Hello, I was wondering how long the lithium ion battery is expected to last before it needs to be replaced. Also how much do replacement batteries cost. I was looking at the 7.5 amp battery.
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130 Points
Posted 3 years ago
Oregon Mike, Champion
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76,660 Points
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130 Points
is there an average number of recharge cycles expected from each battery? did not see that in the manual.
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6,328 Points
Nor have I. On much lower power densities, I have seen batteries rated at 300 to 500 cycles, which again 500 sounds optimistic to me.
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65,100 Points
I estimate im between 400 and 500 charges on my 4 ah battery.
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110 Points
They use Samsung IMR18650-25R cells according to an official response on these forums, and those are absolute JUNK. You can expect about 100 charge cycles out of them before they're down to 80% of their initial capacity. That's a total embarrassment for a lithium ion battery. They say they're "officially rated to 250 cycles" but if you look at the datasheet, that 250 cycles brings you down to only 60% of their initial capacity.
Their 56V 7.5AH batteries are about $360. They contain 48 of those 18650 cells. That's under $170 worth of those batteries - and that's consumer pricing. Bulk pricing on them would be $100-130 or even less. I don't know what they were researching and developing for these batteries but obviously not much.
Their 56V 7.5AH batteries are about $360. They contain 48 of those 18650 cells. That's under $170 worth of those batteries - and that's consumer pricing. Bulk pricing on them would be $100-130 or even less. I don't know what they were researching and developing for these batteries but obviously not much.
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,138 Points
Care to share the tests that demonstrate the cells dropping to 80% capacity after 100 cycles?
What I see from battery bro is 60% after 250 cycles at the cell’s maximum rating of 20A:
https://batterybro.com/blogs/18650-wh...
Now look at an aggressive Ego application like a small 1P 2.5Ah battery in a blower that discharges in 10 minutes. A fully charged 25R will run at 15A if discharged in 10 minutes, only 75% of its rated discharge rate. So right there we’d expect to see higher than 60% capacity after 250 cycles, quite a bit higher actually since the cells will be operating at a much lower temperature.
Now consider Ego’s phase change cooling sleeves that limit cell temperature during discharge and forced air cooling during charging. This will keep temperatures much lower than open air discharge testing at 15A.
And finally, Outdoor Power Equipment in a consumer application gets used about once a week on average. If we assume the cells keep only about 80% of their capacity after 250 cycles (likely a conservative estimate), then that’s 80% capacity after about 5 years of continuous use.
This is pretty much a worst case scenario using Ego’s smallest battery in a very high drain device running wide open from start to finish. Batteries are typically discharged at 1/3 that rate (30 min) or even less.
So please explain to me how the Samsung 25R is not well suited to this application?
What I see from battery bro is 60% after 250 cycles at the cell’s maximum rating of 20A:
https://batterybro.com/blogs/18650-wh...
Now look at an aggressive Ego application like a small 1P 2.5Ah battery in a blower that discharges in 10 minutes. A fully charged 25R will run at 15A if discharged in 10 minutes, only 75% of its rated discharge rate. So right there we’d expect to see higher than 60% capacity after 250 cycles, quite a bit higher actually since the cells will be operating at a much lower temperature.
Now consider Ego’s phase change cooling sleeves that limit cell temperature during discharge and forced air cooling during charging. This will keep temperatures much lower than open air discharge testing at 15A.
And finally, Outdoor Power Equipment in a consumer application gets used about once a week on average. If we assume the cells keep only about 80% of their capacity after 250 cycles (likely a conservative estimate), then that’s 80% capacity after about 5 years of continuous use.
This is pretty much a worst case scenario using Ego’s smallest battery in a very high drain device running wide open from start to finish. Batteries are typically discharged at 1/3 that rate (30 min) or even less.
So please explain to me how the Samsung 25R is not well suited to this application?
szwoopp, Champion
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110,466 Points
What !?!? You mean Ego batteries aren't Junk or Trash
Rather many people chose the Ego platform specifically because of their batteries
Rather many people chose the Ego platform specifically because of their batteries
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,138 Points
As a package, nobody does a power tool battery better than Ego.
It should be noted that the Samsung 25R is a very popular cell in smaller battery power tool platforms as well. Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt and likely a lot more have all used Samsung’s 25R cell.
It should be noted that the Samsung 25R is a very popular cell in smaller battery power tool platforms as well. Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt and likely a lot more have all used Samsung’s 25R cell.
