?? Using a multimeter to test cordless drill and the charger .

[tontotheindian9]

So yes I picked this SKIL TWIST Screwdriver # 2105 TYPE 2 up at a sale for a buck. It's dead and set it to charging for an hour and nothing. I got nothing at all. There are no charging status lights anywhere on this unit.

Now, I'm unfamiliar with a multimeter really, but I plugged the charger in and set the meter to 20 VDC. Placing the probes on the contacts, I get a reading of 3.1V while the charger output rating is 3.5 VDC . That's the first thing, the fact that it falls below 3.5V. Is this telling me the charger is kaput? The other thing is that when I test the battery, it reads 2.73V, but there are no markings on the battery telling me exactly what it is. I think it should be 2.9V. If that's the case, is the battery kaput or just needs charging? How about some help please?

 

[nadogail]

Whoever sold you that screwdriver for a dollar collected a dollar more than it will be worth after all the time and money you will put into it.

 

[dogdog]

It looks like the batteries inside are done. If you google “ SKIL TWIST Screwdriver # 2105 TYPE 2” it days it’s a 2.4 v tool, means it’s most likely a ni-cad , ni-mh type battery which is 1.2v per cell. Your charger should be fine. If it is dead it might be something else inside that is bad or the battery.

$1 still a good price If you know how to use the parts for something else maybe? Just not worth buying battery or parts if you don’t know how to troubleshoot it.

 

[walta]

First let me start by saying I consider almost all battery powered tools as disposable item in that the technology is constantly improving so any tool more than a few years old is antiquated so when they break it is best to replace them with the current technology.

Note batteries are chemicals reactions and time is their enemy. Old battery = dead battery!

I did not look up your tools but many charges will not output charging voltage until the chargers had tested the battery for faults so your voltages reading maybe meaningless.

Walta

 

[tontotheindian9]

Hmmm...I don't know, but for a buck, who cares. It didn't look like it was beat to hell and back and I wasn't expecting a miraculous performance even if it did work. Still, maybe I'll spray all the contacts and throw it back on the charger for a few hours and re-check it. Somewhere, it said it could take 3 hours per charge.

Any other thoughts or directions?

 

[duneslider]

Most likely the battery is not good, much less common for chargers to stop working. I bet if you replace the batteries it will work fine. You should be able to find replacements someplace on line (amazon or ebay).

 

[nadogail]

If your hobby is resurrecting dead tools, just go for it.

If you are trying to make a living with your time and tools, I think your time will be better spent buying a new tool.

 

[tontotheindian9]

Welp, it's working. I don't think the switch contacts were touching properly before...I think. Time will tell as far as the battery status.
Anyway I thought for a buck, it would be ok here at the desk/bench.

Thanks for your input you all.