Cordless Power Tool Battery Shapes
There are three most common shapes of cordless power tool batteries:
- pod
- slide
- stick
The effects of these shapes on actual drill battery performance is nominal, but battery shapes can affect user preference by the way that they contribute to the overall balance of the tool.
Li-ion power tool batteries are especially liked by users, because the way they are made does not restrict them to blocky shapes, and they can be contoured to provide better tool balance.
Shoppers should consider these battery shapes when they feel the weight and balance of a tool in their hands. When it comes to ordering replacement batteries, knowing the shape of your battery will help you find an accurate match.
Cordless Drill Battery Chargers
Cordless drill battery chargers should also be selected very carefully, because the quality of the charger can greatly determine how long the batteries will last.
Most of the capacity loss and cycle life reduction that rechargeable batteries experience results from incorrectly charging the batteries or from heat damage during charging. Higher quality battery chargers have much more sensitive sensors and complicated electronics to ensure that batteries are charged optimally.
Battery chargers can be divided into three main speed categories:
Slow- These take 14-16 hours to charge nickle based batteries, and will be less expensive than other chargers.
Quick- Charge time of 3-6 hours. It is important to have a quality unit for faster chargers, or they will not switch over to a slower “trickle charge” when the battery is almost full. This is important, because overcharging is one of the major causes of memory effect with nickle based batteries.
Fast- Fast chargers can charge nickle based batteries in about an hour. Fast charging is best for NiCd and NiMH batteries, because it reduces memory effect. Selecting a good unit that switches to “trickle charge” at the right time is also important for fast chargers.
Li-ion Chargers:
Li-Ion batteries can only be charged safely one way, at about a 3 hour charge time. Li-Ion charger units that suggest faster charging and decreased capacity loss should be approached with skepticism. Usually, these units only charge the battery to about 70% battery capacity and damage its long-term performance.
- Buy the most expensive charger you can afford.
- Focus on heat reducing features.
- Buy a unit with sensors and electronics that optimize your MAKITA 9120 Power Tool Battery type’s charging needs.
NiCd & NiMH Chargers:
- Buy the fastest charging charger you can afford.
- Buy a unit with sensors and electronics that optimize your battery type’s charging needs.
- NiMH chargers can charge NiCd batteries, but not the other way around.
