dewalt dw945... new batteries or new drill?

[funkpod]

Hello, I bought a dw945 drill from someone on craigslist about a year and a half ago. It worked well for about half a year, but the batteries no longer hold a charge. i tried to recondition these batteries, but it didnt' seem too fruitful. i would charge adn charge and it seemed they were getting stronger... but wouldn't last long, like 10 minutes. and it seemed like too much work...

I want to know:

1. can i buy a new charger for it? price? are all 12 v. dewalts the same?
2. can i buy a new battery for it? price? (there ar ea bunch on amazon for around $40...)
3. is it worth buying these parts for it, or should i invest in buying a new drill?
4. if buying a new drill, what would be the comparable drill to replace this drill?
5. being that the dw945 is no longer being made, how out of date is it?
6. is it likely that my charger is bad, or the batteries?
7. do any current chargers fit my batteries, the dw9050?

thank you for your help and recommendations!
you could be saving me a lot of money and headache...

~funkpod

oh...
8. can i fix the charge in these batteries?

[UtahAV]

Hello funkpod,

I would suspect that the problem is the batteries themselves. Cordless drill batteries typically have a life of about 4 to 6 years. Some get much less life some a little more.

First, a bit about cordless batteries and how to care for them.

If you were to disassemble your cordless drill's battery pack you would find that it is made up of many C-cell batteries. The batteries are connected to each other in series to create the voltage required by the tool. Each Cell outputs 1.2V of power. The total output of a battery pack will always be evenly divisible by 1.2. For example, in a 14.4 volt battery pack, 14.4 / 1.2 = 12 or 12, 1.2 volt, cells inside of the battery pack.

Over time batteries will be come weaker and eventually will not provide enough power to operate the tool as it was designed. Several factors can cause this; normal deterioration of the battery, improper charging and the way the tool is used are the largest factors.

Batteries use chemicals and metals to create their electric charge. With use these elements breakdown and loose their effectiveness. Heat greatly accelerates the breakdown of the cells. When a battery pack is discharged quickly it creates more heat than normal use would create thus wearing out the battery pack faster. Charging a battery also creates heat. If a battery pack that is still warm is immediately placed on the charger even more heat will be created, shortening the life of the battery even more. Batteries should always be allowed to cool or heat to room temperature before charging.

Cordless batteries can provide many years of service with proper use and care. Avoid situations which cause the battery to become very hot. Always allow batteries to come to room temperature before charging. With Nickel based batteries (NiCD and NiMH) fully discharge (deep cycle) the battery every month or two and then recharge. This helps avoid a "memory" condition. Never leave a Nickel based battery on a charger for longer than two days. Prolonged "trickle" charging will also cause "memory" as slow charging a nickel based battery promotes crystalline growth within the battery. Charge Li-on batteries often. Lithium batteries will last longer if they are put on the charger when partially discharged rather than when they are fully discharged. Lithium batteries will not develop a memory.

To answer a few of your questions, I believe that all you need is two new batteries. The replacement battery is part #DW9050. If your charger is putting some charge into your existing battery it is fine. The charger for your batteries is listed by DeWalt as being discontinued and longer available. There is no direct replacement for your drill but the closest would be the model #DC724. I will use the new style DeWalt batteries. DeWalt no longer makes a drill that uses the batteries that your DW945 uses.

I hope this helps!

-UtahAV
-Mark

[funkpod]

THanks for the awesome response!

So, the problem is probably not with the charger? I think you said that if it's putting even a little charge in the battery, it should be working properly. I will try purchasing some batteries, then. I saw the same batteries on eBay, they are listed as new, I think I will try them.

(2 NEW DEWALT 12V 12 VOLT UNIVOLT BATTERY PACKS DW9050 - eBay (item 230409647828 end time Jan-06-10 19:43:24 PST))

Do you know how I would go about finding out how old my drill is? I want to find out how long this type of drill usually lasts.

THanks also for the info about the batteries. Question: is there anything I can do if I do not use my drill regularly? I think that's when the batteries seemed like they were starting to die, when I didn't use my drill in a while.

Also, I cannot seem to find any info about the Dewalt DC724.

Is that the correct #?

THANK YOU AGAIN!

~funkpod

[UtahAV]

The parts diagram indicates that there should be a date code listed on the right side of teh drill housing, just above where the battery mounts. If that number is still there I will try to figure out the date for you.

