| If you've ever wondered about the difference | | | | According to Wiki pedia: the 'nickel-cadmium |
| between NiMH vs. NiCad vs. LiIon you're not alone | | | | battery (commonly abbreviated NiCd and |
| - there are thousands of DIY home improvement | | | | pronounced 'nye-cad') is a popular type of |
| types out there wondering the same thing as | | | | rechargeable battery for portable electronics and |
| you, and wondering how to make the best | | | | toys using the metals nickel (Ni) and cadmium |
| decisions for their next power tool purchase. | | | | (Cd) as the active chemicals.' |
| Here's a question you may be asking yourself: | | | | Nickel cadmium (NiCad) advantages: |
| "What is the difference between NiMH and NiCd. | | | | -- longer life cycles |
| How do Lithium Ion batteries work compared to | | | | -- performs in cold temperatures (perform well to |
| the others?" | | | | 20F) |
| To tackle this question we have to look at the | | | | -- lower self-discharge level than NiMH |
| criteria for making the power tool battery | | | | -- no voltage drop at near discharged levels |
| decision. And then bring Lithium Ion into the | | | | Nickel cadmium (NiCad) disadvantages: |
| equation to round out the choices when you're | | | | -- Heavy, making it harder to use for longer |
| next making a power tool purchase decision. | | | | periods of time |
| Read closely - your power as a consumer lies in | | | | -- May suffer from 'Memory Effect' or 'False |
| your understanding of the products available! | | | | Bottom Effect' if constantly discharged half-way |
| Criteria for Making Your Power Tool Battery | | | | and then recharged (wiki pedia) |
| Decision | | | | The Lithium ion (Li-Ion) Battery: |
| According to Building a Better Power-Tool Battery | | | | The new comer to power tool batteries, Lithium |
| you should be looking at a battery's run time, life | | | | Ion are hot because they have 'one of the best |
| cycle, volts and amp-hour rating. | | | | energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a |
| Run Time: | | | | slow loss of charge when not in use,' according to |
| Quite simply run time is the amount of work a | | | | Wiki pedia. |
| tool can do before its charge runs out. | | | | Lithium ion (Li-Ion) advantages: |
| Life Cycle: | | | | -- High performance in cold weather - to 0F - |
| Life cycle is how many times the battery can be | | | | great for winter outdoor use |
| recharged during its life time. | | | | -- Light weight. You can lift tools powered by |
| Volts (Power): | | | | Lithium Ion over your head all day. |
| Volts will determine work output of the tool. John | | | | -- Increased life cycles over NiCad and NiMH, so it |
| Sara, cordless product manager for Milwaukee | | | | keeps going past other batteries |
| Electric Tool, says "Individuals currently using a | | | | -- more rapid charge times that get you back on |
| 18-volt NiCad battery, should see 2 - 21/2 times | | | | the job more quickly |
| more work output from a V28." | | | | Lithium ion (Li-Ion) disadvantages: |
| Amp-Hour Rating | | | | -- less tested than other battery formats - in |
| The higher the Amp-Hour rating the longer the | | | | early stages of development |
| battery lasts - be aware that power tool | | | | -- has a shelf life based on life of battery, not |
| batteries of the same voltage will often have | | | | related to charge or charge time |
| different Amp-Hour ratings. | | | | -- can sometimes erupt or explode in high heat - |
| NiMH vs. NiCad vs. Li Ion: Picking What's Right for | | | | hot cars, direct sunlight, etc, or sometimes after |
| You | | | | tampering. a more dangerous battery than the |
| Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) Batteries: | | | | others |
| I don't think I could define it better than wiki pedia: | | | | -- permanent damage to battery if stored at |
| 'A nickel metal hydride battery, abbreviated NiMH, | | | | too-low discharge level, so be careful and keep |
| is a type of rechargeable battery similar to a | | | | these charged well |
| nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery but has a | | | | What battery is right for your power tool |
| hydrogen-absorbing alloy for the anode instead of | | | | decision? Clearly there are many different options, |
| cadmium. Like in NiCd batteries, nickel is the | | | | and many different pluses and minuses for each |
| cathode.' | | | | battery type. That's why it's imperative that you |
| Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) advantages: | | | | come to your purchase prepared with knowledge |
| -- lighter than NiCad | | | | that will help you make the right decision for your |
| -- 2-3X capacity to equal size NiCad | | | | situation. |
| Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) disadvantages: | | | | Plus you are certain to impress the guys at the |
| -- fewer life cycles compared to NiCad | | | | big box tool depot when you display your |
| -- shorter run time | | | | knowledge about the different types of batteries |
| -- performs the worst in cold temperatures, so | | | | and their different merits. |
| keep that in mind if you plan to use tools | | | | Now you know what to look for - life cycles, run |
| powered by NiMH outdoors in cold weather | | | | time, volts and Amp-Hours and you know the |
| -- higher self-discharge level than NiCad | | | | three major battery types. I hope that with that |
| -- voltage drop at near-discharged levels | | | | information you'll be better equipped to make the |
| Nickel cadmium (NiCd) Batteries: | | | | decision between a NiCD, NiMH or Li-Ion battery! |