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The Remington RM25C Curved Shaft Gas String Trimmer and Poulan Pro PR28SD Straight Shaft Gas String Trimmer are both powered by gas, but the battery-powered Ego Power+ 15″ Lithium Ion String Trimmer holds its own. When you think of string trimmers, you may automatically recall the gas-powered versions you’ve used over the years.In fact, you may find a battery-powered string trimmer with the cutting power of a gas-powered trimmer, helping you get the best of all worlds. Gas-powered string trimmers are typically more powerful, but that shouldn’t be automatically assumed. When it comes down to it, the most important thing is how well your string trimmer cuts. If you have a smaller yard, this may not be as much of a consideration, though. You’ll also find that some string trimmers are lighter than others, which could make it easier to maneuver and hold for long periods of time. Some string trimmers have a vibration that can make them difficult to hold and maneuver while you’re working. Once you’ve narrowed down the power source for your string trimmer, you’ll need to find one that’s easy to use. “You can also buy a second battery-powered trimmer while that one is charging so you don’t have to stop and wait,” notes Liston. Typically you’ll find you can trim for 30 minutes to an hour, making it a better choice for smaller yards. Simply push a button and whack away!” However, battery-powered trimmers are limited by their battery life. “No exhaust fumes, no mixing gas and oil. “Cordless battery-powered trimmers are lighter and quieter than gas versions,” says Liston. You’ll also have to be careful not to cut through the cord while you’re trimming. An electric trimmer has an extension cord, which means you may be limited in your reach. The alternatives to gas trimmers have their own drawbacks, though. “You can purchase a premixed ratio, but you’ll pay a premium for the convenience.” Her award-winning show, “On The Fly…DIY” has tons of useful home tutorials. “A 4-cycle gas engine can take straight gas, but a 2-cycle requires you to mix up a ratio of oil and gas,” says our home improvement expert Vicki Liston.
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A gas-powered trimmer is affordable, but you’ll have to deal with regular maintenance. The first decision to make is whether you want a gas, electric or battery-powered trimmer.
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But before you buy a string trimmer, there are some important things to consider. There are certain areas of your yard that mowers simply can’t get, making it necessary to bring in something to cut those tricky patches. I don't know why RYOBI didn't build it like this in the first place or at least put a second fan on motor to cool the Electronic Controller.String trimmers are an important part of landscaping a yard. Of course, this would void your warranty as you are modifying the unit. You need to dismantle the handle, so you do not damage any wiring/components whilst drilling/opening up the cooling slots. I did this with battery drill and 1/8" drill bit. This allows more ambient airflow as you are using the unit to dissipate the heat better.
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On one side I just left the 1/8 drill holes and on the other side I removed most of the material between the holes. To overcome this lack of airflow I just opened up some of the plastic cooling slots that are adjacent to the heat-sink fins. This is mounted directly behind the motor and the design of the plastic handle in this area seems to not allow sufficient airflow for cooling. It has small heat-sink fins either side for cooling. Having had the same problem with my RYOBI P2009 from new I found like others that it was the 'Electronic Controller' part number 311291005 at fault.
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