An Ego battery-powered chainsaw is a convenient, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional gas chainsaws. The chainsaw utilizes a rechargeable battery and comes with a charger, but it sometimes doesn’t charge even when attached to the charger.
An Ego Chainsaw’s battery may stop charging due to a defective charger or a battery that needs to be replaced. You can determine the cause by reading the LED indicator lights on the charger. To fix it, you may need to clean it, but replacing it might be the better option.
The rest of this article will explain how to troubleshoot an Ego chainsaw battery that has stopped charging so you can decide on the best course of action and get back to using your chainsaw with ease.
1. Make Sure the Charger Is Working Correctly
You’ll want to determine whether the problem stems from the rechargeable battery or the charger itself. When operating correctly, the charger’s four LED lights will flash green immediately after plugging it into the wall outlet.
If it doesn’t, you’ll know that your charger is malfunctioning.
When the first LED flashes with the image of a battery with an “x” running through it, the charger indicates that there is a defect with the battery itself. To confirm this, you can plug another battery into the charger as a test.
If this new battery charges properly, you’ll know for sure that the issue lies with the battery itself rather than the charger (source).
At this point, you should consult your owner’s manual to determine whether or not the malfunctioning component is covered under Ego’s 3-year warranty. For a brand-new battery or charger that has stopped functioning, you can remedy the issue by calling the manufacturer for a free repair or replacement (source).
2. Clean the Battery
It’s a good idea to clean debris from your chainsaw thoroughly after each use, as this ensures the mechanical components of your chainsaw continue performing well. Routine maintenance is crucial in extending the life of any power tool.
How To Clean Your Ego Chainsaw and Battery
- Remove the battery. You should remove the battery as a safety precaution when cleaning your chainsaw. Then use a brush to clear away any accumulated debris that made your chainsaw’s battery stop charging.
- Remove the bar and chain. This is an excellent opportunity to replace your chain and oil it with bar and chain oil. Place the chain in a zip-lock bag with a small amount of oil, let it sit while you brush the remaining debris from the chainsaw, and wipe the excess oil off after removing it from the bag.
- Clean the chainsaw. Remove any built-up sawdust or dirt from the chainsaw using a brush and shop towels, including behind the clutch cover.
- Clean the battery: You can do this with a damp cloth and ensure that it dries fully before reassembling.
- Reassemble your chainsaw. Carefully replace the bar and chain, using the dial to reapply the proper amount of tension to the chain (source).
- Test your battery and chainsaw. Test the battery by connecting it to the charger. After an hour, a fully-functional battery should be completely charged. Reconnect the battery to the chainsaw and perform a test on the saw.
3. Repair the Battery
To repair a non-functional Ego chainsaw battery, you’ll need a general understanding of how to safely work around electrical equipment. Working on lithium-ion batteries like those used in Ego’s chainsaws can be extremely dangerous, so proceed carefully.
If you have an external power supply, try to charge the battery that way. Once the battery has charged on the external power supply, plug it back into the manufacturer’s charger and see if the issue has been resolved (source).
External power supplies like this Kungber DC Power Supply Variable (link to Amazon) aren’t cheap. Unfortunately, to fix the battery on your own, you may need to spend anywhere from $50 to $100 or more.
However, this is a reliable choice since it has an easy-read LED display and comes with a set of power cords.
4. Replace the Battery
If the charger is functioning correctly, the battery itself is clean, and you don’t feel confident enough to repair it yourself, it may be time to replace it. Ego’s 56-volt chainsaw batteries are meant to last anywhere from five to ten years, depending on how much you use them. If you feel that your battery is approaching the end of its life, it might be time to replace it (source).
You can purchase a new battery from wherever you bought the chainsaw.
Additionally, you can purchase a replacement battery for your Ego chainsaw on Amazon. This EGO Power+ BA1400T 56-Volt 2.5 Ah Battery (link to Amazon) is an excellent choice. While it costs nearly half the cost of the chainsaw itself, these batteries are meant to last up to a decade, so a new battery may be well worth the investment.
5. Consult Your Ego Chainsaw Warranty
Ego chainsaws come with a 5-year warranty that covers defects to the bar, chain, and body of the chainsaw. Unfortunately, the longer warranty only applies to the chainsaw itself, but the good news is that the battery and charger come with a 3-year warranty (source).
You can figure out if your warranty will cover a battery that has stopped charging by asking yourself the following questions:
- Are you the original owner of the chainsaw and accompanying battery? The warranty wouldn’t be able to cover defects if you purchased the saw, battery, charger, or all three from an independent person rather than a store licensed to sell Ego products.
- How long have you had the battery? For newly-purchased batteries, defects caused by manufacturing should be covered under Ego’s warranty.
- What setting do you use for your chainsaw? Chainsaws used in a commercial setting come with their own warranty. If your chainsaw is for personal use, the 3-year warranty on the battery will apply (source).
If you hear a cranky sound from your chainsaw, it might be because of carbon buildup in some of its components. Fortunately, you can easily clean the device yourself. Check out my guide to learn how.
Conclusion
Here are several things you can do if you’re Ego chainsaw battery has stopped charging:
- Test the charger to make sure it’s functioning properly.
- Clean the battery and the chainsaw’s other components.
- Repair the battery yourself.
- Consult the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with the chainsaw.
- Replace the chainsaw’s battery.
With these tips in mind, you can use your Ego chainsaw to conveniently cut wood for your next gardening or home improvement project.