While electricity might be the biggest step mankind has taken when it comes to power needs, batteries were the first step in that direction. Being older than the invention of electricity itself, batteries weren’t always as convenient or energy-dense as today’s advanced battery packs. Batteries have led the way for many new technological advancements, especially when it comes to eliminating cords. This has been the case for power tools as well. Manufacturers such as Paslode started pioneering them it was clear that the future of power tools was cordless. Paslode is a power tool manufacturer that has been around for more than 80 years now. Today’s tools such as impact drivers, sanders, compressors, and jigsaws all rely on batteries, but what kind of batteries do Paslode use to power their power tools?
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What Type of Paslode Battery is Best
Li-ion
I’ll start with the latest addition to the battery family – Li-ion batteries. This type of Paslode battery is super durable and offers a high number of discharge cycles. Li-ion Paslode batteries for sale are found to be the most commonly used in Paslode’s cordless tools since they also have the highest energy density. Li-ion batteries can be found in many different devices, such as laptops, smartphones, smartwatches and so on. Being fast to charge but not as easy to discharge, a Li-ion Paslode battery will last you a long time without any issues.
NiMH
While nickel-metal hydride batteries are an older battery technology than Li-ion, they are still a solid competitor. With these Paslode batteries for sale being available almost everywhere you look, you are bound to end up with a cordless tool that uses one. NiMH batteries offer fast charging times with a self-discharge rate between 20% and 30%, they are extremely sensitive to heat. NiMH batteries also require moderate maintenance and their cycle life depends on proper storage and maintenance too.
NiCd
Also known as nickel-cadmium batteries, these batteries have a limited charge cycle of about 1,000. NiCd batteries have a lower self-discharge rate than NiMH sitting between 15% to 20%. Like NiMH batteries, NiCd batteries have a fast charging time as well, but they are not as sensitive as NiMH batteries. NiCd Paslode batteries are tough and durable but they require proper maintenance.
NiCd has one big disadvantage and that is that they can suffer from a severe memory effect if the conditions for it are met. Remember though, NiCd batteries are the oldest type of batteries so don’t expect much from them when it comes to their performance-to-maintenance ratio. To perform better they need to be well taken care of.
What to Look for in a Paslode Battery
Cycle Life
I’ve already mentioned cycle life, which is the number of times a battery can be charged and discharged during its lifespan. This is a pretty straightforward feature, if you have a higher number next to “cycle life” – you have a longer lifespan. But a longer lifespan isn’t always guaranteed if you don’t keep an eye on the battery.
Discharge Rate
Also known as the self-discharge rate, is the rate at which a battery discharges while not in use. This is the case with all rechargeable batteries. The lower the self-discharge rate percentage of a battery the more charge it can keep while sitting idle.
Capacity
What experts call run time is known as the capacity of a battery. The capacity of every battery is expressed in amperage hours or Ah and it determines for how long a battery can last on one single charge or how much flow it can hold. This can vary though as different power tools have different energy consumption. This means that two batteries with the same capacity powering different tools will not last the same time on one single charge.
Voltage
The voltage rating of a battery is what determines how much power it will provide. In other words, it determines how powerful a battery is. The higher the voltage rating of a battery the more powerful it is, but it doesn’t always mean that this power will be provided for a long period of time.
How Long to Charge Paslode Battery?
Not every battery has the same charging time. The time needed to charge a Paslode battery will depend on its capacity and chemistry. But usually, it can take anywhere from 5 minutes up to 1 hour to fully charge a battery.
How Long Do Paslode Batteries Last?
Again, just like charging, the lifespan of a battery will depend on many factors such as battery chemistry, maintenance, usage and so on. If you don’t take proper care of the battery it will usually only run for about 75 days. But this is if we’re talking about NiCd batteries which need a lot of maintenance. Any other battery will last longer than 75 days even if left unattended in the maintenance department.