soldering AAA batteries

[JohnW2]

A battery power rating determines what it can actually start or operate, whereas its work capacity only determines how long it can operate it.

As has been repeatedly said, 'the general public' do not necessarily use, or even understand, technical definitions - and that has to be taken into account when attempting to communicate clearly with them.

Perhaps a classic example is "Low Voltage". I would suggest that the vast majority of the general public have a view as to what this means which differs from the 'technically correct' definition.

 

[ericmark]

On every decent cordless I’ve ever used they’re a physical gearbox

I have found the same, maybe a speed control as well, but that is graduated, the switch is normally a gear change.

How/why do you think that could be the case?

I would assume the two batteries are wired in series to get 40 volts and two 2 Ah will become discharged at about the same time. But using a 2 Ah and 4 Ah in series seems wrong.