Cordless drill Batteries that discharge when sitting awhile.

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02-04-2019, 11:56
SideShow Bob

Cordless drill Batteries that discharge when sitting awhile.

It never fails, I go to use my cordless drill (DeWalt 18V XRP) and both batteries have discharged. Before I put it away the last time, less than a month ago, I charged both of them up and put the little plastic caps over the contact area and stored evevrthing in the carry case.
Now, I go to use the drill and one battery is discharged to the point of no power and the other one seemed to have a charge, but died about 1/3 into the first hole that I drilled. GRRRRRR !
These are fairly new batteries, I replaced the old ones that were getting very weak and spent more time charging than working.

What drills do all of you have that don?t discharge the batteries from just sitting for a little time ? Is there such a thing ?
As soon as I can afford a new cordless that will stay charged, I will replace this DeWalt.
02-04-2019, 11:58
DEAGLER

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

It never fails, I go to use my cordless drill (DeWalt 18V XRP) and both batteries have discharged. Before I put it away the last time, less than a month ago, I charged both of them up and put the little plastic caps over the contact area and stored evevrthing in the carry case.
Now, I go to use the drill and one battery is discharged to the point of no power and the other one seemed to have a charge, but died about 1/3 into the first hole that I drilled. GRRRRRR !
These are fairly new batteries, I replaced the old ones that were getting very weak and spent more time charging than working.

What drills do all of you have that don?t discharge the batteries from just sitting for a little time ? Is there such a thing ?
As soon as I can afford a new cordless that will stay charged, I will this DeWalt.

No problems here with my 20v and 60v’s
02-04-2019, 11:59
Irving

I don't think I have that problem with my Ryobi batteries. I'm sure they discharge some, but nothing like you're talking about. Not saying to run out and switch to Ryobi, just that I don't seem to have that issue.
02-04-2019, 12:03
izzy

I have dewalt drills and they've never done this to me. I do typically keep a battery on the charger at all times though just in case.
02-04-2019, 12:07
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzy

I have dewalt drills and they've never done this to me. I do typically keep a battery on the charger at all times though just in case.

I would do this, but I would think that keeping a battery on a charger for a month or more between uses would be bad for the battery and a possible fire hazard.
02-04-2019, 12:08
DenverGP

Not sure what battery technology your dewalt uses. A home depot listing for Dewalt 18V XRP lists them as NiCad.

Older battery technology used NiCad or NiMH batteries. Those have a self discharge rate of 10-15% in 24h, and then 10-15% per month.
Newer tech uses Lithium-ion, which have a self discharge of around 5% in 24h, then 1–2% per month
02-04-2019, 12:09
mb504

That's a pretty quick self-discharge. There are complaints on their site about that.

They are NiCd, so they are an older chemistry.

Any thought about going to a LiOn system? Heck, if you don't use it much, go to a corded drill.
02-04-2019, 12:13
DFBrews

I run milwaukee and haven’t had any issues see if you can find a lion upgrade battery for your dril
02-04-2019, 12:13
StagLefty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irving

I don't think I have that problem with my Ryobi batteries. I'm sure they discharge some, but nothing like you're talking about. Not saying to run out and switch to Ryobi, just that I don't seem to have that issue.

Yup same here.
02-04-2019, 12:18
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb504

That's a pretty quick self-discharge. There are complaints on their site about that.

They are NiCd, so they are an older chemistry.

Any thought about going to a LiOn system? Heck, if you don't use it much, go to a corded drill.

Yep, old tech, guess I should be like Duck Dodgers and join the 21st century & upgrade to a LiOn cordless set. The set I have now has lasted me since the late 1990’s and sure has come in handy. I have the full set, drill, sawzall, circular saw and hard case.
02-04-2019, 12:29
20X11

My Ryobi doesn't have this issue at all. The chargers have auto shut-off when the battery is fully charged, so no fire hazard, and none of my 8 batteries has ever discharged over time of non-use. I started adopting the Ryobi 18v system 6 years ago. I have drills, saws, vacuum, trimmer, blower, clipper, radio, light that all use the batteries interchangeably.
02-04-2019, 12:43
laportecharlie

You might check with Batteries +. They can rebuild your old ones a lot cheaper than replacing them.
Charlie
02-04-2019, 12:47
mb504

