Power Ahead Cordless Lawn Mowers
Power Ahead Cordless Lawn Mowers
Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Written by lawnmowerrepair Monday, 19 December 2011 19:56
Cordless lawn mowers are typically powered by 12 volt rechargeable batteries with between one and four batteries strapped to the machine. These can have limited power, range and can be a disadvantage against electric cable or gas powered lawn mowers. Many gardeners have been turned off, due to the limitations of the battery pack, from buying cordless lawn mowers. However, new modern batteries have been developed that can mean that a single, 36 volt, lithium-ion battery with efficient energy management (EEM) systems can increase the power by 20%. Lithium-ion batteries are 50% lighter than traditional batteries but retain the same energy levels. With little self-discharge leakage, it means the battery will stay charged for long periods even when not used. A lithium-ion battery, for example, can be charged to 100% capacity and one month later will have lost just 4% of its charge. That is a big advantage for a lawn mower if the machine is not being used much during early spring or late autumn. An 80% charge level can be achieved in just thirty minutes. A few years ago such performance was a dream, but thanks to ever improving battery technology, the previous problems of cordless lawn mowers are becoming a thing of the past. The powerful, reliable batteries on the high-end cordless mowers will allow charges of between 500 and 700 cycles, which will last between five and ten years depending on type of charges and usage. The 36 volt lithium-ion battery has been developed to have ‘no memory’ effect so that a half or quarter charge will not degrade the battery life. Electronic monitoring of the battery performance allows any overheating, overload or discharge to be instantly identified and automatically switched off to allow maintenance without damaging the battery. Old design batteries, such as Ni-cd and Ni-MH also suffered from heat build-up but with cooling fins, lithium-ion batteries can be cooled down in half the time of conventional batteries. Unlike gas powered lawn mowers, the cordless lawn mower has a battery charge level indicator showing precisely how much charge is left to allow optimum use and prevent half-finished lawns.