cordless drill

[bluetoon]

got to buy a new drill can someone explain the difference between a ah battery and a nicd battery.looking at a bosch 18v hammer drill.but different batterys supplied so which is the best ah or nicd.

[AlBags]

Hi
Nearly all power drill batteries are NiCad.
You are getting confused with the rating (Ah) of the battery maybe?
Be sure you don't buy a drill that's too heavy! Makita lower voltage and power have a better torque motor!

[gingejbee]

Drills can have NiCd, NiMH or Lithium-ion batteries. Go for either of the latter two -they won't self-discharge like the first.

[AlBags]

That's true, but the batteries are a lot more expensive at the moment.
Most are NiCd

[AlBags]

... mind you DeWalt are £150 for 18v batteries in NiCd OR L-ion

[bluetoon]

thanks for all replies.albags i shall look into the dewalt to see if it comes with 2 batteries.gingerbee thanks for info on different types i shall look for the latter 2 as my old drill never held its charge for long.

[alavahalf]

Over recent years I've always used the blue Bosch range with Ni-cad batteries... they have been totaly reliable and very sturdy... I could'nt really fault them.
But after using a friends 18v Hitachi combi with Li-on batteries, I'm afraid I've now changed brands.
The Hitachi is so light compared to the Bosch, and the Li-on batteries seem to go on forever. I recently installed 60 fire signs in one day. Most of them required the hammer drill....all were done with one battery.
Unlike the Ni-cads the Li-on batteries dont slow down as they discharge ... you seem to get full power and then all of a sudden they just stop.
Definitely wont go back to Ni-cads.

[jomifl]

Nicad batteries were good in there time but they do have disadvantages such as charge memory so need to be completely discharged before recharging. Nimh and Li ion batteries do not have these drawbacks and are worth paying a bit more for.