Makita intelligent batteries

[leafspring]

I recently bought an 18v Li-ion Makita drill with the intelligent batteries.

Very pleased with it, but I have come across many reports of the microchips telling the charger that the batteries are dead.

These reports are all 2010-12ish

Question is, have Makita sorted the problem or are my new drills battery packs going die in the very near future?

[foggy]

The issue as I understand it is the 18V battery unit is made up of 12 1.5V AA type battery cells housed together, however the smart chip is powered by just one of the AA cells. Over time the chip draws power from and discharges this one cell, then when you come to charge it the charger reports a duff cell in the battery unit and it will not charge. Attempt to charge it three times and the chip shuts down the battery altogether rendering it unusable, however it is possible to disassemble the battery pack and replace individual cells - see example videos on youtube.

The trick is to keep the 18V battery charged up, every month or so if you're not using them frequently. No idea whether the issue is actually fixed or not.

[leafspring]

Keep it regularly charged even if not using it... easy enough

[Petrolhead_Rich]

we use these at work and despite near daily use (and abuse) we go through a battery probably once every 9 months.

That said I have my own set which are 2 years old and also used daily (but not abused) and they are all perfect!

Keep them charged and use them regularly (i.e. not once every 9 months), don't drop them or submerge them in water, don't overload them (e.g. pushing the battery circular saw so hard that the blade almost stops for long enough that the internal wiring caught fire as one of our lads did!) and they will be fine!

[leafspring]

Mainly wood, alloy and fibreglass drilling... any heavy abusive drilling I'll use the company drills.

Working in a marina I can't guarantee I won't drop it in the wet stuff though