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,138 Points
Paul, Ego's 2.5, 5 and 7.5Ah batteries use Samsung 25R cells, a highly regarded high-drain cell designed for these applications.
They are officially rated at 250 cycles, but that is at a continuous drain of 20A, their maximum rating.
Even if the 1000W motor in the 21" SP mower was running continuously at full power (it never will), the mower would draw 20A from the battery. Since the 7.5Ah battery has three parallel strings of cells (3P), each string of cells (therefore each cell) will see only 1/3 of that, or about 6.6A.
Depleting the cells at 6.6A instead of the rated 20A will lengthen their cycle life considerably compared to the 250 cycle rating, and that's IF the mower was drawing 100% load at all times, which would never be the case.
Also, Ego's Battery Management System doesn't charge the cells to their full 4.2V 100% charge capacity, nor does it drain them to their minimum 2.5V 0% capacity, both of which also reduce the impact of cycling.
If you figure mowing once a week (50 times per year), you can conclude that for most people the batteries will age faster due to time than cycling.
My personal estimate is 5-10 years depending on conditions, but it could be longer for someone who doesn't need all of it's capacity to get the job done. If the battery is 10 years old and has fallen to 60% of its original capacity, the battery is still good if it has enough juice to get the job done.
Simple answer: It depends. :-)
They are officially rated at 250 cycles, but that is at a continuous drain of 20A, their maximum rating.
Even if the 1000W motor in the 21" SP mower was running continuously at full power (it never will), the mower would draw 20A from the battery. Since the 7.5Ah battery has three parallel strings of cells (3P), each string of cells (therefore each cell) will see only 1/3 of that, or about 6.6A.
Depleting the cells at 6.6A instead of the rated 20A will lengthen their cycle life considerably compared to the 250 cycle rating, and that's IF the mower was drawing 100% load at all times, which would never be the case.
Also, Ego's Battery Management System doesn't charge the cells to their full 4.2V 100% charge capacity, nor does it drain them to their minimum 2.5V 0% capacity, both of which also reduce the impact of cycling.
If you figure mowing once a week (50 times per year), you can conclude that for most people the batteries will age faster due to time than cycling.
My personal estimate is 5-10 years depending on conditions, but it could be longer for someone who doesn't need all of it's capacity to get the job done. If the battery is 10 years old and has fallen to 60% of its original capacity, the battery is still good if it has enough juice to get the job done.
Simple answer: It depends. :-)
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264 Points
Interesting post ;
Where you find, EGO do not charge battery to 100%. I see people reporting 58.x V after fully charged. Isn't it near 100% ?
Where you find, EGO do not charge battery to 100%. I see people reporting 58.x V after fully charged. Isn't it near 100% ?
(Edited)
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264 Points
It is estimated on a 7.5Ah battery Mower can run for 1Hr. It is also estimated, same battery is ~360WHr. If you assume average volate during this 1Hr time to be 48V, you can calculate the average drain is 360W / 48V = 7.5A. So each cell average drain should be around 7.5A / 3 (3P sets in parallel) = 2.5A. This is very close to 1C rating, and shouldn't have issue. (So 7.5Ah or 5Ah packs should not sweat)
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,138 Points
There's a video on YouTube comparing the Echo and Ego batteries, and the Ego is charged to a lower voltage per cell. This is very likely a strategy to increase the cycle life of the cells. It will also help with keeping charge times low.
Samsung 25R cells-so it is a chance of explosion due to samsung brand ??
(Edited)
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65,100 Points
What.. that's rediculous. Where are you getting this information from?
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,138 Points
Joe, there’s absolutely no relationship between the cylindrical Lithium Ion cells in Ego’s batteries and the faulty Lithium Polymer pouch batteries in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
If you want to know what happened with the phones read this article:
https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-gal...
If you want to know what happened with the phones read this article:
https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-gal...
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110 Points
Samsung 25R cells are trash. You can expect about 100 charge cycles out of them before they're down to 80% of their initial capacity. That's a total embarrassment for a lithium ion battery. They're "officially rated to 250 cycles" (meaning "falsely rated to 250 cycles") but if you look at the datasheet, that 250 cycles brings you down to only 60% of their initial capacity. Cycle life ratings are supposed to be to 80%.
Ken, Champion
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73,600 Points
You’re entitled to your opinion but it would be nice to see you back it up with some evidence. I have a couple of a Ego batteries that I’ve been using for three years that have the same capacity they had when they were new.
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65,100 Points
I've got over 500 cycles on my original 4ah batteries.I must have gotten a good batch of those batteries.
