My strategy is to have several spares in a multi-bay charger, and change out when the battery reads 50% (2 bars). Subjective, I know, but we are talking in-lbs when tightening rack hardware, not ft-lbs. Anyway, I'll report back to the list once I get my programmable M18's and try it out.
And I'm curious, how many of us actually use a torque wrench on the job with any regularity, be it rack or electrical connections? I have never seen an everyday electrician use one, even on serious industrial work in a tightly controlled jobsite. Every lug, connector, fastener has a recommended torque. I think we all have seen the damage heat causes as the result of a loose connection. The last commercial system I did, a third party was hired to audit the PV work. It was on the checklist to spot check torques. I have been spot-checking torque ever since. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ray Walters Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 1:14 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools I own the M18, and the power varies noticeably with discharge, and also with higher amp hour packs. My drill screams with a 5 AH pack! I agree its less of a drop with discharge than with lead acid or NiiCad, but its still enough to make torque settings inaccurate. R.Ray Walters CTO, Solarray, Inc Nabcep Certified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 On 11/29/2016 10:32 AM, Kirk Herander wrote: M18 lithium batteries deliver full power until they are almost fully discharged. I doubt it's an issue. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Glenn Burt Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 8:59 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools Most battery powered 'torque' settings change as the batteries are depleted. Do they say that this is not so for this model? -Glenn From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kirk Herander Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 12:39 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools As I understand it, there are 4 buttons on the drill, each can be programmed to one of 10 torque levels through the app. And yes the torque levels are 1 - 10, not torque values. For example, tighten an L-foot to a scrap piece of rail at each torque increment, measuring after with a torque wrench, til you have the values of each increment. Then program the drill buttons to your most often spec'ed torques, and you're done. Just press one of the four buttons on the drill to get the required torque. The values are set in the drill even with battery removed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX8HPqXitQ Here's one of the videos of how the app works. Anyway I need a new M18 driver, so I just ordered one. I will see about practicality in our trade. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dan Fink Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2016 11:51 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools I thought the idea of being to preset torque RPM settings from the app was good, my reasoning being have one impact set (by the boss, behind password) for installing racking lags, another set more delicately for mounting equipment, etc, but watched one of their videos and the torque is not calibrated to in-lbs, it's like a range of 1-4, and the app lets you do a 2-1/2 for example. The actual torque is up to you to figure out.....so you still need calibrated hand torque wrenches. Not enough to make me switch brands (that would be super expensive)....and I'm not sure I like the idea of adding complicated electronics to a really simple, reliable tool. Dan Fink Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute IREC Certified InstructorT for: ~ PV Installation Professional ~ Small Wind Installer Executive Director, Buckville Energy NABCEP Registered Continuing Education ProvidersT <tel:970.672.4342> 970.672.4342 On Sun, Nov 27, 2016 at 8:17 AM, William Dorsett <wmdors...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: Pardon my ignorance but what would be the purpose of a smart phone app for a cordless drill? It's not like we'd be using it hands-free anyway. You can imagine being up on a ladder, drilling with one hand and adjusting at the same time with the smart phone? Sounds like a bad mismatch. Bill Dorsett Manhattan, KS From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Warfel Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2016 10:12 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools Don't tell me this, I just bought Dewalt tools. ahhh On 11/22/2016 11:21 AM, Kirk Herander wrote: Hello, Anyone out there invested in these tools yet? Looks interesting. Amongst other things, you can custom program the cordless drill to various speeds and torques using a smart phone app. Kirk Herander Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 1991-2016 www.vermontsolarnow.com dba Vermont Solar Engineering NABCEPTM 2003 Inaugural Certificant VT RE Incentive Program Partner 802.863.1202 _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
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