Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 12:03:21 -0800 (PST), komobu
wrote:

Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
..8 volts per cell.

In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 12:03:21 -0800 (PST), komobu
wrote:

Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
.8 volts per cell.

Hmm. Wouldn't storing them for years run the voltage down below .8 volts
per cell?

On Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:58:54 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 12:03:21 -0800 (PST), komobu
wrote:

Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
.8 volts per cell.

Hmm. Wouldn't storing them for years run the voltage down below .8 volts
per cell?

It may go below .8volts but it's not being run down so the answer
is no.

In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:58:54 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 12:03:21 -0800 (PST), komobu
wrote:

Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
.8 volts per cell.

Hmm. Wouldn't storing them for years run the voltage down below .8 volts
per cell?

It may go below .8volts but it's not being run down so the answer
is no.

So you can let a nicad sit on the shelf dead for years? I didn't know
that. Same with other rechargeable chemistries?

On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 08:40:34 -0800, Smitty Two
They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
.8 volts per cell.

Hmm. Wouldn't storing them for years run the voltage down below .8 volts
per cell?

It may go below .8volts but it's not being run down so the answer
is no.

So you can let a nicad sit on the shelf dead for years?

Yes. Some tool manufacturers recommend a discharged battery for long
term storage.

I didn't know
that. Same with other rechargeable chemistries?

Li-ion 40% charge in cool area for long term storage.

NiMH ?

"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:58:54 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 12:03:21 -0800 (PST), komobu
wrote:

Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
.8 volts per cell.

Hmm. Wouldn't storing them for years run the voltage down below .8 volts
per cell?

It may go below .8volts but it's not being run down so the answer
is no.

So you can let a nicad sit on the shelf dead for years? I didn't know
that. Same with other rechargeable chemistries?

Pretty expensive batteries. Around here they run $47-48.

Smitty Two wrote:
In article ,
wrote:

On Fri, 4 Jan 2008 12:03:21 -0800 (PST), komobu
wrote:

Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I
now have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have
four of them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years.
I would use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out
the other two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the
best way to accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

They can be stored for years and years without maintenance or
degradation. Just store them in a mostly discharged state preferably
in a cool area. Never freeze a Ni-Cad or run the battery down below
.8 volts per cell.

Hmm. Wouldn't storing them for years run the voltage down below .8
volts per cell?

Best to use them in rotation schedule. They'll actually last longer
that way in the end as you'll get the rated # of charges accurately and
if one battery is NG it'll show up faster so you can get it replaced.
NiCads don't actually have an indefinite shelf life. Permanently
storing two of them is almost sure to give you headaches when you come
to try to use them, especially based on some of the pure SWAGS I see
posted here for you. Storage longer than a year is never recommended
with 6 months being the "norm", under proper conditions.

The basics of storage of such batteries can even vary by manufacturer
and process, so it's always wise to use the horse's mouth for info
rather than the other end as some of the posts here are providing.

Had anyone (or YOU) taken the time, you could have found these two links
and many more in just a second or so:

http://users.frii.com/dlc/battery.htm
and
http://www.powerstream.com/Storage.htm
which says, and which many other links agree with:
Store NiCad batteries in a dry location with low humidity, no corrosive
gasses, and at temperature range of -20°C to +45°C. Storing batteries
where humidity is extremely high, or where temperatures fall below -20°C
or above +45°C

Because long term storage can accelerate battery self-discharge, and
lead to the deactivation of reactants, locations where the temperature
ranges between +10°C and +30°C are suitable for long term storage.

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least* once a
year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance due to
self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection charger carry out
charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------

snip

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least* once a
year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance due to
self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection charger carry out
charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------


" charge *at least* once a year" snip "deterioration of performance"
The above is if you plan on taking the batteries out of storage and
using them at that time. If your storage is truly long term and you
can take the time to charge and discharge a few times to bring the
battery back into service and back to their rated capacity then there
would be no reason to " charge *at least* once a year" You only get
so many cycles out of a Ni-Cad. Why waste them?

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:58:40 -0500, wrote:
snip

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least* once a
year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance due to
self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection charger carry out
charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------


" charge *at least* once a year" snip "deterioration of performance"
The above is if you plan on taking the batteries out of storage and
using them at that time. If your storage is truly long term and you
can take the time to charge and discharge a few times to bring the
battery back into service and back to their rated capacity then there
would be no reason to " charge *at least* once a year" You only get
so many cycles out of a Ni-Cad. Why waste them?

Do you expect somebody to store them for five thousand years?

"komobu" wrote in message
...
Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

Make sure they are really ni-cads. Some of the other recharagabel batteries
have a life time of around 2 to 3 years even if you do not use them.

