This is our guide to the key points about batteries for garden tools.
What is the best battery for a garden tool?
Battery technology has improved significantly over recent years and some cordless garden tools are now as powerful as corded and even petrol tools. The only drawback has been the run time of a cordless tool.
With recent advancements in battery technology, most significantly the introduction of Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries, these have become the go-to battery type for manufacturers.
What are the advantages of Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries?
These batteries:
- Are more powerful in a smaller size
- Will retain their charge longer when not in use
- Can be recharged hundreds (even thousands) of times
- Don't develop battery memory, or put simply, they won't reduce their lifespan by constantly recharging even when only half drained
- Can hold a higher charge.
Is it possible to overcharge a Lithium Ion battery?
First of all, you should read the manufacturer's instructions about charging your battery. As a general rule, lithium-ion batteries cannot be overcharged provided you are using the correct charger provided by the manufacturer and it isn't faulty. These batteries are designed to stop taking a charge once the battery is full and most chargers will come with a display to let you know when the battery is fully charged.
Is there a difference between a Lithium battery and a Lithium Ion battery?
Yes, simply put, the main difference is that in most cases a Lithium battery is not rechargeable and you should never try to recharge them, while a Lithium Ion battery is rechargeable and can be recharged hundreds of times.
What does Ah mean on a battery?
Ah represents the ampere-hour and is the total amount of charge a battery can deliver in one hour, similar to the size of the petrol tank on a petrol garden tool. The simple way to look at it is the higher the Ah, the longer the tool will last and a 4Ah battery should last roughly twice as long as a 2Ah battery.
What does Volts (V) mean on a battery?
The Volts of a battery is a measure of how much power the battery can provide. The simple way to look at it is the higher the volts, the more powerful the battery. For garden jobs that require more powerful tools, such as using a chainsaw, these will require a higher voltage to cut through logs or branches.
For general garden jobs such as cutting the grass or trimming the edges, these will require constant power and reviewing the volts and Ah will help you decide on the best option for your garden.
What is the difference between a brushed and brushless battery?
The brushless motor is increasingly becoming popular with homeowners and professional users of garden tools.
The main difference between brushless or brushed motors is that the brushed variants are made of carbon, while the brushless units use magnets to generate power. For this reason, brushless motors are better adapted, generate no friction, produce less heating and provide better performance. In addition, brushless units significantly reduce maintenance.
Brushed motors are inexpensive, reliable and have a high torque ratio. However, they come with a number of disadvantages as the components wear out over time producing dust and require regular maintenance to clean or replace the brushes and they also produce heat.
Brushless motor technology improves the power of your cordless tools and it also extends their working life. They also have almost no maintenance worries. The absence of brushes eliminates problems associated with overheating and breakdowns and the lifespan of the brushless motor is only related to the bearings.
The brushless motor is more compact and two to three times lighter than brushed units, improving portability and reducing vibration and noise.