Proper use of Skil 18v Batteries

Treat your NiCad Skil 18v batteries well for optimum performance

It seems as though there are a lot of people who complain about batteries, for any type of device. It is no different when it comes to cordless power tools. If your Skil 18v battery does not say lithium ion on it, it is most likely a NiCad battery. This technology is not famous for lasting a lifetime. This is just the reality of batteries, even lithium ion ones. One of the biggest no-nos for NiCad 18v batteries is the fact that they do not respond well to being hooked up to a charger for longer than is required. People need to know that it is very important to follow the guideline for properly using NiCads. I also find that the manufacturer does not stress enough that mistreating your Skil 18v battery will lead to greatly reduced performance. You must follow the instruction that Skil provides with their new batteries in every way.

Maybe you have also complained that the battery in you cell phone starts to loose performance after a year. You are probably not following the guidelines for that either. Do not plug you phone in every night; wait till it is totally empty.

The same principle applies to your brand new Skil 18v battery, and every other battery type on the market. Don’t get me wrong; even with impeccable care, your battery will gradually loose its performance until it needs to be replaced. But it will last a long time, and you will definitely get your money’s worth. So get back to reality and accept the fact that your Skil 18v battery won’t last forever.

If you are often at a job site where you need to use your power tools intensively, following the proper care instructions will not be easy. Many people use rapid chargers and begin recharging their batteries while they are hot because they can’t afford to loose time. Unfortunately this is just bad for them and will considerably reduce battery-life. The smart way to solve this problem is to buy several extra Skil 18v batteries so you never run out, and allows plenty of time for cool-down before recharging is necessary. There will also be no need for a rapid charger, as this is very destructive. This may seem like a lot of money to spend in one shot, but it will pay off in the long term as the batteries will last at least twice as long. Do not forget to disconnect the Skil 18v from the charger as soon as it is done charging. All NiCads are also prone to something called memory. This means that if you do not fully use the battery’s charge, it will adjust to that charge-level and not last as long anymore.

The proper usage of your Skil 18v batteries is really very logical. Once you pay more attention to it, it will become second nature and you will be content with the battery’s performance.

For the very serious users that just can’t be bothered with the nuances of NiCad batteries, I would definitely recommend the Skil 18v lithium ion batteries. They are more expensive but can handle abuse a bit better than the NiCads. However, they will still loose performance over time.

Choosing a skil 18v battery

Learn which skil 18v battery is right for your needs

I have been in the power tool game for quite some time now, and I can tell you one thing; there are a hell of a lot of power tools on the market. Some of the most popular brands producing power tools these day are: Dewalt, Makita, Skil, Milwaukee, Bosch, Hitachi. They all make a huge selection of different power tools, ranging from cordless screwdrivers to cordless impact wrenches and tables saws. They also have to provide different sized batteries, from 7.2v to 18v and higher, to fit all of their different sized models. Then of course you got accessories and replacement parts. There is no doubt that this can be very confusing for beginner users. Choosing the right power tool and batteries for your personal needs can take some time. The first thing you need to do is decide on a brand. The last thing you want to do is mix and match. This will only cost you a lot more money and cause even more confusion. I have chosen, for the most part, to use skil 18v power tools and batteries. When you have an 18v power tool, it means that you can only use 18v batteries. This is important to know when you first make your decision on which manufacturer to do with. Try to buy tools that have the same voltage in order to make your life easier. Obviously this is not always possible, but try to keep an eye on it.

When you buy a skil 18v power tool, you will most definitely need to purchase some batteries as well. If you don't buy any right away, you will only delay the inevitable. Then you may risk being at the job site with no fresh battery, which can be a serious hassle. You may not see the need to buy additional batteries at the time that you buy the tool itself, but they will die eventually, and usually at the most inconvenient times. Therefore, it is recommended that you have at least one additional 18v battery as a backup.

Skil make a huge selection of power tools, batteries, chargers and other accessories. You must make sure that, when buying any additional Skil parts, you know if they are compatible with you model type. Even when you have narrowed it down to the parts that are compatible, you will have to make a choice. Here is the Skil 18v battery offering:

SB18A-LI (Lithium Ion Slide Pack): compatible with model #2815

SB18B-LI (Lithium Ion Battery): compatible with models #2810, #2887, #2895, #2897, #4570, #5850, #5995, #7305, #9350

SB18A (Slide Pack Battery): compatible with models #2887, #9350, #5850

SC118B-LI (Lithium Ion Battery with Charger): compatible with models #2810, #2887, #2895, #2897, #4570, #5850, #5995, #7305, #9350

180BAT (skil 18V Battery): compatible with models #2866, #2867, #2866, #2868, #2870, #2882, #2892, #2884, #2885, #5800

This pretty much covers the skil 18v battery range. All of these models are great and made to last a long time. There is a selection of chargers that fit each model, so make sure to also get an extra skil charger so you can charge two batteries at the same time. The charge time is not very long on these things, thus an extra charger will allow you to use your power tools for an extended period of time without any downtime.

Remember to always follow the instructions included with your tool or battery. Do not abuse your tools or accessories as this may void the warranty. Skil usually provides a one year limited warranty on all of their products. If you have lost the owners manual for your tool or battery, you may find it at the skil website. Their site also has many other helpful information and tips on how to properly use their their 18v tools.