Thread: Kill that LED on the plunge drill

The more likely explanation is that the NiCad batteries are either cactus (a technical term) or they have simply lost their charge, which is not uncommon for even fairly new NiCad batteries and one of the reasons they are only used in the budget tool category.

Originally Posted by markharrison

The more likely explanation is that the NiCad batteries are either cactus (a technical term) or they have simply lost their charge, which is not uncommon for even fairly new NiCad batteries and one of the reasons they are only used in the budget tool category.

Nope - I have gaffer taped the switch and both batteries are good - in fact they are excellent - I just wondered if anyone has opened them up and found it easy to disconnect.

No question the switch is....suspect. It looks like a bit of an afterthought. A good idea (the light), but the switch should have been properly incorporated in the body of the drill.

I've broken the switch off one (accidentally - it kept running into what I was drilling), and haven't missed it, and no inconvenient flat batteries. It was a 'light' light switch - very easy to bump on which I often did while putting it away.

Why not shorten the knob so it is flush with the casing (or near to) unlikely to be knocked on, but still there if needed. Some switches of similar design can have the lever unscrewed.....might be a very easy fix. Prefer those solutions over getting into the case.

Not likely there is going to be any design change....

I haven't seen the switch you're refering to, but what about hot glue? That way you could always remove it later if necessary.

Originally Posted by rhancock

I haven't seen the switch you're refering to, but what about hot glue? That way you could always remove it later if necessary.

Stuart - shortening the knob sounds like a good idea. Light sanding disc followed by a hand file might do it.

It responds well to a pair of flush cutting wire cutters - just slide the metal tube off & trim flush in one cut. You can still reach it ti turn the light on as needed.

It really is a pity if Triton are totally abandoning this design, it is still miles ahead of the opposition but is let down by the batteries & charger - at least the battery pack is screwed together for easy re-packing.

it shouldn,t be the led,s ldft on thats flattening the batterys, an led would run for maybe 40 hours on one aa battery ,they use bugger all power. i think your battery is perhaps rs, dont have to be old to be buggered.bob

Sorry to disagree Bob, but I've had plenty of first-hand experience of this as well. (Until I attacked the switch that is..... )

I don't use the drill every day (or every week), so if the switch is knocked on, it has plenty of opportunity to burn until the battery is flat. Each time I've found the battery completely dead, I've found the switch on.

Not sure why people think there is a charger/battery problem? I haven't had any issues with the charger (other than the built-in safety that prevents batteries from overcharging, and means that it is necessary to unplug the charger before starting another charge - that is a bit annoying, but not as much as a charger that kills a battery from overcharging!) I still have the original batteries going strong, but given it's age, expect they will need upgrading sooner or later, and I'm not surprised that others who have had many more charging cycles are finding the batteries nearing end-of-life.

Oh, and Bob - nice looking workshop in your avatar Looks like a Jet 14" deluxe bandsaw, and a Jet mini lathe in there (along with the Triton router table of course!)