Battery memory effect problem with Makita drill?

[Bluering73]

I bought a Makita cordless drill model 8280D over 2 years ago and I haven't used it much, but I think the battery is now suffering from memory effect problem. Before it took quite long for the battery to charge, now when the battery is fully flat and cannot run the drill at all, I put it on charge and it is already charged in not even 5 minutes. Is there a way you can discharge the battery fully before being able to recharge it to full capacity? Thanks

[Handyjack]

I am not familiar with that model. It sounds like it is a nic-ad battery. You will most likely need to replace the battery but it may be better to get a lithium-ion battery tool instead.

[Master Splinter]

If your use is only intermittent, you are better off with a mains powered drill. Long periods of inactivity at various states of charge aren't good for rechargeable batteries. Storing the battery in a zip-loc bag (to stop it from drying out) in the fridge (not freezer) can help.

Lithium-ion batteries permanently loose around 20% of their capacity per year (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries), regardless of use patterns.

[Ken-67]

From time to time, I wrap some tape around the trigger of a battery tool to keep it running until it's fully discharged under no load.

[frankvaux]

From time to time, I wrap some tape around the trigger of a battery tool to keep it running until it's fully discharged under no load.

Draining the battery completely is not advisable. Doing so invites the batteries to reverse polarity effectively rendering them useless. Bit like me after the Friday afternoon session!

[Master Splinter]

You should only deep discharge till the cells hit 1 volt per cell, or for a reconditioning discharge, 0.4 volts per cell.

The article below is quite fascinating....

Memory: Myth or Fact? – Battery University (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/memory_myth_or_fact)

[Bluering73]

I am not familiar with that model. It sounds like it is a nic-ad battery. You will most likely need to replace the battery but it may be better to get a lithium-ion battery tool instead.

Yeah, it is the stupid NICAD, I wish it had lithium-ion battery instead.

[Bluering73]

I have done some research and found someone on YouTubesaying if you trickle it by pulling and plugging the plug into the wall power pointa few times that could help. I have tried that and charged the battery after, nowthe multimeter reads 15+ V, does that mean the battery is fully charged now andthis has been able to negate the memory effect issue?
It is a NiCad 14.4V, 1.3Ah battery

[Master Splinter]

Yeah, it is the stupid NICAD, I wish it had lithium-ion battery instead.

Yep, that way, at two years old, you could absolutely count on 40-60% less capacity and you'd know you could simply throw it out in another year or so as it would be useless!!!!