NEWS & PR

New Metabo Lithium-Ion Cordless Range

22 March 2006

Metabo (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce the introduction of the latest Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technology with multifunctional display system to their already established and well respected ‘air cooled’ cordless power tool range. Nickel cadmium (NiCd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries will soon become a thing of the past as new Lithium-ion batteries are launched into the market. Metabo ‘Li-power’ batteries are up to 40% lighter while delivering up to 40% more power compared to conventional NiMH battery packs. Coupled with the Metabo AIR COOLED charging system all the way down to 12v, Metabo is once again one step ahead when it comes to power tool battery technology.

About Metabo Li-Power Lithium-ion Technology

Greater efficiency with more power at considerably less weight: That’s Metabo Li-Power! A Metabo Li-power battery supplies around 96% efficiency, 16% more than NiCd or NiMH, as a result it can provide approximately 40% more energy than NiCd & NiMH batteries. At the same time it is around 40% lighter. An 18v 2.2Ah Li-ion pack weighs in at approx 700g whereas a normal NiMH battery pack comes in at just over 1kg! This is not all Li-Power has to offer; thanks to its lower self discharge rate, Li-Power can be used immediately at full power even after a long period of no use. When you charge the battery, neither the memory nor the lazy battery effect arises and, unlike NiMH batteries, Li-Power batteries work from -20oC to 50oC without any problems (just like NiCd).

Patented Multi-functional Display
All the information you will ever need to know about the performance and behaviour of the battery is displayed on one screen. Features include: A Charging Strobe. Cell Capacity Indicator - press the button to show the current cell level capacity. Over-Charge Protection Indicator - kicks in when cells are 90% full, after which a slow trickle charge takes over bringing the cells up gradually to 100% capacity, 4 LED’s Flash. Deep Discharge Protection - when 90% of the cell capacity is consumed 1 LED will flash for 5 seconds and then the PCB will cut off all power to the motor. Power will then return after 5 seconds and then cease after 5 seconds. Motor will ‘blip’ until 97% of cell capacity is consumed resulting in complete deep discharge protection. Over-Heat Protection - when 80°C is reached ALL LED’s flash. The battery pack should then be cooled down in the AC 30 Plus or the ACS 15 Plus chargers. Overload Protection - when more than 40 Amps are drawn from the cells at any one time the PCB will break the circuit from the cells to the motor preventing cell & motor overload, 1 LED flash.

Metabo Charging Technology
The cooler the battery is while charging the faster it can be used again. Every battery heats up when used, which impedes an immediate, effective recharge. The new, patented AIR COOLED charging takes this problem out of the equation, since the battery is cooled down before and during the charging process. The charging process thus becomes around 30% quicker, the batteries last longer and you save yourself the hassle of hanging around waiting for batteries to charge.

Another outstanding new feature is the refresh button on the top of the range ACS 15 PLUS charger (supplied with all BSZ drills). This feature brings the performance impairing unbalanced charge levels of the cells back into line. This cell balancing process should be activated at the end of the charging process once every month.

Summary
The new Metabo Li-Power Cordless range brings many benefits to the user. The main being more performance, less weight and longer life. Together with the patented multifunctional display and AIR COOLED charging system users can now finally get the absolute maximum performance of their tools without sacrificing tool life.

All Metabo machine batteries, chucks and chargers are covered by our XXL 3 year warranty.