I think I would rotate all of the batteries.

On Sun, 6 Jan 2008 15:02:08 -0500, Ralph Mowery wrote:

"komobu" wrote in message
...
Hi;

I picked up an 18 volt Dewalt Cordless Drill and a Dewalt Impact gun
that use the same batteries. Each item came with 2 batteries so I now
have 4 batteries. Batteries cost 90 dollars each and I have four of
them. I would like to store two of them for a couple years. I would
use two of them now, and then when they go bad, break out the other
two. Is it possible to store these batteries? What is the best way to
accomplish this if it is possible?

Thanks
Pat

Make sure they are really ni-cads. Some of the other recharagabel batteries
have a life time of around 2 to 3 years even if you do not use them.

I think I would rotate all of the batteries.


My experience is that nicads will last nearly forever as long as they are in
use. Typically I'll recharge once or twice a week with universal remote
control batteries getting least at about every three months.

Leave the batteries unused in a draw somewhere for 9 months and they'll be
ruined. Recharging twice a year might not be bad advice.

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:26:14 -0000, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:58:40 -0500, wrote:
snip

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least* once a
year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance due to
self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection charger carry out
charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------


" charge *at least* once a year" snip "deterioration of performance"
The above is if you plan on taking the batteries out of storage and
using them at that time. If your storage is truly long term and you
can take the time to charge and discharge a few times to bring the
battery back into service and back to their rated capacity then there
would be no reason to " charge *at least* once a year" You only get
so many cycles out of a Ni-Cad. Why waste them?

Do you expect somebody to store them for five thousand years?

Of course not. Let's be a little more realistic. Pick 20 years.
Would you rather fire up your vintage whatever with a battery
charged/discharged two or three times a year for the last 20
years or would you rather retrieve a 20 year old unused Ni-Cad
and bring it to life?

My experience is that nicads will last nearly forever as long as they are in
use. Typically I'll recharge once or twice a week with universal remote
control batteries getting least at about every three months.

My experience, 25 plus years tells me they will NOT even come close to
lasting 25 years, even with normal use.

Leave the batteries unused in a draw somewhere for 9 months and they'll be
ruined. Recharging twice a year might not be bad advice.

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

wrote:
snip

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least*
once a year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance due
to self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection charger
carry out charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------


" charge *at least* once a year" snip "deterioration of performance"
The above is if you plan on taking the batteries out of storage and
using them at that time. If your storage is truly long term and you
can take the time to charge and discharge a few times to bring the
battery back into service and back to their rated capacity then there
would be no reason to " charge *at least* once a year" You only get
so many cycles out of a Ni-Cad. Why waste them?

You should read the rest of the article/s, not just an excerpt. A pair
of tool batteries will typically last quite a bit longer than a year, so
if the other two are neglected for that entire period of time, they may
not even be batteries any longer, just crystalized resistors that can't
be recovered. RTFM applies here; don't expect everything handed to you
on a silver plate; do your own work and the act accordingly and you'll
be a lot happier. The xxx discharge/charge cycles, if you read the
article, are not going to happen unless they are treated properly.
That's why the scheduled rotation works best to get the maximum life
from them, and that life will be much longer than storing, forgotten,
for a couple of years.

wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:26:14 -0000, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:58:40 -0500,
wrote:
snip

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least*
once a year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance
due to self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection
charger carry out charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------


" charge *at least* once a year" snip "deterioration of
performance" The above is if you plan on taking the batteries out
of storage and using them at that time. If your storage is truly
long term and you can take the time to charge and discharge a few
times to bring the battery back into service and back to their
rated capacity then there would be no reason to " charge *at least*
once a year" You only get so many cycles out of a Ni-Cad. Why
waste them?

Do you expect somebody to store them for five thousand years?

Of course not. Let's be a little more realistic. Pick 20 years.
Would you rather fire up your vintage whatever with a battery
charged/discharged two or three times a year for the last 20
years or would you rather retrieve a 20 year old unused Ni-Cad
and bring it to life?

Except: You're just about guaranteed to not be able to bring it back to
life after 20 years on the shelf.

wrote:
My experience is that nicads will last nearly forever as long as
they are in use. Typically I'll recharge once or twice a week with
universal remote control batteries getting least at about every
three months.

My experience, 25 plus years tells me they will NOT even come close to
lasting 25 years, even with normal use.

Leave the batteries unused in a draw somewhere for 9 months and
they'll be ruined. Recharging twice a year might not be bad advice.

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

If you've been reading, you already have a link available for that
information.

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:25:31 -0500, wrote:


My experience is that nicads will last nearly forever as long as they are in
use. Typically I'll recharge once or twice a week with universal remote
control batteries getting least at about every three months.

