Garage temperature affecting tools?

[evil_twin]

Eh, didn't really know what to name this, so whatever. I am collecting more and more tools in my garage since the company I work for provides my tools. Well it's getting cold out and my garage is starting to retain the cold(32ºF sometimes lower), and I have noticed that some of my tools are starting to act up. Mainly batteries from electric drills, impact guns and screw guns. I did notice that my tire machine started acting a little funny, but I'm more concerned on the batteries that I have.

Should I be keeping these batteries inside where the temperature stays a little more stable? Or is it okay to leave in the garage?

I've had 2 19.2v (Craftsman/Die Hard) batteries go out on me granted I've had them for almost 4 years, but I noticed my Snap-On electric impact is starting to act the same way...

What do you guys that don't have HVAC in your garage do? Maybe I should start looking at insulating the garage a bit more...

 

[John in OH]

Well, I sure don't have any facts to support my opinion regarding tool batteries, but going on my experience with car, truck and tractor batteries, cold weather is certainly not their friend. It will certainly do you no harm to keep those tools and their batteries in a warmer environment when not in use.

If you want to keep them in your unheated garage, perhaps you could rig up a small storage cabinet in that garage with an electric heater or heat lamp and use this heated cabinet to keep your batteries stored all warm and toasty.

 

[84TurboBuick]

I live in Illinois so I have a good idea about what you have going on.

Like the previous poster said, I'm no expert but I've had my cordless batteries and tools out in the garage for 3 years now, and nothing bad has happened nor have I noticed any loss in performance.

My garage is not heated, but I do have a heater out there and use it on occasion. (Thats probably why I have those little silica packs in all my toolbox drawers )

 

[krogsmash86]

a tool box cover may help to keep out the cold and that way you could just insulate the toolbox technically instead of the whole garage if you don't want to spend the money or labor on installing all that insulation

 

[Falcon67]

I've had 2 19.2v (Craftsman/Die Hard) batteries go out on me granted I've had them for almost 4 years

As a 19.2 Cman battery user, that should be expected. You only get so many recharges out of those and when they age, they lose charge real quick. I usually replace mine at 2-3 years.

 

[Twiggss]

I kinda wondered about this too. My concern was batteries for my tools and the seals on my jacks.

 

[5lima30]

I've thought about getting one of those pet bed heaters (like a rubber heating pad) and putting my cold sensitive items like batteries on it. I currently bring my cordless tools in the house when I'm not using them.

 

[bob15]

I live in CT and my barn isn't heater or insulated and never had any issues with my tools and cold weather. I was using my cordless drill quite a bit over the weekend, temp inside the barn was 18°F.

The insulation in my barn: put another layer of clothes on, maybe a hat.

Temp ranges for my house last year 102°F to -17°F. Tools ran the same cold or warm.

bob

 

[NUTTSGT]

As your garage gets cold, any moisture in the air line will freeze. Cold usually kills the charge on the batteries too.


Yes, start insulating your garage. Insulation is an investment.

 

[bad_idea]

It was 60 degrees here today.