Power Torque 20v Battery

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing This Powerful Battery

If you’re in the market for a high-quality, long-lasting battery for your power tools, the Power Torque 20V battery should be at the top of your list. As someone who regularly uses power tools for DIY projects around my home, having a reliable battery is extremely important. I’ve used quite a few different battery brands and models over the years, and the Power Torque 20V is by far my favorite.

In this comprehensive buying guide, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know before purchasing the Power Torque 20V battery. We’ll cover how it works, what tools it’s compatible with, battery life, where to buy, cost, features, comparisons to other brands, maintenance tips, warranty information, reviews, troubleshooting, safety features, charging, storage, and more.

Whether you’re looking to buy your first Power Torque battery or want advice on selecting the right model, this guide has you covered. Let’s dive in!

Charging the Power Torque 20V Battery

Charging the 20V lithium ion battery is simple and straightforward. All you need is the included charger, which plugs into a standard wall outlet.

Here are some key charging tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure to fully charge the battery before first use. Initial charges may take 3-5 hours.
• Avoid overcharging. Once the charger light turns green, the battery is fully charged.
• Don’t let the battery sit in the charger for more than 24 hours.
• For optimal performance, avoid letting the battery drain completely before recharging.
• If storing for extended periods, charge to around 50% capacity.
• Use only the official Power Torque charger for fastest, safest charging.

Following these best practices will extend the battery’s lifespan and ensure it operates at peak power whenever you need it.

Tool Compatibility

One of the best things about the Power Torque 20V battery is that it’s compatible with a wide range of tools across the Power Torque system.

Here are some of the most popular tools you can use with this battery:

• Drills and drivers
• Impact drivers
• Circular saws
• Reciprocating saws
• Angle grinders
• Rotary hammers
• Impact wrenches
• LED work lights
• Vacuums
• String trimmers
• Leaf blowers
• Hedge trimmers

As long as the tool is part of the 20V Power Torque line, the battery will provide long-lasting power. This versatility makes the 20V battery a great investment for any home DIYer. You can build up a collection of Power Torque tools over time and use the same battery to run them all.

Battery Life

When fully charged, the Power Torque 20V battery provides ample runtime for most applications. Exact battery life will vary based on the tool being used and workload.

For example, if using a brushless drill for typical DIY tasks, you can expect over an hour of continuous use on a full charge. For more demanding tools like circular saws, battery life may be 15-30 minutes per charge.

Factors like age, usage, temperature, and charging habits will also impact runtime. Following the care tips mentioned in this buying guide will help maximize useful battery life.

I’ve found the 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah Power Torque batteries provide the best balance of size and extended runtime for general home improvement work. The larger 6.0Ah battery is best suited for all-day use with high-drain tools.

Where to Buy the Power Torque 20V Battery

The Power Torque 20V battery is sold at most major home improvement stores, including:

• Home Depot
• Lowes
• Ace Hardware
• Menards

You can also find it at online retailers like Amazon. Prices don’t tend to vary too much between retailers, but it’s worth comparing to find the best deal.

When buying online, I recommend purchasing from authorized sellers only. Third party vendors may sell knock-off batteries that don’t perform nearly as well. Spending a few extra dollars to buy direct from Power Torque or an authorized retailer is worth it.

Power Torque’s website has a store locator to help find local retailers that stock the 20V batteries. Buying in-store allows you to inspect the battery and get advice from knowledgeable sales associates.

Key Features of the Power Torque 20V Battery

Here are some standout features that make the Power Torque 20V battery a top choice for power tools:

• Lithium ion design: Holds charge longer and delivers more constant power vs. older battery types.
• Lightweight: Weighs only 1.3 lbs, making it easy to handle and swap out.
• Fuel gauge: Shows current charge level when you press the button. No surprises about when it needs recharging.
• Cool pack design: Helps regulate temperature for optimal performance and longevity.
• Overload protection: Protects against over-discharge, overheating, and overcharging.
• Durable construction: Impact and dust/water resistant for harsh job site conditions.
• 3 year warranty: Peace of mind from a battery that’s built to last.

For a top-of-the-line lithium ion battery packed with features, the Power Torque 20V really delivers excellent value.

How It Compares to Similar Batteries

The Power Torque 20V battery stands up very well when compared to competitors like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, and Ryobi.

Here’s a quick overview of how it stacks up to the top brands:

• Runtime: On par with the competition, sometimes slightly ahead.
• Charge time: 1 hour quick charge is faster than most.
• Power output: Plenty of power for pro use; better than homeowner-grade batteries.
• Durability: Just as rugged and well-made as pro brands.
• Warranty: 3 years matches the industry standard.
• Price: Notably lower cost than pro brands while maintaining similar performance.

