Cordless drill batteries should store when those are not used for a long period or short period. Most drill batteries are made with Li-Ion or Ni-Cd. These batteries can store in any place that we need. We should keep them in the proper place in order to best performance and durability. So let’s see how you should properly store the drill battery.
When you store a cordless drill battery, you should remove it from the tool and keep the charge 50% of its maximum voltage. After insulating the terminals, you can store them in a proper temperature and humidity environment without metal conductions. After 06 months, recharge it 50% of its maximum voltage.
According to the battery type and technology, you must store the drill battery. Else those will gain many problems when we use them. So these steps will lead you to store the drill battery properly. Let’s keep reading on!
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Step 01 – Do not Leave in the Tool
This is a very important step you should follow. You may think to store the battery with the drill. When the battery is connected to the drill, its self-discharge rate has decreased due to connecting the metal conduction, although the switch is off. So never connect the tool and battery when you store the battery.
As well as you can see, some corrosion in the terminals due to humidity. Humidity should be 50%, and the environment should be as dry as possible.
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Step 02 – Discharge the Battery upto 50% of the Maximum Voltage
Normally, drill batteries are made with Li-Ion or Ni-Cd. Both of these batteries are self-discharging batteries. It is about 5% for the Li-Ion battery per month and 10% for the Ni-Cd battery at 20°C per month. When self-discharging is increased at high room temperature. When the temperature is high, the inner chemical reaction increases rapidly. As a result of this, its rate of self-discharging has increased.
According to the math fully charged 18V Li-Ion battery can be discharged up to 3V in 30 months. These are theoretical values, and, in practice, it is less than that. Because we are not able to maintain environmental conditions and temperature as it needs. Due to this reason, its discharge rate is not controlled.
The discharge rate depends on the voltage. If there is a high voltage, its discharge rate is high. That means 24V will discharge at a high rate than the 12V battery. So it is highly recommended to discharge the battery up to 50% of its maximum voltage. Do not drain the voltage. If you maintain less than that, it will drain soon. When a drill battery is drained, it can die. So do not let to empty the battery. This really common for both Li-Ion or Ni-Cd
Step 03 – Maintain the Proper Temperature
Drill batteries are highly sensitive to temperature. When it use or store we have to pay attention to this matter. Normally drill batteries should be stored at the proper temperature (18°- 24°C). When the temperature is high, the inner reaction rate is also increased rapidly. As a result of this, it tends to self-discharge quickly. When it reaches (+4.5°C), or above +105°F (+40.5°C), the battery pack will be damaged seriously.
This temperature is varied according to the brand. So you had better check the user manual with your tool. You had better follow that for the best result.
Proper temperature means is not using the least temperature or high temperature. When the temperature is less, the inner reaction rate happens slowly. When it’s stored at a high temperature, its inner reaction can be increased, and due to this, the inner can be decay, and impedance can be reduced. Due to the reduced impedance, it can be discharged rapidly.
So maintain the room temperature when you store the drill batteries. It is common for both Li-Ion or Ni-Cd batteries.
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Step 04 – Insulate the Terminals
When you store the batteries, you should insulate the terminals. Because humidity can affect the terminal surface, and it can rust due to humidity. So It is better if you can apply any insulation paste on it. After applying the insulation, you can cover the terminals.
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Step 05 – Avoid from Electric Conduction Materials
Electric conduction helps to discharge the drill battery rapidly. When you store the battery with pins, metal dust, paper clips, nails, or any conductions that can connect the terminals, it will discharge the battery soon. Sometimes this will cause the fire also. When the current is flown through metal, it can be heated due to resistance. When there is less diameter, inner resistance can be reduced, and it can cause a fire.
Sometimes a place can be with high humidity. When it is, the high battery can be corrosion, and the self-discharge rate can be increased rapidly. So keep the battery in a dry place at room temperature.
Step 06 – Recharge Every 6 Months
When storing the battery, it can be self discharged. When it reaches below 3V or less, it can be drained. When a battery is fully drained, you will not change it with a regular charger. We can introduce this as battery dead. When a battery is dead, we have to jump-start it.
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If you can charge the battery half of the maximum voltage, you can avoid the drill battery dead. Within 6 months, the drill battery voltage will not exceed below 3V. So you can charge it properly. Then you can store it again as you wish.
