We got a sneak preview of Panasonic EY7450LR2S 18V cordless drill driver at this year’s IBS Show in Vegas and were impressed by the company’s tough talk. Today, Panasonic announced the introduction of four of its new 18V Li-Ion cordless power tools. The new tools will be part of the company’s Tough IP line of professional-grade products. All feature IEC (International Electro Technical Commission) rated dust and water resistant technology and will be available this month. The four introduced models (which seem to be debuting overseas before they hit the US market) include a 1/2″ drill and driver kit, an impact wrench kit, an impact driver kit and a hammer drill/driver kit. All of the new 18V cordless models can be charged for use in 50 minutes with a full charge at 65 minutes, and feature Panasonic’s high capacity 3.3Ah Li-ion battery, LED work light, belt hook, and molded case.
IEC Rated for Dust and Water Resistance
Each of Panasonic Tough IP Cordless Power Tools were awarded a rating of IP561 by the IEC (according to IEC60529) classifying them “Dust-protected” and “Protected against powerful water jets.”
The IEC testing protocol put the tools in an environment where they were exposed separately to both heavy dust and water jets. After each separate test, the tool is checked to ensure it still continues to function properly. The IP56 rating, is the highest rating possible without the tools being air & water tight. The Tough IP line of tools are designed to provide construction professionals across a broad range of disciplines with tools that can withstand the rigors of outdoor work under extreme conditions.
Panasonic EY7450LR2S Features
Panasonic’s new EY7450LR2S 18V Li-ion Drill & Drill Driver Kit delivers high power in a compact, lightweight body. The combination drill/driver delivers a maximum of 478 in. lbs. of full time torque in low speed. Low speed of 50 – 430 rpm is ideal for tough jobs requiring high torque like drilling holes and driving large diameter screws. A high speed of 160 – 1,650 rpm is great for drilling and fastening in metal. The Panasonic EY7450LR2S features an all metal gear system and a four-brush motor. The use of metal gears for switching between high and low speed operation reduces part wear and offers superior durability compared to plastic gears, decreasing the frequency of tool repair. The four brush, fan cooled ventilated motor is design to keep tool running with a smooth continuous operation while keeping the motor temperature low, resulting in a tool well suited for heavy duty use and repetitive tasks. We were a little surprised that the tool wasn’t brushless, given the design specs and the price.
The EY7450LR2S is equipped with an 18-stage clutch plus drill position. The clutch torque starts at 8.8 in. lbs. and goes to 61 in. lbs. in 3.0 in. lbs. increments over the 18 stages. The tool has a 1/2-inch, heavy-duty keyless chuck, variable speed control, 2-speed gear box, electric brake and quick-charging system. The Panasonic EY7450LR2S is also powered by a high-capacity 3.3Ah Cobalt Li-ion battery pack. This battery pack is designed to deliver high output with low heat generation resulting in longer lifetime and total performance. In addition the Panasonic EY7450LR2S utilizes Panasonic’s unique GuardION system. The GuardION system monitors the battery cells during battery charging and during tool use to prevent over discharging and overheating of the battery pack thus insuring long life. Panasonic is knee-deep in battery design and technology, so this should be something they are quite good at.
The EY7450LR2S offers a full complement of convenience features including an LED Work Light that illuminates the work area when in use. The EY7450LR2S is fairly compact in size (8-9/16″ long) and weighs just over 4-1/2 lbs. The ergonomic design delivers a comfortable contoured rubber grip which allows for less fatigue over extended use. The EY7450LR2S 18 Volt Cordless 1/2″ Drill & Driver Kit comes complete with two 3.3Ah Li-Ion batteries, charger and molded case. (MSRP $376)
Panasonic’s Battery Technology
Driving the revolutionary performance of Panasonic’s Tough IP Cordless Power Tools is Panasonic’s proprietary battery pack technology which features:
- Panasonic’s Solid Solution Technology (PSS) – PSS is a method of hardening and dissolving key battery component substances such as cobalt and nickel, which dramatically improves safety and reliability, while also achieving greater performance compared to manganese lithium batteries found in many other cordless tools.
- High-Capacity Cobalt Lithium Chemistry – This chemistry offers the benefits of lower internal resistance, reduced electrical loss, and lower temperatures in the battery cells to deliver a longer battery life. Panasonic Li-ion battery packs have twice the total lifetime performance versus existing Ni-Cd battery packs.
- GuardION System – Panasonic Tough IP Cordless Power Tools utilize Panasonic’s unique GuardION system which monitors each battery cell during battery charging and during tool use to prevent over discharging and overheating of the battery pack.
- Self Diagnostic Charger – Tough IP Tools also feature a self diagnostic universal battery charger which electronically monitors the condition of the battery pack during the charging process to deliver full charging with minimal heat generation. The charger will charge all Panasonic Li-ion battery chemistries ranging from 14.4V – 28.8v.
About Panasonic
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com.
