From: patter@dasher.uucp (24224-guthrie)
Subject: Re: While on the subject of cordless drills
Reply-To: patter@dasher.cc.bellcore.com
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 02:27:42 GMT

In article <WOODWORK%92072716435329@IPFWVM.BITNET> John Wyman <LIBJCW@SUVM.BITNET> writes:
>I just had to replace the battery pack on my B & D cordless drill -
>unnecessarily I feel.  It lasted about four years - is that considered
>a long time?

Well, *I* don't think so, but mine's only three years old. I do have one
of their dust-busters that's been going strong for about 8 years.

>The clerk at B&D claimed that I caused it, since I "did not leave it
>plugged in all the time", which is supposed to be in the owners manual.

That's garbage. Didn't save your manual? Mine's here in this drawer somewhere.

Let's see.

Ummm.

Nope, that's not -- AHA!

Instruction manual 9020 cordless 3/8" drill. (Those who want the summary should
skip to the bottom)

------------------------------------------------

CHARGER & DRILL SAFETY RULES
1. Use only the supplied charger when charging your 9020 drill. The use of
   another charger could damage the drill or create a hazardous condition.
2. Use only one charger when charging.
3. Do not attempt to open the charger or the drill. There are no customer
   serviceable parts inside. Return to any authorized Black & Decker
   Service Center.
4. DO NOT store the drill in locations where the temperature may reach or
   exceed 120 degrees F (such as outside sheds or metal buildings in
   summer).
5. Charge only when the temperature is BETWEEN +40 degrees F and +105
   degrees F. This is very important for proper charging.
6. DO NOT incinerate .......
7. A small leakage ......
8. The charger is designed to operate on standard household electrical
    power (120 volts, 50/60HZ). Do not attempt to use it on any other voltage.

IMPORTANT CHARGING NOTES
1. Your batteries must be charged for 3 hours to obtain a full charge.
2. DO NOT charge the batteries in an air temperature below +40 degrees F
   or above +105 degrees F. This is important.........
3. When you charge your drill for the first time, or after prolonged
   storage, it will only accept about an 80% charge. However, after several
   charge and discharge cycles, the batteries will come up to full capacity.
4. While charging, the charger may hum .......
5. If the batteries do not charge properly - (1) Check current at receptacle
   by plugging in a lamp or other appliance. (2) Check to see if the receptacle
   is connected to a light switch which turns power off when you turn off the
   lights. (3) Move charger and drill to a surrounding air temp ....
6. The drill should be recharged when it fails to produce sufficient power
   on jobs which were easily done previously. DO NOT CONTINUE to use under
   these conditions. Repeat the charging procedure.
7. If, after repeated use, your drill does not take a full charge, as
   indicated by operating time less than normal, it may not be caused by
   faulty batteries. If you use the drill repeatedly for only a few minutes
   and then charge it, the batteries build up a resistance to taking a full
   charge. This resistance results in reduced operating time.
   The batteries can be restored to their original power by fully charging
   and then completely using up the charge several times. This will
   recondition the batteries to deliver maximum performance.
8. The drill can be plugged in and left on charge when not in use, without
   any adverse effect to the unit's performance.
9. The unit cannot "over charge".
10. Since the unit is designed for cordless applications, .....


And finally (whew), item 3 from DRILL STORAGE
3. Long storage will not harm the drill or charger. Under proper conditions
   (given above [I don't suppose you want to hear +40 degrees again]) they
   can be stored for 3-5 years or more without harm.

-----------------------------

That's all I can find in there that even remotely might apply. I note
that item 7 above clearly states that complete discharge of the batteries
is occasionally necessary to "recondition" them, and that item 8 only says
that you "can" leave it plugged in, not that you "must" or even "should"
do so.

Personally, I would also assume from item 6 and from the storage
instructions that alternating using it and storing it for periods until
it needed recharging is perfectly OK. I would (and have) assume from item
7 that keeping it on the charger would actually be not a good idea.

Put politely, the salesman is mistaken. His company says so.

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                    |
George Patterson -  | Basic research is what I'm doing when I don't
                    | know what I'm doing.
                    |                            Werner Von Braun
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