Considered a very versatile tool, power drills are used to drill holes on various surfaces and hard materials, which include wood, metal, masonry, and even plastics. Aside from this, drills can also serve as screwdrivers for rotating screws if need be. Between a corded and cordless drill, the cordless seems to be a more popular option and are more convenient to use. And because they are cordless, drill batteries are necessary for them to function.
Drill batteries are available in three general types: the nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), and lithium batteries. When selecting the batteries for your drills, it is important to consider the batteries’ power outputs, the recharge rates, and the safety of the batteries.
The Ni-Cd batteries are known for their ability to recharge fast and have higher and longer lifespans. They’re also considered the best batteries to use in cordless drills and other power tools because they are much more affordable and durable. Meanwhile, unlike other types of drill batteries, the Ni-MH does not contain harmful elements like mercury, cadmium and lead, making them safer for use. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, despite being expensive, are among the most commonly used batteries mainly because they have fast recharging rates and are lighter than other types of batteries.
When purchasing batteries for your drill, the battery voltage is another important consideration. A typical drill battery should be at least 12 volt. While there are also batteries of 8V or 10V, they may not have enough power and voltage in case you need to drill for extended periods of time. Meanwhile, if you are a home repair enthusiast who frequently needs to use drills, you can also use 18V and 24V batteries.
Batteries, no matter what type you’ve used, would need to be replaced at some point. Constant charging and recharging can affect the batteries’ life cycle, that even if you’ve used the nickel cadmium batteries, which are known for a longer shelf life, you’ll have the need to replace them in the future. For safety, never use damaged and dead batteries and make sure to bring them to your local store for recycling or dispose them properly.
Finding replacement for drill batteries may be a challenge for some. This is the case most especially if you’re finding batteries for older models of drills that are already out of production. While it may be difficult to find such, you’ll sure find the appropriate batteries, especially if you search online where there are hundreds of websites offering batteries from the oldest to the newest models of drills. You simply have to know the model of the drill or the serial number on the batteries’ pack. Once you do, it’ll be easier to find replacement for the batteries.