Dewalt Battery Care

Information On Caring For Dewalt Rechargeable Batteries

1) Are Genuine Dewalt Batteries Manufactured To A Higher Quality Than Alternative Brands Or Copies?

Yes. It is recommended that only genuine Dewalt branded battery units are fitted to any Dewalt Power Tool.

2) Do the battery packs need to be completely discharged before re-charging?

No. It is just the opposite. As soon as you feel or notice a significant drop in power or speed from the particular cordless tool you are using, you should stop using the battery that is fitted. It is at this time when it is best to re-charge it using the recommended charger unit. If a rechargeable battery is totally run down it could damage it.

3) Can any battery charger manufactured by Dewalt be used to charge my battery?

No. Particular Dewalt battery chargers will only recharge certain batteries. Dewalt however do make and sell several charger units which accept the majority of batteries they have produced. These are described as their "intelligent chargers. These units have been developed over the years and can accept battery packs of different voltages, capacity sizes, and chemical make up. Different specifications and fitment apply to each unit.

4) What are the model numbers of their "intelligent" multi voltage chargers?

Several code / spare part numbers apply. The most popular ones being; DE9112, DE9116, DE9117, DE9216.

5) Why does the battery become warm whilst it is being charged?

During the charging process, as the rechargeable battery reaches full power capacity some of the energy converts to heat. A battery in good condition should become warm to the touch at this point, but not become hot. If you have a Dewalt battery that gets hot after a full charge the battery or charger unit has developed a fault or reached the end of its useful service life.

6) Can the temperature affect a Dewalt battery or it's operating performance?

Yes. If the temperature is cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) or too hot (105 degrees Fahrenheit or more) it will not accept a full charge. If charging is attempted in these temperature extremes the battery in most cases will suffer a reaction and be damaged, affecting it's runtime and overall performance when fitted to a power tool.

7) Can an automotive charger be used with Dewalt cordless tool batteries?

Yes. However, only the DW9109 model can be used. This will accept batteries from 7.2 volt to 18 volt in size.

8) Does a Dewalt "15 minute" rapid charger give as much power as a 1 or 2 hour charger?

Yes. The 15 minute fast charger is an "intelligent" model that uses a three (3) stage process to top up each battery pack. This high tech unit measures each internal cell, balances them, and fills each cell up to it's maximum possible capacity.

9) Can the "15 minute" intelligent charger damage a battery beacuse of it's very fast charging?

No. Due to a patented termination system this unit will not damage or harm any battery used in it. This particular charger will allow you to care for your power tools battery and get the maximum service life from it.

10) If my Dewalt battery will not hold power or accept a new charge is it faulty?

Possibly. There are however several reasons why you may have this problem. If the pack has a broken connection inside, or a single internal or multiple cell has failed, the battery will be unuseable. Other options are the battery has been charged incorrectly or with a damaged / faulty battery charger. There could be dirt or an object preventing the contacts working. Finally, due to use and age it could of reached the end of it's normal service life.

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.