Golden age of battery development
Around the hardware and building supply industry, developments in portable power are popping up everywhere from job sites to backpacks to kitchen drawers.
Developments come by the multipack — longer run time, increased power, lighter weight, increased compatibility and, more recently, greener.
Included here are three examples of better-battery innovation.
• DeWalt’s new FlexVolt system can change voltage automatically when the user changes tools. The FlexVolt battery is compatible with a range of new brushless 60V MAX and 120V MAX FlexVolt tools.
“The impact of the FlexVolt system will be felt throughout the construction industry on each and every jobsite,” said Frank Mannarino, president of Professional Products Group. “This new platform packs the power required for heavy-duty applications, makes it easy to exchange corded tools for cordless, and ensures that our existing 20V MAX users get the benefit of added runtime without making the 20V MAX system obsolete.”
• On the heels of launching Energizer EcoAdvanced batteries made with 4% recycled battery material, Energizer Holdings has come out with rechargeable AA and AAA batteries made with recycled batteries — Energizer Recharge. The new product is made with 4% recycled battery material and also can be recharged hundreds of times.
“Energizer Recharge is another step forward in our vision that all Energizer batteries contain some amount of recycled battery materials,” said Michelle Atkinson, Energizer chief consumer officer. “Our scientists partnered with rechargeable suppliers to build on the knowledge and experience from Energizer EcoAdvanced and identified a process to use recycled content in our rechargeable batteries without sacrificing performance, an idea previously not thought possible by industry experts.”
In addition to being the world’s first rechargeable batteries made with 4% recycled battery material, Energizer Recharge also creates a world’s first use of recycled materials from hybrid vehicle batteries to make new AA and AAA batteries, the company said.
• The AR 3000 backpack battery is described as the most powerful battery in the Stihl line. Professionals get gas-powered performance from their Stihl battery products with the 36-volt, 1,148 watt-hour AR 3000 backpack battery. Interchangeable with all handheld tools in the Stihl Battery line, this sleek, high-performance battery has 25% more capacity than the Stihl AR 900, running for up to 13 hours and eliminating exhaust emissions and fuel costs.
“Tasks like trimming, pruning and blowing are all done with ease using the AR 3000,” said Brian Manke, product manager at Stihl. “This innovative battery allows professionals to maximize their time onsite and can be used in environmentally or noise-sensitive areas like school grounds, business districts or hospitals.”
Recharging the AR 3000 to 100% capacity takes only 160 minutes when used with the Stihl AL 500 high-speed charger — five times faster than many other backpack batteries on the market. Suggested retail price is $899.95.
