Re: Got 4Ah, not 5Ah, battery 18V (20V) - done right thing?

On Thu, 16 May 2024 15:43:01 +0100, Richard Smith <null@void.com>
wrote:

Hi there
>
Ran SDS out of battery in one session at the mine - first time.
>
Is 18V - believe it's badged in the USA as 20V, but the physics of the
Li-ion cells surely says in reality it's the same batteries and
voltage (?).
>
Went by tool store - no 5Ah batteries I asked for.
Said well it's 12 UKPounds per Amp-hour, and we do have 4Ah
batteries.
>
Thinking - well take two identical 4Ah batteries, swap occasionally,
running-down charge in both?
>
4Ah battery is better in every other tool which takes that form of
battery - screwdrivers, twist-drill drills, etc.
>
But the draw of the "big" SDS drill - the biggest which takes the
"small" batteries - that power draw would go across more cells if a
5Ah battery.  Would have been better?
>
What do you say?
>
Regards,
Rich Smith
>
>
PS - SDS drill drilling the sockets in granite to insert the
feathers&wedge to split granite boulders - simply a regular workhorse
now.
Also use for "misc" other tasks - drill holes into which hammer in wood
for screws holding light-fittings, etc, etc.

 Are these lithium or NiMH? If lithium, which type? Some batteries can
safely be discharged at only 1C (4 amps for a 4Ah battery) while
others can be discharged at as much as 5C (20 amps), and others only
.5C (2 amps) without over-heating or deteriorating the battery.
Generally speaking the higher capacity battery is USUALLY better for
high discharge loads (heavy duty operation)