Millions of homeowners and DIYers have Ryobi tools in their garages or workshops, and with the cold winter months fast approaching, it's time to start preparing accordingly.That means rearranging your tools, choosing a safe place for storage, and managing freezing temperatures.Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover I bring my battery packs inside for the winter, and you should too.
See, the biggest threat to your favorite Ryobi tool is temperature, and that's on both ends of the spectrum.Heat can burn out motors or damage battery packs, and the cold can cause similar issues in different ways.Thankfully, where you store your tools and a few everyday habits can extend runtime, prevent premature failures, and help them last longer.
Here's the right way to store, charge, and use your tools this winter.The temperature is important Don't leave those batteries in a cold garage Close The first tip and best thing you can do for your Ryobi battery packs is to bring them inside for the winter.The lithium-ion cells inside like to be at the same types of temperatures humans enjoy.
By that, I mean not too hot and not too cold.If you live somewhere with freezing temperatures, and you don't have a heavily insulated or heated garage, chances are it'll get chilly in there.The same goes for storage bins in a work truck or in a shop out back.
Almost every manufacturer, Ryobi included, recommends storing them between 60°F and 77°F.Every winter, I bring my Ryobi battery packs and chargers inside the house, where they're stored and recharged on a shelf in the laundry and mudroom.This ensures ideal storage, charging, and usage temperatures, which will prevent degradation, slow charging due to frozen ion cells, or poor tool performance.
Related Ryobi’s new '18V Storm Preparation Kit' comes with three essential tools you’ll love Be ready for it all.Posts By Cory Gunther Obviously, removing your battery packs and finding a place in the house isn't ideal, but it's better than replacing several $200 batteries in a year or two.And while the cold is less important for the tools themselves, if you throw a room-temperature battery on a frozen drill in your garage, you might hear odd noises from the motor or experience sluggish performance until it warms up a little.
Just make sure the tools stay somewhere dry.Ryobi battery storage and temperature are extremely important, but it's not the only thing you need to worry about.Here are a few more things to consider.
The right way to charge and store your tool batteries in the winter Maximize lifespan, runtime, and performance Close While managing temperatures is one of the biggest factors, you'll also want to store battery packs at the right charge level if they'll be sitting inside all winter with little use.And yes, there's a correct charge level for storage.The proper way to deal with the winter chills is to keep your battery packs at a safe, healthy charge level and at a decent temperature.
Don't leave a nearly depleted battery sitting for months, and, more importantly, don't store batteries at 100% charge.Here are all the recommendations condensed into one list: Store your Ryobi battery packs at 50–60% charge (or similar) Avoid excessively low temperatures Never let the battery completely discharge If possible, use and rotate between all your battery packs Wait, why shouldn't I recharge my battery to 100% and leave it in a closet all winter? I'm glad you asked.According to virtually every manufacturer, leaving your battery at mid-charge helps minimize chemical stress, thereby protecting your battery's long-term health.
That safe 50–60% range helps prevent stress, degradation, and other issues.Have you ever left your smartphone in the car overnight in the winter, only to find it with a dead battery? Your Ryobi battery is the same.Lithium-ion doesn't like the cold, and those temperatures, especially combined with a complete discharge, can permanently damage or degrade the battery.
The biggest mistake most owners make is how they store the battery packs.They're either fully charged and quickly depleted in a cold garage, then sit for several months, and now it'll never run quite as long as it did when new.Basically, bring your Ryobi gear inside, charge everything to around 60%, and try to use them on occasion, too.
Take care of those tools and be ready for spring projects At the end of the day, the cold isn't an absolute make-or-break for your tools and battery packs.That said, colder temperatures and dead battery packs will affect the quality and lifespan of your gear.A few small changes to your storage, charging habits, and even your workflow will make a huge difference.
Preserve your investment, and keep those Ryobi tools and batteries safe so they're ready to go for winter repairs or spring projects.Related I turned my Ryobi battery into backup power for my Wi-Fi router and phone Everyone can appreciate extra backup power during an emergency outage.Posts 3 By Cory Gunther
Read More
