Run time on battery powered blowers?

[wavinwayne]

For those of you who use a battery powered blower, what size battery are you using and how long can you run it on high speed before the battery dies? I'm considering picking up a Makita blower which would be powered by my Makita 18V 4aH batteries. I have a wired Worx blower that works well but I hate messing with the extension cord every time I want to use it.

 

[Jokester]

I use an EGO 56v blower with a 5.0 amp/hr rated battery. Never timed it to be honest, but on the lowest setting using the cruise control dial I would expect at least 45 mins. Using high to turbo maybe 15 mins would be realistic. Very good battery powered beast though and been going strong over 4 yrs now pretty much daily use.

 

[b4autodark]

I also use the Makita battery platform and have several tools, chain saw, vacuum, drill, sawzall, blower, air compressor, portaband, weed whacker, etc. The blower run time on full blast is about 15 to 20 minutes. I have several batteries so I just exchange for a fresh set when they run low. I love not dragging a cord around and Makita makes quality tools in my opinion. Hope this helps you make a decision.

 

[Cujet]

EGO 56V 5.0AH. Initially it ran 13 mins on turbo. Down to 11 mins after a year, which is where it stayed. Battery took forever to charge after a full use.

I loved the blower for its ease of use. It had good blast power for cleaning out our aircraft hangar after inconsiderate pilots would blow loose debris in. However it did not have enough oomph to move gravel from the hangar, which may be a non issue for most users. Unfortunately, the EGO battery did not run long enough to clean out the larger corporate hangar, so was demoted to a "T" hangar.

For the larger hangar, I purchased a Stihl BG86. The gas blower had the velocity and run time needed for real work.

I tried the EGO in PA to clear leaves and the same issue cropped up. Wonderful tool, and really easy to use. Ran dead before finishing a good sized job of deck, yard and driveway.

 

[RooflessVW]

For the larger hangar, I purchased a Stihl BG86. The gas blower had the velocity and run time needed for real work.

I always borrow the airport's runway blower. Clears out the hangar quick... wear earplugs.

The DeWalt blower I have will go through 2 or more batteries.

 

[wavinwayne]

I also use the Makita battery platform and have several tools, chain saw, vacuum, drill, sawzall, blower, air compressor, portaband, weed whacker, etc. The blower run time on full blast is about 15 to 20 minutes. I have several batteries so I just exchange for a fresh set when they run low. I love not dragging a cord around and Makita makes quality tools in my opinion. Hope this helps you make a decision.

I have two 4aH batteries so that should give me a total runtime of ~30 minutes which is more than I'll need. Thanks!!

 

[IndyIan]

I have two 4aH batteries so that should give me a total runtime of ~30 minutes which is more than I'll need. Thanks!!

I don't think the Rigid 18V 4aH go full speed for 15 minutes in our blower. There is some battery heat so it starts throttling back to manage that I believe, at 5 maybe minutes of full throttle. The 3aH throttle sooner still. Its a 3-4 battery job to our lawns of 3-4000 sq ft with dry leaves.
It works pretty well, when the going is easy like on the driveway, but 18V is only so much power. So damp leaves, long grass, or fighting a breeze is tough for the 18v ones. Its light though and the kids love it for blowing the mountain bike trails.

 

[brandon9715]

Dewalt XR blower and 5ah batteries here. Running it wide open, I would expect 10-15 minutes.

 

[benjy]

on hi my makita 18V 6 AH only lasts a short time BUT generic batteries are cheap + i have FOUR as i have other makita tools using the same !!

 

[RDMgr]

I use an EGO 56v blower with a 5.0 amp/hr rated battery. Never timed it to be honest, but on the lowest setting using the cruise control dial I would expect at least 45 mins. Using high to turbo maybe 15 mins would be realistic. Very good battery powered beast though and been going strong over 4 yrs now pretty much daily use.

I have three EGO tools with interchangeable 56v batteries and two chargers so battery life is less of a problem.

 

[Cujet]

I have three EGO tools with interchangeable 56v batteries and two chargers so battery life is less of a problem.

That's the way to do it. Have a set of quality electric yard tools and a pair of batteries. They get cycled enough to keep them healthy. Then maybe every 6 to 8 years purchase new batteries and soldier on.

 

[KJSmith]

Cutting back to 80% instead of wide open can greatly increase how long the battery will stay charged.

 

[Cujet]

Cutting back to 80% instead of wide open can greatly increase how long the battery will stay charged.

That may work with dry leaves on a driveway, or when getting leaves out from around the bushes. But it was not good enough for the PA yard or the hangars. We need to be honest here, the electric blowers and mower are awesome, but have limited run times when doing hard work.

Fine for a suburban home. Not fine for acreage.

 

[Pablo]

80V.

 

[KJSmith]

That may work with dry leaves on a driveway, or when getting leaves out from around the bushes. But it was not good enough for the PA yard or the hangars.

Not all blowers are the same.
Get the right tool for the job..... maybe a more powerful blower is what you need.

 

[Cujet]

Not all blowers are the same.
Get the right tool for the job..... maybe a more powerful blower is what you need.

At the time the EGO 650 was the best electric. It's battery a 5.0AH is still the standard battery. Not only was the velocity a bit low for my tasks, but the run time was 1/3 of what I needed.

 

[CarlB]

 

[wavinwayne]

If I buy a blower from Home Depot and decide I don't like it, will they let me return it for a refund? I read the return policy but its not clear about something that has been used.

 

[RooflessVW]

If I buy a blower from Home Depot and decide I don't like it, will they let me return it for a refund? I read the return policy but its not clear about something that has been used.

Yes.

I returned a right angle impact on day 89/90. No box, no questions, no big deal.

 

[KJSmith]

If I buy a blower from Home Depot and decide I don't like it, will they let me return it for a refund? I read the return policy but its not clear about something that has been used.

Some of the Ryobi tools have a switch that keeps you from running them WFO.
My weed eater has one and functions just fine on the lower setting.