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Christoph Götz
+49(0)69-6603 1891
+49(0)69-6603 2891
[email protected]
12.05.2017
Press information No. 7
demopark 2017 – Storage battery technology increasingly popular
even among pros
Battery-powered motor-driven equipment is well on the way to becoming a fullfeatured supplement to petrol equipment. Numerous manufacturers are not only
significantly expanding their development capacity, but are also offering ever more
products with a mobile electric drive. A wide variety of new machinery and powerful
battery packs is presented at every opportunity – this is also the case at demopark
2017, where visitors can experience for themselves the advantages of the technology.
“Our battery-powered saw is as powerful as a petrol chainsaw!” Only a few years ago, any
specialist would have dismissed this statement as an advertising gimmick, since early
battery-powered equipment could not compete with petrol-powered models in terms of either
performance or durability. However, the situation has changed significantly. Modern
rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have become lighter, more powerful and more durable. In
addition, manufacturers have also improved the efficiency and operating convenience of the
equipment. The improvements include brushless motors and special tools such as narrow
saw chains. However, the reduced weight and increasingly better balance of the equipment,
despite the still relatively heavy batteries, are also making a positive impact. In short: This
technology, which is now regarded as a matter of course in the building trade, with cordless
screwdrivers and hammer drills, is also becoming increasingly accepted in private gardens
and municipalities.
There are no longer any well-known power tool manufacturers that do not produce a family of
battery-powered products. These usually include hedge trimmers, brush cutters, leaf blowers
and power saws. However, increasingly, there are also battery-powered lawnmowers, which
can likewise be equipped with one or more rechargeable batteries from the range of
handheld implements. Years ago, manufacturers generally offered only one mobile electrical
implement in each product family of their portfolio. The range of products has now grown
considerably: As in the case of equipment powered by electricity or petrol, battery-powered
equipment is now available in different working widths and performance classes. There are
even different types of rechargeable battery for private users and professionals.
Eine Messe des
Gesellschaft zur Förderung
des Maschinenbaues mbH
Expo Management
Lyoner Straße 18
D-60528 Frankfurt am Main
Telefon +49 69 6603-1892
Telefax +49 69 6603-2284
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.demopark.de
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates:
Karl Haeusgen
Geschäftsführer:
Holger Breiderhoff
Sven Laux
Dr. Josef Trischler
Sitz der Gesellschaft:
Frankfurt
Registergericht:
Amtsgericht Frankfurt
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Dresdner Bank AG, Frankfurt
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New performance specifications
While everyone is familiar with the wattage of electrical equipment and the horsepower
output of petrol machinery, in the case of battery-powered equipment, customers must
become accustomed to new performance specifications. Product sheets for rechargeable
batteries contain the following specifications: The battery performance in watt hours (Wh),
and the battery capacity in ampere hours (Ah). The capacity indicates the amount of power
that can be stored in a battery. These values are related as follows. Multiplying the capacity
(in Ah) by the nominal voltage (in volts) yields the battery performance in Wh. For example: A
battery has a capacity of 4.5 Ah. The nominal voltage is 36 volts (V). Thus, 4.5 Ah multiplied
by 36 V yields 162 Wh.
The nominal voltage is determined by the type of battery cell. Most modern rechargeable
batteries have lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells. A cell normally has a nominal voltage of 3.6 V. To
produce a 36-volt battery, the manufacturer thus connects ten cells in series. The more cells
a battery has, the heavier it is. Various battery systems ranging from 18 V to 120 V can
currently be found on the market. Since higher performance batteries are heavier,
manufacturers provide a variety of solutions. Especially for the professional sector, there are
batteries that can be carried on the back in a backpack. They are connected to the
equipment via a cable and an adapter. This has two advantages: The equipment is lighter,
and the battery capacity is considerably higher. Today’s backpack battery models supply so
much power that even with high-performance equipment they permit the operator to work for
an entire day. Other manufacturers argue that with battery-powered equipment it is better to
do without a cumbersome cable. They therefore integrate the battery into the equipment, and
work with exchangeable batteries and fast chargers. Moreover, not all equipment needs to
be operated with high-performance batteries. Battery performance is relevant especially for
lawnmowers and chainsaws, which must move considerable mass. However, in the case of a
hedge trimmer, where the blades slide past one another, little force is required for cutting.
Fast charging possible
In comparison to Li-ion batteries in mobile telephones and computers, rechargeable batteries
for motor-driven equipment can also be charged quickly. This requires a special fast charger,
which uses a higher charging current than a standard charger does. The cells of battery
packs that can be charged quickly can withstand higher charging currents, due to special
winding and increased insulation. Furthermore, fast charging generates more heat than slow,
standard charging does. This is important particularly in the case of batteries that remain in
the device during charging, as is usual for mobile telephones and notebooks. However, the
batteries of battery-powered tools are removed from the housing for charging, and thus
cannot damage the equipment. Fast chargers also have an automatic monitoring system. If
the battery becomes too hot, charging is stopped. In addition, an integrated fan serves to
dissipate the resulting heat.
By now, the use of rechargeable batteries is no longer restricted to handheld implements.
The industry also supplies battery-powered sweepers, tracked mowers and other implement
carriers for landscape care, and even battery-powered wheeled loaders. This offers
advantages, for instance, for work in interior spaces, animal stables, and sensitive areas
where noise is not desired. Moreover, photovoltaic facilities are becoming increasing
common not only in agriculture, but also in commercial enterprises and municipalities, for
example, on the roofs of company garages and buildings. These facilities now charge electric
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vehicle and machinery batteries very economically, and companies can also use the “green”
power supply as a marketing instrument.
Those who would like information about the range of today’s battery-powered solutions will
find a multitude of exciting, innovative products at demopark in Eisenach, Germany, from 11
to 13 June. The extensive Eisenach-Kindel airfield, where the open-air exhibition will take
place, permits manufacturers to demonstrate machinery in action. At numerous stands, it is
also possible to try out scythes, saws or mowers in person. Additional information can be
found at www.demopark.de/en.
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