Maintaining lithium batteries in power tools is simple if you know what to do. Lithium ion batteries are long-lasting and powerful, but maintaining them requires you to take certain precautions.
Maintain Lithium Ion Batteries For Power Tools
Battery powered power tools use either nickel cadmium batteries or the more popular lithium ion battery packs. Lithium power tool batteries are the smartest choice when choosing which type of battery you will use for your cordless power tool. Lithium lasts longer, holds a charge longer, is not as heavy as Ni-Cad or Ni-MH batteries, and charge many times faster.
Best safety practices while maintaining lithium batteries
- They should be stored in a dry, dark, moderate-temperature environment.
- Do not put them in extreme heat or cold.
- If you do not plan to use your cordless tools, unplug the battery and store it.
- Avoid dropping or shocking the batteries as they might be damaged.
- Only use the appropriate charger to charge your lithium battery.
- Never mix and match batteries and chargers from different manufacturers.
- Charge your batteries slowly and carefully is the best way to maintain them.
Avoid using the battery at less than 50% capacity, as it will last longer if it is not used after you fully discharge the battery. The battery will not provide power if it is “complete discharge”. If you drain the battery, it may take much longer to fully recharge it using your battery charger.
Lithium battery care for power tools – always clean terminals and keep in cool area
Several factors can also affect the life span of your lithium batteries, and therefore, it is important to take good care of them to maximize their life span.
1. Avoid overcharging your batteries
Lithium batteries can be damaged if they are continuously charged beyond their maximum capacity. Therefore, it is recommended to only charge your rechargeable batteries until they are fully charged, and never leave them plugged in after they are fully charged. (Depends on the type of battery charger)
2. Battery storage tips
Store your batteries in a cool area: Lithium batteries should be stored at a temperature between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This proper way for storage is to prevent damage to the battery cells. Extreme temperature such as summer time in your garage can damage the lithium batteries. High heat temperatures are to be avoided when storing your lithium batteries.
3. Keep batteries dry
Keep your battery clean and dry: It is important to keep dirt and moisture away from the battery terminals to prevent electrical short-circuiting.
4. Use the approved charger
Use the appropriate charger for your battery type: Make sure that you are using the correct charger for your lithium battery type to avoid damaging the cells. Never combine or swap batteries or chargers.
5. Keep battery terminals clean
Wipe down the terminals on your lithium batteries. Do not let the terminals get wet! After using them, dirt or foreign debris can accumulate on or near the terminals and the battery will not charge or work in your power tool. Keep the battery terminal area clean and wipe with a cloth or use cotton swabs to clean out the gunk.
Clean lithium battery terminals before charging
6. Avoid placing the battery near magnets
Do not place lithium batteries near a powerful magnet. Store your lithium battery in a safe location to avoid damage.
Here are a few more tips to make sure your lithium battery stays in good shape and stays powerful for a long time.
- Keep it away from extreme heat and cold.
- Keep it far away from any strong magnetic field.
- Don’t leave it plugged in if you’re not using it.
- Store it at a 40% charge if you’re not using it for more than 1 week.
- Don’t over-discharge or overcharge the battery.
- Keep the terminals clean by a wipe with a damp cloth occasionally.
If your battery is completely dead even after trying to charge it, try this technique to fix dead lithium power tool batteries.
SECRET to Fix Dead Lithium Drill or Tool Batteries
It is important to take proper care of lithium batteries if you want your power tools to function properly. If you have questions or need help, please leave a comment below and we can help!
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