Do I keep cordless screwdriver on charger at all times?
Question:I'm a female and don't have a clue. Bought a cordless chargeable screwdriver and set it up and charged overnight. If I am going to use it only a few times this week (just moved) and then maybe only use it once in awhile, do I keep it on the charger constantly like a portable house phone? Or do I keep it off the charger and use it when I need it and only recharge when starting to go dead. After initial use this week, it may not be used only but once a month or so. I don't want to kill it. Thanks!!
Answers:
No, only charge it when it seems to lose it's power. Keeping them on charge all the time seems to drain the battery.
The safety issue bothers me- the less things left plugged in & switched on the better, that is my view...with anything rechargeable you are advised to let the battery run flat occasionally that way it is easier to charge & this to would seem to suit your requirements.
Some of these newer ones, the Black and Decker "storm" you can leave plugged in forever, they won't overcharge but, check the instructions.
you need to charge them only whey they are partially or completely discharged.. keeping them constantly on charge affects the life of the battery.
It depends on what type of battery the screwdriver has, and what type of charger. Some chargers arer smart enough to only put out a charge when the battery is low, but that's pretty rare on a cordless screwdriver unless you spent a lot on it. If you still have the manual it should tell you. If you don't have it, the manufacturer probably has a website that you can ask.
As Wolfatre suggests.
AND The best thing you can initially do is to determine the type of battery.
Example...Some are manufactured with a "memory." They often state "charge the first time to the max". What that does is load the memory, and create a situation where the battery knows when it's fully charged from then on. In that type, to undercharge, eventually shortens the useful life of the battery.
Certainly another issue is knowing when the tool loses effectiveness. I've run mine down to zero just before the screw was turned all the way in, then recharged with no ill effect on the battery, but had to finish the job with a hand tool.
I might suggest unplugging the charger when no battery is actually being charged. You'll note, especially on some phone chargers they feel warm to the touch when left plugged in.
Steven Wolf
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