glass Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 I left a 60 volt battery in my truck overnight. It was in need of charging. It was 26 degrees when I got up this morning. Note it was not over drained I was using the flexvolt circular saw and it ran down to one bar and stopped once. Tried to charge it. No go too cold. I think this is a weak point of dewalt batteries. Might have to have more makita 18v x2. As a side note the 3 bar indicator on the dewalt batteries stinks. 4 bars is much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jronman Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 You should be able to send it in to DeWALT and get a replacement if it is still not working. I agree with the 4 bar indicator. Could even go 5 like Bosch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggie Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Is the battery actually toast or it just needs to warm up before it'll take a charge? The thing I don't like about lights is that they don't stay on for a couple seconds. Sometimes your fingers block the lights especially with gloves on. With my m18 you press the button and take your hand off and have time to look at the charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeDewalt Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Yeah I'm pretty sure your not supposed to store dewalt batteries in conditions under 32 degrees. Get a Battery bag or battery box and bring them in at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jronman Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 @Biggie on the flex batteries they have that feature now. Not sure if the newer 20v batteries like the new 6.0 or new tool connect have this feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jronman Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Just now, JakeDewalt said: Yeah I'm pretty sure your not supposed to store dewalt batteries in conditions under 32 degrees. Get a Battery bag or battery box and bring them in at night I found a ds 130 works nice. fits 8 flex 2/6 batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 The flexvolt lights do stay on, then go out one at a time which is a nice touch. Four or five lights is far better. Four green and one red for empty would be ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeDewalt Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 1 minute ago, Jronman said: I found a ds 130 works nice. fits 8 flex 2/6 batteries. I use a Dewalt bag that I believe drill and impact came in. I can Hold about 15 batteries of varing sizes As a professional and a buyer of premium tools leaving your batteries out over night below freezing is an amateur mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jronman Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 thats quite a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggie Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 I only have a few flexvolt batteries and don't use them daily I guess I didn't notice. I usually work with milwaukee but the last couple of days I was working off a truck that has a bunch dewalt 4.0 and 5.0 and its cold out so it was a pain to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framer Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 2 hours ago, JakeDewalt said: Yeah I'm pretty sure your not supposed to store dewalt batteries in conditions under 32 degrees. Get a Battery bag or battery box and bring them in at night Is this documented somewhere? I find that hard to believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrimmerMatt Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 There is nothing wrong with storing lithium batteries at low temperature, in fact they will last longer that way. You just can't charge them at low temperature because it damages the cells and they will output less energy when discharged in the cold. If you keep your batteries charged the heat from use will warm them up enough to be charged when done. At least this works in the PA winter's. It rarely gets below 0 here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glass Posted November 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Rookie? So I live in New York. I guess flexvolt is for warm weather only. I am expected to work below 32. It was 26 not -26. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cr8ondt Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 7 hours ago, JakeDewalt said: As a professional and a buyer of premium tools leaving your batteries out over night below freezing is an amateur mistake Oh hell I leave my 20v batteries in my truck year round, in Michigan.... been doing it for YEARS.... I must be an amateur. I better go apologize to all my clients over the years for letting them think they hired a Pro. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmill25 Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 My m18 batteries stay in my toughbox on the back of my truck all winter. If the batteries can't take the abuse, I'll check into a system that can. So far after two winters they all work well. I guess I'm a rookie too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiltiWpg Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 http://www.toolstop.co.uk/lithium-ion-batteries-and-winter-how-to-keep-working-in-the-cold-a1617Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeDewalt Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 If your to lazy to hit Hilti link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glass Posted November 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 The battery heated up quickly and charged. It’s a too sensitive to cold in my mind. The batteries should work for me I should not work for my batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framer Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 according to dewalt: http://www.dewalt.com/dewalt-dna/featured-articles/best-practices-for-battery-life 5. DOES THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AFFECT BATTERIES? HOW?Yes. If the batteries are too hot (105°F or higher) or too cold (below 40°F), the batteries will not take a full charge. Attempting to charge batteries outside the 40°F-105°F range can result in a permanent loss of run-time. When batteries are being charged and discharged, a chemical reaction is taking place, and if it is too hot or cold the chemical reaction is disturbed causing a loss of run-time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glass Posted November 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 So what do you do if it’s 25 out. Buy a special heater bag for your batteries. Makita says their batteries are good to -4. Who cares how powerful flexvolt is ignite cannot take the cold. I like many of Dewalt’s tools but they got to work. I just replaced my dewalt impact with the Makita xdt12. Man the Makita is nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS5565 Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 The tools warm them up enough to charge in the cold just don't leave all batteries dead at the end of the day. I am right on the Indiana/Michigan border, never had a problem with frozen dewalt packs however some tools work much better once warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framer Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 1 hour ago, glass said: So what do you do if it’s 25 out. Buy a special heater bag for your batteries. Makita says their batteries are good to -4. Who cares how powerful flexvolt is ignite cannot take the cold. I like many of Dewalt’s tools but they got to work. I just replaced my dewalt impact with the Makita xdt12. Man the Makita is nice. you can use the flexvolt when its cold, you just cant charge them. and i'm sure all other brands of batteries are the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeDewalt Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 Festool recommends 56 degrees to 106 for storing their batteries. If it works for you keep doing what your doing Obviously some batteries would prefer to come inside at below freezing temperatures while sitting dormant. At over 100 dollars a battery its a risk not worth taking. To each their own Didnt mean anything rude by saying amateur mistake as I make them all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Framer joe Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 I have dozens of every Dewalt battery...don’t know about your particular situation BUT...I haven’t had a bad battery yet...I work all winter everyday outside and All my Dewalt cordless tools AND batteries are outside working with me.... My truck contains all my Dewalt cordless tools with a battery on each tool and dozens of 5, and flex 6 and 9ah...spare batteries in my Tstak box tower in my truck ...Outside everyday ....never a problem...never a dead battery.... Today we built a deck ,as I do every weekend, it was 25 degree and 20mph wind...last night it was 20 degrees.....there is no heat in the bed of the truck where the tools stay....the spares do warm up some as I drive to the job....Snow,Rain,Heat,Cold....my Dewalt cordless tools and batteries have Not let me done...........I love the battery design and the abuse they-take... IMO...Dewalt ,makes the Best Batteries...and tools.(well most tools,not 12v,or lights,or recip, )...😀 .....if you actually did have a problem with a battery..you should definitely contact Dewalt......but there is No Problem with the design or functionality of their batteries...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggie Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 Will a battery charger actually warm a battery to the proper charging temp if it's on a hot/cold delay. Obviously if its too hot the charger just waits until it's cooled down some. The other day I had a flexvolt on a fast charger and the fan didn't kick on. The battery had been out in 30 degree weather but it was charging just without the fan which was a first for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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