Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 09, 2007 11:47pm | #1

   Lithium ion batteries are very sensitive to both overcharging and to excessive discharging.  Because of this, most lithium ion battery packs have circuitry in them that prevent discharging them too far. 

   You should check the owners manual that comes with the tool, it will tell you if you need to stop at a certain point or if the pack will automatically shut down when it discharges past a certain point.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine  

1. 
   RickChristopherson | Jan 10, 2007 12:23am | #2

   I would also be concerned about putting a dead battery on the shelf for a long period. Even though they have a very low self-discharge, if I'm not mistaken, some chargers will not begin charging if the battery is too low to start with. If this is correct, then an overly discharged battery cannot be brought back to life without bringing it to an outside source.

2. 
   Quickstep | Jan 10, 2007 12:44am | #3

   Read the owner's manual? That's a radical concept :)

   Honestly, it didn't occur to me! I also figure you folks are smarter anyway!

    

   PS, the owner's manual says to recharge them when a drop in power is noticed.