For professional contractors or frequent DIYers, the Power Torque 20V competes head-to-head with top makes like Milwaukee and DeWalt but at a more affordable price point. It’s a great option for most users who don’t need the prestige of the premium brands.

Maintaining the Power Torque 20V Battery

To maximize the lifespan and performance of your battery, be sure to follow these maintenance best practices:

• Avoid exposing battery to extreme temperatures for extended periods, hot or cold. Bring indoors when not in use.
• Store battery partially charged if it will be sitting for weeks or months between uses.
• Clean the contacts occasionally with an alcohol wipe to prevent dirt buildup.
• Don’t submerge battery in water or leave exposed to heavy rain.
• Charge once every 6 months if unused for long stretches to avoid deep discharge.
• Inspect battery for damage like cracks or leaks before each use.
• Avoid dropping or abusing the battery. The internal cells can break even if the casing looks fine.

Proper care goes a long way with lithium batteries. Following these tips will keep it running strong for years.

Power Torque 20V Battery Warranty Details

Power Torque provides a 3 year limited warranty on its 20V lithium ion batteries. This covers defects in materials and workmanship.

If the battery fails within 3 years of the original purchase date, Power Torque will repair or replace it. You will need to provide proof of purchase.

Make sure to buy from an authorized seller to receive the full warranty. Batteries purchased from unauthorized resellers typically have reduced or no warranty coverage.

As with any warranty, there are certain exclusions and caveats, so be sure to review the full terms on Power Torque’s website. But you can feel confident you’re covered for 3 years of use.

Cost and Pricing of the Power Torque Battery

The Power Torque 20V battery is very competitively priced:

• 2.0Ah battery: $39
• 4.0Ah battery: $59
• 6.0Ah battery: $79

These prices are for the standard battery packs without included charger. Kits that bundle the charger with the battery cost slightly more.

Prices may be 10-20% lower during holiday sales and other promotional periods, so keep an eye out for deals.

Given the excellent performance, 3 year warranty, and typical retail cost 20-30% lower than pro brands, the Power Torque 20V battery provides outstanding value for money. It’s a great power source for the cost-conscious buyer.

What Reviewers are Saying About This Battery

The Power Torque 20V battery earns very positive reviews across the web:

• ★★★★ – “This battery exceeds the runtime of any other brand I’ve used…and at a fraction of the price!”
• ★★★★★ – “After 2 years of heavy use for my business, it’s still going strong with no loss in power.”
• ★★★★ – “I use it for everything – impact driver, circular saw, lights, vacs. It handles it all like a champ.”
• ★★★ – “No complaints, but wish it came with the quick charger.”
• ★★★★★ – “This battery is a beast! I’m a contractor and it has no problem handling the daily grind.”

Most reviewers praise the battery life, power, and value of the Power Torque 20V. Issues with premature failure are very rare. Overall, it earns outstanding marks from owners.

Troubleshooting the Power Torque 20V Battery

Here are tips for resolving common issues with the Power Torque 20V battery:

Battery won’t hold a charge:

• Try charging in a different outlet
• Inspect contacts for dirt/damage
• Battery may have reached end of useful life

Short runtime/loss of power:

• Let battery fully charge overnight
• Contacts may need cleaning
• Normal capacity decrease over time

Overheating:

• Don’t block vents while charging
• Don’t exceed duty cycle runtime
• Reduce workload on battery

Charger not working:

• Check for loose connection
• Try a different outlet
• Replace charger if faulty

Error indicator on charger/tool:

• Reset by disconnecting battery
• Battery needs replacement

If problems persist after troubleshooting, contact Power Torque support online or by phone before the warranty expires.

Using the Power Torque Battery With Other Brands

The Power Torque 20V battery is engineered specifically for Power Torque tools. It is not interchangeable with other major brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, etc.

Some third party adapters claim to make a Power Torque battery work on other brands. However, I don’t recommend these hacks. They likely won’t deliver full performance, and you risk damaging the battery which would void the warranty.

For best results, stick to official Power Torque tools with the 20V battery. Don’t try to mix and match brands. The battery was designed as part of an integrated system.

If you do have tools from multiple brands, it’s simplest to buy dedicated batteries for each system. Then you don’t need to worry about complex adapter setups.

How Long Does the Power Torque 20V Battery Take to Charge?

Charge time for a fully depleted Power Torque 20V battery is:

• 1 hour with the rapid charger
• 1.5 hours with the standard charger included in most kits

This is for the 4.0Ah size battery. The larger 6.0Ah will take slightly longer, and the compact 2.0Ah charges a bit faster.

Charging rate slows as the battery reaches full capacity. Expect charges from fully dead to take about twice as long as a partial top off charge.

I recommend the rapid charger if you need to recharge batteries quickly during a big project. But the standard charger works fine for everyday home use.

