FAQ

1. Is it better for batteries to be completely discharged before charging?
2. How is the Voltage of a Battery Pack Determined?
3. What is Memory?
4. Does it hurt batteries to leave them in the charger?
5. My battery does not hold a charge anymore, Why?
6. What can I do to improve the runtime of my battery?
7. Does the outside temperature affect batteries?
8. Does a 15 minute fast charger give as much charge as a 1 hour charger?
9. Can a charger be used with a generator?
10. Why can’t I use a 9.6V battery in a 12V Drill?
11. Why is the battery warm when you take it out of the charger?
12. What should be done with batteries once they have gone bad?

1. Is it better for batteries to be completely discharged before charging?

   No.Just the opposite, you should stop using a battery as soon as you feel a substantial decrease in power from the tool. Completely running down a battery may damage the battery. Do not tape trigger to run down the battery.

2. How is the Voltage of a Battery Pack Determined?

   A battery pack is made up of a series of individual battery cells connected together. Each cell has 1.2 volts. With the addition of each cell the battery pack voltage increases by 1.2 volts. For example, a 12 volt battery has 10 cells X 1.2 volts.

3. What is Memory?

   Memory is one of many conditions which causes a loss of runtime. Memory is created from repetitive light use in the exact same application (i.e. Cordless Phones, Video Cameras, Electric Shavers, etc.) Our products rarely see light use or the exact same loads, due to variability from the user, the bit size, as well as the material. The same variability which causes different runtimes, prevents our cells from developing memory. Power tools are considered high-drain applications. Memory typically develops in lower-drain rate applications, such as cordless phones, laptops, etc…, because the rate in which the battery is draining is continuously the same. Power tools draw higher currents and have sporadic drain rates minimizing the opportunity for the battery to develop a memory.Definition of Runtime - the number of holes drilled, screws run, or cuts which can be made on a charged battery.

4. Does it hurt batteries to leave them in the charger?

   No. The majority of chargers have a maintenance mode which allows batteries to remain in the charger, maintaining a fully charged pack until the user is ready to work. If the batteries are stored outside of the charger, they will discharge naturally, 15-20% the first 24 hours, 7-10% the next day, and about 1% every day there after. NiCd batteries lose the bulk of the capacity when outside of the charger in the first 3 days. In fact, it is better for the battery to leave it in the charger to be sure it goes through Equalization and Maintenance Modes.

5. My battery does not hold a charge anymore, Why?

   The potential reasons for this condition are as follows:

   1. A connection between the individual cells has broken.
   2. A single cell or multiple cells have been overheated and have failed.
   3. The battery has reached the limit of its usable life.
   4. Poor charging practices

   If the battery still runs, but with limited runtime, the cells may be unbalanced, requiring charging through equalization mode to bring each cell back to its maximum charge.

6. What can I do to improve the runtime of my battery?

   If no permanent damage has been done to your battery, you may be able to improve its runtime. The correct procedure for charging your batteries is as follows:

   1. Discharge the battery under normal use. Remove the battery, once you feel a lose of power from the tool. Do not tape trigger on, this will make it worse.
   2. Let the battery sit out of the charger for a least 2 hours until the battery is at room temperature.
   3. Place battery in the charger overnight to allow for a full charge on each individual cell. (A minimum of 8 hours at room temperature.)

   If there is no difference in runtime, there is either permanent damage or the battery has reached the end of its usable life. In either case, the battery should be replaced.

7. Does the outside temperature affect batteries? How?

   Yes. If the batteries are too hot (105⁰F or higher) or too cold (below 40⁰F), the batteries will not take a full charge. Attempting to charge batteries outside the 40⁰F-105⁰F range can result in a permanent loss of runtime. When batteries are being charged and discharged a chemical reaction is taking place, and if it is too hot or cold the chemical reaction is disturbed causing a loss of runtime.

8. Does a 15 minute quick charger give as much charge as a 1 hour charger?

   Yes. A 15 minute quick charger has the same 3 stage charging process as a 1 hour charger, which balances and fills each cell to its fullest capacity. The fast charge mode takes only 15 minutes versus the 50 minutes required by a one hour charger.

9. Can a charger be used with a generator?

   Yes. Most chargers have been designed to handle the variations in voltage and current delivered by generators.

10. Why can’t I use a 9.6V battery in a 12V Drill?

    The tools are designed to run at the specific voltage provided by the battery pack. Too much voltage, as well as too little voltage, can cause poor performance and life from the tool. The tool may run for short periods of time with the wrong battery pack, but it shortens the overall life of the product. This is the same reason corded products designed for 220V cannot be used in the U.S. where we have 120V outlets.

11. Why is the battery warm when you take it out of the charger?

    As a battery approaches a full charge, some of the energy being loaded into the battery generates heat. It is OK for the battery to get warm, but it should not get so hot that it is difficult to hold in your hand.

12. What should be done with batteries once they have gone bad?

    RECYCLE. The material in these batteries (nickel-cadmium) is toxic, and must be disposed of properly. A Federal Law was approved in May of 1996, under the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act, mandating the proper disposal of these batteries. If continued efforts to recycle nickel-cadmium batteries fail, the states will outlaw their use. Without these batteries, cordless power tools will not be available as they are today. Most responsible vendors are active participants with RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation), the organization which is the international leader in the collection, transportation, and recycling the NiCd cells so they can remain a viable battery option in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Old batteries should be disposed of at Black & Decker Service Centers. For more information call 1-(800) 8-BATTERY or 1-(800) 8-228-8379.

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