Battery not charging? My chainsaw just died mid-cut!

So I was cutting some firewood yesterday, and my cordless chainsaw just stopped dead. Battery won't charge at all now, the charger light just blinks red. It's a few years old, but I've taken care of it. Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe the battery is toast, but I don't want to drop $200 on a new one if it's something else.

Hey Dave, before you shell out for a new battery, check the contacts on both the battery and the tool. Corrosion or dirt can cause a bad connection. Clean them with a bit of rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. Also, make sure you're using the original charger. Aftermarket ones can mess with the charging logic. If that doesn't work, check the voltage with a multimeter if you have one. If it's reading super low, the battery might have a dead cell. But sometimes it's just the charger acting up. Let us know what you find.

Yeah, what Wendy said. Also, how cold was it? Lithium batteries hate the cold. If you left it in a cold garage, it might just be too cold to charge. Bring it inside, let it warm up for a few hours, then try again. Happened to me once. Also, what brand is it? Some brands have known issues with the BMS (battery management system). You might be able to get a replacement for free if it's under warranty, even if it's a few years old - check the serial number.

I've got a collection of chainsaws, and I've seen this happen. Sometimes the charger itself is the problem - they can fail silently. You can test it with a similar battery if you have one. Also, check the fuse inside the battery, if it's the type you can open. Some batteries have a replaceable fuse. But honestly, if it's a few years old and you use it heavily, the battery might have reached the end of its life. I'd recommend looking for a compatible aftermarket battery - they're often cheaper and just as good. Just make sure it's from a reputable brand.