Here are some LiOn replacements:

https://www.dewalt.com/products/acce...battery/dc9182

OOS: https://www.cpopowertools.com/dewalt...efault,pd.html

OOS: https://www.heltontoolandhome.com/de...er-combo-pack/

OUCH!: https://platt.com/platt-electric-sup...px?zpid=720499

OOS: https://www.toolbarn.com/dewalt-dc9182c.html/
02-04-2019, 13:19
SideShow Bob

Thanks mb504,
This looks to be the all round best deal, this way I can still use all of the original set tools and still upgrade to the LiOn 20 V batteries.
Granted, over time this will burn out the tools (more voltage and amperage) but by that time hopefully they will have perfected the battery size portable hydrogen fuel cell tools.

https://www.toolbarn.com/dewalt-dca2203c.html/
02-04-2019, 14:10
spittoon

Just unscrew the case check all of the batterys for the week cell they can be replace easily .the battery is as good as the weekest one or 2 cells. batterys plus or a hobby store should have the new cells.
02-04-2019, 15:21
brutal

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

Thanks mb504,
This looks to be the all round best deal, this way I can still use all of the original set tools and still upgrade to the LiOn 20 V batteries.
Granted, over time this will burn out the tools (more voltage and amperage) but by that time hopefully they will have perfected the battery size portable hydrogen fuel cell tools.

https://www.toolbarn.com/dewalt-dca2203c.html/

?

I'm not seeing that. The link shows 18V Li-Ion battery - it also requires new charger.

There's a dual ported charge stand that does all the 7.2V-18V batteries. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X1S11Q...4c8d3b0a76a60b

Should you move into any of the 20V tools, there's also a cobo dual port that does either. https://www.dewalt.com/products/acce...charger/dcb103

Hell, they now even have a 20V battery - 18V tool adapter. https://www.dewalt.com/products/acce...tools/dca2203c
02-04-2019, 15:36
brutal

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb504

Here are some LiOn replacements:

https://www.dewalt.com/products/acce...battery/dc9182

OOS: https://www.cpopowertools.com/dewalt...efault,pd.html

OOS: https://www.heltontoolandhome.com/de...er-combo-pack/

OUCH!: https://platt.com/platt-electric-sup...px?zpid=720499

OOS: https://www.toolbarn.com/dewalt-dc9182c.html/

I wish they had Li-Ion 7.2V batteries. I love my DW920K's bendy screwdrivers but they battery system is dated.
02-04-2019, 17:06
encorehunter

Buy a converter to use 20v batteries in you 18v. I have a couple that I used for quite some time. I have finally converted everything to 2ov.
02-04-2019, 17:53
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by brutal

?

I'm not seeing that. The link shows 18V Li-Ion battery - it also requires new charger.

There's a dual ported charge stand that does all the 7.2V-18V batteries. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X1S11Q...4c8d3b0a76a60b

Should you move into any of the 20V tools, there's also a cobo dual port that does either. https://www.dewalt.com/products/acce...charger/dcb103

Hell, they now even have a 20V battery - 18V tool adapter. https://www.dewalt.com/products/acce...tools/dca2203c

your last link is what I linked except from tool barn.
02-04-2019, 19:25
BPTactical

Glad I didn't throw away my old school drill that still has a cord.
Solves the whole "dead battery" issue.
02-04-2019, 19:58
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPTactical

Glad I didn't throw away my old school drill that still has a cord.
Solves the whole "dead battery" issue.

And increases the electrocution issue using it in the soggy snow melt fence line.
02-04-2019, 20:02
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by encorehunter

Buy a converter to use 20v batteries in you 18v. I have a couple that I used for quite some time. I have finally converted everything to 2ov.

That?s the plan, see the link to tool barn.
02-04-2019, 21:13
brutal

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

your last link is what I linked except from tool barn.

Sorry, I didn't look at the toolbarn link. I was just going off your comment about 10V batteries burning up your tools over time. ???

Anyway, shouldn't the adapter be stepping down the voltage to 18V?

Oh, and Amazon has them in stock too unless you get free shipping from toolbarn or don't want to contribute to the Wash Post via Jeff Bezos.
02-04-2019, 21:17
wyome

Got some 3 or 4yr old Porter Cable 18v drills and impact from Lowe's.... things will hold charge for about a year just sitting there. The drill will....I hardly use it... always using the impact driver
02-04-2019, 21:21
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by brutal

Sorry, I didn't look at the toolbarn link. I was just going off your comment about 10V batteries burning up your tools over time. ???

