Have a couple of DW NiCd powered tools (current or next-to current generation). Am a diy-er, not a pro so these tools have r&r time between jobs. In some cases the down time is enough for most of the charge to have dissipated. All batteries have had the initial charge at time of purchase & before first use. Since these batteries have a life that is defined by (in part) the number of charge-discharge cycles I am wondering what is harder on them: charge it up as required and keep it charged despite no work or allow the charge to bleed off & then recharge for each new job?
Edited 9/17/2007 3:48 pm ET by Dunc1
Replies
I've been told with NiCads that the best approach is to simply let them bleed down naturally, then recharge before using. NiMH and LiIon are better stored in charged condition.
In any event, unless you have a relatively "smart" charger, don't leave the units on charge 24/7. Ideal would be to come up with some sort of timer that would give them an hour's charge once a week, if you want to keep them charged.
http://mrtmag.com/mag/radio_battery_maintenance_made/
http://users.frii.com/dlc/battery.htm
SamT
cordless tools are actually a bad choice over the long run for the average diy'er.
all that down time is bad for the batt's.
I tell any friends that ask for a suggestion to just buy corded and a cord!
it'll still work 10 yrs from now when they need it again.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
thinking that the battery stuff is not a diy-er's dream but the impact driver doesn't come corded - yet?Will look at the articles and hope to develop a strategy. Thanks to everyone for the feedbackDunc1
I used to leave my Panasonic Ni Cad batteries in the charger but the charger stopped working. I opened it up and there was a fuse that had blown.
Now I unplug everything after it is charged. I don't like the idea of having all this stuff plugged in all the time. To many chances for a problem.
My old Sears/Ryobi charger died from a blown fuse that was apparently caused by an intermittent short in the transformer -- replacing the fuse worked briefly but then it became a hard short. I never left the thing plugged in for more than 24 hours, but apparently age and mileage took their toll.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
The circuit board on mine had the fuse soldered on it. I went to the auto parts store and got a fuse holder and got the wires in where they needed to be. It looks bad but it works. The fuse hold sits outside of the charger now.
Mine had a fuse holder for a tiny fuse. Found a duplicte, but it blew after about an hour's use. Installed a "slightly" larger fuse and the same. Tries after that resulted in instant poofs.
In all fairness the unit was about 15 years old and had been through 3-4 batteries.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Edited 9/18/2007 2:12 pm by DanH
As much as I hate to buy used tools, since I think they're probably stolen, I did buy a Panasonic charger on ebay. The guys story was that the drill was stolen from his truck at Home Depot. Believable. So I got the replacement charger for a song.
Greg
It may be me, but every battery tool I've owned had a recommended charge cycle that pertained to the battery installed, this information comes with the instructions.
"If all else fails, read the directions"