| If you've ever went to use your favorite | | | | battery. I've experimented with different |
| cordless tool and found the battery dead or | | | | way of recharging my batteries and have come |
| took the battery off the charger and have it | | | | to one conclusion.For modern batteries, it |
| go dead prematurely, then you know the | | | | doesn't matter whether you run the battery |
| frustration that comes along with owner | | | | completely down or not. By completely down I |
| cordless tools.Tip #1. Heat is not a | | | | mean until the tool does not perform |
| battery's friend. Heat will kill a | | | | adequately. As soon as the cordless drill |
| rechargeable battery just about quicker than | | | | won't screw a deck screw in all the way, the |
| anything I can think of. It also reduces the | | | | battery goes on the charger and a fresh one |
| battery's life span. If it seems you're | | | | is popped in.I've known some people who would |
| constantly buying battery's or if it seems | | | | clamp the trigger down and fully discharge |
| you're not getting good usage times between | | | | the battery but I have never seen it make a |
| rechargings, take a look at how you're | | | | difference.One thing I never do is leave the |
| charging your batteries.Keep the recharger in | | | | battery on the recharger for an extended |
| a cool place. Recharging your batteries in a | | | | amount of time. Even with the tools that |
| 100 degree garage is a good road to a short | | | | don't get used that much, once the battery is |
| battery life.During recharging, try and keep | | | | charged it is taken off the charger.Tip #5. |
| a fan on the charging unit. Batteries can | | | | Always have a backup You just never know when |
| build up a lot of heat during recharging and | | | | the battery will go. Always have a back up |
| they need help disapating the heat.Tip #2. | | | | ready to go. This usually means a third or |
| Battery packs are not indestructable. I'm | | | | fourth battery. It's cheap insurance against |
| constantly amazed at how careless many people | | | | having to work with hand tools!Tip #6. Make |
| are with their battery's.Crack a housing and | | | | Sure You're Using the Correct Charger Another |
| you might as well open the wallet back up. | | | | one of the things you'd think would be common |
| Store the tool and battery in the case it | | | | sense, however I see people trying to |
| came in if at all possible. If no case is | | | | recharge their Makita batteries on their |
| available, then a soft sided tool bag with | | | | Dewalt chargers all the time and wonder why |
| some cushion will protect the tool and | | | | it doesn't work.Recharging your battery on |
| battery until it's time to use it again.Tip | | | | the wrong charger is certain death for your |
| #3. Water is a Killer of batteries You'd | | | | cordless battery. The battery and the charger |
| think this would be common sense, but I see | | | | should tell you if they are a match or not. |
| cordless tools laying in back of pickups and | | | | You can also find this information in the |
| on the jobsite during wet weather and just | | | | owners manual for most tools.Don Lawson is |
| have to wonder how many battery packs the | | | | the Tool Guru at You can find more |
| owner must have had to buy.Keep the battery | | | | information on a wide variety of cordless |
| pack dry and clean. Wipe any moisture off as | | | | tools and battery packs at his website. is a |
| soon as it gets on the tool. If it starts to | | | | website that brings readers discounted tools, |
| rain, it's time to take a break. Tip #4. To | | | | coupons and closeouts on a wide variety of |
| Drain Completely or Leave Some Charge There | | | | tools. |
| is some controversy about how to charge a | | | | |