Checking power drill battery charger?

[TheKeith]

I just got a new 15.6 V craftsman drill and noticed that when charging the
nicd batteries, the do *not* get warm at all, but in the instructions, it
says the batteries do get warm. They seem to be charged, but then they
already had juice in them when I charged them for the first time, so I'm not
completely sure the batteries are charging. Is there a way I can check the
charger? I have a multimeter, if that helps. Thanks.

 

[Ross Mac]

I just got a new 15.6 V craftsman drill and noticed that when charging the
nicd batteries, the do *not* get warm at all, but in the instructions, it
says the batteries do get warm. They seem to be charged, but then they
already had juice in them when I charged them for the first time, so I'm not
completely sure the batteries are charging. Is there a way I can check the
charger? I have a multimeter, if that helps. Thanks.

Use the drill till the batteries run down (find an old board and drive some
big screws into it, that should help), then try to charge them. They should
warm up. If the charger isn't working you will know in short order.....The
drill won't work anymore!

 

[TheKeith]

Use the drill till the batteries run down (find an old board and drive some
big screws into it, that should help), then try to charge them. They should
warm up. If the charger isn't working you will know in short order.....The
drill won't work anymore!

that's what I ended up doing. The charger works fine. I was just wondering
if there was another way where I didn't have to do that, but no matter now.
Thanks.

 

[R. Steve Walz]

that's what I ended up doing. The charger works fine. I was just wondering
if there was another way where I didn't have to do that, but no matter now.
Thanks.

------------------
The danger on Usenet is that someone who knows won't post.

NiCd's WILL NOT heat up UNLESS they are being DANGEROUSLY OVERCHARGED!
The charger should prevent this, so be glad that it IS NOT HAPPENING!

-Steve

 

[TheKeith]

------------------
The danger on Usenet is that someone who knows won't post.

NiCd's WILL NOT heat up UNLESS they are being DANGEROUSLY OVERCHARGED!
The charger should prevent this, so be glad that it IS NOT HAPPENING!

Hey thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

 

[Ross Mac]

------------------
The danger on Usenet is that someone who knows won't post.

NiCd's WILL NOT heat up UNLESS they are being DANGEROUSLY OVERCHARGED!
The charger should prevent this, so be glad that it IS NOT HAPPENING!

-Steve

Heat up is a rather relative word...I can say that "every" battery I have
ever charged exhibited some level of warming. Even the directions that came
with the drill said they may warm up at some level....You should explain to
me how current flows and no heat is generated....Not trying to flame you
here....just would like some more specifics on your claim.....take care,
Ross

 

[Ross Mac]

------------------
The danger on Usenet is that someone who knows won't post.

NiCd's WILL NOT heat up UNLESS they are being DANGEROUSLY OVERCHARGED!
The charger should prevent this, so be glad that it IS NOT HAPPENING!

-Steve

Since the above post claims that NiCd battteries don't get warm on
recharge.......
Check this link ! http://www.mrbattery.com.sg/mrclass03.asp
You will find that the charging temperature of a NiCd battery is from 0-45C
or 0-113F. Where I come from 113 F IS warm........
As far as the most common rechargeable batteries go, NiCd seem to fall in
the middle as far as recharge temperatures are concerned.

I guess, I can't argue about the part of the post that states

" The danger on Usenet is that someone who knows won't post "

This guy made that point rather well!!!...........Ross

 

[Keith R. Williams]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, [email protected]
says...

Since the above post claims that NiCd battteries don't get warm on
recharge.......
Check this link ! http://www.mrbattery.com.sg/mrclass03.asp
You will find that the charging temperature of a NiCd battery is from 0-45C
or 0-113F. Where I come from 113 F IS warm........

NO, that isn't *warm* at all. That's not even one-potato hot! The
fact is that secondary cells do *not* get *warm* when properly
charged. The charger will disconnect if/when they do (it's the
most reliable signal that the chemistry is "done").

As far as the most common rechargeable batteries go, NiCd seem to fall in
the middle as far as recharge temperatures are concerned.

Ok, they still don't get "warm", during charge.

I guess, I can't argue about the part of the post that states

" The danger on Usenet is that someone who knows won't post "

Well Ross, RSW is right here. ...go figgr; a clock stopped!

This guy made that point rather well!!!...........Ross

???

 

[Ross Mac]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, [email protected]
says...

NO, that isn't *warm* at all. That's not even one-potato hot! The
fact is that secondary cells do *not* get *warm* when properly
charged. The charger will disconnect if/when they do (it's the
most reliable signal that the chemistry is "done").


Ok, they still don't get "warm", during charge.

Well Ross, RSW is right here. ...go figgr; a clock stopped!


???

So you don't think that a battery that is over a hundred degrees is warm???
I never said they would burn your fingers...just that they would be warm...
That is opposed to being cool when you install them in the charger....
Oh well....a post on relativity......I guess I pissed everyone off
here!...Ross

 

[Keith R. Williams]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, [email protected]
says...

So you don't think that a battery that is over a hundred degrees is warm???

Considering that the normal human body is just a few degrees
cooler than that, not particularly, no.

I never said they would burn your fingers...just that they would be warm...
That is opposed to being cool when you install them in the charger....
Oh well....a post on relativity......I guess I pissed everyone off
here!...Ross

Pissed off? A disagreement is hardly getting PO'd.

 

[Ross Mac]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, [email protected]
says... warm???

Considering that the normal human body is just a few degrees
cooler than that, not particularly, no.


Pissed off? A disagreement is hardly getting PO'd.

Not too eloquent of me huh....Guess I need a mood enhancement....Well, since
it's in the holiday tradition, think I'll have a cold one!
Happy New Year Keith!.........Ross

 

[als]

More likely, that someone who does not, will.

 

[ND]

Take the battery pack off the charger and put it in the drill. Lock the
drill switch on and let it run until the pack is completely dead.
Nicads work best if completely discharged before being recharged. You will
also find out how well your charger is working. You may or may not have
heard of Nicad battery memory. You can research it for details, but just
keep in mind charging a partially discharged battery pack over time leads to
less of a full charge.
Best to completely discharge and then complete recharge (depending on what
the instructions for your drill recommend).

 

[CBarn24050]

Hi, my understanding was that nicads last better if stored discharged, is that
not correct?

 

[Ian Stirling]

Take the battery pack off the charger and put it in the drill. Lock the
drill switch on and let it run until the pack is completely dead.
Nicads work best if completely discharged before being recharged. You will
also find out how well your charger is working. You may or may not have

Never, ever do this.
By discharging the pack completely to zero (as this will do in many drills)
this guarantees reverse charging one or more cells, as all the cells will
not be matched perfectly.
This is about the worst thing you can do to NiCd/NiMH and will severely shorten
the life.