Cordless drill with good float charger

[Punkinhead]

I'm sure this has been covered but doing a search on "cordless drill" brings up about 90% of the posts in this sub-forum...

My current cordless drill is a Panasonic I've had for a few years. If I leave a battery on the charger between uses (usually a week or so) I can count on it being almost dead when I need it. The batteries are fine if I use them immediately after charging is finished. The charger apparently shuts off after full charge is reached and not only doesn't have a float charge mode, but seems to put a small drain on the battery so that it's dead when I need it. It's been this way since day 1 and does the same thing with two different batteries.

Can anyone recommend a brand with a good float charger so I can count on the battery being ready when I need it?

 

[twincam00]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I think older NiCad's need to be used until they are dead then charged fully then stored.

Any newer cordless drill with lithium batteries should hold its charge much better

 

[tarbellb]

check out this thread, there has been some good input. this was just posted in the last week too.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125207

and again, its always good to add a brief description to how you will be using said cordless drill.

my recommendation:

Hitachi KC18DCL combo kit- rugged, powerful, long lasting. (2 yr battery warrenty)
http://bigskytool.com/Hitachi_KC18D...er_Drill_Impact_Driver_Combo_Kit___i1173.aspx

or if you like the idea of FREE battery replacement for life* (tool model life)

Rigid Li-on series- not the same quality or battery performance but free batteries! ha
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[cderalow]

My cheap but reliable robin has this feature on the dual chemistry chargers.

NiCad batteries should be stored depleted for the record and not at full charge for long periods.