Battery for a screwdriver: opportunities for efficient operation
Battery for a screwdriver: new opportunities for efficient operation
Increasingly, users prefer a battery-powered power tool, which is compact in size and allows you to work where it is problematic to stretch the power cable. The battery for the screwdriver should be selected based on the loads to which the device is planned to be subjected, as well as depending on the conditions of use. Some batteries cannot be completely discharged, and some are not suitable for use in the cold.
The battery can be removed and put back without much effort
What is the battery design for a screwdriver
The battery is a plastic case in which several small batteries connected by a contact tape are located. The ends of the tape come out and look like oblong plates. The main task of the battery is to generate a constant current using the electrolysis process.
Batteries for screwdrivers differ in various technical characteristics
Each battery consists of the following elements:
- electrodes represented by anodes and cathodes;
- electrolyte;
- buildings.
There is a special hole directly in the power tool itself, where the battery case is placed. And reliable fastening is provided by two terminals located on the sides of the battery. Many manufacturers of screwdrivers may have a rechargeable battery with a detachable housing, although professionals have learned how to carefully disassemble solid batteries for screwdrivers without harming them. In order to open the case, it is enough to use a screwdriver, which unscrews the fasteners.
Mini batteries located inside the case are cylindrical in shape. The number of batteries depends on what voltage is needed for the device. It can be 8, 10 or even 15 elements, which are usually placed in several rows.
It’s interesting! The batteries for the screwdriver are connected to each other using a tape, the basis of which is nickel. The internal elements are connected in sequential order, as standard – from minus to plus. Spot welding is used to secure the tape to the batteries.
Some screwdrivers are sold complete with two batteries
Current generation in the battery occurs due to the potential difference at the cathode and anode. All batteries have different properties. The main characteristics that are of interest to users include:
- the material used for the manufacture of the pole and electrolyte;
- voltage affecting the performance of the device;
- the capacity that determines how long you can work with the device without recharging.
The battery voltage is determined by the number of batteries built in. One element, as a rule, has a charge of 1.2 to 3.9 Volts. Due to the serial connection, the required number of volts is dialed. For the operation of a household tool, an indicator of 10.8–14.4 V is sufficient, but a professional device needs 18-36 V for normal operation.
The capacity of the battery to the screwdriver determines the maximum operating time. This indicator is primarily affected by the current consumed by the device, as well as the voltage at full discharge.
Battery capacity affects the size of the battery
Batteries: which are better, the main types, advantages and disadvantages of each
The question of what kind of batteries there are can be answered in different ways. Some products are used for the operation of power tools very rarely. In general, there are four types of batteries for screwdrivers. These include:
- nickel-cadmium – Ni-cd;
- lithium-ion – Li-ion;
- nickel-metal hydride – Ni-mh;
- lithium polymer – Li-Pol.
Most often, nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion types of batteries are used for the operation of screwdrivers. Nickel-metal hydride feed elements used to be used almost everywhere, but have recently lost relevance. The main reasons for this were the rapid heating of the device when using charging for a screwdriver and while working with fasteners.
Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries
Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries were the first alkaline batteries that ensure the operation of battery technology. They were developed at the end of the century before last. Nickel-cadmium devices are considered in demand, as they, due to certain reactions inside the battery, heat up less and guarantee longer operation. Metal hydride devices are less dangerous than cadmium batteries.
Some manufacturers manufacture screwdrivers with different types of batteries
Among the main advantages of nickel-cadmium batteries for screwdrivers are:
- low probability of overheating during operation, which saves the internal elements from melting;
durable metal housing; - resistance to chemical reactions occurring inside, which eliminates strong heating of the device;
- tightness of the outer coating, which prevents the internal elements from getting wet;
- the ability to function normally in conditions of frost from -15 to -25 ° C, which allows you to perform work outdoors;
- long service life in compliance with safety regulations (7-10 years);
- affordable price.
In order for nickel-cadmium batteries of screwdrivers to maintain quality, you should follow the tips concerning the operation of the devices. Main recommendations:
Nickel-cadmium batteries have a durable metal housing
The main feature of nickel-cadmium batteries is the “memory” effect, because of which it is impossible to charge unloaded devices, because they are able to “remember” the remaining charge level. To prevent this from happening, the battery must undergo a full charge/discharge cycle. It is under such conditions of use that the devices will last the period of time promised by the manufacturer and provide the screwdriver with high performance.
It’s interesting! Metal hydride batteries are safer for the environment, but they discharge faster than cadmium batteries and have a high percentage of self-discharge.
