Abstract: Battery-powered tools may include battery 1 or battery pack BP and a drive source (e.g., motor M) for generating power using current supplied from the battery. A switch 3 may electrically connect the battery to the drive source. A voltage detector may detect the output battery voltage of the battery. Further, a processor 60, 210, a comparator 5 or another similar device preferably determines when a difference between (1) a first battery voltage detected at a first predetermined time period after the switch is turned OFF and (2) a second battery voltage detected at a second predetermined time after the first predetermined time period exceeds a predetermined value. This information may be utilized to determine whether to warn an operator of the battery powered tool that further operation using the battery 1 or battery pack BP should be discontinued.

Abstract: Power tools (1) may include a drive source (22). A device for generating an elevated torque, such as a hammer (4) and anvil (2), may be operably coupled to the drive source. Preferably, a sensor (30) detects when the hammer has begun to strike the anvil and generate the elevated torque. A control device (38) communicates with the sensor and the drive source and communicates signals to the control device when the hammer has begun to strike the anvil and generate the elevated torque. Preferably, the control device determines whether the when the hammer has begun to strike the anvil and generate the elevated torque either (1) before a fastener has reached a seated position against a workpiece or (2) after the fastener has reached the seated position against the workpiece. Thereafter, the control device only controls the operation the drive source based upon signals generated by the sensor after the fastener has reached the seated position against the workpiece.

Abstract: Control portion (26) of battery charger (10), for example, may control power source circuit (24) upon receipt of instructions from control portion (41) of adapter (30). Based upon these instructions, adapter (30) can enable charging operations for battery pack (50B) that does not have a memory storing charging parameters and/or information. Moreover, battery charger (10) also may be designed to charge a battery pack (50B) even though battery charger (10) was not originally designed to charge battery pack (50B). Adapter (30) also may enable charging operations for battery pack (50) that contains memory (61) storing charging parameters and/or battery identification information. In this case, adapter (30) can read information stored in memory (61) and generate optimal charging instructions based upon a charging program stored in control portion (41).