How To Maintain Dewalt Ni Cd Batteries

Maintaining Dewalt Ni Cad Rechargeable Batteries

It is important to take care of the rechargeable battery packs that are supplied with any new Dewalt cordless tool.

Depending on the type and particular model number of Dewalt tool you have purchased you will have as standard either one, two, or three rechargeable batteries.

The only exception to this is if you have bought one of their tools that are currently available as a "naked" unboxed unit. By unboxed this refers to the cordless tool being supplied with no batteries, charger, carry case, or kitbox, being supplied as a "bare" unit in just a cardbox type carton.

The Dewalt range of rechargeable batteries for their cordless power tools range in voltage from 7.2v to 36v. The most popular being the 12v nicad battery, 14.4v nicd battery, and the 18v ni cd battery.

Over the last few years these different voltage batteries have also been manufactured with new direct replacements which have greater capacities. For example the most popular battery in the Dewalt cordless range; the 18v De9095 NiCd battery (capacity which is 2.0 aH) can be directly interchanged with the new alternative DE9096 2.4 aH capacity battery. The difference in capacity does not give the relevant powertool any more power, but a longer running time on a full charge. Eg: If you own a Dewalt DC988KA 18v cordless drill with a 2.0 aH battery fitted you may achieve 100 to 120 holes drilled into hard timber before the battery runs out. With a 2.4aH De9096 replacement battery fitted you may achieve 150 to 170 holes.

Once you have bought a new Dewalt cordless tool it makes sense to get the most out of in it's lifetime, including the units rechargeable batteries.

How To Maintain Dewalt NiCad Rechargeable Batteries

The solution to keeping the battery on your Dewalt cordless tool well maintained is to use the tool regularly and by doing so "cycle" it's rechargeable nicad battery pack.

The first thing to undertake with any new nicad Dewalt Battery is to charge it completely the very first time when you buy it. After manufacture all new rechargeable batteries are shipped in a discharged state with very low charge and power in them. The battery must therefore be fully charged before it's first use.

Using the correct charger for your particular nicad dewalt battery (unless you own one of the intelligent chargers) the battery pack should be left in a charging state until the indicator light shows the period of time is complete. The battery should then be fitted to the required drill or other cordless tool and used as needed.

The next stage is to use the tool until the battery shows the first sign of having no power. On a cordless drill this would be when the motor and chuck slows down to a very low speed. It should not be used to the point where the chuck and motor does not rotate at all.

At this point is when the battery is at it's optimum state to receive a new full recharge.

Placing the flat discharged battery into the charger will allow the charger unit to measure the amount of current needed to top up each cell within the batteries housing, and start the charging process over again.

This is the best way to maintain all Dewalt Nicad Batteries and get a good service life from them.

Hints And Tips To Extend The Life Of The Tools Battery

As mentioned above the best way to keep a rechargeable battery pack working at it's peak is to "cycle" it by discharging and recharging on an ongoing basis or schedule.

Other help you can do to extend it's life is by way of:

1) Storing it when not used at a normal room temperature. This should be in not a cold or hot environment.

2) Avoid dropping the battery whether fitted to a power tool or not.

3) Not leaving the battery in a medium to full charge capacity. On nicad batteries this can lead to "memory effect".

4) If stored off the relevant power tool keep the battery metal contacts away from any other metallic objects.

5) Use only a recognised original equipment Dewalt Battery Charger.