Lithium-ion battery for screwdriver
Lithium batteries for a screwdriver have recently been used very often not only for power tools. This type of battery is found in almost every mobile device. Lithium-ion batteries appeared only at the end of the last century, but very quickly won the lion’s share of the market. All this happened thanks to a large number of advantages. These include:
- high level of capacity, increasing the period of uninterrupted operation;
- compact and light weight;
- no “memory” effect, which allows you to recharge the device at any time;
- low level of self-discharge;
- number of working cycles – more than 3000;
- short time to fully charge;
- no need for maintenance.
Lithium-ion batteries are characterized by high capacity
Cathodes and anodes in a lithium battery are manufactured using lithium salt of various acids applied to copper and aluminum foil. The electrolyte is represented by a gel–like liquid – also based on lithium salt. A separator is used to separate the poles, and for safer operation, a valve is built into the housing to protect it from overpressure.
Lithium-ion batteries for screwdrivers have disadvantages such as:
- high sensitivity to voltage fluctuations in the network;
- poor performance at low temperatures;
- loss of capacity during prolonged storage of the device;
- high cost;
- the probability of spontaneous combustion.
The undoubted disadvantage is that the service life of lithium-ion batteries usually does not exceed 3-5 years. At the same time, even those batteries that have not been used become unusable.
The battery can be updated periodically
Lithium polymer rechargeable batteries
Lithium-polymer power cells appeared after the ionic ones, and in them the liquid electrolyte was replaced by a polymer one. Modern technologies have made it possible to increase the parameters of the battery capacity and reduce the size of the product by using ultra-thin batteries. The main advantages of such batteries include:
- no “memory” effect;
- low explosion hazard compared to ion variants;
- ensuring continuous operation without interruption;
- resistance to mechanical damage and vibration loads;
- fast charging for 20-30 minutes.
As with the previous version of the battery, there are also disadvantages. The main one is that the number of work cycles does not exceed 500. It is also inconvenient that only a special “smart” charger for a screwdriver is suitable for the battery, which controls the required voltage level in each individual internal element.
The tool with a rechargeable battery is convenient to use for long-term work
Screwdrivers with such batteries have not yet become widespread, because they are distinguished by their high cost. Lithium polymer batteries are mainly used in professional premium models.
Useful advice! Screwdrivers equipped with lithium batteries are always easier to work with because they are light in weight. This is especially true if the tool needs to be moved.
Which battery is better for a screwdriver and which indicators need to be compared
Before choosing a battery, you need to conduct a comparative analysis of the models and pay attention to the characteristics that affect the ease of operation of the screwdriver. Here it is impossible to say with exact certainty which option is considered the best, because all batteries have their advantages and disadvantages. First of all, you should understand how and where you plan to use a screwdriver.
When choosing a screwdriver, you need to consider where you plan to use it
Among the main important characteristics, the following deserve the most attention:
The charge indicator determines how charged the battery is
Other important characteristics of batteries include:
Useful advice! The battery charge can be checked using a special indicator tool.
All screwdrivers have different types of battery mounts
The best manufacturers: batteries for the Makita and Hitachi screwdrivers
No matter how good the tool is, sooner or later you will have to replace the battery in the screwdriver. When this happens, you will need to choose a new battery. To make it easier to make a choice, it is recommended to study the characteristics of well-known and reliable models.
Related article:
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Hitachi and Makita are Japanese manufacturers that are famous for high–quality power tools. Companies offer a choice of different types of batteries, differing in properties and characteristics.
The most popular is the 14.4 V battery for the Makita screwdriver (model 193101-2 143). This device is equipped with a nickel-metal hydride battery with a capacity of 2.4 A / h. The main advantage is fast charging for 1.5 hours. Other advantages include:
- possibility of use at -40°C;
- a large number of charging cycles – 2000;
- no “memory” effect.
The battery for the Makita screwdriver has a large number of charge/discharge cycles
The cost of a battery for a screwdriver is almost 6 thousand rubles. At the same time, users did not notice any shortcomings in the device.
Budget options include a battery for a Makita 12 volt screwdriver 193981-6. The nickel-cadmium battery is designed to operate in the temperature range from -10 ° C to +55 ° C. The main drawback of the battery for the Makita screwdriver is a small capacity of 1.3 A/h. Therefore, users note the fast charge consumption.
One of the best batteries for Hitachi screwdrivers is the EB1233X model. This is a nickel-metal hydride unit with a capacity of 3.3 A / h. Thanks to this battery, the uninterrupted use of the tool is much longer than that of other models. The device is designed for professional use. The advantages include:
- charging time – 1.5 hours;
- robust housing;
- high-quality grip with the tool.
The cost of the battery for the Hitachi screwdriver is 5800 rubles.
