"Puckdropper" puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote

How old are your batteries? I've been getting 3-5 years out of my Li-Ion
batteries before I notice a big drop off in charging capacity. I usually
wait until the tool is slowing down or starts impacting early, so it'd be
interesting to see if your method is any different.


I am just now changing over, so I am not deep enough into the age curve to
have any data.

Admittedly, I probably did kill the 18V screwdriver batteries by using
them in the circular saw. But I've got Lithium Ion laptop batteries that
are all dieing in that same time frame.

Yes, it is true that the lower amp hour batteries like are to be found in
screwdrivers and other entry level tools do not much like an extremely high
drain user like a circular saw. I am not getting any low capacity
batteries, to extend run times in drills and drivers, and to always have a
high capacity cell ready for saws and such. I am using the Kobalt 4.0 amp
hour battery as my rebuilding stock, so far. It has to be ordered online
from Lowes in many areas, but is a deal for that capacity for around 89
bucks. Much better value than any other brand I am aware of.

I did do an experiment by ordering ultra high capacity cells the next size
larger online. Extreme caution on this. The Chinese suppliers will stamp
most any capacity on a cell to make the sale. Many test out at only 15% of
the stamped capacity. Do research before buying cells by reading reviews of
someone who has bought the cells and tested the capacity.

Anyway, I order 6 cells of 4.5 amp hour cells (1860 size?) and got them, and
checked each cell's capacity on my hobby charger, and they did pretty well
averaging around 4350 milliamp hours. Put them together and used them, and
they lasted forever per charge. Then they started fading, so I took the
pack apart to check it. One cell had gone to a near complete dead short.
No problem, says I, I only used 5 of the 6 cells I ordered, so I can just
switch out the bad one. Problem is that I put the extra cell somewhere safe
and can't find it! I was using the hobby charger without the balancer, but
when I find the missing cell, I will put it back together with a charging
plug to accommodate the balancer.

By the way, do you all know that the larger capacity packs are simply a
doubled up smaller pack. They are 10 cells for the 18 to 20 volt pack,
hooked in two by five.
--
Jim in NC


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On 9/2/14, 10:46 AM, Leon wrote:


From what I understand you have to send the parts/tool to a repair
facility and wait for the return shipment. If time is on your side, no
problem.


Yep. A friend went through the process after the cells died in a few
months after purchase. He had to find a repair shop in our semi-remote
area (90 mile round trip) and drop off the batteries. After a 3 week
wait he went to pick them up. The 'warranty' is legit, but a pain to
execute.

-BR


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