Going and going and going and...

Let's talk batteries. If you are up on current technology, you know that most everything portable is moving towards Lithium Ion (LIon) batteries for rechargeable applications. Take cell phones for example, the older style NiCad, or Nickel Cadmium, and even Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMh) batteries are all but dead and gone. However, there are still some applications where these show up, cordless landline phones for instance still use these.

But now we are seeing something interesting happen in the battery world. Cordless power tools are beginning to offer LIon batteries on some new models. But if cell phones and Ipods have been using this technology for so long, why has this taken so long for them to become available in power tools?

Several reasons. Firstly, the development process takes time and is costly. Additionally, the daily workload and usage that these devices go through put different demands on the battery than your Blackberry does. In addition, some tool companies have literally millions of NiCad batteries out there in service today. Construction companies have bought additional batteries, chargers, etc, and there is alot of older, established product floating out there that has cost the end user a good chunk of dough. The new technologies means a fairly decent investment for the end user, especially for larger companies.

First off, you have to, in most cases, buy the new tool that actually accepts the battery. A few toolmakers are making the new batteries cross and backwards compatible, but most are not. Next, the additional batteries that most contractor type applications need will have to be purchased. Finally, extra chargers to keep all these batteries topped off simultaneously have to be added into the mix. This can lead to big bucks, as many of the LIon tools/combo kits/batteries/chargers are fairly expensive.

Let's say that you either have the scratch to burn, or that you like to stay on top of the game. Should you upgrade to LIon tools? Maybe not. There are several things to consider, aside from the cost of it all.
LIon is in its infancy as far as tools go. They have yet to be really proven by extensive independent field testing. At this point, manufacturer input and data is really all you have to go on. Another point in this vein to consider is the different types of LIon batteries available, some are better than others, some are worse than NiCad in some applications.
Yet another point to keep in mind is performance. Some of the LIon batteries out there do have a much faster charge time than older type batteries, but give out much faster on the jobsite, don't have as long a life cycle (number of possible recharges), or require much more care in the charging cycle. For example, one toolmaker has a standard issue old type battery that will last for about an hour, the current LIon "equivalent" from another brand will give out after fifteen to thirty minutes work. Take a look at Amp Hour ratings as you compare.

Point is, if you are wanting to make the switch, there are several factors to think about besides low weight and high cost. Do some reasearch on several different manufacturer websites, compare tool models and battery stats.

I'm not here to endorse any one tool brand, but I will admit that I am a huge fan of the DeWalt line of cordless tools. In my mind they are outstanding tools. My point here is that DeWalt is very slowly and hesitantly broadening their product line to include LIon technology, and they have several reasons for this. If they are being patient and slow, I'm listening to them.