Product Support Bulletin S/N A74A

MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
13135 WEST LISBON ROAD • BROOKFIELD, WISCONSIN 53005 USA
[phone]
TO: AUTHORIZED portable electric tool SERVICE STATIONS DATE: January, 2008
factory SERVICE / SALES SUPPORT BRANCH
TOOL(S) \ PRODUCT(S) AFFECTED: 48-11-0490 4.0V, 48-11-1815 18.0V, 48-11-1830 V™18 18V,
48-11-2401 12.0V, 48-11-2830 V™28 28V Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
48-59-0490 4.0V, 48-59-1801 18.0V, 48-59-2401 12.0V,
48-59-2801 V™28, 48-59-2818 V™18V/ V™28V Lithium-Ion Charger
SUBJECT: COLD WEATHER symptoms / affects - Troubleshooting Guide
Milwaukee Lithium-Ion Battery Pack & Charger
— COLD WEATHER SYMPTOMS / AFFECTS LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE —
Symptom Possible Cause(s) Solution(s)
Battery Pack
status - Fuel
Gage shows four
lights, and then
drops to one light
after one or two
holes / cuts
Tool seems to
slow or stalls –
( fuel gage showed
four lights, and then
drops to one light
after one or two holes
/ cuts)
Battery Pack temperature is
below < 40ºF
(4ºC)
Battery Pack Fuel Gage is most accurate when the battery pack has
not been used for 1 minute after the load is removed – checking fuel
gauge immediately after use will indicate less than the true power
available in the battery pack – the battery pack will ‘bounce back’ and
the ‘fuel-gauge’ will give an accurate reading of battery packs state-
of-charge level within 60 seconds.
This is normal. In this situation, the tool might seem “slow” and /or
“buzz” for about 5 seconds before it turns OFF.
Battery Pack Protection - to protect the battery from damage and
extend its life, the tools’ or battery packs’ intelligent circuit monitors
current draw, temperature, and voltage drops. In extremely high
torque, binding, stalling, and short circuit situations that cause high
current draw, the tool will vibrate – ‘buzz’ for about 5 seconds, the
fuel gauge will flash, and then the tool will turn OFF - checking fuel
gauge immediately after will indicate less than the true power
available in the battery pack. To reset battery pack, pull and release
the trigger. If this happens repeatedly, the battery pack will shut
down and need to be placed on the charger to reset.
Battery Pack Protection - tool might seem “slow” and /or “buzzes” - is
more prevalent at cold temperatures, temperatures < 30ºF
(-1ºC). If
tool begins to stall, reduce pressure allowing tool to regain full speed
– to eliminate ‘buzzing’ – continue to use the tool at reduced force.
Battery Pack
connected to
Charger. Red
Charger light
flashing.
Battery Pack temperature is
below <14ºF
(-10ºC)
This is normal. Charger is waiting for Battery Pack temperature to
reach acceptable range for charging. Charge will commence once
temperature reaches proper range.
If Battery Pack is obviously in the acceptable temperature range -
between 15ºF
(-9ºC) and 149ºF (65ºC) – and flashing red charger
light persists, try known good battery pack on charger. If the charger
functions correctly with the second battery, retry the first battery. If
the charger continues to flash red the battery is damaged or is
faulty.
Battery Pack
connected to
Charger. Red
Charger light turns
on and a “chirping”
sound is heard
coming from the
Charger.
Pack was depleted to a very low
voltage
This is normal. Charger will attempt to “recover” a deeply depleted
Battery Pack. Chirping sound is due to electronics inside the
Charger. If Battery Pack does not recover, Charger will flash
red/green. In that case, make several attempts to charge by
removing/reinserting the Battery Pack. If it still does not go into
normal charge, Battery Pack is probably damaged.
T
O INFORM YOU
PRODUCT
SUPPORT
BULLETIN # 477