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9,020 Points
Battery replacement life has to be a big concern for everyone since right now the cost is so high. I see the 7.5A-Hr battery is $400+tax for a $500 mower!?
I ended up getting the mower and more after doing some research. I also thought about my same worries with power tools. I purchased Makita 18V LXT tool set at least 10 years ago and have been good about rotating the batteries and keeping them charged and they all still work today. I have added more Makita tools and batteries as time has passed. Not only has the price of the batteries dropped but I can get double the A-Hr's today from the same size battery. I'm hoping with added competition for EGO the same will happen in this industry.
Mike
I ended up getting the mower and more after doing some research. I also thought about my same worries with power tools. I purchased Makita 18V LXT tool set at least 10 years ago and have been good about rotating the batteries and keeping them charged and they all still work today. I have added more Makita tools and batteries as time has passed. Not only has the price of the batteries dropped but I can get double the A-Hr's today from the same size battery. I'm hoping with added competition for EGO the same will happen in this industry.
Mike
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,138 Points
I bought into Makita's LXT line in 2008 and never looked back, they've been terrific tools!
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152 Points
My 5 AH battery failed in just under 3 years, and the 2.5 AH battery is failing at 2 years. They were used extensively but not abused (never dropped or got wet, etc.). Both were replaced under warranty, but considering 2/3 of my batteries failed within the warranty period I'm not very optimistic about long-term reliability. Considering the prohibitive cost of new replacements, I'm hopeful the market will respond in the coming years with options for aftermarket and/or rebuilt batteries.
My 7.5 am battery started to fail in just after two years with use mostly in the self propelled mower (a few times in the chainsaw and weed eater). We have two houses in Florida and we mow them only every other week except for June, July and August when they are cut once per week. So this battery performed about 60 cuts in 2 years time. Thankfully, I received the one year extension for registering within 30 days. I did an online ticket but there was no response within 48 hours so I called (as their website actually suggest to do for warranties) and they approved the claim right away. Today the replacement battery would cost $349 at home depot. That would make the mower $848+tax at the end of only 25 months had it not been for that extra year. For $1400 you could get a troy built riding mower. I love the mower... but I will have to see what happens with the next battery before I can fully endorse the product at their current price points. They did tell me that the battery that I am receiving will look different in that is has a charging-level ring indicator to demonstrate the charge level around the test button. From my initial opinion, things are good quality and from the level they are expanding products I think they will be around for a while. I do wonder if there is a warranty on the replacement battery and if so, how long?
(Edited)
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65,100 Points
I have abused these batteries in my own contraptions for 3 years now + 2 years use before them and they are still going strong.
szwoopp, Champion
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109,762 Points
3+ years on my 7.5 battery used in a mower and snowblower. Still performing great !
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536 Points
My understanding is that lithium ion batteries are the weak area in every application where they are used. They supposedly have so many charge cycles, but what I read is that a full discharge then charge cycle shortens the life more than two half discharge then charge cycles. And so on. LiOn batteries are the worst thing about a Tesla, a Chevy Bolt, other electric-only cars, and their the worst thing in your iPhone. The good news is for the oil companies. Lithium Ion is not going to replace fossil fuel. Not ever. However, the consensus of what I have read is that the longest life for a lithium ion battery will come from never being fully discharged and topping off whenever possible. EGO's lithium ion batteries may be different, but I doubt it.
Even Apple has come around to acknowledging the truth. The company used to recommend a procedure for what they claimed was reconfiguring the battery. What the procedure actually did was to reset the 100% mark to the current full charge--which might be 98% or it might be 75% or less. Now at least there is a settings screen labeled "battery health" that tells you the actual current max charge capacity. My iPhone 7, for example, is at 92% of its original capacity. It almost never goes below about 80%, as I have it connected to chargers on my desk, in the kitchen, and in my car. I carry both a charger and spare external battery in my briefcase.
Even Apple has come around to acknowledging the truth. The company used to recommend a procedure for what they claimed was reconfiguring the battery. What the procedure actually did was to reset the 100% mark to the current full charge--which might be 98% or it might be 75% or less. Now at least there is a settings screen labeled "battery health" that tells you the actual current max charge capacity. My iPhone 7, for example, is at 92% of its original capacity. It almost never goes below about 80%, as I have it connected to chargers on my desk, in the kitchen, and in my car. I carry both a charger and spare external battery in my briefcase.
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65,100 Points
The biggest thing they will kill your ego batteries are
Shelf life,
Charge discharge cycles, unless your like me, you will only charge them a few hundred times over 7 years.
