Wes Bischel
12-15-2003, 1:37 AM
Just figured I would post an update - not that anyone really cares, but more for someone searching in the future.
Well, I ended up buying a "rebuilt" unit off eBay for just under $25. It had two scratches on it - otherwise perfect, and all the cells in the batteries tested "good". So now I have two drill/drivers and 4 batteries. I figure now it will be worth it to rebuild batteries as they die (to keep 2 drill/drivers going).
FWIW, Wes
Original post:
I need some help with my Craftsman 16.8 drill/driver. Yesterday I was working it hard onsite (not in the shop). I had the second battery charging. When the first started to slow, I changed batteries, but the recently charged battery was almost dead. I thought it had gone bad but then noticed the battery I had been using wasn't charging anymore. The light went on when I placed it in the charger, but would go out after 45 seconds or so. The battery that should have been charged would light for about 5 seconds, then dim out.
I would think with both battery packs going south at the same time it might point to the charger. But, when I put a meter on it I get 20.8V (transformer is marked as 24vdc). Looking inside, the small board shows no sign of anything being fried.
So what do I do next? Test the cells in the packs? (if so, how is that done) Is there a way to test the charger under load?
Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to get the batteries rebuilt only to find the charger's dead.
Thanks, Wes
Well, I ended up buying a "rebuilt" unit off eBay for just under $25. It had two scratches on it - otherwise perfect, and all the cells in the batteries tested "good". So now I have two drill/drivers and 4 batteries. I figure now it will be worth it to rebuild batteries as they die (to keep 2 drill/drivers going).
FWIW, Wes
Original post:
I need some help with my Craftsman 16.8 drill/driver. Yesterday I was working it hard onsite (not in the shop). I had the second battery charging. When the first started to slow, I changed batteries, but the recently charged battery was almost dead. I thought it had gone bad but then noticed the battery I had been using wasn't charging anymore. The light went on when I placed it in the charger, but would go out after 45 seconds or so. The battery that should have been charged would light for about 5 seconds, then dim out.
I would think with both battery packs going south at the same time it might point to the charger. But, when I put a meter on it I get 20.8V (transformer is marked as 24vdc). Looking inside, the small board shows no sign of anything being fried.
So what do I do next? Test the cells in the packs? (if so, how is that done) Is there a way to test the charger under load?
Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to get the batteries rebuilt only to find the charger's dead.
Thanks, Wes