If you have Makita cordless power tools, it can help to be aware of some Makita battery care tips to ensure that you get as much life out of them as possible. Lithium-ion batteries can be expensive to replace if they wear out, so make sure that you do all you can to help your batteries stay alive. At Western Equipment, we offer a wide range of Makita tools and accessories and our knowledgeable team can help you get the information you need to care for your tools.
Makita Battery Care Tips and Tricks
Knowing how to properly use and care for your Makita batteries can greatly increase their life expectancy. They will hold a charge longer and function for a longer time before needing to be replaced. Some top tips for Makita lithium-ion battery care include:
Do Not Over-Exert Batteries
Once a battery starts to die, do not keep pushing it to finish the job. If you completely drain a battery, it will not be able to communicate with the charger and it will no longer accept a charge. If you feel a power tool starting to fade, stop working and charge the battery. This recommendation is different from what would be made for Ni-Cad batteries, as those batteries had what some people called a “charge memory” that would stop the battery from charging fully if it had not been drained fully.
Never Let a Battery Get Too Hot
The biggest enemy of lithium-ion batteries is heat. Too much heat can burn out a Makita battery’s fuel cells and leave you with a useless but expensive accessory. If you feel the battery on your tool getting hot, give it a break to cool down. Avoid leaving batteries in the sun or by a heater.
Let a Battery Cool Before Charging
While some battery chargers come with fans that cool the battery before beginning the charging cycle, not all accessories are equipped with this feature. It is vitally important to let a battery cool down before being put on a charger, as charging a hot battery can burn out the chip and fuel cells.
Look for the Makita Star
Some Makita batteries and tools have a little star engraved on them. This star denotes when a battery has smart technology that allows it to communicate with the tool being used and keep it from overheating or overexerting, extending the life of the battery greatly. This technology only works when both the battery and the tool being used have the star on them.
If you would like to learn more Makita battery care tips, or to find out more about the Makita tools we carry at Western Equipment, please contact us at the location nearest to you.