My experience, 25 plus years tells me they will NOT even come close to
lasting 25 years, even with normal use.

Leave the batteries unused in a draw somewhere for 9 months and they'll be
ruined. Recharging twice a year might not be bad advice.

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

Please take a reading comprehension course.

Which word in "my experience" don't you understand? I've had at least ten sets
of batteries run for 2-3 years with no problems, go out of use, and then be
unuseable after 7-12 months.

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:12:21 GMT, Twayne wrote:
wrote:
My experience is that nicads will last nearly forever as long as
they are in use. Typically I'll recharge once or twice a week with
universal remote control batteries getting least at about every
three months.

My experience, 25 plus years tells me they will NOT even come close to
lasting 25 years, even with normal use.

Leave the batteries unused in a draw somewhere for 9 months and
they'll be ruined. Recharging twice a year might not be bad advice.

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

If you've been reading, you already have a link available for that
information.

He hasn't the skill.

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:20:07 -0500, wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:26:14 -0000, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:58:40 -0500, wrote:
snip

When storing batteries for more than one year, charge *at least* once a
year to prevent leakage and deterioration of performance due to
self-discharging. When using a rapid voltage detection charger carry out
charge and discharge at least once ever 6 months.
-------------------------------


" charge *at least* once a year" snip "deterioration of performance"
The above is if you plan on taking the batteries out of storage and
using them at that time. If your storage is truly long term and you
can take the time to charge and discharge a few times to bring the
battery back into service and back to their rated capacity then there
would be no reason to " charge *at least* once a year" You only get
so many cycles out of a Ni-Cad. Why waste them?

Do you expect somebody to store them for five thousand years?

Of course not. Let's be a little more realistic. Pick 20 years.


Would you rather fire up your vintage whatever with a battery
charged/discharged two or three times a year for the last 20
years or would you rather retrieve a 20 year old unused Ni-Cad
and bring it to life?

20-40 extra cycles is nothing.

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

If you've been reading, you already have a link available for that
information.

9 months? Ridiculous to suggest it. A Ni-Cad sitting on a shelf may be
unusable and drained but not unrecoverable.

From the post you were responding to..........

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

*************************************
Please take a reading comprehension course.

Which word in "my experience" don't you understand? I've had at least ten sets
of batteries run for 2-3 years with no problems, go out of use, and then be
unuseable after 7-12 months.

I'll quote you "Please take a reading comprehension course."

Does unusable equal unrecoverable? Who is it that needs the refresher?

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:12:21 GMT, "Twayne"
wrote:

wrote:
My experience is that nicads will last nearly forever as long as
they are in use. Typically I'll recharge once or twice a week with
universal remote control batteries getting least at about every
three months.

My experience, 25 plus years tells me they will NOT even come close to
lasting 25 years, even with normal use.

Leave the batteries unused in a draw somewhere for 9 months and
they'll be ruined. Recharging twice a year might not be bad advice.

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

If you've been reading, you already have a link available for that
information.


Please quote. I'll wait.............

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:11:52 -0500, wrote:


From the post you were responding to..........

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

*************************************
Please take a reading comprehension course.

Which word in "my experience" don't you understand? I've had at least ten sets
of batteries run for 2-3 years with no problems, go out of use, and then be
unuseable after 7-12 months.

I'll quote you "Please take a reading comprehension course."

I'll ask you again: which word in "my experience" don't you understand?


Does unusable equal unrecoverable? Who is it that needs the refresher?

They are the same. Recovering nicads is a myth. Zap them and they'll fail
again within a few weeks.

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:32:55 -0000, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:11:52 -0500, wrote:


From the post you were responding to..........

Please site a link as to how a Ni-Cad becomes unusable (non
recoverable) after non use of 9 months.

*************************************
Please take a reading comprehension course.

Which word in "my experience" don't you understand? I've had at least ten sets
of batteries run for 2-3 years with no problems, go out of use, and then be
unuseable after 7-12 months.

I'll quote you "Please take a reading comprehension course."

I'll ask you again: which word in "my experience" don't you understand?

I don't understand why you continue to talk apples when I have
repeatedly talked oranges and pointed out the difference between
the two.

Does unusable equal unrecoverable? Who is it that needs the refresher?

They are the same. Recovering nicads is a myth. Zap them and they'll fail
again within a few weeks.

A uncharged Ni-Cad is unusable but is certainly recoverable and then
usable, so how can they be the same? Example: Ni-Cads sitting on
the shelf at the local K-Mart for a year or more either as spare parts
or included with a cordless phone. Are they unusable? Are
they unrecoverable?