On 10 Aug 2006 00:42:02 GMT, Jim Yanik wrote:

an_Musicant wrote in
:
:
: On 6 Aug 2006 05:58:34 -0400, wrote:
:
::JimL wrote:
::
:: Four years is past the maximum life of a nicad even you you have
::only used them lightly.
::
::Maybe my 10-year-old nicads never read the book :-)
:
: Indeed, I have NiCads that must be 8+ years old, are in many seasons
: very very seldom used and they seem to be reasonably adequate. I suspect
: I can revive my drill NiCads. I'm not shopping just yet.
:
: Dan
:
:
:the NiCds in my B&D Dustbuster lasted 10 yrs,but they were a type designed
:to stay on the charger all the time when not in use.
:I had a local DeWalt service center replace the 4-cell pack because it was
:cheaper than buying a new DB.
:
:My first set of Makita 9.6V sticks lasted 7-8 yrs bacause they were used
ften and kept charged.
:When I ceased using them regularly,they quickly failed,even maintaining
:their charge.Same for my B&D VersaPack 3.6v screwdriver packs.

I have quite a few of those B&D VersaPack 3.6v screwdriver packs, and
don't use them much. I suppose there's nothing I can do to prevent the
batteries from dying early. I must have about 8 of those batteries. They
are mostly less than 2 years old.

Dan