posted
I have a DeWalt 18V set that includes 5 pieces. I use it a lot and know that eventually I will have to replace the batteries. I've been wondering if the batteries just have a limited amount if charges or if it is age that makes them weak. If it is just about the amount of charges, I'm thinking it might be convenient to purchase a couple of extra now and have more charged batteries available to me at a given time. I often use the drill and the skill saw enough to drain both completely charged batteries in a single use. Advice?
[ January 19, 2010, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Each time you run the battery "flat" there is a residual charge left which builds up. Especially if they are not fully drained each time. One way I used to do this was to hook them up to an 18 volt light bulb until the light goes out. I built a simple rig for this. It will extend the life.
You can also get them "repacked" but this is almost the same cost as a new one.
Buy some spares!
[ January 19, 2010, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: Jon Butterworth ]
posted
Jon, With the older batteries, you were supposed to do that. But with the last two drills I bought(porter cable) the manual says you are supposed to re-charge as soon as you notice a loss of power.(probably not worded exactly)
[ January 19, 2010, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
When I just purchase my new Mil.W. they told me that the new batteries have a limited number of charges (over a 1000 can't remember the exact number)...they are not like the old, where you could run them on the slower drive to get more out of them, they die instantly and you need to recharge...I think as they get older they also get weaker(don't last as long) watch for sales to get a better price...ie: batteries for the new drill are $172-9.00 I was just able to get them on sale this week for 121.00, still a lot but better than 179, plus now I have 4 batteries on the go and won't have to wait on charges while out on a job.
-------------------- Pat Welter Masterhand Signs and Designs Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada Posts: 1304 | From: Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada | Registered: May 1999
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posted
If I remember correctly NiMH Batteries do not have a memory and should be charged when they start to loose power. NiCd batteries do have the memory effect. My instructions say to charge the batteries whenever they start to loose power, the charger also has a auto tune up mode that should be used every 8-10 charges. You simple leave the battery in the charger for 8 or more hours and it equalizes the individual cells. It's always a good idea to read your battery instructions when you get a new tool, things are constantly changing.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Kelly, We have 5 or 6 of the 18V dewalt tools around the shop, and We have about 10 batteries. I've found that they last about 3-4 years at the rate we use them. I've never bought a replacement battery separately. They cost about $50 each. I've found that I can buy a drill that comes with 2 batteries, a charger, etc.. for about $100-120, so when I see a kit on sale, I'll just add a tool, and get the extra batteries!
-------------------- Tom & Sharon Giampia Creative Image Design Port Chester, NY Posts: 285 | From: Port Chester | Registered: Mar 2001
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Ahhhhh! An excuse to buy a new tool!!!! Thanks Tom!
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Any excuse to buy a new tool is a good one! I recently bought a new tool that I wish I had done years ago... A Hilti Hammer Drill, Cordless, 36V.
This tool is a BEAST! I had to install 50+ signs in a parking garage that had very few electric outlets. I didn't want to hear my generator running all day, so I looked into these tools.
It cut 1/2" - 3/4" holes all day, faster than any of my CORDED Hammerdrills, on one charge!
It's pricey, but it all but paid for itself on time saved on this one job.
I can't wait for Hilti to come out with more 36V stuff, so that I can get "Extra Batteries"
-------------------- Tom & Sharon Giampia Creative Image Design Port Chester, NY Posts: 285 | From: Port Chester | Registered: Mar 2001
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HILTI is industrial tools!!! when i was workin for the BUTLER METAL BUILDING guy(1972-75)we had HILTL tools. AWESOME DURABILITY. i have a RYOBI 18V set, drill, saw, light. ONLY RYOBI was smart enough to make their 18V LITHIUM BATTERIES.......fit into the OLDER 18V stuff. so i can go to LITHIUM BATTERIES.WITHOUT BYING NEW TOOLS. i would also like to see an ADAPTOR SORTA BATTERY, that you can also PLUG INTO 110V.......and run as a CORDED DRILL!!!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
That's a great idea, Joe, about the cord adapter.....course it ain't gonna happen. Makes way too much sense.....kinda like my idea.
