Page 10 - Maintex Enquirer

Equipment Corner
Cordless Revolution
John Frisch
By now, we are all familiar with Tesla and their successful development of electric cars powered by high-capacity Lithium-ion (Li-ion) ba eries. These types of ba eries have been a source of power for our cell phones, computers and even our power tools for years but they were just
too expensive to replace our bigger heavy-duty ba eries. In the last few years prices have fallen to the point where it is now economical to sell ba ery-powered vacuums. For the rst me, janitors can go cordless and clean with less e ort. The current genera on of ba ery-powered upright and backpack vacuums run for about an hour on a charge, and can run longer by swapping out ba eries. Without cords to drag around and get caught on furniture, vacuuming is faster and more e cient.
Li-ion ba ery-powered vacuums have a steep price di erence compared to tradi onal corded vacuums and can add $200-$500 to the price of the tool. As with most electronics, we expect these prices to drop over me as produc on volume increases and technical innova ons con nue to be added.
Li-ion ba eries do seem to be the latest new power source but who knows what will come along and blow those out of the water in capability, run me and e ciency. Isn’t innova on great?
Lithium-ion Ba ery Tips
1
Keep your ba eries at room temperature. That means between 68F and 77F degrees. Heat is by far the largest factor when it comes to reducing lithium-ion ba ery life.
2
Ba ery experts suggest that a er 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion ba eries to almost completely discharge. So let the ba ery discharge to the cut-o point and then recharge.
3
Storing lithium-ion ba eries at 40% discharge and in the refrigerator (not freezer) is recommended.
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