Wondering if you’ll get better value for money with a battery-powered chainsaw or gas-powered chainsaw? Wondering how long the two chainsaws will last, and which is the better option?
The simple answer to how long will a battery powered chainsaw last will depend on the way you use it and how frequently you use it. Continue reading to know more…
What is the runtime of a battery-powered chainsaw?
How long will a battery-powered chainsaw last will depend on the type of chainsaw and usage.
Further, the task you’re doing and the number of trees you’re cutting before taking a break will also determine how long your battery-powered chainsaw runs. Most battery-powered chainsaws tend to give a runtime of up to 2 hours, but there are many high-capacity power packs that last much longer.
As for the durability of an electric chainsaw, you can expect your chainsaw to last 10-12 years as long as you maintain it and take care of it. Proper maintenance can double the lifespan of your chainsaw to 20 years or more.
A battery-powered chainsaw is essentially noiseless and cordless. It doesn’t depend on a non-renewable fuel to function and doesn’t exhaust any harmful emissions.
It comes with features like an audio recharge alert, LED visual, a rain guard, and a temperature sensor to avoid overheating. Using the battery-powered chainsaw with a standard battery pack will give you a runtime of up to 2 hours. However, there are electric chainsaws that can be used with additional battery packs. For instance, Stihl chainsaws have multiple battery packs that you can purchase and wear on your back.
- AR 1000 Backpack Battery – This battery pack will deliver an extra runtime of up to 7.5 hours
- AR 2000 Backpack Battery – This battery pack will deliver an extra runtime of up to 11 hours
- AR 3000 L Backpack Battery – This battery pack will deliver an amazing recharge time to maximum 100% capacity in approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
The significance of chainsaw batteries in 2022
Cordless chainsaw technology has greatly improved how long your chainsaw works in 2022. While the runtime of the battery-powered chainsaw is determined by the task in hand, the number of trees you’re cutting, and the battery power in your chainsaw. Unlike the battery-powered chainsaws of the past that needed up to 12 hours to recharge, the lithium-ion battery batteries in chainsaws today produce far more power.
Further, they can recharge in a couple of hours and allow you to get back to work quickly. With multiple lithium-ion batteries, it’ll be an increasingly easy task to keep the work going by just rotating the battery packs.
When you’re in the market for a new battery-powered chainsaw, it is important to consider how long will a battery-powered chainsaw last, especially if you have a lot of cutting and pruning to do.
For rating how powerful the chainsaw is, batteries make use of voltage. Some battery-powered chainsaws use multiple 18V batteries, while others use a single 20V battery. Some of the high-end chainsaws make use of 40V or even 80V batteries. The chainsaws with higher voltage and bigger battery backups will be able to process more wood, have faster chain speeds, and help you get more work done before you need to recharge the battery.
By having multiple battery packs with higher voltages, your chainsaw will be able to handle bigger joins such as downing trees and cutting large logs. However, if you need to dismantle a downed 80-feet tree, it isn’t something that you should do with a battery-operated saw. Even though chainsaw runtimes will vary depending upon the use, type of task, and the size of the chainsaw, you can expect to get around 2-3 hours of intermittent use out of your battery-powered chainsaw before it requires a charge.
Battery chainsaw maintenance and how to ensure the battery lasts longer
There are a few practices that you can carry out to increase the battery life in your electric chainsaws. These simple measures wouldn’t make your battery invincible, and it’ll likely need to be replaced at some point, but you can still do your bit and ensure that you can increase the duration of having to replace the battery.
Plug and use frequently
One of the best practices to ensure the long life of your battery is to use the chainsaw often. When the battery is reduced to 70% charging, it is smart to recharge it. When the tool is frequently used, it’ll consume more power and need to be charged. This will, in turn, keep your battery healthy for longer. You must ensure that the chainsaw battery doesn’t stay idle for an extended period of time like weeks or months as it’ll harm the life and performance of your chainsaw. The battery can potentially drain even if it isn’t in operation, so you should never let it stay idle for long.
