Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Dewalt). This thread is read-only.
I have two xrp nicd batteries (18 volt). I have been expieriencing shortened run times. Fresh of the charger, they read 19.5-20.5 volts. They work fair right off the charger (after approx. 45 minutes charging) I decided to use the “auto tune-up cycle” and left them on the charger for over eight hours straight. When I took them off they read18.5v and 16.8 volts! I then went to use them and could not drill a 3/4 hole (irwin speedbor) in a piece of poplar! Basically there is no storage time, must be fresh of the charger to use them, and then only moderate performance. My drill is a dc987. Also, the flex neck flashlight only runs about an hour and a half, around half of the rate 3 hours. Whats up?
I would check the Date Code on the battery and see if it’s still under warranty. 2yrs on the Yellow tops, and 1 on the black tops. Take it into your nearest service center and have it checked out.
According to the battery code the batteries were made in 2006. I think I’ve used them for three years though, so they are out of warranty. They are the yellow tops.
Thats 4 years old! They usually die anytime after 3 years for me, and I always leave them on the yellow charger. I had 2 18V XRP yellow tops I left at home (never took to the job site) that were dated in early 2007 and I used them every other weekend around the house, they died the end of last year. I took them to the local Dewalt store, they have a trade in (battery recycling program) of $10 per your used/old battery when you buy a new battery package (no matter if its 1 or 2 batteries in the new package). The Dewalt store had a special 2 pack of XRP 18V for $109. So I bought 2 of the 2 packs and got $20 off for the old batteries.
It’s all about how you maintain your batteries. I’ve still got 2005 batteries running strong.
JC wrote:
2yrs on the Yellow tops, and 1 on the black tops.
What’s the difference between yellow and black tops?
Isnt there 2 different versions of the black top ni-cads? Like a regular/standard DC9099 and then a compact DC9099? It seems like the newer version is a little shorter then the older one. Actually I think only the yellow tops are called XRPs (not 100% sure).
I believe their are a few older black tops. Standard, XR, XR+… then they went to XRP yellow tops.
Just found out- the DC9098 is the newer compact version of the older standard DC9099. I wonder what the difference between the 2 are as far as Ah, they are both 18v.
DC9181 – 1.1Ah
DW9046, DW9048, DW9050, DW9051, DC9098 – 1.2Ah
DW9057, DW9062, DW9072, DW9074, DW9094, DW9098 – 1.3Ah
DC9094, DC9099, DW9061, DW9071, DW9091, DW9095, DW9099, DW0240 – 1.7Ah
DW0242 – 2.0Ah
DC9180 – 2.2Ah
DC9071, DC9091, DC9096, DC9360, DW9096, DC9280, DC9180, DC9144 – 2.4Ah
i have Benn using the same yellow tops for 5 years now and still running, i made this video a while back on reconditioning battery’s check it out, works 99.9% of the time, can save a lot of money i proved it in the video watch!!!!
I found this company advertising on eBay, for $50 they’ll ship you a 9096 basic battery, and for $80 plus shipping 1 way, they’ll rebuild your battery with 3300MAH cells. I haven’t tried them but I’m not inclined to try my own repair of the NiCad batteries. I’m sure there are a few others out there not so inclined to take that route so maybe this will be interesting. Though, I know there are a lot of people who would enjoy the low cost fix mentioned above.
They used to be a advertiser on this site. They are one of the better battery rebuild companies out there.
Just go to Home Depot between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Every year at the same time they usually have the 2-pack of 18-volt yellow top XRP NiCd batteries (DC9096-2) for around $120 a pack. This way, you know you are getting a good new factory product.
the Double pack will be $99 at Lowes for black friday