I'm looking into getting some 20V Max cordless tools for occasional home projects, but I won't be using them regularly. Some months I might not touch them at all, especially during winter. I'm curious about the best way to manage the batteries during these long periods of inactivity. Is leaving them on the charger a bad idea? And will they lose charge quickly if I don't use them for months?
3 Answers
It's best to bring them inside and store them at around 50% charge for optimal results. If your battery gauge shows one bar, that means it's under 50%, which is fine for storage. Ideally, avoid keeping them at a full charge for long periods, but you don’t have to worry too much with casual use.
Honestly, you don’t need to worry too much. Lithium batteries don't self-discharge like older ones do, so they should still have plenty of charge even after sitting for months. Just store them away and charge them when needed.
Just pop them off the charger and set them aside. They might lose a little charge, but not significantly. I had a drill stored away for three years, and when I pulled it out, it still had a lot of juice left!