Erbauer at screwfix... Grrrrrrr

MPH

MPH

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Hi

I bought a battery operated mitre saw from screw fix less than 18 months ago and I have only used it about 3 times. At the weekend I charged it up and used it to fit some skirting boards but about 2 cuts from finishing the battery went flat and now simply will not charge up again.

I couldnt find anything about Erbauer online other than referring to screwfix so I contacted screwfix about replacing the battery as it had a 2 year warranty. Well... Not only does the 2 year warranty not count for the battery or charger (1year!), Erbauer products are not imported with spares so they cannot supply a new battery, and no other spare part????

So... I now have a perfectly good, pretty expensive saw and because the battery went bad, that's it.... It's absolutely useless! I cannot believe they would sell and item that has to be thrown away even if the smallest part breaks, but apparently that is the case!

Talk about a throw away society!?!?!? I am rather miffed!

Sorry to winge, but I thought I'd let you all know... Just in case you might consider buying this brand in the future!

Matt
 
Can't remember the detail but I once found a UK company that would replace the cells in the battery for old rechargeable tools. Could be better than throwing it away. Presuming that the charger is OK.
 
Just can't find anything out about the company and all links point straight at screwfix. I believe therefore that Erbauer is just a rebranded "screwfix" product, and they are not interested in stocking any of the spares!!!

I guess there's some factory in China somewhere churning the batteries out but where, I have no idea!

Didn't cost me too much as was in a sale, but I would be very peeved if I'd paid anywhere near the full price.
 
CMOT said:
Can't remember the detail but I once found a UK company that would replace the cells in the battery for old rechargeable tools. Could be better than throwing it away. Presuming that the charger is OK.
Click to expand...

Yeah to be fair I don't know if its the battery or charger!?!?!

Oh well, you live and learn!
 
Still Nicads are pretty robust or should be, given you don't know what's wrong I think I'd be on the look out for other 24v kit or you can take a punt on new battery...saw one on fleabay for £38.
 
Have I got this right: Nicads like being run down to near-flat and then charged back to full again straightaway. Li-ions like to be kept topped up and ideally shouldn't be run down to flat?
 
Yes, I see I might have caused some confusion there. Nicads prefer being deeply discharged before recharging to prevent memory effect, you can leave them empty but not for too long which the OP might have done. There is a trick to revive Nicads which is to zap the battery with a burst of around three times the voltage rating which is supposed to clear the deposits off the electrodes and allow charging.

If you use a Li-on it doesn't slow to a stop as it drains it'll just stop, that is the protective circuitry preventing the battery from completely discharging which as you say Li-ions don't like.
 
The strange thing in my case is that the batteries may have been left uncharged for a while, but they charged up fine when I came back to using it. After discharging (through use) once they then refused to charge!

Oh well. Worse things happen at sea apparently! :)
 
I have just got back from Screwfix (stockists of Erbauer) who show the charger I have which is no longerr working, on their website as available. Store says it's no longer available AND the 2 year warranty does not apply because it's no longer a stock item! Screwfix strikes again. Nor will they give me details for who to discuss this with.
Any suggestions welcome (polite ones anyway)
 
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