In article ,
"Terry Coombs" wrote:

Bob F wrote:
Terry Coombs wrote:
I managed to fry one of the batteries to my DeWalt 18v drill , and
I'm a bit confused ... My batteries are model DC9098 . I find all
kinds of replacement batteries , and one of the most common is a DW ,
not a DC 9098 . I see a difference in the A/Hour ratings , and wonder
if this is the difference in the letter designation . I'd match the
battery to the model of the drill , but the tag with the number is
damaged . I've been a fan of the Dewalt drills for over 20 years ,
and until now the only battery failures I've seen were due to not
completely draining them to dead before charging .

Running batteries to "dead" is the worst thing you can do to them.

Not NiCad's , they'll never take a full charge again if you don't
discharge them fully before charging . I and a coworker both got identical
new drills at the same time . He would slap a fresh battery in as soon as
his slowed a little , I'd run mine all the way down . My batteries lasted an
average of 4+ years , his were being replaced on average in less than a year
.

The problem with "all the way down", is that after a cell gets to zero
volts, continued current flow will reverse charge it. Your 4+ years
batteries probably had well matched cells that all discharged at the
same rate.

When I have trouble with my 18V batteries, I take them to "Batteries
Plus". They refill them with the higher A/Hour cells. The refills are
less expensive than DeWalt, and seem to last longer.

Fred