Question Not sure on this anymore.........................

[Gino]

Have some Lithium Ion 3Ah batteries for various Makita tools. I'm charging one as we speak, but this has to do with batteries that are partially spent. I know with the old batteries, you were supposed to drain them, before charging them up again, but I was told, that's not the case with Lithium. Is that true ?? In other words, I'm not sure what kinda charge is left in the other batteries, so I'd like to charge them all ( 4 total ) today for a job tomorrow where we don't wanna be bothered having to charge a battery here or there. We're gonna be all over a building and it's kinda large. We're doing ADA signs, but I just wanna be prepared.

Any input would be appreciated.

Gino​

 

[Dan360]

Lithium batteries don't have a charge memory like older batteries that could form false bottoms. They deteriorate over time and through charge cycles. So no need to worry

Edit: In fact I believe lithium batteries don't like to be fully discharged, I remember reading an article on phone batteries that mentioned that.

 

[bannertime]

Li-ion batteries should not be fully discharged. It's suggested that you should charge while it still has some juice. I always run mine till the tool stops anyway, and my dewalt batteries are around 5 years old but still kickin.

 

[Jburns]

You are correct- Lithium Ion batteries do not have a memory, and do not have to be drained to be charged.
That WAS the case with NiCd or NiMh batteries.
I remember this from my RC car days in last few years. Now Li-ion batteries cannot be discharged too low - that will damage them - if your tool was designed with that battery, then that wont happen.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Do whatever you want to the batteries now a days, its doesnt matter anymore