Ni Cad vs Lithium Ion - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

IPT · 12-03-2012, 01:22 AM

Ni Cad vs Lithium Ion - do LI actually increase power at all or is iot just that it lasts near full power longer? Is it worth it for a weekend warrior if I have 3 Ni Cads to swap back forth too?

LessSinister · 12-04-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPT

Ni Cad vs Lithium Ion - do LI actually increase power at all or is iot just that it lasts near full power longer? Is it worth it for a weekend warrior if I have 3 Ni Cads to swap back forth too?

The biggest reason to avoid NiCad is the "memory" effect. That is, if you recharge when it's half-full the then next time it will only charge to 1/2 capacity. More or less. There may be other benefits of LI but that was a deal breaker for any of my power tools.

Synner · 12-04-2012, 07:01 PM

Depends on how its being compared. Typically its duration, holds a charge better in-between uses, and lasts longer. Li requires a special charger with additional circuitry.

Personally I prefer corded, especially if more torque is your goal. Cheaper brands of battery tools are just that, cheap. If what you have is meeting your goals and use then its a waste of money to upgrade.

Rhyno81 · 01-09-2013, 08:06 PM

Li Ion works on the "Full power or no power" principle. meaning it has max power until it loses it charge and stops Ni Cad is always slightly declining from a full charge

SimpleGreen · 01-09-2013, 08:42 PM

Definitely Lithium-Ion, most for due to the longevity of the batteries. My Makita 18V drill is going on nearly two years old and I use it daily at work. It has tons of cycles on the batteries (Li-ion). Actually, all my power tools are Li-Ion now at home and work.

cfodor · 01-12-2013, 01:03 PM

I have had both and the li batteries are getting better. I had 36 volt dewalt stuff when it first came out and the batteries did not last that long. You were lucky if you got a year out of them before they would go bad. I have a snap on 18v nicad impact and the batteries have been good for 3 years

Ryanbabz71 · 01-12-2013, 01:17 PM

My lithium ion dewalt drill/impact I got last yr is the best I have ever had. Lighter weight ad the battery lasts much longer

Ryan

DR TOOLS · 03-12-2013, 09:22 PM

No one mentioned nimh batteries. No instant cut off, no memory effect and have a high discharge rate. Also greener than both. Can use same charger as NiCd. Only pro for lion is its lighter in weight.

12-03-2012, 01:22 AM	#1
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	Ni Cad vs Lithium Ion Ni Cad vs Lithium Ion - do LI actually increase power at all or is iot just that it lasts near full power longer? Is it worth it for a weekend warrior if I have 3 Ni Cads to swap back forth too? Last edited by IPT; 12-03-2012 at 03:21 AM.

01-09-2013, 08:06 PM	#4
Rhyno81 Drives: Summit White 2012 2SS RS M6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 189	Li Ion works on the "Full power or no power" principle. meaning it has max power until it loses it charge and stops Ni Cad is always slightly declining from a full charge __________________ 2012 Summit White 2SS RS M6 -MGW Shifter -Cold Air Inductions CAI -TSP 1 7/8" long tubes with high flow cats -Muffler Delete -Matte Black Powdercoated 20"SS Wheels (General GMax Tires) -BMR Strut Brace -ZL1 Swapped front end

01-09-2013, 08:42 PM	#5
SimpleGreen Drives: 2015 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southeast Louisiana Posts: 2,112	Definitely Lithium-Ion, most for due to the longevity of the batteries. My Makita 18V drill is going on nearly two years old and I use it daily at work. It has tons of cycles on the batteries (Li-ion). Actually, all my power tools are Li-Ion now at home and work. __________________ 2015 Camaro 2SS/RS SIM 2016 Jeep Wrangler 2DR Willys Wheeler 1993 C1500 Single Cab Stepside 5.3L LS Swap

01-12-2013, 01:17 PM	#7
Ryanbabz71 Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 6,231 View My Garage	My lithium ion dewalt drill/impact I got last yr is the best I have ever had. Lighter weight ad the battery lasts much longer Ryan __________________ Ryan * 2018 1SS 1LE Camaro Hyper Blue Metallic Car Build: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...0#post10049680

03-12-2013, 09:22 PM	#8
DR TOOLS Drives: 2012 2ss 45th Anniversary Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 57 View My Garage	No one mentioned nimh batteries. No instant cut off, no memory effect and have a high discharge rate. Also greener than both. Can use same charger as NiCd. Only pro for lion is its lighter in weight. __________________

12-04-2012, 07:01 PM	#3
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	Depends on how its being compared. Typically its duration, holds a charge better in-between uses, and lasts longer. Li requires a special charger with additional circuitry. Personally I prefer corded, especially if more torque is your goal. Cheaper brands of battery tools are just that, cheap. If what you have is meeting your goals and use then its a waste of money to upgrade.

01-12-2013, 01:03 PM	#6
cfodor Drives: Chevrolet Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: cincinnati ohio Posts: 30	I have had both and the li batteries are getting better. I had 36 volt dewalt stuff when it first came out and the batteries did not last that long. You were lucky if you got a year out of them before they would go bad. I have a snap on 18v nicad impact and the batteries have been good for 3 years