When it comes to replacing or upgrading power tool batteries, one must be sure that has all the information needed in order for the replacement or upgrading to be successful. In this article, we will clarify some concepts and we will provide you pretty useful information about it.
What is a power tool battery?
A power tool battery is a replaceable source of power our tools use. By using these batteries, you can enjoy the benefits of having cordless tools since you do not need electricity.
Among some tools that can be powered in this way, we can find cordless drills, screwdrivers, saws and wrenches.
When batteries get old or broken, they cannot provide your equipment with energy any longer. In those cases, you should know that you do not need to buy new appliances. You can replace and even upgrade your batteries.
What should we consider when replacing or upgrading the battery?
Tips No 01
First, we should consider the type of battery we will choose. There are three types of batteries and you will have to look into your own usage of the tool to see what kind suits your needs better.
Nickel Cadmium batteries are pretty cheap but they cannot be recharged until they are fully discharged or the battery can be seriously damaged. If you can bear to wait until the battery is ready to be charged again, that is fine. Otherwise, you may want to read about the other two kinds.
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries can be charged anytime and have a bigger capacity compared to Nickel Cadmium ones.
Lithium-ion batteries can also be charged whenever we want to charge them and they have a good capacity too. Besides, they are lighter than the previously mentioned batteries which makes them the best option if your budget is appropriate.
Tips No 02
Second, we should consider the size. Due to space limitations, you cannot use a random sized battery. A good idea is to measure your old battery and use those measurements as a parameter to buy the new one. You do not want to spend money on things you cannot use.
Tips No 03
Third, you have to think about the capacity.
This is an important consideration since here you have the possibility of not only replacing but upgrading your power tool battery. If you just get a battery with the same capacity as your old one, it is fine as long as you are comfortable with it. But sometimes you may need to make your tool more powerful in order to fulfill your needs.
The unit of measurement you have to pay attention to is Ah. “Ah” stands for ampere hour and it is the unit of electric charge that will determine how much your battery lasts every time you charge it. To put it in simple words, the more Ah, the more time your battery will run.
Tips No 04
Fourth and last, you have to think about the voltage, which determines how powerful your battery can be in a specific amount of time. Again, to put in simple words, the more voltage, the more power.
It is recommended that if you are not so familiar with this unit of measurement, you just get a battery with the same amount of voltage.
The process of replacing the battery
We highly recommend you to be familiar with the tools we will mention or to ask for some help in case you do not have a clue about using them.
You will need soldering equipment, a screwdriver and, of course, the new battery you have chosen taking into account what we suggested before.
First of all, you have to open your battery. The case may be assembled using basic or special screws. If you are lucky enough to have bought a battery sealed with basic screws, then you have not a single thing to worry about. If there are special screws, then your screwdriver may not be useful and you would probably have to resort to another tool.
It can also be the case that your battery has been assembled with glue. The possibilities are fewer but you will have to be very careful because these batteries were made this way since they are not meant to be opened. Again, using the right tools, you will be successful.
Secondly, you will have to pull the connections of your old battery apart and take the old battery out of the tool. In most cases, you will not need something else but your hands to remove the battery but we always prepared to these misfortunes.
Thirdly, you have to insert the new battery and enjoy your tool completely restored.
Conclusion
So far, we have described the process of replacing your battery and the things you should consider before carrying out this process: type, size, voltage, and capacity.
