: nickle cadmium (NiCd), nickle metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li-Ion).<\/p>\n<p>AussieBatt power tool battery experts describe the these battery types below, list each drill battery pros and cons, and offer an overview of characteristics and specifications for each.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"MAKITA 1420 Cordless Power Tool Battery\" href=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/makita-power-tool-battery\/1420.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-911\" alt=\"makita-1420-power-tool-battery\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/makita-1420-power-tool-battery.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/makita-1420-power-tool-battery.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/makita-1420-power-tool-battery-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>A newer technology, NiMH batteries improve upon NiCd in several ways, including less toxicity to the environment.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest improvement with NiMH is their <strong>increased battery capacity<\/strong>, which can be two to three times longer than NiCd batteries. However, NiMH are also very sensitive to storing and charging conditions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NiMH batteries are a little lighter than NiCd batteries.<\/li>\n<li>They have a higher energy density, meaning that their capacity is greater than NiCd batteries, running 2 to 3 times longer in a single charge.<\/li>\n<li>They are less expensive than Li-Ion batteries.<\/li>\n<li>Capacity loss can be reduced drastically if charged and stored properly, making it possible to greatly increase their cycle life.<\/li>\n<li>They are not destructive to the environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NiMH batteries are more sensitive to temperature, especially cold temperatures, and should only be stored or operated between about 33\u00b0F &#8211; 103\u00b0F.<\/li>\n<li>Deep discharge and lack of use will damage NiMH batteries, shortening their lifespan and limiting their storage capacity.<\/li>\n<li>Should usually be charged after reaching 70% capacity, but should also be allowed to deep discharge every three months to avoid memory effect.<\/li>\n<li>They are more expensive than NiCD batteries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NiMH Power Tool Battery Overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>cycle life:<\/strong> varies; can be as long as NiCd if stored and charged correctly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>self-discharge:<\/strong> fast; 20%-30%<\/p>\n<p><strong>battery capacity: <\/strong>moderate; 2.2 Ah &#8211; 3.0 Ah<\/p>\n<p><strong>optimal charge time:<\/strong> fast<\/p>\n<p><strong>maintenance:<\/strong> moderate; deep discharge once\/three moths<\/p>\n<p><strong>memory effect:<\/strong> moderate; can be avoided with proper charging<\/p>\n<p><strong>sensitivity: <\/strong>very sensitive to temperature<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Nickle Cadmium (Ni-Cd)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The oldest design of the three, NiCd batteries are still in use today because they are tough, inexpensive, and have a <strong>long cycle life<\/strong>. Although they are still great for some jobs, NiMH and Li-Ion outperform NiCd batteries overall.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NiCd batteries are more difficult to damage from heat and impact.<\/li>\n<li>Ni-Cd\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/makita-power-tool-battery\/1422.html\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Makita 1422 Power Tool Batteries<\/span><\/a> have a longer cycle life of about 1,000 charges.<\/li>\n<li>They put out strong current flow.<\/li>\n<li>They are less easily damaged by being stored in deep discharge, although it is still not recommended.<\/li>\n<li>They are less expensive than other rechargeable batteries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nickel Cadmium batteries are the heaviest of the three types.<\/li>\n<li>Lower capacity than other batteries.<\/li>\n<li>NiCds shouldn&#8217;t be allowed to drop below about 70% charge between charges, or the battery lifetime can be shortened.<\/li>\n<li>Most NiCd batteries must be allowed to cool before being recharged.<\/li>\n<li>Must be allowed to deep discharge about once a month or they will suffer severely from memory effect.<\/li>\n<li>The cadmium in NiCd batteries is very damaging to the environment and must be disposed of correctly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/dewalt-power-tool-battery\/dw9096.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-912\" alt=\"dewalt-dw9096-power-tool-battery\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/dewalt-dw9096-power-tool-battery.png\" width=\"557\" height=\"557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/dewalt-dw9096-power-tool-battery.png 928w, https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/dewalt-dw9096-power-tool-battery-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/dewalt-dw9096-power-tool-battery-300x300.