 |
|
|
 |
Cordless
Batteries and Chargers FAQs
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Is it better for DEWALT
batteries to be completely discharged before charging?
- How is the Voltage of
a Battery Pack Determined?
- What is Memory, and
do DEWALT batteries have it?
- Does it hurt DEWALT
batteries to leave them in the charger?
- My battery does not
hold a charge anymore, Why?
- What can I do to improve
the runtime of my battery?
- Does the outside temperature
affect batteries?
- Can an Automotive Charger
charge batteries over 12V?
- Does a DEWALT
15 Minute Charger give as much charge as a 1 Hour Charger?
- Does our 15 Minute
Charger reduce battery life?
- Can the DEWALT
charger be used with a generator?
- Why can’t I use a 9.6V
battery in a 12V Drill?
- Why is the battery
warm when you take it out of the charger?
- Can the XR pack be
used in a product which comes with Compact Batteries, or vice versa?
- What should be done
with batteries once they have gone bad?
-
Is it better
for DEWALT batteries to be completely discharged before charging?
No. Just the opposite, you should stop using a
battery as soon as you feel a substantial decrease in power from the tool.
Completely running down a battery may damage the battery.
Do not tape trigger to run down the battery.
- How is the Voltage
of a Battery Pack Determined?
A battery pack is made up of a series of individual battery cells connected
together. Each cell
has 1.2 volts. With the addition of each cell the battery pack voltage increases
by 1.2 volts. For example, a 12 volt battery has 10 cells X 1.2 volts.
- What is Memory,
and do DEWALT batteries have it?
Memory is one of many conditions which causes a loss of runtime. Memory is
created from repetitive light use in the exact same application (i.e. Cordless
Phones, Video Cameras, Electric Shavers, etc.) Our products rarely see light
use or the exact same loads, due to variability from the user, the bit size,
as well as the material. The same variability which causes different runtimes,
prevents our cells from developing memory. Power tools are considered high-drain
applications. Memory typically develops in lower-drain rate applications,
such as cordless phones, laptops, etc…, because the rate in which the battery
is draining is continuously the same. Power tools draw higher currents and
have sporadic drain rates minimizing the opportunity for the battery to develop
a memory.
Definition of Runtime - the number of holes drilled, screws run,
or cuts which can be made on a charged battery.
- Does it hurt DEWALT batteries to leave them in the charger?
No. The DEWALT chargers have a maintenance mode which allows
batteries to remain in the charger, maintaining a fully charged pack until
the user is ready to work. If the batteries are stored outside of the charger,
they will discharge naturally, 15-20% the first 24 hours, 7-10% the next day,
and about 1% every day there after. NiCd batteries lose the bulk of the capacity
when outside of the charger in the first 3 days. In fact, it is better for
the battery to leave it in the charger to be sure it goes through Equalization
and Maintenance Modes.
- My battery does
not hold a charge anymore, Why?
The potential reasons for this condition are as follows:
- A connection between the individual
cells has broken.
- A single cell or multiple cells
have been overheated and have failed.
- The battery has reached the
limit of its useable life.
- Poor charging practices
If the battery still runs, but with
limited runtime, the cells may be unbalanced, requiring charging through equalization
mode to bring each cell back to its maximum charge.
- What can I
do to improve the runtime of my battery?
If no permanent damage
has been done to your battery, you may be able to improve its runtime. The
correct procedure for charging your batteries is as follows:
- Discharge the battery under
normal use. Remove the battery, once you feel a lose of power from the
tool. Do not tape trigger on, this will make it worse.
- Let the battery sit out of the
charger for a least 2 hours until the battery is at room temperature.
- Place battery in the charger
overnight to allow for a full charge on each individual cell. (A minimum
of 8 hours at room temperature.)
If there is no difference in runtime,
there is either permanent damage or the battery has reached the end of its
usable life. In either case, the battery should be replaced.
- Does the outside
temperature affect batteries? How?
Yes. If the batteries are too hot (1050F or higher) or
too cold (below 400F), the batteries will not take a full charge.
Attempting to charge batteries outside the 400F-1050F
range can result in a permanent loss of runtime. When batteries are being
charged and discharged a chemical reaction is taking place, and if it is too
hot or cold the chemical reaction is disturbed causing a loss of runtime.
- Can an Automotive
Charger charge batteries over 12V?
Yes. The new Automotive Charger, DW9109, will charge
all Battery Packs, 7.2V to 18V, in about one hour.
- Does a DEWALT
15 Minute Charger give as much charge as a 1 Hour Charger?
Yes. The 15 Minute Charger has the same 3 stage charging process
as the 1 Hour charger, which balances and fills each cell to its fullest capacity.
The fast charge mode takes only 15 minutes versus the 50 minutes required
by the one hour charger.
- Does our 15
Minute Charger reduce battery life?
No. Our 15 Minute Charger does not hurt the battery due to the Patented
Charge Termination System. Many of our competitors’ 15 Minute Chargers overcharge
their batteries, reducing battery life.
- Can the DEWALT
charger be used with a generator?
Yes. All of DEWALT chargers, excluding the DW9106,
have been designed to handle the variations in voltage and current delivered
by generators.
- Why can’t I use
a 9.6V battery in a 12V Drill?
The tools are designed to run at the specific voltage provided by the battery
pack. Too much voltage, as well as too little voltage, can cause poor performance
and life from the tool. The tool may run for short periods of time with the
wrong battery pack, but it shortens the overall life of the product. This
is the same reason corded products designed for 220V cannot be used in the
U.S. where we have 120V outlets.
- Why is the battery
warm when you take it out of the charger?
As a battery approaches a full charge, some of the energy being loaded into
the battery generates heat. It is OK for the battery to get warm, but it
should not get so hot that it is difficult to hold in your hand.
- Can the XR pack
be used in a product which comes with Compact Batteries, or vice versa? (i.e.
XR Pack in a DW952)
Yes. XR, XR2, XR+, and compact Batteries can all be used interchangeably.
The only difference is the Extended Runtime Batteries will allow the tool
to run longer on a charge. The only rule to interchanging batteries is to
match the battery voltage with the voltage of the product.
- What should
be done with batteries once they have gone bad?
RECYCLE. The
material in these batteries (nickel-cadmium) is toxic, and must be disposed
of properly. A Federal Law was approved in May of 1996, under the
Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act, mandating the
proper disposal of these batteries. If continued efforts to recycle nickel-cadmium
batteries fail, the states will outlaw their use. Without these batteries,
cordless power tools will not be available as they are today. DEWALT is an
active participant with RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation),
the organization which is the international leader in the collection, transportation,
and recycling the NiCd cells so they can remain a viable battery option in
the U.S. and the rest of the world. Old batteries should be disposed of at
Black & Decker Service Centers. For more information call 1-(800) 8-BATTERY
or 1-(800) 8-228-8379.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
All Products at a Glance
Global
| Webmaster
| Company Information
