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5 mistakes to avoid when storing power tools
Are you a pruning professional who uses an INFACO electric pruning shear (F3020 or F3015) on a daily basis to optimise your cutting speed and work comfort? Your tool is a serious investment, designed to last and offer you the best professional electric pruning shears on the market. However, mistakes in storing lithium ion batteries are the practices that reduce the lifespan of a power tool. Storage refers to the period when the machine is not in use, either during work or at the end of the season.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes to avoid.
Mistake No. 1: storing your battery empty
This is undoubtedly the most common mistake made by users. At the end of the pruning season, the tool is stored as it is, with a flat battery. Stored at too low a charge level, it can cause irreversible damage to its internal cells.
For the F3020 and F3015 pruning shears, the product must be put into winter storage mode before being left on standby for any length of time. This procedure, available in detail in the manuals downloadable from the INFACO website, recalibrates the cells and places the product in optimum storage condition. This procedure should be carried out whenever the pruning shears are not to be used for more than one month. A battery that has not been properly winterised can see its autonomy significantly reduced when it is used again: this is a safety and performance point that should not be overlooked.
Mistake No. 2: leaving the battery connected to the charger after charging
Many professional tailors leave their charger connected to the battery after charging, out of habit. This is a mistake that can accelerate the ageing of the lithium cells.
The charger on electric pruning shears is automatic and intelligent: it enables rapid charging (90% in 1 hour 30 minutes, full charge in 2 hours). Once this cycle is complete, it is advisable to disconnect the battery. Similarly, the charger should not be left connected to the mains when not charging. These good practices, which are easy to incorporate into your working methods, will significantly extend the life of your equipment and its electrical system.
Mistake no. 3: Storing in an unsuitable environment
The storage environment is fundamental. Many users store their tools in sheds or vehicles without paying attention to the ambient conditions. The following conditions must be respected when storing tools:
- Temperature: the room must be frost-free and free from extreme heat, ideally between 10 and 25°C. Lithium does not tolerate extreme temperatures (below 0°C and above 40°C).
- Humidity: a dry space is essential. Humidity is the enemy of on-board electronics.
- Sources of ignition and flammable products: the storage area must be completely free of them.
- Access: storage must be out of the reach of children.
Mistake No. 4: Ignoring the signs of a faulty battery
A battery that swells, heats up abnormally, won't switch on or won't charge is faulty. Continuing to use it represents a real danger. After a violent shock or a fall, even if the shell appears intact, the internal cells may be damaged.
Never store a battery that shows signs of damage. If in doubt, place it in a resealable plastic bag, in the transport case and go to your INFACO approved distributor as soon as possible. He will set up the disposal and recycling protocol in accordance with the rules in force (standard 2002/96/EC and directive 91/157/EEC). The brand has a rigorous procedure managed by its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) team to handle these batteries in the best possible conditions.
Mistake n°5: Forgetting to prepare your tool before shipping or annual overhaul
Every year, pruning professionals send their electric pruning shears to INFACO for factory overhaul. A common mistake: not winterising the lithium-ion battery before sending. However, for models F3015 and F3020, this step is strictly compulsory in order to ensure safe transport.
The contents of the case to be sent must be precise: the machine in standard or medium version (the maxi blade is not replaced unless requested at extra cost), the winterised battery, the cable and the charger. The waistcoat, carrying accessories (armband or belt) or any other personal items must not be included. This rigorous preparation facilitates the work of the INFACO technicians and guarantees the return of the machine in the best possible conditions.
For more information on the brand and advice on use, contact your authorised distributor.
❓frequently asked questions❓
Pour charger la batterie de vos produits INFACO, l’environnement est important : le local doit être bien ventilé, exempt de produit inflammable, de source d’ignition et d’humidité. La température idéale de la pièce doit être comprise entre 10 et 25 degrés. Il est d’ailleurs même strictement interdit de procéder au chargement des batteries lorsque la température de la pièce est inférieure à 0 degré ou supérieure à 40 degrés. Lors de la charge, la batterie et son chargeur ne doivent pas être recouverts pour ne pas obstruer les ailettes de ventilation.
La batterie du sécateur F3020 atteint 90 % de sa capacité en 1h30 grâce au chargeur automatique intelligent. La charge complète se fait en 2h : un temps de charge rapide qui permet de profiter d’une journée complète de taille sans interruption.
Non. Les batteries des attacheurs fonctionnent avec la même technologie lithium-ion, mais leur puissance plus faible rend l’hivernage inutile. Cette procédure ne concerne que les sécateurs F3015 et F3020.
Toutes les notices sont disponibles dans l’espace Téléchargements du site infaco.com. Pour tout conseil personnalisé sur l’utilisation et l’entretien de votre sécateur électrique professionnel, rapprochez-vous de votre distributeur agréé habituel.
Choisir un sécateur premium INFACO, c’est opter pour une entreprise française historique, pionnière du sécateur à batterie avec le tout premier Electrocoup sorti en 1984. C’est aussi bénéficier d’un service après-vente reconnu, de pièces détachées disponibles, de produits conçus pour durer et d’un réseau de distributeurs formés en continu. Du kit compact au kit médium, chaque machine est pensé pour optimiser la coupe, améliorer l’ergonomie et assurer une grande capacité de travail avec un poids réduit. INFACO, c’est l’engagement, la fidélité et la performance.