I do believe that the only problem is the batteries. As far as how long your drill will last... I don't know. It all depends on how you use it. It is not impossible for a cordless drill to last 20 or 25 years if it is babied. I know several contractors that do good to get a year out of a drill.

If you are not using the drill all of the time I would be sure to charge the batteries once a month. The battery will lose charge just sitting and will need to be charged.

Sorry about the drill model number. Try a DC742 instead.

Thanks !

-UtahAV
-Mark

[funkpod]

numbers i see on here....
9339T

i looked up the parts diagram, and where it's pointing for the date code, on the inside of the drill i see those numbers stamped.

maybe that's it?

Thanks again for your help.

The ebay seller says I can return the batteries, too, if they don't fix my drill, so that'll be the way I go.

I've heard about using car batteries to shock rechargables into working... true/false?

Also, price to consider... are Ryobi tools any good?
Ryobi Compact Drill Kit - P815 at The Home Depot
seems like a deal, but not if it doesn't last a long time...

[Michael]

Also, price to consider... are Ryobi tools any good?
Ryobi Compact Drill Kit - P815 at The Home Depot
seems like a deal, but not if it doesn't last a long time...

I don't think many people would describe Ryobi tools as good, but they are the right choice for a lot of people. My dad is a general contractor who loves them because he doesn't have to worry about subcontractors walking off with them; they're easy to replace when they disappear on a job site. Since subcontractors do most of the heavy lifting (in terms of tool use), his 4-piece combo (Drill, Recip Saw, Circular Saw, Flashlight) is generally used for odd jobs and doesn't see heavy, continuous use. The interchangeable batteries were also a plus when he got that set (a few years ago, and still going strong), but that's a common feature now.

They work hard while they last, and they have most of the features found on more expensive tools. A good DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita drill will generally keep going long after a Ryobi drill has worn out, however. It's mostly a question of how hard and how often you use your tools. If you're the classic DIY weekend warrior, the Ryobi might be a good pick. If you're using your tools professionally, it won't last as long under the wear and tear of continual use.

[UtahAV]

Hey funkpod,

The Date code you found will work. It means that your drill was built the 39th week of 1993. If this is the first problem you have had with your drill you have done well!

Shocking batteries with a car battery... False. There are a million battery myths out there and that is one of the crazier and I must say dangerous myths.

OK, suggestion time...

If it where me, I would not put anymore money into a cordless drill that is approaching 20 years old. Especially when parts for it are beginning to become unavailable. I would replace it. I agree with Michael, Ryobi tools have a place in the tool market. That place is not in my shop. If you are considering replacing your drill there are a few questions to answer in order to select the right drill for the work you want to do.

First, what do you expect the drill to do? Is it a "nice to have around tool"? Only to be used to assemble a piece of IKEA furniture or rebuild the old wooden gate this weekend? Are you a woodworker in need of a drill in the shop for assembly work and mounting hardware. Are you planning an addition to your home and need a drill for the electrical, plumbing and installation work? Answering this question will be the most important in selecting the proper drill for your needs.

The cordless drill market seems to be breaking into two definite categories. Compact drills and Construction drills. The compact drill market seems to be mainly price point driven. They offer a cordless drill at a reasonable price to the consumer market. Most of the compact drills are physically smaller, lighter, have smaller capacity batteries, offer less power, and honestly are built to a lower quality than a construction type drill. These drills where demanded by the Home Center market to provide a drill at the $199 or less price point. Not many years ago there where only a few drills like this out there but now almost every manufacture has a compact offering. In this class I really like the Makita BDF452HW. It is well built, light (due to its Lithium-Ion battery), and relatively cheap. It would work nicely as a "around the house" or woodworkers drill.

The construction type drills are going to to be the big, bad drills in the cordless world. They will be very well build, have more power than you will need for most jobs, have the largest battery capacities and carry heftier price tags as well. Most of the construction drills have settled on 18 volts as a standard. Expect to pay upwards of $300 dollars for one or even more. There are many good brands out there in this class. You would be happy with a drill from DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee or Bosch.

What drill is in my shop? First, I am one of the biggest tool snobs around!! I am an admitted tool-a-holic. I mainly woodwork at home but on any given weekend you can find me building a cabinet, building a shed, remodeling a bathroom or even finishing a basement. I am not afraid to get myself in way over my head!! So back to what drill do I like and use, Festool. I have two of their C12 drills and absolutely love them! Now before you go and look them up on the internet I will warn you, you will want to be sitting down and holding onto something before you look at the price. I can assure you though that they are worth every penny. If you are a fan of the This Old House TV show you may have seen the black and green drills that Tommy and everyone else are using now. They are Festool.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be long winded but you got me started power tools!!

