Makita Charger looks like its packed up - Any Ideas?

[AlexBrown_1]

So I wanted a cheap second cordless drill - for those jobs where I don't want to risk breaking my Milwaukee, and so my partners father offered an old 12v makita, with a knackered battery. I've already got a makita impact of the same vintage so I thought fantastic - that's a problem solved.

Bought a new battery off ebay and its great to see that the charger (DC1804F) works for the 12V for this 'new' drill and the 14.4 for the impact driver, even better! Plugged the new battery into the charger and away it went, charging merrily. Everything was swell for a few days but now every time I plug any of the 4 various batteries I have (including 2 genuine Makita ones I know for sure are good) the I get the red and yellow flashing lights of doom.

I've got the charger apart and I can't see any obvious faults e.g. wires missing, burnt solder. Does anyone have a any good ideas for what to run a multimeter through before I end up getting a new one? Just seems a shame to send it to landfill.

 

[mike os]

Send it back

 

[AlexBrown_1]

Send it back

I wish - it's far past its warranty I'm afraid!

 

[mike os]

If there is nothing obvious just buy a new one, they are not that spendy .

 

[eddie49]

A few simple troubleshooting ideas on this Russian site:

https://www.makitapro.ru/u/spares/repair/DC1804-TE.pdf

 

[Ross365]

First question is to check is what type of batteries are we talking here; lithium have very fussy charging requirements, NiMH and NiCad less so.

 

[Morrisman]

I have found that cheap Wickes batteries nearly fit my Makita 18v drill and driver. It’s almost like they were produced from the same drawings, with a minor difference in the depth they will slide into the base. They are secure enough to use on a daily basis, but fall out if knocked or dropped.

I call them my Wickitas.

 

[MCKDAVID]

bought a job lot of these older 12v / 14.4 volt makitas for repair the last time a client brought one if for repair, hers was eventually binned, but I still have a few of the chargers on the shelf, if it's this type, you're more than welcome to one, genuine makita. Doubt I'll do anything with all of them... will cover the 12 and 14.4v.


can just take the card out and send that instead of the whole thing if that's easier.

 

[123hotchef]

my one like the one above stopped it was a fusable link inside IIRC I just soldered some fuse wire in

 

[AlexBrown_1]

bought a job lot of these older 12v / 14.4 volt makitas for repair the last time a client brought one if for repair, hers was eventually binned, but I still have a few of the chargers on the shelf, if it's this type, you're more than welcome to one, genuine makita. Doubt I'll do anything with all of them... will cover the 12 and 14.4v.


can just take the card out and send that instead of the whole thing if that's easier.

View attachment 320361

That's exactly the type it is - and a very generous offer, are you sure?

 

[MCKDAVID]

absolutely, there's three of them, only have two drills, so no problem. Drop me a pm, and we'll get you sorted.