Not In The Open: How To Safely Create A Charging Station For Your Cordless Tools

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You don't have to be a dedicated DIYer to warrant a collection of power tools. Whether you want to be more independent when it comes to fixing things up around the house, or simply make it easier for you to to assemble furniture and hang up shelves, it's worth it for most owners to at least splurge on a quality cordless drill. And even if you only have one cordless power tool, it's a good idea to create a charging station for the accompanying lithium-based ion batteries. Not doing so can lead to the batteries and their chargers left unattended out in the open, which can be a fire safety risk.

Lithium batteries are very sensitive to temperature, and you should avoid storing them anywhere that regularly meets or exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit (the exact temperature limit may change depending on the manufacturer, but in general, higher temperatures are more detrimental to the batteries, so it's best to err on the side of caution). Storing ion batteries outside of their recommended temperature range not only reduces their charge capacity, but can even create an issue between the charging nodes that causes the battery to get extremely hot, and potentially catch fire — just one of the dangers you should know about lithium-ion batteries. That's why it is not recommended to set up a charging station on the open shelves of a hot shed or outdoor workspace, but rather in a temperature-controlled area like the mudroom, craft room, or attached garage. Fortunately, there are many ways to set up a safe power tool charging station while combating some of the other risks posed by the batteries.

A few additional aspects to keep in mind when choosing the ideal spot is that ion battery chargers need to be kept away from moisture and any flammable surfaces. Additionally, you should place your station near an existing outlet to avoid having to use too many extension cords. Once you've found the ideal spot, you have a few options when it comes to setting up the station itself. For example, if your garage stays relatively cool year-round, you can get a dedicated metal cabinet and thread wiring through the back so you can store all your chargers and extra batteries in one place. Just be sure not to leave the doors closed when batteries are charging; you should keep an eye on charging batteries, and remove the battery and unplug the charger afterwards. If you're worried about forgetting, you could add a BN-LINK Mechanical Outlet Timer to one of your outlets that will cut the power after a set period of time.

You've likely seen some folks mounting cordless power tool chargers on wooden walls or posts, but because of the fire risk, this is not a recommended practice. However, you can achieve the same vertical storage with a metal pegboard. The charging stations can be attached directly to the board, and you can add a few metal baskets to hold extra batteries. Plus, with the help of a some hooks, pegboards are perfect for organizing all your power tools and their necessary accessories. Regardless of your charging station setup, be sure to monitor the temperature of your devices, and regularly check both the chargers and the batteries for any sign of damage.