There are often times when you suspect that the battery charger for your cordless drill is not working correctly. Before taking case to a qualified repair technician it always makes sense to test the unit first of all so as to exclude any possibility of it being incorrectly connected or defective hardware within this device.
Testing a cordless drill battery charger is fairly straightforward. What do you need? You will need a volt meter. Now, what do you do?
How to Test a Cordless Drill Battery Charger
Step 1: Check the Power Supply
The first thing to test is whether or not there is power getting from the mains supply through to the battery charger. To do this, switch off the mains at your main circuit breaker and disconnect the power cable from both ends.
You can then use a volt meter to check whether there is any voltage between either of the live cables and the earth wire. There should be no voltage here.
Step 2: Test Each Cable
The next step is to check that each individual cable that you have disconnected from its end does not have power flowing through it. Place the positive (red) probe of your voltmeter onto either end of each cable and then repeat this with the negative (black) probe.
You should get a reading of zero volts on each occasion.
Step 3: Check for Voltage at the Charger Unit
Once you have done this, connect one meter probe to the earth wire on the battery charger and then place the other one onto either of the live cables.
You should get a reading of zero volts on each occasion. If not, there is likely to be an issue with this power supply.
Step 4: Check for Voltage at the Battery Connections
Check once more whether or not there is voltage between the live and earth connectors on the batteries themselves. If you get a reading of zero volts here, it suggests that the problem might be with the battery itself.
However, if there is voltage present, then the issue lies with either the charger unit or somewhere along its circuit path. In this case, you should swap this for another working battery to see if this makes a difference.
Step 5: Check for Voltage at the Charging Indicators
Now that you have checked all of these points, check whether or not there is voltage between either red and black probe and each of the charging indicators.
If so, it suggests that the problem lies with the power supply. If not, then there is likely to be an issue with either the battery or inside the charger unit itself.
Step 6: Investigate the Power Supply
If you have tested all of these areas and everything seems fine, it might indicate that there is a problem with this power supply. Investigate this further by checking for any signs of overheating or whether there is any blockage within the ventilation holes.
If everything seems OK here, then it could be that this power supply might need to be replaced.
Step 7: Investigate the Battery
If there is voltage between any of the probes and the charging indicators, then you should check that both batteries are correctly fitted inside the drill.
If they are, it might be that one of them has become faulty or drained its charge too far to support this device.
Step 8: Investigate the Charger Unit
If the problem lies with the battery and not the charger unit, you may need to replace this. Alternatively, it could be that there is a problem with either of the power supply cables or one of its internal connections.
Either way, this device needs looking at by a qualified technician to get to the bottom of this issue and determine what needs to be done by way of a solution.
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Can battery chargers fail?
Even the most expensive battery charger may fail. The two most common reasons for a malfunction are a loose wire or an issue with the circuit board. Checking whether your battery charger has failed is the first step in determining failure. Cheaper, less durable bits will only feature a single charger, limiting their usefulness over time.
Drills with higher quality will usually come with more chargers, allowing for excellent performance for longer. The most prevalent issue is that chargers typically have no moving parts, which means there are less issues. But that doesn’t imply it’s impossible to fail. If I’m on vacation and my battery dies, it may be beneficial to get a cheap replacement.
How can battery chargers develop issues?
Not all electrical items are perfect, and they may develop issues after a lengthy usage. Some chargers can be shut down as a result of a damaged wire. A battery charger may not operate effectively due to faulty components in another scenario.
Although some consumers may attempt to repair any problems, it is advised that you do not try to fix a charger yourself. It will not be suggested that you repair broken elements or attempt to mend them yourself.
How do I store drill batteries?
When utilizing drill batteries, keep them away from extreme heat. Keep the batteries in a cool location that doesn’t freeze over winter and does not exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
Keep batteries away from the air as well. It’s not a good idea for water to flow through the cells of your batteries. Take your batteries to a dry location that isn’t clogged.
Conclusion
If you must test an electric line, make sure to use a multi-point tester or a voltage gauge. If you have to repeat the test after it’s finished. When it comes to working with electricity and a little voltage, you may check and test again. Never handle an electronic circuit without testing the terminal cable first.
You may either buy a replacement for your battery pack drill charger or replace it with another cordless tool if you don’t like it. Tool Scout is a young, aspiring serial entrepreneur who also happens to be a devoted spouse and father.