Cordless drill not working

esuhl

KeithP wrote: »

The battery does need looking after.

If it is very lightly used then the battery needs recharging every few months. Allowing a battery to remain uncharged for any length of time is one of the quickest ways to kill it.

Yep - if lithium ion cells drop below a certain level of charge the internal resistances can cause them to explode, so the built-in circuitry will prevent recharging for safety reasons.


If you're not using the drill for some time, it's worth periodically checking the battery and topping up if necessary. Removing the battery would be a good idea to prevent the drill circuitry from discharging the cells. And keeping the battery in a cool (but dry) place slows the rate of discharge.


So you probably need a new battery. Many manufacturer warranties exclude batteries, but worth checking.

JustAnotherSaver

Just wondering about that battery suggestion...


My dad had many tools which he used a hell of a lot before he died. That was 7 years ago now. Since then some get used more than others but overall they all barely get used.



This Makita drill for example...





I don't know how old it is but i know he used it a lot. After he died many many months can pass without it being used.


But each and every time i've come to use it, it'll fire up straight away. On the rare occasion it didn't, i just charge the battery and away it goes again.


In both cases - both with the Makita and with the Bosch, the drills and batteries have been stored inside their case and in a shed (the Makita) and in the spare room (the Bosch) so not out in the open.


Why such a difference between the two then?

Ruski

Is the Makita Li-Ion?

If not - there's your answer

HTH

Russ

JustAnotherSaver

Looks like there's my answer


Ni-Cd it says underneath.

Carrot007

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Looks like there's my answer


Ni-Cd it says underneath.

Yup, the Ni-Cd will hold hardly any charge too (they degrade worse than Li-ion but do work). But while Li-ion are an improvement the batterys do die if not kept around 60%. So charging each month is a must.


Either way battery tools are not for those who only use them occasionally. A cable won't kill you ;-)

JustAnotherSaver

Just been googling and it's cheaper to buy the drill than it is a new battery. How daft is that? Screwfix are running a 50% off deal for the same drill so £50. The price of the battery varies, the cheapest i found was on eBay for £45.


So if Li-Ion batteries are so poor then why aren't they all Ni-Cd?



Does Li-Ion offer any advantages or does it come down to some more environmentally friendly twaddle?

Carrot007

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Just been googling and it's cheaper to buy the drill than it is a new battery. How daft is that? Screwfix are running a 50% off deal for the same drill so £50. The price of the battery varies, the cheapest i found was on eBay for £45.


So if Li-Ion batteries are so poor then why aren't they all Ni-Cd?



Does Li-Ion offer any advantages or does it come down to some more environmentally friendly twaddle?

NI-CD and the follow up (as I recall) Ni-MH. suffer from battery memory and need a full discharge cycle and full charge to remain useful.


Li-Ion just need for you to not let them go below 5% (actual not measured) charge. And do not need a full charge and are best kept at 60%. However for safety reasons they will not recharge if thety do go below 5%.


Either way battery tools are not for casual users no matter how muc hthe companies want to push them onto you. I mean a 30 metre rell cable and 1 tool is probably cheaper for you. Ignor ethe marketing and get a probably more powerful tool. (Or learn to charge a battery each month, though not to full unless you plan to use it).