Is the cold messing with your tools?

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member
Yesterday I went to use my 18v dewalt Li-ion battery. It worked for about 30 seconds and shut off. Wouldn't take a charge either, too cold. My Ni-Mh batteries did work, but some didn't want to charge because of the cold.

My digital amprobe last year wouldn't work after being stored in cold truck tool box.

So, I'm storing the meter and batteries inside truck cab. Have a 12 v dewalt charger, so either I'll charge them inside the warm truck cab or bring them inside to charge.

What problems are you having with cold temps?
 
>What problems are you having with cold temps?<
Mine seem to have better grip. Every time I pick up a steel tool it seems to stick to my hand.
 

Most common problem is moisture in fuel. A tiny bit of ice will keep an otherwise reliable engine from starting. It will also tend to clog oil passages in chainsaw bars and causes summer weight B+C oil to become molasses. Batteries don't last as long in the cold of course. When it gets real cold, -25 or lower, some metals get brittle. I also have issues with ice keeping sliding parts from working.
 
I used to work for a local mfg that builds truck bodies. We build one of two when I was there 20 years ago, and I know they still build them, for dealerships up North. The bodies had warm air ducted into them, from the cab if I remember correctly, to keep tools, like digital meters, etc, from freezing in the colder climates.

Thankfully 0 is about as cold as it ever gets around here, while a normal 'cold day' is usually one where it hovers around the freezing mark. Those are the days when I just do my best to find something to do inside.
 
Not here. The coldest that it's ever gotten in our garage is 55 degrees. We have no heat in the garage.
 

I bought a brand new, 18 volt, cordless Black and Decker drill about 15 years ago. Came with 2 batteries and the charger. Both of those batteries completely died that first winter, along with the charger. I bought 2 new batteries and a charger from Amazon, and I'm still using those batteries as well as the charger.
 
Chain saw started, tractors started, 18v drill worked yesterday, both pickups started, arthritis in hands is killing me.
 
I have a bunch of 18v DeWalt tools. My owners manual says don't even try to charge the batteries below about 50 degrees as it can damage the battery. I have my chargers in my house. As far as how extreme, bitter cold affects tools, I wouldn't know. I'm in Louisiana; rarely gets below freezing. Also, if it's bitter cold I'm not going to be working in it, so my tools are safe.
 
I went to use 1/2 inch impact and it would hardly work when it was 3 degrees. had to change a tire. I looked at torque setting and it was on 4 acted like it was on 1. Air oil in it was making it turn hard. Pressure to air line was 145 lbs.
 
I thought this was nuts the first time I heard it, but then I tried it, castor oil. Don't drink it, i rub it all over my hands, shoulders, arms, neck and any place you have arthritis, IT WORKS. I buy the 6 oz bottles at wally world. It has no smell like the other stuff I've got at drug stores.

I know another person who was skeptical, but after she tried it on her back, feet and ankles she's a believer too.

Before I used castor oil on my hands, it was extremely painful when someone shook my hand. Now very little pain. Try it; thank me later.
 
My one place the attached garage is like yours, stays 55 or better no heat. My basement stays at 60, no heat. But if I park in pole barn, or take truck out on a job, then I have problems keeping batteries warm, so I'm keeping batteries and a 12v cigarette charger in the cab. Makes me wonder how does the 12v charger charge 18v batteries, charging voltage has to be over 21v. Betting there is an inverter/converter at play here. Above my pay grade.
 
No, I take my battery operated tools in the house every night. The cold will sap the battery in no time. The directions with mine says not to leave them out in the cold.
 
Back when I worked at the dealership I did road calls in all kinds of weather. A laptop being used in a driveshed in below freezing temperatures sl ows r ig ht do wn. Then the boss is all emotional about the job taking so long :)
 
Lithium Ion batteries don't work in the cold. If you tuck them in your coat and get them above -15 C or so at the start of a job they make enough heat from using them to work fine.

Same story on the charger, warm them up a bit first and the charger warms them while charging. My cordless tools live in unheated space, still use them at -30 C with the battery warming trick but finger for the trigger gets cold and changing bits with bare hands is terrible.
 

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