A cordless power tool greatly facilitates the workflow, making it more mobile and comfortable. For the units to function for a long time, you need not only to know how to charge a screwdriver, and the features of different types of batteries. Battery properties differ, depending on configuration. Consider the features of the modifications used, as well as several leading manufacturers popular in the domestic market.
Lithium batteries for screwdrivers
This group of batteries for the instrument is divided into two types: ionic and polymer. These modifications have several advantages over competitors, however, have a higher cost.
Among the advantages:
- specific capacity is two times higher than that of Ni-Cd batteries;
- light weight and compact size;
- increased indicator of electrical density;
- no toxic elements are provided for in the design.
Since there is no memory effect, these models do not lose capacity during long storage, recharging is carried out regardless of the binding to the duration in time.
Along with all the advantages, Li-Ion batteries for a screwdriver have some disadvantages. Among them:
- small working resource;
- there is a possibility of an explosion of the element;
- not restored;
- they are susceptible to freezing temperatures.
The main disadvantage is the high cost, and popularity is due to the high degree of charge and the maximum light weight.
Lithium polymer modifications
Lithium batteries for a screwdriver of this configuration are considered the most modern types of batteries in their segment. A technological feature is that the liquid electrolyte is replaced by a gel-like composition based on polymers. Such changes allowed to reduce the mass of batteries, increasing their safety while increasing capacitive parameters.
Such batteries are not very common due to their overpriced. However, leading manufacturers are in no hurry to exclude them from their lineup. Among the shortcomings are a short operational period (up to three years) and a limited charge cycle (about 500 operations). At the same time, high requirements are observed for working conditions.
Nickel metal hydride variations
In some countries, Ni-Cd batteries are prohibited due to cadmium toxicity. An alternative to them were nickel-metal hydride batteries. Among the advantages of these batteries are the following points:
- reduced memory effect;
- the ability to restore an item;
- reduction in weight and size, along with an increase in capacitive characteristics;
- resistance to mechanical stress;
- lack of toxic elements.
Like all versions, such batteries have a number of disadvantages, including:
- susceptibility to freezing temperatures;
- not calculated until complete discharge, as a result of which it quickly loses its charge;
- In recharging mode, it reaches its maximum capacity for a long time.
If we talk about the operational resource, it can be noted that for these modifications it does not exceed 600 work cycles. Despite this, the models are in demand in the market.
Nickel Cadmium Battery
Ni-Cd batteries have proven their practicality and reliability, it was they who equipped the first cordless screwdrivers. The advantages of such modifications include:
- the number of charge cycles exceeds one thousand;
- increased current is observed with a stable voltage parameter;
- withstands operation at low air temperature;
- retains functionality after long interruptions in use.
These characteristics are relevant today, so many users turn their attention to nickel-cadmium batteries.
The negative points include the following:
- it is not recommended to connect a drive with a residual charge to the charger;
- it is also impossible to suspend charging, due to the reduction in the set of maximum power;
- large sizes and weight;
- toxic component in the construction (cadmium).
The decrease in the positions of these batteries is due precisely to the last moment, although they did not completely leave the sales.
Screwdriver "Interskol" (18 volts)
Next, we consider several manufacturers that are leading in the domestic market in this segment of power tools. We begin the review with the Russian brand. Models are equipped with a nickel-cadmium battery. They do not require special maintenance, are unpretentious in operation. Working capacity varies between 1.3-2.0 A / hour. With proper observance of the charging and discharging modes, they function reliably for a long time.
Charger for a screwdriver (18 volts) "Interskol" is supplied. Buyers note decent build quality, affordable cost and practicality. In the category of budget modifications, the power tool from this manufacturer is the most popular among domestic buyers.
Dewalt
The main difference between the battery and this brand is the absence of vents on the body of the drive. Maximum tightness minimizes the settling of dust and other contaminants at the connecting contacts. This reduces the possibility of short circuit due to the ingress of fluid. Such a design feature of the battery of the "Default" screwdriver is due to the material of the tool body part, which is made of special plastic created using nanotechnology.
