Keeping battery powered tools.......hb

heatboy

during cold weather. What do you guys do?

With so many battery operated tools, I don't know what I can keep in the truck and what I can't. ProPress, MultiPress, ProPex, Testo, etc. Should it stay or should it go? I get more tired loading and unloading these tools than from working!

Help?

hb

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Steve Eayrs

We leave them in the trucks. I know they don't hold a charge as well in cold weather, but I don't think I'm hurting them. Am I?

Even if it isn't good for them, I would rather buy new batterys every year, than pay a combined 1/2hr a day, for the guys loading/unloading such things.

Steve

hr

Truck chargers!

I keep a dewaly under the seat of my truck. it plugs into the acessory plug on the dash. Make sure you use the one that stays hot when the truck is not running!

I suppose you could line up some chargers under the hood of the truck, most tools have truck chargers available.

Are the batteries interchangable on any? That helps cut down on chargers.

Switch to crimp or compression and cut down on one cordless tool

My biggest problem is keeping the digital camera charged and warm, in the truck.

hot rod

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J.C.A._3

HR.....

If anything, take out the Testo! The moisture that ultimately gets trapped in the sensors shorten the life GREATLY.

I have a Lynn kit that they say will be OK (they say) to freezing, but after replacing the O2 sensor far too quickly for my taste, I keep it indoors, in a heated room. The new Bacharach tester we got also recommends keeping it "out of freezing temperatures", so I will. Dead batteries are one thing , but irregular performing combustion testing equipment could be something completely different. Chris

scrook_2

Cold batteries...

should hold a charge longer (if not used, though if the tool's used regularly it wouldn't be noticed as you'd discharge it in use) and last longer, but you'll get better performance out of the battery once it warms up again.

Jack, CVMS

Cold Tools

The Testo's always come in at night.

Most of the hand tools too, but that's so I don't get frostbite handling them. Service calls are always T&M, and the clock starts when I begin loading the warm tools.

hr

The Bacharach

stays in the warm shop, until needed. i generally know in the morning if I have a service call that may need the tester.

I think ni-cads behave differently than regular batteries that last longer in the refer. My brand new fully charged Dewalts run down in cold weather without even using the tool.

Isn't it a dragwhen you pull out the cordless, then have to find a plug anyways to charge up. May as well go back to corded tools in the winter!

I like the idea of cordless tools that also accept a cord, if you desire. must have a transformer built into the cord some how. I've seen them in tool ads.

Of course then I would want the drills, sawzall, hammer drills, Timberwolf, and everything else to be built this way.

Am I asking too much? Ridgid could pull this off if the box stores asked

Keep em warm or on a charger, in cold weather, according to my tool guy.

hot rod

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Glenn Harrison_2

Any Digital/electronic tools should be kept warm,

not so much for the batteries, but to protect them from condensation, as the circuit boards don't like moisture. Ask me how I know, I did find out the hard way. I bring in my Testo, Bacharach CO tester, and DMM's every nite below 50º. Of coures they will work better with warm batteries too, but that's just a plus.

Mark Eatherton1

Two words...

Go Solar. Cover the top of your van with solar cell material, set up a few 12 volt batteries in parallel, hook a solar battery charger up to it, and viola, battery/chemical/equipment heating/cooling system.

Perfect condition ALL the time.,,

What's that patent attornies name JR??:-)

Enjoy!

http://www.cetsolar.com/dcappliances.htm

ME

Floyd_5

Hey, maybe I could....

roll out some of that bubble foil, duct tape it to the top of the van, and hook a wire to each end....

Nah... then I'd have to keep it under 80.....

John Ruhnke1

Thanks..........

I blew a O2 sensor on my Bacharach Fyrite Pro last year when it was only 2 years old. Did't know it was due to the cold. I'm going to take it out of my truck now.

JR

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Mark Hunt

Yes John!


My testing equipment, ALL of it, gets off loaded every night.

I'm thinking about putting an addition on the house for the Fyrites!

God I love those things!

The only cordless power tool I own is my drill. Everything else plugs in.

Call me old fashioned!

Mark H

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Steve Eayrs

we used to take the digital Testo and Bacharach in nights, but guess we got lazy. After reading the other comments I better start doing it again.

Steve

Wethead7

Battery powered

The options we use 1 Heated truck body and plugged-in,
2 place the tool indoors, 3 several trucks are kept indoors.

Note we use enclosed bodies. That have roof mounted a/c units along with a strip of electic baseboard. They also have engine operated heatind and cooling.

Trucks indoors is not an unheated barn. Some employees
do not like frozen tools. They keep thier service truck indoor or plugged in. All service trucks go home with the tech.

Mike