Cordless drill battery ?

I just bought a new battery for my 18v cordless drill. I have been told on a new battery to charge it & then run it dead several times. & I've also been told to charge it & then to just run it down a little & recharge. Any Pros or Cons on this. Thanks Gerald

I used to think the cordless stuff was "the cat's meow".

After a few screwings by the manufacturers who want the price of a new tool setup for just the battery I've realized just HOW good a CORD can be!

If you have a Batteriesplus store in your area, they rebuild batteries for less than you can buy new.

Run 'em dead. New batteries won't hold a charge for long. Expect it to wear down quick until you've cycled it a few times. Running batteries down partially and then re-charging can (will) create a "false bottom", where they WON'T take a full charge.

I agree, whenever I'm near an outlet I use one with a cord. It's a pleasant surprise, like the Energizer bunny, it never gets tired.

Not always true. I just bought new DW9096 Dewalt batteries rated 2.4 Ah at Lowes for $50 each in the 2 pack while B.P. wanted more and they were only rated at 2.1 Ah.

I've heard never partially charge.

They say the new batteries have no 'memory'. I know my Makita Lithium Ion's say you can charge them at any state of discharge.

Don't go by what you have been 'Told'.....read the manual that comes with the battery.
Most newer ones say to run them only till the performance drops off a little...NOT to run them dead.

there are nickel cadium, metal hydroxide, lithium, and many other types of batteries..Unless you buy the very older types, the memory is gone and just an old wives-tale.

Lithium batteries have a controller built into the battery to control the charge and discharge so you cant blow them up. So you just use them and the controller will do the rest. The controller will slowly cut them off sooner as the battery ages and is used. If you over current them, the controller can permaneatly disable the battery, again so that they dont explode.

I have all 3 types of 18v dewalt batteries and had to purchase the newest charger for the Li batteries, on ebay for around $30. This charger can charge all types of batteries. The upside to this charger is that it shuts off when the batteries are charged. The old style chargers don't, they continue to cook the batteries, which heat will damage the batteries if left on more than 10 hrs. I will NEVER purchase a NiCd battery again because they can only be recharged so many times and each time you can never get them to take a full charge and they have a self discharge rate of about 1% / month. I favor the Ni metal battery, which at the time dewalt didn't make and I had to buy on ebay. Sorry to report, it was made in China. It has a 3000 ma/hr capacity, where new XRP only has a 2500 ma/hr and the new Li has 2400. Li batteries arer much lighter, however they give you no warning they're running out of a charge. They just stop leaving you think there is something wrong with your tools. I use the Ni metal battery in the sawsall or circular saw and you can tell the difference. It is like have a sharp blade vs a dull blade. Anyone need the old dewalt chargers, including the one that plugs into the cigarette lighter?

I read once to take an old cordless drill, gut the battery, then solder in a regular cord, 12' or so long, with battery clips on the other end. . Use a small ATV or lawnmower battery, hook it up and go to town. This was years ago when lots of the drills were less than 12v. This would work on barn roofs or where 110 was not available.

Gene