Dead Battery (Page 3): Um, thermal tapes turn black when heated, you'll just have a black tape.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jiminnee wrote:

What was said about the thermal cash register receipts triggered a thought. Try going over them with a hot iron & see if it doesn't bring it back so it can be read. Then it's a good idea to make a copy.

Um, thermal tapes turn black when heated, you'll just have a black tape.

RI-tim-47

To get the most out of your batteries invest in lighting. I have two DeWalt portable lights that are my favorite toys. One has 2 fluorescent bulbs that can provide enough light to play backgammon when camping. The other is a spot light with a long flexible neck. I use these lights much more often than any of my DeWalt tools. A few charged batteries will see you through long power outages. Bring your spouse on board the next time you want to make a tool purchase - buy her/him a light to keep in the car for emergencies.

RI-tim-47

To get the most out of your batteries invest in lighting. I have two DeWalt portable lights that are my favorite toys. One has 2 fluorescent bulbs that can provide enough light to play backgammon when camping. The other is a spot light with a long flexible neck. I use these lights much more often than any of my DeWalt tools. A few charged batteries will see you through long power outages. Bring your spouse on board the next time you want to make a tool purchase - buy her/him a light to keep in the car for emergencies.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

If you used some form of plastic (Home Depot card or bank card), there is a record of the purchase that can be printed out.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Manglesphoto wrote:

DeWalt offers two different 20v li batteries, one having a higher amp/hr rating offering longer run times between charges.
The kit battery is okay for most home use. A battery should last at least a year if, not it may be defective.

I see they have thin batteries, like mine, and thicker batteries that last longer.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCB203-2-Compact-Li-Ion-Battery/dp/B00BYKVMSY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480001491&sr=8-2&keywords=dewalt+20v+xr+batteries
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCB205-2-Lithium-Battery-2-Pack/dp/B00KQU1ENG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1480001491&sr=8-4&keywords=dewalt+20v+xr+batteries

Part-timer

I farm and use many different types of batteries , in tools and equipment, I figure about 3-4 years is the max for most

Sneidley Loc: Goodyear, AZ

You could check with Interstate battery. They have a battery rebuild service. They did 2 of my ni-cads a few years back for about $30 each.

ecblackiii Loc: Maryland

And that's why all my power tools have cords. No worry about whether the battery needs to be charged or replaced.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

jerryc41 wrote:

I've been using cordless tools for as long as I ca... (show quote)

I also have a set and the batteries go very quickly. They'll charge okay but once I'm using the drill the batteries drain right away. It's an older set also.

Virgil Loc: The Hoosier State

jerryc41 wrote:

I've been using cordless tools for as long as I ca... (show quote)

If the charger has a cord it may be the culprit. You can try wiggling the cord to see if anything happens. Good luck. Virgil

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

jiminnee wrote:

What was said about the thermal cash register receipts triggered a thought. Try going over them with a hot iron & see if it doesn't bring it back so it can be read. Then it's a good idea to make a copy.

If you only knew how ridiculously funny that is.

FrWalt Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Several years ago, I rebuilt the battery packs for my drill because they no longer would take a full charge. I purchased the "Sub C" cells from www.all-battery.com for about $20.00 per battery pack. They have a very extensive website where one can buy most of what you need to re-build your battery pack or use their re-build service. Hope this helps.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

jerryc41 wrote:

I've been using cordless tools for as long as I ca... (show quote)

You're quite lucky that it ONLY died, had one that actually caught fire while it wasn't in any tool, nor in the charger.....

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Jerry, I have a Makita drill motor with 2 batteries....I used it just like the instructions, first the one battery would not hold a charge, then the second one died too!! Almost within a few weeks of each other, almost like an internal switch told them too....and yep, about 5 years also!!!

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

RI-tim-47 wrote:

To get the most out of your batteries invest in li... (show quote)

I bought the Black & Decker (almost the same as DeWalt) 20 volt system for $99 last year, then sold the light and drill and made almost half of that back.
That was after I found a 20 volt weedwhacker 2 years ago with battery for $15 at Goodwill.

I use reclaimed laptop cells in my flashlights.
Also dipped into the recycle bin and found plenty of Nicad cells to rebuild my old 15 volt (they call it 14.4) stem type packs for my circular saw.

Last summer I tore down two collapsing sheds with nothing but 20 volt lithium tools, cut up the wood, and hauled it away one load at a time in a mini-van in 8 plastic baskets. Cost: nothing but time.