Cold weather can sap power from lithium-ion batteries
Iwas reminded this week that cold weather can seriously sap the power from lithium-ion batteries. While trying to clear the driveway of leaves, I found that my battery kept dying well before it usually does, and when it was recharged, it did not take a good full charge.
So I looked it up. Yes, cold weather does affect your tool batteries, so what can you do?
Week in the Garden
Store batteries indoors.
Keep them out of your truck, van or shed, particularly overnight. Bring them in when you finish your task or at the end of your day.
but only using the tool periodically, sources say that storing the battery close to your body — a convenient pocket, will slow down the loss of power.
If you are outside
the battery is warm before putting it in the charger. Some won’t even charge if they are too cold.
Make sure
I found on a tool website was to buy a bunch of inexpensive hand warmers, activate one and throw it in your bag with the batteries to keep them warm when they are sitting in the cold.
One interesting tip
can have different directions on whether to leave batteries in the charger (some automatically stop when the batteries are fully charged). How far down you should let the power go before a recharge — almost universal agreement on not totally discharging the battery, but some list 25 percent, others lower or higher. So my advice is to find the instructions that came with the tool, or download new ones if you already lost them, and read about battery maintenance for your particular tool.
My tool was an Echo leaf blower with a 58 V ion-lithium battery and the specific instructions say:
Charge at temperatures between 32 and 120 degrees. Store between 32-113 degrees.
Remove the battery from the charger when the charge is complete and when the battery is being stored. Store with a 30-50 percent charge.
Recharge when the tool turns off; try again and
I learned that manufacturers
if it stops again — charge the battery. Do not drain to nothing.
Keep dry. Keep out of snow, rain and store away from high humidity. cool LED lights draped, not tightly wrapped, on the branches.
and store the soil in an area where it won’t freeze.
Artificial trees are often made of plastic, not a particularly environmentally good choice but they are usually used for several years, don’t drop needles, and allow those of us with allergies or other breathing problems to enjoy the tree.
No matter what type of tree you have be sure to:
Pre-dig your planting hole
before putting them on. from high traffic areas. for stability, particularly if you have children or pets.
Check all lights Keep trees away Anchor trees
from trees. Never use real candles on the branches.
when you are not in the room, and definitely whenever you leave home.
If you purchase a live or cut tree, check the trunk for lanternfly egg masses. Scrape them off into a plastic bag filled with alcohol and discard in the trash. See How to Remove Spotted Lanternfly Eggs (https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-remove-spotted-lanternfly-eggs).
Keep open flames away Turn the lights off One more note: Sue Kittek is a freelance garden columnist, writer, and lecturer. Send questions to Garden Keeper at grdnkpr@gmail.com or mail: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, P.O. Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.