Replies

1. 
   artacoma | Apr 26, 2003 06:23pm | #1

   I bought another 12 volt PC last week because HD was giving them away for a lot less than the price if the batterys alone. I made the apprentice read the manual to keep him out of my hair for a minute and he reports that it isn't recommended to keep the batterys in the charger for more than a week. cheers Rik

1. 
   69fins | Apr 26, 2003 08:16pm | #3

   I need to get me an apprentice...I couldn't find anything in the manual about leaving the batteries on the charger.  Thank your guy (or gal) for me, they deserve a raise for their attention to detail.

2. 
   bill_1010 | Apr 26, 2003 06:25pm | #2

   good quality chargers have chips now that that regulate the power, they may or may not shut off power to the battery once charged.  Consult the manual :)  Ask to read the panasonic manual and it will probably tell you what you want to know about leaving the battery in or out

3. 
   TrimButcher | Apr 26, 2003 11:01pm | #4

   Read the owner's manual, it'll tell you, or go to the Panasonic website.  Don't go by what other manufacturer's manuals say.  Panasonic knows more about batteries than any of the tool manufacturers anyway, because they're also the battery manufacturer.

   NiMH is a different breed than NiCd.  If the battery is going to sit around for a while, Ni-Cd should be kept in a discharged state, NiMH should be kept charged. But only the specific manual will tell you whether you can leave it in the charger.

   Regards,

   Tim Ruttan

1. 
   69fins | Apr 27, 2003 01:42am | #5

   Tim,

   Good point about the difference in 12 volts vs 15.6, so I re-looked at the manual and got on the web site, but alas... While they indicate keeping it topped off is good, they don't say anything about leaving it on the charger.  Intutively I would think leaving it on the charger would keep it topped off, but burning up batteries is a concern of mine....th search for the answer continues...

1. 
   bill_1010 | May 06, 2003 12:41am | #6

   I just bought a 15.6v Panasonic, the charger has a "Protective charging" on the list of blinking light options.  It says that once the batter has charged an internal switch will prevent it from overcharging.

   Im going to assume that this means that you can leave Ni-MH batteries from Panasonic on the Panasonic charger...

1. 
   69fins | May 06, 2003 08:22am | #7

   Shear practice will probably force me to assume the same thing.  Maybe I'll see you  at the battery store in six months and we can comiserate then, but untill then, happy charging!

2. 
   alias | May 08, 2003 03:45am | #8

   i've had one going on 4years and never ever had a problem with a thing . this is one of my most used tools, and am thinking about buying a second. to replace my old 12volt porter cable around fiffteen years old been through to many batteries to recall. anyhow i've left the battery from the panasonic in the charger over the weekend with no ill effects so far. there was an article i believe a few months back on the do and donts on battery savy. you made a great choice . enjoy it.........b

1. 
   TrimButcher | May 08, 2003 06:11am | #9

   If there are any Canucks reading this thread, I sent a note to Panasonic Canada asking when their tools would be widely available in the Great White North.  Their reply was that they would be marketing them here in June.

   Regards,

   Tim