Think you know about batteries & chargers?Battery Memory: Fact of Fiction?
The "memory effect" refers to a phenomenon noted in the early 1960's during NASA's satellite program. They found Ni-Cd batteries discharged to a precise amount every day and then recharged, eventually would "remember" the amount of discharge and give up only that amount even when called upon to deliver their full capacity. "Memory effect" is almost impossible to achieve with a power tool. Due to the fact that there is no electronic circuitry in a typical power tool to shut off the battery at the exact level every discharge. How do you maximise the life of a battery? = There are four main points:
1. Do not keep using a tool once you feel the power or the rotation decreasing. It is time to recharge the battery.
2. Do not overcharge. Never recharge a battery that is already fully charged. It may shorten the life of the battery by causing cell leakage and over heating.
3. Stay cool. Try and keep all of your batteries as cool as possible, ideally charge them in a cool room or in the shade (between 10° C and 40° C is the recommended temperature range for charging). When a battery is removed from a tool it may need to sit and cool for a few minutes before going into a charger. You'll get a better charge and longer battery life if it's charged in the recommended temperature range. Do not put them in fridges or alike to cool them before charging, this will cause condensation to form inside the battery case. Also when your batteries are not on charge or in your tool store them in a cool place
4. Only charge your batteries when needed. All rechargeable batteries have a life span; one life is one charge and discharge. The life span of a battery will depend on a few factors:
a)Whether the battery is being used for the full charge. If a battery is put on charge, when only half discharged you're not getting the full run time from that life. Also if a battery is removed from a charger before charging is complete you will get reduced run time and it will be back in the charger sooner. There for the battery will reach its maximum life span quicker.
b)The environment the battery is being used in. If batteries are continually exposed to high temperatures this will reduce the life of the battery
c)Charging procedures. If a battery is continually being over discharged or overheated this will lead to premature failure.
d)Try and charge your batteries as close to the time you want to use it. All batteries are affected by self discharge, if you charge your batteries and then they sit for a day or more you may notice a reduction in power compared to a battery that has just been charged.
e)When charging a battery always do so in the shade and unplug your charger when not in use
How do you store a battery you won't use for a long time?
When not using a battery for more than three months, Ni-Cd (red) batteries should be stored discharged; Ni-MH (Black) batteries should be stored fully charged. Both battery types should be stored in a cool place with a temperature range between 10° C and 30° C. Deterioration of internal battery components through chemical action is slower at lower temperatures. When storage is over it will take 7 to 10 charge/discharge cycles to regain the full battery performance.
Battery Hints & Tricks
1. A new battery may take several charges/dischargers to bring the battery up to its full capacity
2. Batteries need regular exercise. In some work situations it is not always possible to use your tool until the battery is ready for charging, for example if the next job site you'll be working on has no power you may need to charge a half discharged battery. If this is the case and you are doing it consistently you should regularly excise your batteries. Battery exercise is when you fully charge and then discharge (only to the point of loss of power) your battery. By doing this at the below intervals you will keep all the internal chemistry of the battery in an active state . Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) - every 2 to 3 months. Nikel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) - every month. Always keep the battery terminals covered when it is not being used. When a battery is sold it is fitted with a terminal cap. These caps will stop any metal objects (nails, drill bits and screws) from coming into contact with the terminals and shorting the battery