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Battery Problems

JohnnyB | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 19, 2004 09:01am

My new Milwuakee 18v batteries don’t seem to be fully charging.  The charge light stays on only for about 5 minutes and then goes off.  When I use the drill, after about 10-16 uses (drill a hole, drive a screw), it’s time for a new battery.  Please help me with this.  Thanks.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    IMERC | Dec 19, 2004 10:08am | #1

    bad battery or the charger dumped...

    suspect the charger and it ruined yur batteries....

    how new is new???

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!!   What a Ride!

    1. JohnnyB | Dec 19, 2004 10:20am | #2

      This kit is three weeks old.  The drill is amazing, the batteries are getting me down!

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Dec 19, 2004 10:47am | #3

        MH or NiCad batteries....

        Milwaukee will deal with it and make you a happy camper...

        or

        you also have a 30 day no questions asked return policy...

        use it and get yurself another set up...

        condition yur batteries this time...

        RFM....

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

        1. JohnnyB | Dec 20, 2004 05:42am | #7

          What do you mean, condition my batteries?  Is there some other step that needs to be performed that is not in the owners manual?

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 21, 2004 06:45pm | #8

            just what's in the manual...

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

            WOW!!!   What a Ride!

  2. Hubedube | Dec 19, 2004 11:46pm | #4

     I had the same problem. I took it back and got another charger. The original one was defective.  No charge ,no problem, now it works great.

    1. highfigh | Dec 20, 2004 12:09am | #5

      Check my reply in the other thread. Batteries don't like to get hot. I don't know if you're using it long enough for them to get hot, but if you are, let them cool down before recharging. If you're not getting them hot, take it back. It has a long enough warranty that if they cool down and still don't take a charge, you can get an exchange. Also, don't wait till they're dead to recharge. Swap them when you definitely notice a difference, but they aren't toast. They'll last longer that way, and no, they don't have a "memory effect" unless they are abused (repeatedly getting really hot and depleted, especially continuous drilling on larger diameter holes than recommended). This info courtesy of a friend, who's an engineer at Milwaukee Electric Tool. 2.4Ah is pretty good reserve for rechargeables.
      "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

      1. DanH | Dec 20, 2004 04:39am | #6

        I'll echo what highfigh says about "memory effect", based on my discussions with a battery expert at IBM (worked on their laptop batteries). Don't drain batteries flat -- recharge when they start to "sag".Another point: If you aren't planning to use a battery for a few weeks, don't recharge it right away, but wait. Unlike lead-acid batteries, nicads are happier discharged. (Haven't got the word on NiMH yet.)And don't leave your batteries on charge for days or weeks at a time.

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