Necessity is the mother of invention, and the power tools and their batteries are indeed the fruit of necessity and convenience. They are the modern day answer to manual labor. Power tools are those that are powered by electrical or portable energy in assisting the performance of human tasks. The evolution of regular tools to power tools to cordless and battery-operated tools is the result of man’s search for something better.
Man’s natural thirst for advancement has led to the invention of power tool companies to up their battery game. And DeWalt, a household name for power tools and power tool batteries, is one of the leading brands to rise to the challenge of making our lives much easier each day with constant innovations in the power tool and battery industry.
Why is a power tool battery important?
Choosing and buying a power tool battery these days are just as important as buying a power tool itself. The type of battery you choose to buy is the number one expense consideration along with buying a power tool of your choice. With how the evolution of tool design is going these days, the battery is really a key component in making a decision on what kind of tool you choose to buy.
What battery type should you choose for your power tool?
Advances in battery technology are having a huge impact on cordless power tools. There is a whole spectrum of batteries for power tools to choose from, and it is important that you get to choose the right type of replacement battery.
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)- Most common type of battery for power tools
- Packs a lot of power
- Heavier and sturdier battery
- You can leave them in the cold or drop them and will still function well
- Cheapest power tool battery
- Long service life and economical to use
- Needs to be fully discharged before every recharge
- Suffers from memory effect
- Memoryeffect is a condition found in some batteries which result to its reduction in capacity.
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
- This was once believed to be the upgraded version of Nickel Cadmium or NiCd battery
- Do not really have much difference with NiCd except on the increase in capacity, higher energy density, and some minor improvements.
- Most environment-friendly battery
- Lesser memory effect
- Less available and less popular in the power tool battery market
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
- Most popular power tool battery in the market today
- Up to 40% lighter than the other batteries
- Packs a lot of energy
- Longer runtime compared to NiCd or NiMH batteries of the same capacity
- No memory effect
- Self-discharge rate lower than NiCd or NiMH
- Have smart functions like fuel gauges and charges that shut off when they are not in use
- Holds a charge for a long time while in storage
- A great choice for a tool that is only used occasionally.
- Relatively environment-friendly
- Prone to heating up if used in a high-drain power tool
- Most expensive power tool battery available
- Performs well in colder temperature but easily breaks down in higher temperature