Keep the temperature moderate
The chainsaw battery can easily get damaged in extreme heat or extremely cold atmosphere. It would be a wise choice to always use your chainsaw at a moderate temperature. It needs to be tolerable enough to ensure that your chainsaw’s battery works fine.
Similarly, the temperature during the battery charging process will also affect the battery’s lifespan. When you’re using the chainsaw in winters, the charging might cause irreversible damage and lead to a shorter lifespan of the battery. The same thing will happen when you’re charging in extreme heat.
Even if you’re charging in extreme temperatures, ensure that the chainsaw rests indoors for a few hours to neutralize the hot/cold effects that it has been exposed to. Finding a place that has room temperature will save the chainsaw from getting dead. If the chainsaw battery gets heated during use, you should turn off the chainsaw immediately. Then, you should bring the chainsaw to room temperature before recharging it. Some chargers will not charge before they’ve reached the perfect room temperature.
Battery self-protection
Some batteries tend to automatically turn off if they’re put under high heat or get over-exhausted. The motor could come under heavy load when operating. If it gets overheated, its lifespan can be drastically shortened.
The lithium-ion batteries used in the chainsaws of the past few years work intelligently. When they’re under continuous load, they automatically shut off if they start getting overheated. An LED light will flash in the battery and indicate that you need to cool down the chainsaw before reusing it.
Proper storage
You should ensure that you’re storing the batteries in separate boxes and bags. They can easily get damaged when handled roughly. You’ll find padded bags to be the ideal option to store them and keep them safe. Protect the batteries from water, direct sunlight, rain, or exposure to hazardous chemicals. When you’re storing the batteries, make sure that you’re keeping them in clean bags and that no dust touches them.
The temperature needs to be moderate as well. Cover the terminals with a dry plastic bag, as little details like this greatly helps with storage. The cap will prevent potential scratches, contact with moisture, and short circuits while keeping the batteries in great condition.
Avoid overcharging
Always be careful when you’re recharging the battery in your chainsaw. Ensure that the charger is instantly plugged out once you’ve fully charged the battery. Never leave the battery to be charged overnight, as charging the battery more than it needs to can damage your chainsaw in a short time.
Frequently overcharging will drastically shorten the lifespan of your battery. So you should ensure that it is charged only until it gets full. Turn off the charger once the chainsaw battery is fully charged. A good strategy would be to charge during the daytime and when you’re around, as this will allow you to keep an eye on the status of your battery. Further, remember to look at the voltage and make sure that it is neither too high nor too low. Keep the voltage to the normal level, as it’ll ensure the proper safety of your battery and chainsaw.
Avoid contact with moisture
Water or liquids of any kind are the biggest enemies of your chainsaw battery. Water will quickly damage the battery in your chainsaw, causing it to stop working instantly. You should avoid putting your battery outdoors, near a swimming pool, or in any area that gets rain.
You need to keep in mind that rain could also potentially lead to electric shocks. The terminals will be corroded easily if you store the batteries in a damp, humid place. Once the terminals are corroded, it’ll become hard to recharge the battery and if the water manages to seep through the battery, it can potentially cause permanent damage to it. You shouldn’t use a battery that has been submerged in water or shows any signs of moisture damage.
Invest in a high-quality battery
A great way of making sure that your battery runs longer would be to invest in a high-quality battery in the first place. Go for reputed brands only and look for customer reviews on the internet as they’ll help you make the final decision. Only invest in a high-quality chainsaw with good batteries, as you’ll be guaranteed performance with durability.
If you choose a poor-quality chainsaw, the battery time will likely be shorter than compared to those of well-known manufacturers.
Conclusion
The battery is an integral part of your chainsaw, and how long will a battery powered chainsaw last will depend on the task at hand and how you take care of the chainsaw. Follow the tips mentioned in this article and your battery and chainsaw will smoothly work for a long time.
