How long should you initially charge the batteries (12v 2Ah) I have charged them for an hour but they only last 40 mins. I am only driving screws into wood.

Depends on the charger output. Probably better off charging them over night for the first charge.

David

Is there not a light on the charger to indicate full charge ?

This usually

a) starts flashing
b) stops flashing
c) changes colour

to indicate full charge.

It usually tells you to charge them for something like 16 hours to start with and that the batteries will not accept a full charge until they have been charged a few times after that.

Charge it for 8 hours to build it back up if you have had it a while.

I Reckon...

that the way the voltages keep increasing on these cordless drills, it won't be long before they're up to 240, and you could plug them straight in the mains. Just think, all the power you need, no poncing about charging batteries......or is this me just dreaming again?

Most (if not all) cordless drill chargers i've come across have an automatic chraging cut off. Leveing the battery in won't make it more charged.

If a charger has no auto cut off and is left on for too long then its a short way to ruin a battery.

What type are the batterys ie. Nicad or Nimh.
Nicad benefit from cycling (particualry older batteries). Fully charge till charger cuts off, then fully discharge. When model car raceing I had a discharging unit that provided a steady 30amp distcharge rate for cycling batteries and full discharging them after a race. The other option for discharging is to leave the drill running, just beware it doesn't over heat.

[Edited on 29/5/05 by clbarclay]

quote:

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Originally posted by GeoffT
I Reckon...

that the way the voltages keep increasing on these cordless drills, it won't be long before they're up to 240, and you could plug them straight in the mains. Just think, all the power you need, no poncing about charging batteries......or is this me just dreaming again?

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i would start by reading the destruction manual... i know, daft idea, but it can help

[Edited on 29/5/05 by JoelP]

I have a Dewalt, 18v 2.4Ah cordless drill and to start you'll need to run the batterys down and charge them up a few times to get them up to full charge.

Most rechargable batteries are like that. Give them a few charges and see what they are like.

My batteries will last all day long driving screws into wood

That sounds like my wife talking there. What kind of man would do that? The nimh one I got recommends an initial 14 hour charge before use in the instructions. If nicads are not fully charged first time they have a memory effect and will not subsequently accept full charge allegedly.