The company offers products with various battery configurations. The product line has heavy-duty modifications, the capacity of which is 6 A / hours. The drives are designed to withstand a significant operational load, have a warranty factory period of 36 months, which is pretty solid for a construction tool.
Bosch
Unlike the Interskol screwdriver (18 volts), the German counterparts are made using lithium-ion technology. They proved themselves exclusively on the positive side, thanks to high-quality components and high technological performance. The tool is convenient to operate, has an effective Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) protection system that does not allow the battery to completely discharge, and also protects the model from critical loads with automatic shutdown at a minimum charge.
All Bosch versions have a shock-resistant housing, low weight, which is important for professional builders. These products are presented in a wide assortment with a capacity of 1.3 to 5.0 A / h (up to 36 volts), which allows any consumer to choose the best option. Temperature positions are adjusted using a special resistor. Ventilation slots guarantee efficient cooling of the unit.
Makita
Before considering how to charge a screwdriver correctly, we will study the parameters of another model from the popular Makita brand. The Japanese tool on the market is represented by various varieties (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, and Li-Ion batteries), which allows you to choose a modification with the required characteristics and capabilities.
Among the advantages, the following high-tech solutions are noted:
- displaying the residual capacity on a special indicator;
- absence of a drop in operational capacity even in severe frosts;
- the battery is connected to its socket using a 16-pin bus, which eliminates the loss of the cell during strong vibrations;
- the presence of an internal protective liner and housing that is resistant to shock and moisture;
- The battery does not self-discharge after prolonged storage.
In addition, the security system adjusts the degree of charging, temperature, amperage, which helps to extend the working life of the battery. Among the proposed models there are versions whose capacity reaches 5 A / h, without increasing the size and weight.
Charging recommendations
Next, consider how to charge a screwdriver so that it lasts as long as possible. Before first use, it is recommended to charge the battery, as it loses part of the charge during storage. To increase the capacity of a nickel-cadmium storage device, it is recommended to charge it three times with subsequent complete discharge.
This trick allows you to bring the battery capacity to the maximum rate. Lithium-ion analogues are simpler to operate, do not have a memory effect, which makes it possible not to bring them to maximum discharge, to charge as necessary. During charging, you need to consider the temperature regime. The batteries may heat up during the process, which requires cooling to avoid a decrease in their working ability. It is not recommended to leave the battery in the memory, but it is advisable to store it in the disconnected state from the tool. If the drive is not used for a long time, you still need to recharge it once a month. Batteries are best purchased in specialized stores, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The need for charging indicates a decrease in operating parameters.
How long should charging take?
Usually, how to charge a screwdriver correctly is indicated in the attached instructions. You must adhere to these tips. Some chargers are equipped with special indicators that determine the degree of charge. This makes it easy to determine the duration of the process. After charging is complete, it must be stopped promptly in order to prevent the drive from malfunctioning.
The average period of connecting the battery to the charger lasts about 0.5 to 7 hours. As practice shows, a 1.2 A / h Ni-Cd battery receives a charge for 6-7 hours, receiving a current of 250 mA. The required indicator is supported using the network adapter. It must be remembered that there are two types of memory on the market: standard and pulse action. The first option is more used in amateur versions of power tools, charges the drive for 3-7 hours. Pulse analogs are focused on professional devices, restore the device's operability in 30-60 minutes.
What to do if the battery does not charge?
Above, we figured out how to charge a screwdriver battery correctly. Now consider the cases when charging may not be supplied to the drive or not accepted by it. If this problem occurs, you should pay attention to the deterioration of the device or check the health of the charger. The malfunction can be expressed in the absence of contacts between the terminals of the battery and the charger, since over time they can be unbent. To fix the problem, the charger is disassembled and bent terminals.
Also, contacts are often oxidized and contaminated. Even a slight raid will interfere with the normal charging of the drive. This is expressed in a significant reduction in capacity and charge time. To avoid this, wipe the contacts regularly. Unfortunately, the parameters of a power tool decrease over time, and batteries lose their properties. Experts recommend "overclocking" such modifications. To do this, disassemble the block, identify the problem elements. After troubleshooting, the battery is recharged.