Replies

1. 
   DanH | Jan 02, 2006 11:17pm | #1

   So long as they're dry they're usually OK. The cold won't hurt metal or wood. Can make plastic brittle, but that just means you need to warm plastic parts up before using. NiCad batteries, at least, seem to stand cold (sub-zero F) fine -- dunno about NiMH. And of course "wet" lead-acid batteries must be kept charged to prevent freezing.

   Levels apparently have antifreeze in them -- never had one freeze. If you have a water level (water-filled hose) then that will freeze, of course, but generally it won't cause any damage.

   Hmmm -- just read instructions on some NiMH batteries saying they should not be charged when cold -- can damage them. Storing in cold is not a problem AFAIK, though.

   Note that cold storage often gets blamed for rust, but moisture condensation is the real culprit there.

   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

   
   

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   Edited 1/2/2006 4:12 pm by DanH

2. 
   DaveMason2 | Jan 03, 2006 12:36am | #2

    I would say that condensation is the main problem.

   I do know that you should warm up your wormdrive saws before you start them if they have that 90weight oil in them I usually throw mine in the front of the truck when I leave the house so that they are good to go on the job. Of course we're talking anything below 0 degrees F

    I try to keep my cordless stuff heated just for the batteries sake.

    Dave

3. 
   dieselpig | Jan 03, 2006 01:42am | #3

   I'm in MA, not quite as cold as you guys but still pretty cold.  All my tools are in either the trailer or the service body on the truck year round.  No problems.  I guess it's possible that battery life on some of my cordless stuff may have been shortened, but I really can't say.  But definitely no problems with the corded and pneumatic stuff.

   View Image
4. 
   4Lorn1 | Jan 03, 2006 03:14am | #4

   Condensation and moisture are the enemy.

   It isn't as cold down here in Florida but even our temperature swings can cause moisture problems. A local carpenter uses heavy duty plastic bags and at least one cooler where he keeps several frequently used smaller power tools. In each bag or cooler he keeps sacks of silica gel and regularly rotates them so the first set can be dried in a warm oven.

   He got his sacks of silica gel from various packing and had a relative who worked in a retail shipping department who saved what would have otherwise gone out in the trash.

   They are also commercially available. Eliminate the moisture and condensation can't form and corrosion should be reduced.

   If not used very often I understand that both NiCd and newer hydride batteries need to be stored charged and recharged regularly. They self-discharge over time. If any cell within the pack discharges a bit faster than its neighbors and goes below a certain point it can 'flip', reverse polarity. Once this happens the battery pack is useless until rebuilt.

   It is a familiar tale. Someone lays up their favorite and entirely reliable battery powered tool and then, months later, they come back and it isn't the same. One guy claimed someone had 'borrowed his tools' and screwed them up even though they were in a locked garage and hadn't moved.

   Edited for clarity.

   
   

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   Edited 1/2/2006 7:16 pm ET by 4Lorn1