The battery life of a cordless pistol-grip drill depends on several factors, including the type of battery, its capacity (measured in ampere-hours, Ah), the power demands of the drill, and the nature of the tasks being performed.
1. **Battery Type**: Most modern cordless drills use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are preferred for their longer life and lighter weight compared to older nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.
2. **Battery Capacity**: The capacity of the battery, typically ranging from 1.5Ah to 5.0Ah or more, directly affects how long the drill can operate on a single charge. A higher Ah rating generally means longer runtime.
3. **Power Demands**: The voltage of the drill, often between 12V and 20V for consumer models, influences power consumption. Higher voltage drills can perform more demanding tasks but may drain the battery faster.
4. **Usage**: Continuous heavy-duty tasks, such as drilling into dense materials or using large drill bits, will deplete the battery more quickly than light-duty tasks like driving screws into softwood.
5. **Efficiency and Features**: Some drills have energy-saving features or brushless motors, which can extend battery life by reducing power consumption.
On average, a fully charged battery in a cordless drill might last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours of continuous use, depending on the above factors. For intermittent use, such as typical DIY projects, a battery might last a day or more. Users often have multiple batteries to swap out, ensuring continuous work without waiting for recharging.