The battery for the Hitachi screwdriver has a high-quality grip with the tool
Batteries for Bosch screwdriver and budget analog Bison
Batteries for Bosch screwdrivers have proven themselves to be the most reliable and high-quality. Basically, the company uses lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium technologies, which contribute to high performance and convenient operation of the device. All modern batteries are equipped with an Electronic Cell Protection system, which does not allow the device to overheat and completely discharge. An automatic shutdown function is also provided.
All the company’s products are distinguished by the presence of a shock-resistant housing and low weight, which greatly simplifies the work with power tools. The capacity of different battery models varies from 1.3 to 5 A/h. As for the voltage, options from 12 to 36 V are available.
No less popular is the battery for a Bosch 12V screwdriver with a capacity of 1.5 A/h. The nickel-cadmium battery guarantees a long time of using the tool even at full power, and is also compatible with screwdrivers from other manufacturers. The cost of the device ranges from 2500 to 3000 rubles.
Useful advice! Batteries from one company can be used for tools from another manufacturer. The main thing is to take into account their compatibility, which is usually indicated in the instructions.
Batteries for Bosch screwdrivers are equipped with an Electronic Cell Protection system
Batteries for Bison screwdrivers of Belarusian production have quite good user reviews and low cost of goods. So, the 12-volt battery Master is characterized by the same capacity that is characteristic of the previous model (1.5 A / h). But in this case, lithium-ion technology is used. The cost of the device is only 1500 rubles. At the same time, the battery has overheating protection and a shock-resistant housing. An important advantage is the rapid recovery after a full discharge.
Domestic batteries for Interskol screwdrivers
The Russian manufacturer offers customers a large selection of batteries. Especially popular are Ni-Cds, which are characterized by unpretentiousness in operation and a wide range of capacity. The batteries for the Interskol screwdriver have a capacity ranging from 1.3 to 2.4 A/h. You can choose from options with different voltages – 12, 14.4 and 18 V. In general, the popularity of the tool gives a good build quality and an acceptable cost for most users.
The model DA-14.4ER is a lithium–ion battery with a volt voltage of 14.4. The battery for the Interskol screwdriver weighs only 250 grams, and the capacity of the device is 1.5 A / h. The manufacturer focuses on the fact that the device can be used in the temperature range from +4 ° C to +40 ° C. This model is compatible only with screwdrivers of the same company. The cost varies between 1200-1600 rubles.
A more powerful model is the DA-18ER battery with a voltage of 18 V. In the production process, sodium-cadmium technology is used, the battery capacity is 1500 A / h, which is enough to perform a significant amount of work. It takes 120 minutes for the device to reach full charge, although some users note that on average it takes about 3 hours to charge up to 100%. It should be noted the significant weight of the 18 volt battery for the screwdriver, which is 750 grams. Its cost is about 1600-1700 rubles.
Batteries for screwdrivers have different volt voltages
The main types of breakdowns and repair of batteries for a screwdriver
It will not be difficult to identify failures in the operation of the tool, even for an inexperienced user. Among the main signs of breakdowns are:
- fast discharge during operation;
- the presence of mechanical damage on the case;
- very slow or too fast charging.
Before you start repairing batteries for a screwdriver with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the main types of malfunctions. These include:
- contact damage;
- natural wear and tear;
- breakdowns due to improper use.
To check the integrity of the internal contacts, it is necessary to disassemble the battery and inspect the connections at the soldering points. During the opening of the case, you can also assess the integrity of the remaining internal elements.
If the battery fails due to the end of its service life, it is worth knowing that the total voltage of a 100% charged battery will decrease. To check this indicator, you will need a multimeter, which not everyone has in stock. If the device has not been used for a long time, experts recommend carrying out 2-3 full discharge/charging cycles without loads.
Professional chargers have multiple charging connectors
Important! You need to understand that not all batteries can be restored. Basically, the masters repair only nickel-cadmium and metal hydride batteries at home.
A short list of actions in case of battery failure looks like this:
- disassembly of the device;
- inspection of internal elements;
- measurement of the total voltage and each element from the chain.
If a problem has arisen with one of the mini-batteries, for example, it is swollen or has no voltage, it should be replaced, after which the device is assembled and fully charged. Disassembling the case is a task that everyone can do. This will require a small screwdriver and, if necessary, a rubber hammer, with which it is easier to separate the parts.
As with the purchase of any power tool, when choosing a rechargeable battery, you need to take into account the specifics of the operation of the screwdriver. It is best if there are two batteries at hand during operation that can be changed. It is important that the device is not only suitable for the tool, but also meets the necessary requirements.
