The two original batteries for my Ryobi 12V cordless drill either don't take a charge anymore or if they do, poop out relatively quickly. I'm all set to send off the battery packs to have them rebuilt by Primecell when I figure it wouldn't hurt to check to see if the charger itself is working properly.
Ryobi 12V Drill #CTH1202K2 Ryobi 12V Battery Packs #1400652 Ryobi 12 Charge Plus charger (the large one), output 14V, 2.0A #1400666
There are three contacts inside the charging well -- looking down in the well from the top and using a clock face for directionality, there are two contacts opposite each other (positive = 12 o'clock and negative = 6 o'clock) and one at 9:00.
With the charger plugged in, touching the positive and negative contacts with the probes of the VOM meter shows 24.9 volts. Connecting either the postive or negative contact to the third contact at 9:00 yield no voltage.
Are these voltage readings normal for this charger?
As a related aside, checking the depleted batteries by touching the positive and negative terminals with the probes of the VOM show 7V, as does touching the positive and third contact. Touching the negative and third contact shows zero voltage.
I don't know enough about batteries or chargers to evaluate what this data is telling me. While I wouldn't be surprised that new batteries are in order, if the charger isn't working properly and must be replaced also, then that alters the cost criteria sufficiently that simply purchasing a new drill is better value even the current drill is still just fine.
Voltage readings from your charger and any related advice requested.