Lithium-ion VS NiCad

[JCMTools]

My original pair of Makita L-ion batteries are 5 years old now and are still pretty good and its looking like they will outlast the drill (BHP541) which is pretty tired now, I use it every day and probably charge each battery 3 times a week on average.
One thing I do is not leave them in the van at night when its cold or during the day when its really hot.

I agree. I got the first generation Makita lion and the batteries, and the tools are still going strong. I burned through a Dewalt 18V Nicad in 4 years. The batteries went and then the gearbox on the drill.

One thing about the Makita though - when I bought the set I got a coupon for a sawzall and I can only say that I've been disappointed with. No speed and no power.

 

[RedRabbit]

I like to have Ni cad backups (especially older Makitas) d since they always work, cold or hot. If it doesn't charge or hold a charge properly due to a memory. Take the battery and insert it into the charger. Then switch the charger on and off very quickly (as fast as you can) about 30 times and the memory should be a lot less. I've gotten 90% capacity with batteries from the 1990's. But Li - on I feel are better since they produce more power longer, but need a little more care. Both are fantastic and a bit of both in a shop wouldn't hurt.

 

[quattroJoe]

In my experience, the only advantage to NiCad is cost. Rebuild-ability isn't even worth it from what I've seen, unless you are using a super expensive brand like Snap On. Last time I looked into it, the cost of the bare cells was roughly the same as a new battery on sale.

My main gripes with NiCad is it seems the capacity diminishes at a linear rate starting from the first charge cycle, and the torque also diminishes at a fairly steady rate as the battery drains. My lithium batteries produce *nearly* full torque until they shut off, instead of becoming less and less usable as they drain. So far, knock on wood, I haven't noticed any diminished capacity over time either. Lithiums are lighter, charge faster, store better, and so on. Yeah, they're more pricey, but in my opinion the additional up front cost is repaid in gained productivity and less frustration very quickly.

Also not sure where the info about lithiums only lasting 2-3 years came from, but it's just plain wrong. Power tools (at least in the mainstream) are relative newcomers to the lithium trend, and the technology has benefitted from years of development in laptops, cell phones, etc. Sure, they don't last forever, but I'd wager that most of us have a laptop or phone or iPod kicking around that's older than 3 years and still running fine on the original battery.

 

[dnschmidt]

NiMH batteries were introduced SOLELY for environmental reasons. They have several disadvantages to NiCd. If you'll remember DeWalt NEVER introduced NiMH batteries into the United States as they did not believe in the technology and went right from NiCd to Lithium-Ion. In Europe where they had to use NiMH as NiCd were banned they had NiMH batteries but never in America.

 

[stikman56]

In my experience, the only advantage to NiCad is cost. Rebuild-ability isn't even worth it from what I've seen, unless you are using a super expensive brand like Snap On. Last time I looked into it, the cost of the bare cells was roughly the same as a new battery on sale.

My main gripes with NiCad is it seems the capacity diminishes at a linear rate starting from the first charge cycle, and the torque also diminishes at a fairly steady rate as the battery drains. My lithium batteries produce *nearly* full torque until they shut off, instead of becoming less and less usable as they drain. So far, knock on wood, I haven't noticed any diminished capacity over time either. Lithiums are lighter, charge faster, store better, and so on. Yeah, they're more pricey, but in my opinion the additional up front cost is repaid in gained productivity and less frustration very quickly.

Also not sure where the info about lithiums only lasting 2-3 years came from, but it's just plain wrong. Power tools (at least in the mainstream) are relative newcomers to the lithium trend, and the technology has benefitted from years of development in laptops, cell phones, etc. Sure, they don't last forever, but I'd wager that most of us have a laptop or phone or iPod kicking around that's older than 3 years and still running fine on the original battery.

My laptop is 4 years old. I bought it new. The battery died about 5 months ago on it. New one was cheap on ebay though and is working great. I haven't seen good longevity out of any I have been around so far. I see some people are getting many years though. Just depends ,I guess.
I've always gotten excellent lifespans out of just about any ni-cad that I bought new.
Wife's laptop is same brand as mine, and very similar model, she bought it a few months before I bought mine, and her battery is still fine. Go figure.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Seems that everyone here is jumping on the Lithium-Ion wagon. If you need "MORE POWER" and use your tool everyday I can see it. But these Lithium-ion packs only last 2-3 years. If you can afford to get a new drill every couple years fine. Many can find better use of their resources by getting a NiCad drill or tool. Less upfront expense. Twice the useful life of the battery. Cheap to solder new NiCad cells in a battery pack and go again for another five years. It is dangerous to solder Lithium-Ion cells so you have to get a new battery pack or as most know it is about the same cost to get a whole new drill. Tell me where I'm wrong as I'm about to get some new Sub C cells ($6-$12) and rebuild my NiCad pack. Unless there is a reasonable Lithium-Ion strategy.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5939109_lithium-batteries-vs_-nicad-batteries.html
"Nickel-cadmium batteries can be stored or used for up to 5 years. Lithium-ion batteries can last for anywhere between 2 and 3 years."

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/lithium-ion-battery2.htm
"Lithium-ion batteries age. They only last two to three years, even if they are sitting on a shelf unused. So do not "avoid using" the battery with the thought that the battery pack will last five years. It won't. Also, if you are buying a new battery pack, you want to make sure it really is new. If it has been sitting on a shelf in the store for a year, it won't last very long. Manufacturing dates are important"

Lithium holds charge better (it seems) but when the battery goes you need to replace it.

NiCad batteries can be "re-worked" when they don't hold charge anymore; restored to original function. You can check youtube videos to see how they do it.

I'm cheap so you know what I end up with. Power with 18v nicad is fine for drilling/driving into wood. Other stuff? Meh. Boring with cordless nicad is bad news, I use an electric for that.

 

[mrvm]

When I picked up the Ryobi leaf blower/string trimmer combo that included the big Li battery/charger @99 special, I was surprised how the big Li battery rejuvenated my old "blue" Ryobi power tools. The old "blue" Ryobi power tools were relegated as 2nd or 3rd tier in the garage but this new increase in power was a surprise. The original nicads never generated as much power or endurance. Since then I have purchased the bigger 4.0 Ah (2@99) to further increase the endurance of the power tools.

 

[brass89]

I don't know which tools the poster had where they experienced some sort of lag with li-ion batteries. The only ones I've used on a regular basis are my makita 18v li-ions and there's no lag at all. If i barely bump the trigger without engaging it, just the led comes on (useful as a small flashlight in a pinch if the tools already at hand's reach) but soon as i engage the trigger it's instant. Just as responsive as my older 12v makita with ni-cad.

 

[Elvenhome21]

Lithium has more variations of chemistry then nicad and NiMH. So you cant just lump all litium cells in a broad category. All depends on the needs and cost.