[Shop-talk] Lithium tool batteries

[Karl Vacek]

Don't know if my reply will get out, as I haven't been able to reply to this
forum in many months, but here's a try...

I've had excellent results replacing nicads with nickel metal hydride
batteries in many devices.  Same charger is usually fine, no memory issues,
decent life on the shelf, similar to greater charge and discharge capacity,
and similar price to nicads.  Is there a downside?

I really don't know why NiMH cells never replaced NiCd cells for most
applications.  A year ago I replaced the 14.4 volt nicad packs in my old
DeWalt drill, and they continue to amaze me.  Factory nicads just don't ever
seem to last for me.  I'm aware of nicads' charging and use issues and try
to avoid repetitive similar discharge cycles and to neither overcharge nor
under discharge them, but it doesn't really help.

Karl

-----Original Message-----
From:  "Doug Braun" <doug at dougbraun.com>
Subject: [Shop-talk] Lithium tool batteries


I have a Craftsman 19.2 volt battery-powered drill. I like it, but the Nicad
batteries always seem to be almost dead when I want to use it. I saw that
Sears sells Lithium batteries that are compatible, so I could buy just a new
battery and charger, instead of a whole new system.
Does this sound worth it? Are Lithium batteries long-lasting enough to be
worth the investment?