The lithium ion batteries that are used in conjunction with the cordless drills are very popular. These lithium ion batteries are light in weight and most important of all they are rechargeable. These very high density batteries have energy to burn!
With the development of lithium-iom technology,manufacturers can pack more power in a battery pack that is the same size/weight as the NiCad or NiMH or fit the same power as the NiCad or NiMH into a smaller battery pack. Lithium-ion batteries can also deliver more run time per charge than NiCad. The highest capacity for lithium-ion batteries is 3.0 Ah. This represents a twenty five percent increase over the NiCad at 2.4 Ah. The NiMH highest rated capacity is 3.5 Ah. The lithium-ion may not deliver a better run time than the NiMH, but the lithium-ion battery will deliver better total performance over the life of the battery than NiCad and NiMH. The results are plainly seenin the power delivery curve over the cycle life of the lithium-ion battery. The power delivery curve is steady compared to the older technology. This helps power delivery remain constant over the life of the charge. We all know what happens to a cordless tool when the battery starts to wind down. It loses much of its power. The power loss at the end of the charge is drastically reduced in lithium-ion batteries.The lithium-ion battery delivers better total performance over the life of the battery than NiCad and NiMH. Another advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that cordless power tools have a better ergonomic design. With the battery not extending into the handle of the tool, manufacturers can make a more comfortable grip for their consumers to enhance the use of the tool. Lithium-ion batteries are the way of the future in cordless tools. NiCad and NiMH will be around for several more years but like cars, older models are eventually retired to make way for the new.