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ni-Cd Cordless Power Tool Battery Overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>cycle life: <\/strong>long; 1000+ charge cycles<\/p>\n<p><strong>self-discharge:<\/strong> moderate, 15%-20%<\/p>\n<p><strong>drill battery capacity:<\/strong> low; 1.2 Ah &#8211; 2.2 Ah<\/p>\n<p><strong>optimal charge time:<\/strong> fast<\/p>\n<p><strong>maintenance:<\/strong> high; deep discharge once\/month<\/p>\n<p><strong>memory effect:<\/strong> high if not maintained properly<\/p>\n<p><strong>sensitivity:<\/strong> very tough<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lithium ion batteries are the newest technology in rechargeable batteries to be introduced to cordless power tools. They are definitely the <strong>best choice<\/strong> of the three types of batteries, outperforming in all areas, but they are also expensive.<\/p>\n<p>Heat is the biggest risk to Li-Ion batteries. Because they do not suffer from memory effect, Li-Ion batteries do not wear out over time because of charging issues. Instead, Li-Ion batteries wear out because of age and use.<\/p>\n<p>Regular age and use wear down the internal components of Li-Ion batteries and reverse their electro-chemical processes. Heat, at any time during use or charging, is the major cause of accelerated deterioration in Li-Ion <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/hitachi-power-tool-battery\/ebm-1830.html\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">HITACHI EBM 1830 Power Tool Battery<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Even with their relatively short life cycles, Li-Ion remain a better choice because of they charge fast and have a high capacity. Also, because the technology is still pretty new, Li-Ion batteries are still seeing many improvements that overcome their minor disadvantages.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Li-Ion batteries are the most light-weight of the three kinds of rechargeable batteries.<\/li>\n<li>Li-Ion batteries benefit from high energy density like NiMH batteries do.<\/li>\n<li>They are much less sensitive to damage from temperature changes than NiMH batteries.<\/li>\n<li>Li-Ions are not restricted in the shape of their design like NiCd and NiMH batteries are, and can be designed in almost any shape for better tool balance.<\/li>\n<li>They do not suffer from self-discharge and memory effect like NiCd and NiMH batteries, meaning that they&#8217;re much less sensitive to recharging and storage methods.<\/li>\n<li>They have the longest charge\/recharge life cycle of all three types of batteries.<\/li>\n<li>Li-Ion batteries are not destructive to the environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Excessive overheating of Li-Ion batteries can damage or destroy them, which can occasionally happen during recharge. However, most rechargers and Li-Ion batteries are designed with safety features to prevent overheating.<\/li>\n<li>They have the shortest overall life cycle of about 300-500 charges.<\/li>\n<li>Li-Ion batteries are the most expensive batteries of these three types.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/power-tool-batteries.html\">Li-ion Power Tool Battery<\/a> Overview:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>cycle life:<\/strong> short; 300-500 cycles, or about 2-3 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>self-discharge:<\/strong> very slow or not at all.<\/p>\n<p><strong>capacity: <\/strong>high; 3.0 Ah+<\/p>\n<p><strong>optimal charge time:<\/strong> moderate<\/p>\n<p><strong>maintenance:<\/strong> none<\/p>\n<p><strong>memory effect:<\/strong> none<\/p>\n<p><strong>sensitivity: <\/strong>sensitive to heat and impact<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cordless Power Tool Battery Types There are three major rechargeable battery technologies in use today for &hellip; <a title=\"Cordless Power Tool Battery Types, Pros and Cons\" class=\"hm-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/cordless-power-tool-battery-types-pros-and-cons\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Cordless Power Tool Battery Types, Pros and Cons<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5,401],"tags":[582,584,583],"class_list":["post-908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-battery-knowledgebase","category-battery-wiki","category-power-tools-battery-tips","tag-cordless-drill-battery-types","tag-hitachi-ebm-1830-power-tool-battery","tag-makita-1422-power-tool-battery"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=908"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":913,"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908\/revisions\/913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aussiebatt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}