Nothing is more frustrating than preparing to use your favorite cordless tool only to find out that the battery is dead or to take cordless tool batteries from the charger and find that they have gone "dead" prematurely. Thus is the frustration of the tool enthusiast, correct? Not anymore. Thanks to the new generation of batteries, more and more people are enjoying them and getting more use without the hassle and expense of replacing old-style batteries that aren't efficient and didn't provide that much working power in the first place. In addition to replacing your old batteries with the newest ones on the market, you can keep your old ones in optimal shape by taking proper care of them. Here are some tips for doing just that.
Those that are exposed to continual heat will have a shorter lifespan, which means you'll be out more money to replace them. Keep the battery charger in a cool place. If you're constantly recharging your cordless tool batteries in the heat of the garage, you can plan on spending a ton of cash for replacements.
The batteries and their "packs" are not made of indestructible material. Don't be careless: if you crack the housing, the battery inside will be no good. Store it in the case with the tool if you can or purchase a soft tool bag to cushion it from harm until you're ready to use it again.
Although it seems like common sense, avoid getting your batteries wet. The pack and the batteries should stay clean and dry. Wipe off any moisture as soon as you discover it and don't use your tool in the rain.
While there are two schools of thought on whether you should let cordless tool batteries drain completely or leave some charge in them before recharging, it really makes no difference in battery life - so the urban legend is officially debunked. A good idea, however, is to keep an extra one charged up and ready to go if you have a habit of letting your battery run down until it's completely empty. Avoid, however, letting your battery charge for periods of time longer than it needs to completely recharge itself, which can deplete the cells and end up making your battery worthless over time.
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