Dying Hitachi Cordless Hammer Drill

[Eplebnista]

I have an 18V lithium ion Hitachi cordless hammer drill that I love. It has been subjected to about 6 or 7 years of hard homeowner (weekend) use and it running slower and slower. I can't see if it is sparking. I plan to replace the brushes but that is where my knowledge on these things ends. I love this tool and don't want to go through the time and agony of picking a replacement.

Any tips or suggestions on what else to look at/try will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[dogdog]

maybe the battery is just at end of life.... they do have a expected life (number of recharges) etc....

Have you tried with a new battery or an 18V / 12 V source?

 

[Yosho]

My guess is also the battery...

 

[LordPsychon]

In the absence of sparking, burning, melting, or locking up I'd say it is the battery. Good news is that Hitachi still makes 18v batteries, bad news is they cost almost half what you'd pay for a new drill with batteries. If the old drill hasn't given up the ghost yet, might be worth buying a new battery or two.

 

[Eplebnista]

I have two batteries for this puppy. They have been used equally and perhaps they are tired.

 

[StevePgh]

I have an all Hitachi 18v lithium system. It sounds like the battery. Mine also get a workout, but using the 1.5 amp battery on the hammer drill is as you describe. The 3.0 amp batteries power it like new but not for as long as they did 4 years ago. Don't forget lifetime warranty on the drill...

 

[kctyphoon]

well there is no harm, and certainly not hard, to pull the case apart and look for yourself before you buy battereis you may not need, and may not fix your problem.. id check the brushes anyway.. there might even be a back cover to take off, meant to give access to the brushes for replacement w/o having to take the case apart.. either way - if its the brushes they will be very worn down (this usually takes quite a bit of use) - and if they are not then your best bet is the batteries.. honestly - if its the batteries and they need replacement, you are probably just better off buying a new drill kit if you will have to lay out money to replace them.
you can prob just throw the batteries on the charger and test them with a meter once they are fully charged.. take note of the voltage, maybe throw it in the drill under load for a few seconds and see if the charge is gone.. im sure theres a good youtube video floating around to give you more guidence.

 

[Eplebnista]

The sad truth is that two replacement batteries will cost $30 more than a new tool and certainly cost more than buying a refurb or open box replacement.