How about a manufacturers standardizing thier batteries? B & D fits Ryobi, Makita fits DeWalt, etc. I know that sounds ridiculous, but listen...we all have to buy batteries, no matter what kind of tool it is. Each tool has to have a battery; why can't it be a universal one?
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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the RYOBI is as close as you will get.......with the changable STD 18V & the LITHIUM 18V. and they make a ton of tools that use that battery.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Good for Ryobi to allow the new lithium batteries to fit their existng tools. I have a feeling I'm going to have several useless DeWalt tools as the older batteries are phased out.
-------------------- Brad Ferguson See More Signs 7931 Wornall Rd Kansas City, MO 64111 signbrad@yahoo.com 816-739-7316 Posts: 1230 | From: Kansas City, MO, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Kinda off topic, but with the auto industry going so heavily into electrics/hybrids to provide fuel economy, it begs the question as to how long those car batteries will last.....and what will be the cost for a full replacement set ? In Canada, there is an environmental disposal tax for old tires and batteries. I can see this type of tax being levied when one goes to buy replacement batteries for that "fuel-efficient" vehicle. Maybe what you save in fuel gets added on in other charges.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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THAT IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS...with hybrid that does ELECTRIC. those batteries they have in the car make up almost 2/3 of the COST OF PRODUCTION. and, the life of those batteries are less then 5 years.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ken, what you don't hear about hybrids is just that.....what you save in fuel, you will pay for, or more, in battery replacement.
Look for them to be in the 2,000 - 3,500 dollar range, depending on vehicle.
Add to that, the probable cost of mechanical repairs, compounded by the fact that the overall makeup of the vehicle is so much more complicated.....why bother? Newer vehicles are becoming more and more efficient, global warming has been proven a hoax, we have plenty of oil and energy available here, when we get to be finally allowed to get it.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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do a google on THE 1ST OIL WELL IN THE U.S.A. was at OIL CITY PA, 1861. and would you belive it is still PRODUCING OIL!!!!!!!! freind of mine in PA., his father in law owned one of the largest acreage farms in the area.........WAS PAID OVER $1 MILL.......for the MINERAL RIGHTS under it!!!!! this was back in 1983-84......AND THEY HAVENT EVEN TOUCHED IT YET!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
i got so sick and tired of articles on these batteries: NICAD BATTERIES drain them, DONT drain them leave them on charger all night, DO NOT leave ion charger all nite they have a memory, they dont have a memory
LITHIUM ION these work in cold weather, BULLSH*T these batteries will drain in one hour in freezing temps i know this for a fact
personally i think the lithium ion is the same POC batteries with a new label. you use them they are gonna die after a while. just plan on buying more
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
It's actually an interesting subject Kelly . . . I have a Dewalt cordless drill that is pretty old. It was well-used when a friend gave it to me, along with the charger about 10 years ago. I finally had to buy a new battery for it about 2 years ago. It's been dropped no tellin' how many times. A few months ago my hand dropped it from about 10 feet onto concrete, the battery popped out and came apart in two pieces but I taped it back together and it still charges fine. The chuck sometimes catches and gives me the 'rat-a-tat-tat' sound, but just a turn or two to a different number fixes that. The battery can get loose in the housing so ocassionally I have to tap the bottom a little. It certainly does'nt hold up to many hours of drilling, but I use power for that anyway. It basically works fine and until I completely kill it or it dies a natural death, I will always need and use it, especially for it's primary function: to keep me from havin' to drag cord & generator to simple jobs. I love DeWalt tools mainly because they are bright yellow and easy to spot around the shop and on-site. The new battery was about $54 at Lowe's . . . that was preferable to a new heavy-duty cordless drill. and there is a huge difference between a regular cordless tool and a heavy-duty one. Over years of power-tool buyin' it's quite clear 'heavy-duty' is the way to go. Even tools I've found at pawn shops that still worked even with flaws are the heavy duty ones. The battery for a heavy-duty cordless tool is going to natur'ly be superior to the regular.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
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"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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