-UtahAV
-Mark

[funkpod]

hm.

i wish i read this post before I purchased the batteries, hehe.

I also got this from DeWalt...
"
Dear John, we believe the following information addresses your inquiry.

The DW9050 Dewalt Univolt batteries are still available for that drill, but the charger is no longer available. The DW945 drill is most likely 16 or 17 years old, and I would hesitate to put more money into it. Newer chargers will not charge those batteries. Newer drills do not use these DW9050 batteries.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. If your question remains unresolved or if you require additional information please update this incident.

Sincerely,

Bob ___"

Hm.. well, I am going to try out the batteries when I get them, and then see if they work well enough. If not, I can send them back, I'll lose about $10, but that still might be okay.

this looks like a reasonable price,

Amazon.com: Makita BDF452HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Driver-Drill Kit: Home Improvement

I assume you'll recommend this drill over the Ryobi drill I linked a few posts back?

That 4 piece combo sounds interesting, too, though. I need to finish my basement in the next coupla months, I probably need to make some investment drill purchases.

The 12 volt nearly 20 yr old drill might not cut it...

That mikita looks awesome, too.
Do you like that mikita better than the DEWALT DC742KA?

Amazon.com: DEWALT DC742KA Heavy-Duty Cordless 12-Volt 3/8-Inch Compact Drill/Driver: Home Improvement

[funkpod]

here's the link for the drill with extra battery and case...
Amazon.com: DEWALT DC742VA Heavy-Duty Cordless 12 Volt Compact Drill/Driver w/veh: Industrial & Scientific

[UtahAV]

I think you would be happy with either the Makita or the Dewalt. They are both very good drills. I personally would go with the Makita but that is just me. Overall I have liked the Makita tools I have owned better than the DeWalt tools but that is just one woodworkers opinion.

Let us know which one you decide on.

-UtahAV
-Mark

[Michael]

The question of which brand to go with is a bit like the Ford / Chevy argument - Everyone has their personal preference based on their personal experiences, but the real quality comparison is mostly a wash (Don't tell UtahAV I said that, though - he's a Chevy guy ). I personally grew up using Makita drills pretty exclusively, and I've had a couple of bad experiences with DeWalt drills, so my vote would be for the Makita. However, you could hear the exact opposite from the next guy, and the next guy after that would tell you to go with a Bosch, and the next guy after him would tell you to buy a Milwaukee.

Ultimately, regardless of which of the name-brand tools you buy, it'll serve you well. Unless you're picking up a Festool or, on the other side of the spectrum, a Ryobi, you likely won't notice a difference.

[funkpod]

Hey, i've been reading some reviews here and there that say that the makita bdf452hw 's batteries don't last long, they burn out after a year.

is this true, you think? is this a common problem with this drill, makita, or with lithium ion batteries in general?

thanks!

[UtahAV]

Lithium-Ion batteries seem to be a bit more prone to damage than others. Most of the Lithium batteries have a much more advanced circuit board in them than the old nickel batteries. The circuit board seems to produce the majority of the failures. The board makes the Lithium batteries much more susceptible to impact and water damage (including condensation). Of course you cannot replace the circuit board, only the entire battery. If you are careful and take care of them the benefits of Lithium can far out way the risk of the battery failing prematurely.

One thing to remember about looking for tool reviews on the internet is that very few people take the time to write about how much they love a tool. Most will only write when they have a problem.

Here at our repair shop we see multiple dead Lithium batteries from Ridgid each day, a few from Ryobi each week, a Makita about once a month or two and I think I have seen one DeWalt in the last 5 months.

Good luck!

-UtahAV
-Mark

[funkpod]

Well, I bought my Makita!, and so far, it rocks!, i like the power i get from it and it charges pretty quickly! it says 15 min. on the box, it took about 20 minutes for the 1st charge on the initial battery. , Question, how should I care for my batteries?, Is it safe to leave it on the charger? Should I take it off the charger and store it in the drill box? Should I unplug the battery from the drill after use?, Anyways, thanks for the help! hopefully I can take good care of these batteries and they don't conk out after a year. , Also, i bought an extended warranty, it adds a year on after the manufacturer's. How long is the Makita's?

[cryt]

Just wanted to say that there's a lot of good stuff in this thread! Thanks to all you guys for the great info!

Cryt

[Blainethemono]

Funkpod, wanna sell the the charrger to me?