Nothing is more frustrating than trying to do a job with your power tool only to find that the cord doesn’t reach far enough to get where you need to be, which is why going cordless will give you the freedom and versatility to work almost anywhere.
Here is a look at how to get the most out of your cordless power tools, including how to make them more resistant to rain and moisture, and how to get the best performance from your rechargeable battery.
Protect your investment
Cordless power tools might be viewed as expensive when you first look at the price tag but when you consider what they offer in terms of versatility and performance they should reward your financial commitment.
However, once you have sourced your power tool and are ready to tackle some serious DIY projects, it is worth taking a few simple but worthwhile steps towards making your cordless tool more resistant to water and getting the battery to hold out for longer.
Making water less of a problem
Having the freedom to go anywhere with your cordless power tool will give you the encouragement to work on some outdoor DIY projects but the weather doesn’t always play ball.
You can’t make any electrical device completely waterproof but you can at least enhance the water-resistant features of your cordless tool and make it more likely to withstand a reasonable amount of moisture and rain.
You can try to do this by removing the battery and opening the side of your power tool. The next step involves spraying the inside with a conformal coating designed to protect sensitive electronics from the elements.
Repeat the process on the inside a couple of times and also on the battery itself. You could also use an insulating compound and apply to the battery contacts for extra protection from electrolysis and corrosion.
Following these simple steps should make your cordless tool much less sensitive to moisture.
Look after your battery
There are a couple of things you can do to improve the life and performance of your battery.
It will help if you keep the battery charged and recharge your cordless tool when you notice a decrease in power. Using the battery regularly will help it to last longer too, as battery life often tends to decrease through lack of use.
Give your cordless tool a quick boost with the charger before you start working with it if you can so that you know it will last as long as possible and won’t let you down. It is also important to leave your cordless tool plugged in long enough to ensure that it is fully charged.
Storing the battery properly will preserve its life. Cordless batteries will last longer when they are stored in a dry environment and keeping it in its original storage case will help.
Finally, try to remember to adjust the cordless tool settings so they are set correctly for the job. High torque settings run the battery down fast, so don’t use that option if you don’t need to.