Anyway, shouldn't the adapter be stepping down the voltage to 18V?

Oh, and Amazon has them in stock too unless you get free shipping from toolbarn or don't want to contribute to the Wash Post via Jeff Bezos.

20 V LiOn adaptor has no step down, the slight voltage increase with the increase in current will cause more wear Esspecially since my set is about 20 years old now, I?ve had it since the late 1990?s or very early 2000?s.
Tool barn is free shipping and no tax unlike Amazon that charges tax.
02-04-2019, 21:56
BPTactical

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

And increases the electrocution issue using it in the soggy snow melt fence line.

Meh, details, details......or you could just wait for the snow to melt before you play "This Old House".
Way to go Norm..
02-04-2019, 23:18
def90

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

And increases the electrocution issue using it in the soggy snow melt fence line.

Puts hair on the chest and builds character..
02-05-2019, 08:46
StagLefty

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPTactical

Glad I didn't throw away my old school drill that still has a cord.
Solves the whole "dead battery" issue.

Yeah but not everybody has a 10 mile extension cord or the room [Coffee]
02-05-2019, 09:00
mb504

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPTactical

Glad I didn't throw away my old school drill that still has a cord.
Solves the whole "dead battery" issue.

Very true. I gave up on battery based tools for a few years, after frustration with NiCad batteries being dead when I went to use them
02-05-2019, 16:47
CHA-LEE

NiCd or NiMh chemistry battery packs for power tools are very poor options now that Lithium Ion chemistry batteries are the new "normal". Ditch all of the old NiCd & NiMh stuff and upgrade to Lithium Ion battery based power tools. Doing so will save you a tremendous amount of aggravation.
02-06-2019, 17:16
beast556

You just need the lion batteries and charger your old dewalt tools should be able to use lion batteries as long as they are 18v. All of our tools at work are Milwaukee they are ok but I like my dewalt tools at home much better. Never had a battery drain issue.
02-12-2019, 20:10
SideShow Bob

Well,
Ordered up the 20V Li-Ion battery adapter & batteries and ordered a old style (Tower Ni-Cad) after market Chinese Li-Ion 18V battery. And they arrived.
The 20V adaptor fits tight in the drill and other tools, but is removable and the 20V batteries have a noticeable rpm increase from the Ni-Cads.
And the old style tower Li-Ion 18V has a slight rpm increase & lighter than the old Ni-Cads. And is a very tight fit for the old charger & a snug no rattle fit in the drill & tools.
Time will Tell if the run time, shelf time charge and performance improves, I finished a couple of projects before these new batteries arrived. (Of course).
02-12-2019, 22:33
Grant H.

We bought the name brand dewalt 20v adapters and batteries for all of our work kits.

Well worth the money.

The little 2AH lithium batteries have been lasting longer than the XRP 18V Nicads that we have.
02-12-2019, 23:21
SideShow Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant H.

We bought the name brand dewalt 20v adapters and batteries for all of our work kits.

Well worth the money.

The little 2AH lithium batteries have been lasting longer than the XRP 18V Nicads that we have.

That’s what I did also, name brand adaptor & 2 - 2 AH 20V, good to hear that the 2 AH Li-ions are lasting longer than the Ni-Cads did.
The old style 18V Chinese aftermarket battery was cheap enough to take a chance on, so I thought I would give it a try, it is supposed to be rated 5 AH. We will see how that one turns out.
02-12-2019, 23:38
Grant H.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

That’s what I did also, name brand adaptor & 2 - 2 AH 20V, good to hear that the 2 AH Li-ions are lasting longer than the Ni-Cads did.
The old style 18V Chinese aftermarket battery was cheap enough to take a chance on, so I thought I would give it a try, it is supposed to be rated 5 AH. We will see how that one turns out.

We have a handful of the China Nicads, and they worked pretty well for a while (6 months???) but then started to fail pretty quick.

One note on the adapters and lithiums, don't leave the batteries in the adapters. The adapters actively "buck" the voltage down for the 18v tools, and will drain the batteries.

One of our Dewalt adapters had a few of the cast plastic fins near the terminals that were too thick. A little quick whittling of those with a razor knife, and it fits into/out of tools much better.

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