DeWalt cordless drill / fire

someguy

New User
This message is a reply to an archived post by Ken Hall on June 22, 2010 at 15:05:24.
The original subject was "DeWalt cordless drill fire".

Does anyone have any further information or video about DeWalt chargers catching fire? We think one of their chargers might have started a fire. I know it has been awhile since any posts on this topic, but any information would be appreciated.
 
We have never had any problem with DeWalt and all our tools are DeWalt. Maybe its just me but I would never leave a charger unattended overnight..they are electrical,they can short out,heat up and cause a big mess,we plug ours in when we arrive on the job,we keep several charged ahead of needs,we unplug when we leave. This is how I treat all chargers.
 
I dont have any information for you and own a few DeWalt 18 volt chargers and batteries, so today and from now on when I'm charging I'm putting the charger down on the concrete shop floor instead of up on the wooden work bench where I have previously, better safe then sorry I figure........

John T
 
(quoted from post at 13:18:42 05/29/13) We have never had any problem with DeWalt and all our tools are DeWalt. Maybe its just me but I would never leave a charger unattended overnight..they are electrical,they can short out,heat up and cause a big mess,we plug ours in when we arrive on the job,we keep several charged ahead of needs,we unplug when we leave. This is how I treat all chargers.

This right here! You are a wiseman Michael.
 
Hello someguy,

Here is the information you are looking for.
If the print is too small to read, just open it in any program you have to enlarge it. Let me know if this is all you need

Guido.
a117091.jpg
 
Been using dewalt 18volts for almost 20 years, with no problem. I like the newer dewalt charger that will charge all three batteries, Li- ion, Ni-Mh, and Ni-cd. When battery come up to full charge, the charger shuts down and battery cools off.

I did take a Li-ion battery apart because it went bad. Discovered it had a computer processor built in. I could tell the smoke had left the processor.

George
 
I did have a charger melt down a 18V battery. Maybe I can join a class action suit and win a coupon for $5.00 off my next Dewalt purchase.:)
 
Fellow I know left home,remembered he left a tool charger plugged in.Went back and found the charger on fire.I have cautioned many times about the dangers of battery chargers starting fires on this forum.Always got ridiculed by wise As.I did fire reports for our fire dept.I know that many battery chargers start fires.Ive seen flames coming out of battery chargers.The town of Morril lost 3 houses to fire caused by a battery charger.My son in law always had small tool chargers going in his dining room.I warned him about the fire danger.As usual no one listens to the old man.Next time I was there the chargers were gone and there were 2 black scorch marks on the hardwood floor.It looks like both chargers failed at the same time.A lightning strike on the power line probably shorted some diodes.
 
Hello John T,

I would put a timer on the thing as well.
One of those mechanical cheep ones would do just fine! Some chargers will drain the battery when not charging, another reason to limit the ON time.

Guido.
 
How often would you say this happens? Do you think any fire marshal would have a lot of records on chargers starting fires? And is there usually something else like lightning that makes the charger malfunction or can that just happen on its own?
 
Thanks. Mine was a dw9116 for NiCd batteries. I noticed there was a recall for those becuase they can cause electrocution. Not sure if the design is similar to the ones recalled for catching on fire or if the 9116 can do the same thing.
 
About eight years ago my 14.4v Dewalt charger was left on for a long period during the day. I came back and could smell something plastic was very hot. I located it as the charger and it was very hot and had distorted the battery case so that it was difficult to remove it from the charger and it would not go in the drill anymore. So I went to the Dewalt dealer and he said there was a recall on my charger for that very reason and gave me a new battery and charger at no cost. I don't have any doubt that it could have caught on fire if it had gotten hotter. That's my experience.
 
I've heard that some chargers do that, but then so do some coffee makers, smoke detectors, etc. Best to unplug them when you aren't around.
 
Hello someguy,

Go to the Dewalt web site and they have all the recalls for their product. The page I posted may not be up to date. Just do a search for Dewalt batteries or charger recall, its all there.

Guido.
 
MY Dewalt has a light that flashes while charging, then when it stops flashing its "supposed to be" charged at which time I remove it...I agree prob not best to leave it on indefinitely

John T
 
A few years ago I had a tool charger working on top of a wood entertainment center. The NiCAD battery failed and overheated bad enough to melt the plastic battery case. Thermal runaway I think they called it. Since that, all tool chargers sit on the metal bench or concrete floor, well away from anything that will burn.
 
Hello John T,

Newer chargers from Dewalt have a feature that is supposed to equalize the battery pack. Leave it on for 8 hours for that to happen. One hour charger, one hour timer, then....... lights out.

Guido.
 
Im not a very good hand at reading directions, but I do indeed recall reading something about (on my latest charger) leaving it on every now n then a full 8 hrs and it cycles and equalizes or something, guess I may have to actually read the directions lol

John T
 
Hello John T,

I'll add one more thing that NEEDS to be on a timer.......BATTERY MAINTAINERS! It is COVENIENT
to have them ON 24/7 BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT totally unnecessary!
HEY!.................. I'm picking up you habits!
Nice sparking with you.............Guido
 
Hello Jon. Would you happen to know how long ago that happened? And the brand/model number of the battery and the charger that melted down?
 
Did you happen to find that DeWalt and notice the model number by chance? I appreciate the help regardless.
 

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