I got a Milwaukee 18v Lithium-Ion D/D (model # 2601-28) a few years ago as a present. My FIL gave it to me because he has one and has been very happy with it. I was too in the begining, good weight to power ratio and good battery life. Fast forward a couple years..it now sucks. The drill is great, but the batteries suck. I generally run the tool until the battery quits. Pop it on the charger and it goes to fully charged in just a few minutes. Fully charged doesn't last but for a few screws.
My research on Li-ion batteries has told me that they have no memory effect (charging a partial full battery will lead to it only taking a half charge) and that they have very little self-discharge (meaning good shelf life between using the tool). Well I have found neither to be true. Every time I go to use the tool, the battery is almost dead. When I put it on the charger, it comes up to "full charge" very quickly, but doesn't really get a full charge.
Do I just have a crappy batch of batteries? Or am I doing something wrong with their handling? This is so frustrating as it is outside work project season, and I have been resorting to pulling out the big corded Hitachi hammer drill to drive screws. Not exactly the best weight ratio, but my arms are getting buff.
Dave
My research on Li-ion batteries has told me that they have no memory effect (charging a partial full battery will lead to it only taking a half charge) and that they have very little self-discharge (meaning good shelf life between using the tool). Well I have found neither to be true. Every time I go to use the tool, the battery is almost dead. When I put it on the charger, it comes up to "full charge" very quickly, but doesn't really get a full charge.
Do I just have a crappy batch of batteries? Or am I doing something wrong with their handling? This is so frustrating as it is outside work project season, and I have been resorting to pulling out the big corded Hitachi hammer drill to drive screws. Not exactly the best weight ratio, but my arms are getting buff.
Dave