cordless drill / driver battery

elcaro · 12 Jan 2019

Hi there, my DeWalt DC725(?) cordless drill driver now has 2 dead batteries. One packed up, followed a bit later by the other.
What to do? Replacements are advertised around £20 plus postage. You can (or could) also buy the little internal cells and solder them together yourself, or I think the guy would do it for you for a price.
I have a big (SDS) and a small corded drill which are ok for drilling except you need to get the extension lead out to the job, but they can't drive screws (I don't think!) I also have a small electric screwdriver which is doing jobs way above its pay grade, poor thing.
Question is, do I get a replacement battery for the cordless drill / driver, or just put the money towards a new drill / driver? And if a new one, what sort?
Ta for any advice.
Regards, Terry.

Bonni · 12 Jan 2019

£20 is cheap as chips, I wouldn't bother messing on trying to repair.

pauldelahaye · 13 Jan 2019

I'd start saving up for a lithium powered replacement drill. Nothing used to frustrate me more than when I'd grab my old NiCad Dewalt out the cupboard and the battery was always flat. Used to drive me round the bend. I'd have to allow for an hours charging time each time I wanted to do a job.

The lithium equivient is life changing in this respect.

But if you have no choice but to repair/replace. As Bonni said, at £20 it's a no brainer.

^woody^ · 13 Jan 2019

The marketing guys would love for you to scrap a tool that works well and just needs a battery.

The only reason to buy a new drill is if it has other features that you actually need. Don't join the must "upgrade" brigade.

^woody^ · 13 Jan 2019

pauldelahaye said:
The lithium equivient is life changing in this respect.

That got a serious LOL, not just typed.

Can you expand on how your life has actually changed? Was it so bad before? It's a drill battery not a pacemaker.

kingandy2nd · 13 Jan 2019

Beware of the cheap replacement 18v batteries. I’ve had a few and they don’t have a great deal of longevity in holding charge.

I would recommend buying from amazon if you can - as at least then you get some buyer protection with a warranty.

elcaro · 14 Jan 2019

Thanks guys. kingandy2nd, yeah I've noticed that once a manufacturer stops supplying parts for older products, the replacements often come from Arthur Daley Precision Engineering or some such.

Regards, Terry.

JBR · 14 Jan 2019

I have the same model (DC725) whose two batteries (originals) are now not holding a charge.
I have ordered two replacements from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077PLTTC7/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item
and appear to have good reviews, despite costing only £17 each with free delivery.

Hopefully, they'll last a reasonable length of time, but even if they don't I think they're cheap enough to risk it!

elcaro · 15 Jan 2019

pauldelahaye, yes a relative was in the same position with a drill / driver & 2 dead batteries, bought a new drill / driver and also said the new Li batteries are much better.

JBR, thanks for that link. I might try one (probably get away with just one in my case.)

JBR · 15 Jan 2019

elcaro said:
pauldelahaye, yes a relative was in the same position with a drill / driver & 2 dead batteries, bought a new drill / driver and also said the new Li batteries are much better.

JBR, thanks for that link. I might try one (probably get away with just one in my case.)

You get free postage when you buy two, as it comes to over £20. (I'm a Yorkie!)

SammyInnit · 16 Jan 2019

^woody^ said:
That got a serious LOL, not just typed.

Can you expand on how your life has actually changed? Was it so bad before? It's a drill battery not a pacemaker.

It's a bit like when you see yanks on instagram harping on about the latest tools and referring to them as 'game changers'. I can't see it myself, just means I don't have to take a transformer and extension cables to work any more.

JBR · 17 Jan 2019

I just received my two batteries today. Very quick delivery.
They each charged up to full in 30 minutes and seem to drive the drill perfectly well.
Time will tell, of course, but even if they only last for a few months I think they'll be worth it for £16 each. Having said that, I don't exactly use the drill daily, so they might outlast me!

elcaro · 18 Jan 2019

Hi JBR thanks for the update re the batteries.
Terry.

elcaro · 1 Feb 2019

HI, I bought the above mentioned battery :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077PLTTC7/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item
Charged up ok and spins the drill so the battery looks fine.
The actual drill spins but when you release the trigger and it stops, it's like Guy Fawkes night - shower of sparks.
You-know-who's law I think! Looking at brushes but might give up and get new drill!

Thanks to all.

JBR · 2 Feb 2019

elcaro said:
HI, I bought the above mentioned battery :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077PLTTC7/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item
Charged up ok and spins the drill so the battery looks fine.
The actual drill spins but when you release the trigger and it stops, it's like Guy Fawkes night - shower of sparks.
You-know-who's law I think! Looking at brushes but might give up and get new drill!

Thanks to all.

Brushes are even cheaper than batteries!

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cordless drill / driver battery

SammyInnit

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