Porter Cable's inventory of cordless power tool batteries includes models like the PC12B and PC18B nickel-cadmium batteries as well as the PC18BLX and PC18BLEX lithium-ion batteries. The PC12B is a 12-volt battery while the PC18BLX, PC18BLEX and PC18B models are 18-volt batteries. PC12B and PC18B nickel-cadmium batteries recharge in around an hour. All Porter Cable battery models weigh under two pounds each. Storing Porter Cable nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion cordless power tool batteries in high-temperature environments can reduce the battery's service life.
Many cordless power tool manufacturer, including Porter Cable, offer cordless power tools that operate under nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. These batteries should remain effective for up to 1,000 charge and discharge cycles, or around 5 years of regular use. One downfall linked with nickel-cadmium batteries is that they are prone to self-discharge during periods of storage.
Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are also widely employed in cordless power tools. These batteries typically remain effective for up to 500 charge cycles, or around 5 years. Lithium-ion batteries employ an anode that features lithium metal in its construction. One advantage that lithium-ion batteries hold over nickel-cadmium batteries is that lithium-ion batteries do not lose much of their charge over long periods of storage.
Use cordless Porter Cable power tools with specific batteries. Some models, however, like the 18-volt PC18BLX and 18-volt PC18BLEX are interchangeable; you can them into Porter Cable cordless power tool models that merely require any 18-volt Porter Cable battery. The Porter Cable PC180DK-2 cordless drill/driver as well as the PC180HDK-2 cordless hammerdrill are just two of the cordless power tools manufactured by Porter Cable that you can fit with either 18-volt nickel-cadmium or 18-volt lithium-ion Porter Cable batteries. The Porter Cable PC120IDK-2 hex impact driver employs the company's 12-volt nickel-cadmium battery while the Porter Cable PCL180IDK-2 hex impact driver matches up with the 18-volt lithium-ion battery.