cordless drill battery

_RaT_ · Jan 12, 2005

"The Futaba RX and TX packs are a cheap Nicad which states to completely discharge once per month& when not being used (for memory effect) Again this is from Fubota's manual and support team and about 99% of other r/c flyers. The TX packs will have a shorter life span when not following the rules for r/c.

The same rules apply for NiMH cells also, not lipo's. The cells MUST be discharged after EVERY use. That is from every flyer out there along with manufactures/dealer" 

Thats great Mike, thats what you should do then. But since the question was about cordless drill batteries, lets not confuse folks. Just as you say everyone one in RC world knows this (I'll take your word for it since I don't know any), then had you even bothered to check the two references I gave a URL for among many hundreds available, you would see that Dewalt, Bosch, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Makita, Fein, Milwaukee, Panasonic and others would definitely tell you NOT to do this. The battery is typically the most expensive part of the product to the manufactuer. I would suggest folks with battery operated tools follow what the manufactuers offer as you with Futaba who ever they are.

gsxr1100 · Jan 12, 2005

agree 100% but I use all 3 types (lipos. Nicad and NiMH) cells and so far there is a reason why they state memory; it happens. But then again Nicads are Nicad no matter what. Also they are cheap & old tecnology here it will not matter to some. Just throw out the overseas made cell and buy another for $30 to $40.

Or do what I do. If the drill is about $125 (give or take $30) and last 2 to 3 years and the pack dies; throw the complete unit out & buy a new drill and battery. They are always getting cheaper and better. Not worth the time and money for a new pack. If it is a higher priced one, do what is outlined in your manual.

_RaT_ · Jan 12, 2005

A great article, Some Ramblings About NiCd Batteries, Ken A. Nishimura (KO6AF)

Some Rambling about NiCad batteries.

It gets deeper then most anyone here would care to get, but it does discuss the "memory effect" and acknowledges it's existence. Upon further reading, you will see that what most folks call memory is simply voltage depletion.

I typically buy 12 volt tools simply because the price/ performance/weight is right for me. When it comes to drilling holes in wood, nothing beats a corded tool like a Hole Hog or Timberwolf. I'm sure there are countless folks working on new energy storage solutions, that will be exciting! Happy Flying

gsxr1100 · Jan 12, 2005

Good reading but, this person does not make batteries nor does Columbia Uni. Also I would trust my manual before some guy I do not know from a hole in the wall. Never mind that the article is only about 11-years old, from a rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup, and talks about 800 mah cells. Do they even make them anymore???? My cells are 3300 mah and the lowest I have seen is 2400 mah.

I love the part on zapping cells. That is the norm for cells in r/c world. Better cells are the zapped but the price is too probative.

To close, #1 on his summary goes 100% against the multi billion dollar Futaba corporation, along with other r/c companies, that has been in r/c for a long long time.

#1 he stated “DON'T deliberately discharge the batteries to avoid memory”. Futaba says yes.

#3 He states “DON'T leave the cells on trickle charge for long times, unless voltage depression can be tolerated.” I do not know what long times are so that is ok, I guess.

#5 he states “DON'T overcharge the cells. Use a good charging technique.” I agree and with today’s chargers, a monkey could do this.

**New energy storage solutions to date is Lithium Polymer but the price is high for some. The pro's are light weight packs and do not lose current over storage time. Plus they hold a lot of power, big time.

Example, my cheaper NiMh cells (32) only give me 8 to 10 minutes of flighting @ 38 amps. They weight about 5 lbs. Price about $250 for cells alone. Need to build pack etc.

Lithium (lipos) are about 2.2 lbs, 66 amps and get about 19 minutes of flying. Price about $750 to $850. Life span is about double of NiMh cells. You can buy a 88 amp pack for $1,200 and still is less weight then my 10 minute pack. and runs way cooler.

_RaT_ · Jan 12, 2005

"Good reading but, this person does not make batteries nor does Columbia Uni. "

I see, so from your point of view, if you do not make the product, you really have no validity to your opinion researched or not even though you offer yours. Here you spout that NiCad is old technology and at the same time tell how this article is 11 years old. Interesting point of view.

gsxr1100 · Jan 12, 2005

I stated my manufacture, Futaba, is more aware of any battery issue then a 11-year old post online or (1) person. They have to be, there name is on the line. Hence they stated memory effort for a reason.

I stated nothing by paraphrased from what my manufacture states on this issue, what new technology is going on (coming out) & what I have encountered using these Nicad cells. Not my opinion at all just what is a real world situation, in my case.

I stated Nicad is old technology since it is going “out the door”. Not many use it anymore and when mine die, they are going in the trash (where they belong). The only reason why they are still used is that they are cheap and people love cheap.

_RaT_ · Jan 12, 2005

"I stated Nicad is old technology since it is going “out the door”. Not many use it anymore and when mine die, they are going in the trash (where they belong)."

Many portable tool manufactuers will be suprised to hear this.

No, no, they are to be disposed of properly. The trash can is a big no, no. You should know that being from Mass. Home Depot will accept them as will many refuse sites.

gsxr1100 · Jan 12, 2005

( "I stated Nicad is old technology since it is going “out the door”. Not many use it anymore and when mine die, they are going in the trash (where they belong)."

Many portable tool manufactuers will be suprised to hear this.

No, no, they are to be disposed of properly. The trash can is a big no, no. You should know that being from Mass. Home Depot will accept them as will many refuse sites. " )

Really??? That is why the new cells overseas are NiMH and are better "all around". We will get there soon, I hope.

The cells go where they go. Unless they send me a pre-paid shipping to whereever, or the city takes responsibility, I see nothing that mandates this.

It is like my city. We recycle, but nothing mandates that we have to. I have a 90-gallon trash container & it is amazing! All I know is that you can put over 400 lbs in it and the trash truck does not know!

_RaT_ · Jan 12, 2005

"It is like my city. We recycle, but nothing mandates that we have to. I have a 90-gallon trash container & it is amazing! All I know is that you can put over 400 lbs in it and the trash truck does not know!"

Well here's where we part ways. I say it's our responsibility, you simply do whats easiest for Mike. I take it you pour oil on the ground, dump paint thinner, etc where ever as well. The only time you will do it is when mandated. You can spend thousands on a RC helicopter and the many other items you proudly display on your web site, but a trip to Home Depot or other proper disposal site is out of the question. Interesting. Oh well, what are you going to do. Out...

TWINKLE_TOES · Jan 12, 2005

Chris, I never mentioned any shunt loading for discharge 
Nor did I, I'm talking about tapping the trigger down until the batteries are dead

 And just for clarification.. we are not talking about a high current discharge.

High current discharge in my mind is at a 5C to 10C rate and this is pretty much what a power tool load is.

Just seen too many instances where that gives reduced performance 

How would you distinguish this reduced performance from improper charging?? NiCd battery problems are primarily attributal to cheap cells, abusive use and improper charging.

Maybe like Santa, the tooth fairy, the great pumpkin and bigfoot it is more fun to believe. I'm gone