7 years of life will cause more damage to the battery than your charger. Especially if kept at full charge all the time.
Shelf life,
Charge discharge cycles, unless your like me, you will only charge them a few hundred times over 7 years.
7 years of life will cause more damage to the battery than your charger. Especially if kept at full charge all the time.
szwoopp, Champion
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109,762 Points
Am I reading this wrong or are you guys giving conflicting info/advice.
William - best = "topping off whenever possible"
Jacob - worst = "Especially if kept at full charge all the time"
?
William - yours seems to be opposite of things I have read and the manuals. And Ego's 30% long term storage default.
William - best = "topping off whenever possible"
Jacob - worst = "Especially if kept at full charge all the time"
?
William - yours seems to be opposite of things I have read and the manuals. And Ego's 30% long term storage default.
(Edited)
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65,100 Points
Keeping the battery charged full created some issues in the cells. Something about crystals growing and shorting out the battery when charged all the way and sitting.
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...
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2,112 Points
Keeping lithium battery at 100% is one of the worst thing you can do, as bad as storing it at high temperatures. Doing both will absolutely destroy a battery. 40-80% range is ideal. Charge up just prior to usage is best. Below 20% is very bad as well. So keep the battery in the sweet spot and that will double the life expectancy.
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548 Points
I now have 3 56 volts. Two are one year old and one just got it 4-2020. I see a big difference with the new battery. Last 1/2 hour on my blower. The other two last 15 minutes. I do use turbo button all the time. Am I happy with E-go ? Yes. Very happy. There service is A+. I didn’t expect the batteries to last more then 3 years. I buy $350 batteries for my boat and they only last 2 years.
I have mowed my yard a total of approx 24 times since I purchased the mower/battery last Spring. It initially lasted 1 1/2 yard mowings. Now it barely lasts one complete mowing. Is this normal, or do I had a dud? I want to know prior to my warranty running out. I fully charge it right before I mow now.
(Edited)
My mower demonstrated that the battery was going bad when it illuminated the red light in the battery indicator on the mower as soon as I started mowing. However, both the charger and the battery itself illuminated green.
szwoopp, Champion
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110,466 Points
Vicky
Batteries degrade gradually and some loss of power is normal.
There are a many variables. Have you been mulching your grass and thus it is now thicker and healthier than a year ago ? I know that happened with mine.
There has been a lot of rain in my area this year. Again my lawn is thicker than normal and higher moisture content than last year.
Have you sharpened your blade since you got the mower ?
Just some things that can shorten the battery run time even if the battery has the same or nearly the same power.
You will have to determine if you think the battery has deteriorated beyond normal amounts. If so, give Ego a call and see if they agree. If yes, they will send you a new one.
Good luck. Fill us in with a follow up.
Batteries degrade gradually and some loss of power is normal.
There are a many variables. Have you been mulching your grass and thus it is now thicker and healthier than a year ago ? I know that happened with mine.
There has been a lot of rain in my area this year. Again my lawn is thicker than normal and higher moisture content than last year.
Have you sharpened your blade since you got the mower ?
Just some things that can shorten the battery run time even if the battery has the same or nearly the same power.
You will have to determine if you think the battery has deteriorated beyond normal amounts. If so, give Ego a call and see if they agree. If yes, they will send you a new one.
Good luck. Fill us in with a follow up.
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65,100 Points
Sharpen your blade. Guaranteed to fix it, maybe
From Bill;
So reading all the battery comments, if not fully discharged after use, rather than fully recharge it should I let it sit partially charged until I need it again then recharge it fully? Don't keep it very warm but do keep it where it is not cold but temperature controlled like in the house or basement, not an unheated garage(for storage) per the saw manual.
Another question, when is a battery considered "replacable" by EGO per the 3 year warranty? At 2/3 life, half life or not until failing to charge at all?
Is it better to use a small battery when long run time is not a concern For example should I use my 2.5 AH batteries instead of my 5 AH battery on my 18 inch chain saw if they do not run down within the time length I use the saw? Or is this "faster drain" harder on those batteries even if for less than a full charge cycle. Most every question seems to have two opposite answers. Should I be sticking with my Makita line? At least they do not have $350 batteries.
So reading all the battery comments, if not fully discharged after use, rather than fully recharge it should I let it sit partially charged until I need it again then recharge it fully? Don't keep it very warm but do keep it where it is not cold but temperature controlled like in the house or basement, not an unheated garage(for storage) per the saw manual.