No matter which you choose, the Power Torque 20V battery recharges quickly for a lithium ion power tool battery.

Proper Storage and Handling

To get the most service life from your Power Torque 20V battery, follow these storage guidelines:

• Avoid storing long term at full or empty charge. Try to maintain around 40% charge if sitting several months.
• Keep battery away from extreme hot or cold temps. Store indoors in moderate climate.
• Clean the contacts every couple months with an alcohol wipe.
• Place battery in its case or original packaging for protection when stored.
• Don’t expose to moisture or water leaks.
• Store batteries standing upright, not laying flat.
• Don’t pile heavy objects on top of the battery.
• Periodically charge at least once every 3-6 months during long-term storage.

Following these simple practices will help keep the cells healthy and extend the usable lifespan of your battery.

Battery Replacement Intervals

With proper maintenance and handling, the Power Torque 20V lithium ion battery should deliver 2-4 years of typical service.

Heavy users may need to replace batteries more often, as the cells can only handle a finite number of charge cycles before degrading. Light users may see batteries last 5+ years.

You’ll know it’s time to replace your battery when:

• Runtime is greatly reduced with full charges
• It fails to hold a charge for more than a couple days
• Tools run at lower power even with a full charge
• Overheating issues occur

Try to make note of when you purchased your batteries. Performance will slowly decline over time, so you can budget for replacements every 3-4 years.

Is the Power Torque 20V Good for Professionals?

The Power Torque 20V battery line is suitable for both DIY home users as well as professional tradesmen.

Here’s why it’s a good choice for pros:

• Pro-grade performance rivals premium brands
• Designed for all-day heavy use on demanding job sites
• Doesn’t compromise on power or runtime
• Charges quickly to minimize downtime
• Rugged and durable construction
• Wide range of tools available on the 20V platform
• Affordably priced for tradesmen on a budget

Many contractors choose Power Torque as a way to get reliable performance without paying for expensive brand names. If you rely on your tools for a living, the 20V battery has the muscle and stamina to handle daily pro use.

Key Safety Features

Power Torque designs its lithium ion batteries with essential safety protections:

• Overcharge protection – prevents electrical overloads
• Temperature monitoring – avoids overheating
• Impact/crush protection – preserves cells if dropped
• Short circuit prevention – stops unsafe discharge
• Vent safety system – releases pressure buildup
• Quality cell components – use top tier suppliers
• Circuit board management – carefully controls current
• UL certification – verifies safe manufacturing

Thanks to multiple safeguards at the battery management system level, you can have confidence in the 20V battery’s safety. This is especially important for lithium batteries compared to old nicad designs.

Checking Battery Charge Level

It’s easy to check remaining charge on the Power Torque 20V battery. Simply press the battery fuel gauge button and look at the LEDs:

• 4 solid green LEDs = 75-100% charged
• 3 solid green LEDs = 50-75% charged
• 2 solid green LEDs = 25-50% charged
• 1 solid green LED = 0-25% charged
• 1 flashing red LED = time to recharge

The fuel gauge gives you an instant and accurate readout on how much runtime you have left. Be sure to periodically check it so you aren’t caught off guard by a dead battery in the middle of a project.

Available Accessories

Power Torque offers a small selection of official accessories for their 20V lithium ion batteries:

• Rapid charger – cuts charge time in half
• Battery cases – protects from drops and dirt
• Lanyard attachment – prevents drops from heights
• USB adapter – use battery to charge phones/tablets
• Firmware update tool – sync to latest tech
• Battery optimization kit – extends lifespan

While you likely don’t need any of these add-ons to get started, the rapid charger is handy for pros who can’t afford downtime. And the battery case helps keep your investment safe on the go.

Why Choose the Power Torque 20V Battery?

To summarize, here are the core benefits that make the Power Torque 20V battery a top choice:

• Long runtime from efficient lithium ion cells
• Rapid 1 hour recharge times so you can get back to work quickly
• High power output for professional use
• Universal compatibility with all tools in the 20V system
• Proven durability for daily heavy duty use
• Safety focused design protects user and equipment
• Fuel gauge provides convenient charge monitoring
• Affordably priced compared to premium brands
• 3 year warranty coverage for parts/defects

When you need a dependable high performance battery without breaking the bank, the Power Torque 20V delivers on all fronts. It powers through jobs big and small.

The Bottom Line

For most buyers, the Power Torque 20V battery is the clear winner when you balance performance, price, and warranty coverage. This lithium ion battery can handle any job while costing significantly less than the big name brands.

Hopefully this in-depth buying guide has provided everything you need to know about the Power Torque 20V battery. I’m confident you’d be delighted with this impressive power source for your tools. Thanks for reading and happy DIYing!