Lithium ion batteries vs cadmium?

There's a big difference.

First, for a given load, Li-ion (lithium ion) batteries will last at least three times longer (working time) than NiCd (Nicad, nickel-cadmium).

Second, LI-ion batteries are not subject to self-discharge the way NiCd batteries are. If you leave a charged NiCd battery on the shelf for a couple weeks, it will have very little charge left when you go to use it. For this reason, NiCd batteries are stored either partially charged or discharged.

A Li-ion battery will stay fully charged for a month or more, on the shelf. They can be put away fully charged if you use them periodically (once a month or more).

Li-ion batteries don't have the "memory" problem that NiCd batteries do. If you use a NiCd battery seldom, each time you charge it, it will store less and less power. It takes several deep discharge and recharge cycles to restore a NiCd battery to its former capacity. Li-ion batteries don't have this problem.

As for power delivery, my experience is that both are comparable for short-term loading.

I've also heard that Li-ion batteries have a longer life expectancy than comparable NiCd batteries. I haven't used Li-ion long enough to check this out. I have had 2 three year old NiCd batteries finally die.

Of course, there are no free lunches. Li-ion batteries are typically 3 to 4 times more expensive than a comparable NiCd battery. You get what you pay for.

I've built up my battery "stable" to include three Li-ion batteries and the three NICds that are left. When the NiCd batteries die, I will replace them with Li-ion. I like the longer working time between charges.

I'm in building maintenance/HVAC,... and have been using a Craftsman 19.2v for some years now. The NiCad is what my tool(s) came with, but by the end of the day, wagging that drill around made it feel like it was 500 lbs. Now I use the Li-ion and switch out the power packs on a drill, 1/4" impact driver, circular saw, & recip saw,... and at the end of the day I'm not out of gas. I can still do a 12oz curl....

Plus, the Li-ion packs a good punch.

No. Lithium batteries truthfully do extra effective efficient in the event that they're in many cases charged. they have not have been given the memory result that plagues NiCad's. actually, you could desire to guard against the battery ever going thoroughly ineffective.

Ni-cad batteries have to be completely discharged from time to time or they will hold a smaller charge ovrr their life span. Litium batteries do not have this flaw.

yep lithium last longer

billy B is right