Another question, when is a battery considered "replacable" by EGO per the 3 year warranty? At 2/3 life, half life or not until failing to charge at all?
Is it better to use a small battery when long run time is not a concern For example should I use my 2.5 AH batteries instead of my 5 AH battery on my 18 inch chain saw if they do not run down within the time length I use the saw? Or is this "faster drain" harder on those batteries even if for less than a full charge cycle. Most every question seems to have two opposite answers. Should I be sticking with my Makita line? At least they do not have $350 batteries.
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704 Points
Bill — I am not yet an Ego owner, but have been researching their lineup and poring over user input here on the forums as well as per the Home Depot website for some time. I recently ordered the entire Ego lineup of power equipment with every battery size offered and put each tool through a comprehensive test.
Disclaimers aside, here's what I've learned regarding your questions:
That said, Makita falls short for my (commercial) needs due to the absence of any backpack battery, backpack battery harness systems, or backpack blower in their current lineup. In addition, their dedicated string trimmer has a cutting swath of only 13.75" vs. 15" on the Ego models.
Disclaimers aside, here's what I've learned regarding your questions:
- Best practice is to avoid letting your batteries sit idle for long periods of time with a full charge. Ego batteries actually have a built-in "self-discharge" function to discharge down to 30% after several months of inactivity to protect against user oversight regarding this point.
- Lithium-ion batteries are somewhat temperature sensitive, so storing them away from high heat or extreme cold is a good idea. I keep my Ryobi batteries for my power tools stored in my house for this reason.
- Your question regarding when Ego will replace a battery under warranty is a good one that I am unable to answer. I would be curious to know the answer to this myself.
- From what I have gathered, it is better for long term battery health and longevity to use as large of a battery as possible for a given job. This has the effect of dividing the "drain amount" you referenced across more battery cells, reducing the strain (and associated heat produced) on each.
- As an aside, you won't be able to obtain the full power output of certain tools in the Ego lineup with battery sizes under 5.0 Ah. This effects primarily the chainsaws, power head multi-tool, push mowers, and snow blowers.
That said, Makita falls short for my (commercial) needs due to the absence of any backpack battery, backpack battery harness systems, or backpack blower in their current lineup. In addition, their dedicated string trimmer has a cutting swath of only 13.75" vs. 15" on the Ego models.
(Edited)
Oregon Mike, Champion
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76,116 Points
Schwartzy, regarding comment #1. Self maintenance mode is after 30 days not several months. From the manual;
Depending on the battery charge, it will automatically perform a self-discharge operation after one month of storage. After this self-maintenance, the battery pack will enter sleep mode and maintain 30% of its charge capacity. If stored for a month or longer, fully recharge the battery before the next use.
szwoopp, Champion
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109,762 Points
Ego will replace a battery that is well below norms. I do not know the exact numbers, but users have posted about receiving replacements.
Example - if you have a battery that is at 50% capacity after 1 year of use, I would think you could make a claim and get a replacement. If you have a battery that is at 75% after 2.5 years probably would not get a replacement. ***just throwing out some generalizations - not meant to be exact **
Personally - I had a battery that did not self discharge over the winter (this was before I got a snowblower and made my batteries year round workers) and was easily able to get it replaced.
Example - if you have a battery that is at 50% capacity after 1 year of use, I would think you could make a claim and get a replacement. If you have a battery that is at 75% after 2.5 years probably would not get a replacement. ***just throwing out some generalizations - not meant to be exact **
Personally - I had a battery that did not self discharge over the winter (this was before I got a snowblower and made my batteries year round workers) and was easily able to get it replaced.
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704 Points
Thanks for the correction, @Oregon Mike! I was reciting from memory and appreciate the clarification.
Egocentric
I have no idea how long the average battery will last, but my thought is that Ego warranty is well below the average life. Kicking around here I have seen estimates of up to 10 years. That sounds a little optimistic to me. My guess is that for the average battery and the average user you are looking at 5 to 7 years. Now what is an average user? The person who lives in Montreal is going to have a far different average use than a person who lives in Houston if you are talking mowers.
Anyhow that is my guess, and that is exactly what it is, a guess.
Douglas Bass
Jacob
Also I don't store mine at the recommended storing voltage. Mine are always charged unless they go into storage mode after 30 days if no use. And I am not at all nice to my batteries. I use them on my own built mower.
szwoopp, Champion
A new charger to go with a new battery investment might be cheap insurance.
Perhaps a calm telling of the whole story to Ego CS might get you something.