Helpful Hints on Buying Power Tools and Rechargeable Batteries
submitted by Power Tool Institute
One week and counting. Holiday shoppers are decking the malls and power tools are sure to appear on some shopping lists along with an extra rechargeable battery or two. The Power Tool Institute (PTI), the leading organization for power tool safety resources, information, and education, has a few guidelines to help shoppers buy the right batteries for their tools.
- Buy a battery that is made by the same original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as the tool, buy from a reputable dealer, and avoid on-line offers that seem too good to be true – because they probably are. OEMs design their tools, batteries, and chargers to work as a system, with proprietary control circuitry inside each piece that complements the other. Swapping out any component for one made by another OEM simply won’t work.
- Watch out for counterfeit and knock-off batteries. It is virtually impossible for any knock-off battery to match the OEM battery. Pay close attention to the packaging because makers of these knockoffs sometimes use colors and typefaces similar to those of the recognized brands specifically to confuse buyers. They are often offered via online marketplaces at seemingly huge discounts – but buyers will end up paying in other ways. What are the risks? They vary. A knockoff or counterfeit battery can exhibit poor performance and shorten tool life. It might overheat or fail completely. Even worse, the battery might burst, causing a fire or explosion that results in personal injury and/or property damage.
- Lastly, after Christmas, new tool system recipients or those receiving replacement batteries will be discarding old systems and tired batteries. Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. Most consumers know this. Some consumers might think, “no one will know, what can my one battery hurt.” Improper disposal can expose batteries to extreme heat, liquids, crushing, short circuits and other hazards that could cause potential fire hazards at waste-handling facilities and landfills, and contaminate the water supply. Lithium-ion batteries can burn explosively, a process called thermal runaway. Even a small lithium-ion battery can burn at more than two-thousand degrees.
Proper disposal is easy. Access the feature here: https://www.takechargeofyourbattery.com/disposal/. Just enter your ZIP code and click “Go.” You will be taken directly to Call2Recycle®’s website and a customized list of appropriate disposal sites in your area.
For more information, contact PTI 216-241-7333 or pti@powertoolinstitute.com. On the Web: www.PowerToolInstitute.com and www.TakeChargeOfYourBattery.com.
Who is PTI: With the vision to unify and educate others about power tools, the Power Tool Institute (PTI) has established itself as the leading organization for building global understanding of power tools and for maintaining high standards of safety in the industry.