Black & Decker has to be one of the top names when it comes to vacuum cleaners, with such a wide variety of products, there’s pretty much any type of vacuum for everyone.
One of their most popular models is their cordless vacuum cleaner, thanks to the maneuverability and lightness to hold and use.
And, of course, you don’t have to worry about the pesky cord getting in the way of a good cleaning!
However, you may find after owning a Black & Decker vacuum cleaner for a while that something isn’t right.
It’s not lasting as long and is acting strange. You are worried that the worst has happened to your precious vacuum: The battery has died!
This can lead many consumers and owners of this vacuum to worry about what they are going to do next.
Can they just get a replacement battery? Do they need to buy a whole new vacuum?
Even if the battery is replaceable, what if it is a difficult job to replace it!? So many questions, and not enough answers!
If this sounds like you, then do not worry, we have just the guide to calm your nerves!
In this piece, we are going to explain what signs to look out for when you are worried that your Black & Decker cordless vacuum’s battery needs replacing, as well as whether it is replaceable, and if so, if it can be done by yourself, or if you need to take your vacuum cleaner to a professional.
Can You Replace A Black And Decker Cordless Stick Vacuum Battery?
So, before we go any further, we should probably answer the main question here: do you need to buy a whole new vacuum if your Black & Decker vacuum battery starts to deteriorate, or can you simply replace the dying battery?
Well, anyone who currently has a dying Black & Decker vacuum will be happy to know that you will be able to purchase a new battery to replace the fading one.
How To Tell When Your Battery Needs To Be Changed?
However, it is all well and good to know that you only need to replace the battery, but how can you tell when the battery needs to be replaced in the first place?
This can be a tricky thing for people to notice for themselves, so it pays to know what you are looking for when it comes to this issue.
So, how can you tell when the battery that you currently have is dying in the first place?
These are some of the things that you should be looking out for in your current battery that is good indicator:
It May Be Approaching The End Of Its Lifespan
Generally speaking, the battery that is used in a Black & Decker cordless vacuum is made from lithium-ion, meaning that it can usually hold on to a large amount of power over many years.
In terms of your vacuum’s charge capacity, this should mean that you can get around 200-300 full charge cycles out of the battery before it needs replacing.
This translates to around 5-7 years of active life before it needs replacing.
This means that, if you have had your Black & Decker vacuum battery for this amount of time, then around the 6-year mark should be the time that you can expect the battery to start waning.
But what exactly does that mean for the battery to be waning?
After all, some people seem to be able to have their batteries maintain power for 8 or more years, whilst others seem to die after just 4 or 5.
So, whilst age is a decent indicator, you’re probably going to need to look for a few more signs before you can officially call when a vacuum cleaner’s battery has died.
The Charge Isn’t Holding For As Long
This will probably be the easiest factor to spot for yourself.
When you are using a cordless vacuum cleaner, most vacuums will have a standard amount of time that they can operate, before they need to be charged again.
For the standard 20-volt battery packs that are often found in most cordless Black & Decker vacuum cleaners, the charge usually lasts around 15 to 20 minutes.
So, if you start to notice that the battery of your vacuum cleaner doesn’t hold its charge for this long, you can pretty confidently say that the battery is starting to deteriorate, especially if the battery is older than 4 or 5 years.
Using A Digital Multimeter
This may only be a viable option if you have a piece of kit like this, but it may be useful if you do happen to have one.
A digital multimeter is a device that many electricians and tradesmen use to detect whether or not an object, usually a power source or some kind of battery, if it has any electrical value, by measuring voltage, current, and resistance.
After charging the vacuum battery for a full charge it should be registered in the multimeter if it does not reach its potential voltage, then you should not use it, as the battery will have a shorted cell.
How To Replace A Back And Decker Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Battery?
So, now that you have determined for sure that there is an issue with your old battery, and is making it less or unusable, you can replace it with a newer version.
But whilst it is possible to replace the battery yourself, you’re going to need a few instructions to get it right.
These are the following steps that you should take if you want to successfully replace the battery of your Black & Decker vacuum:
- Make sure that your Black & Decker Vacuum has been removed from its charging base, and that you have brought it into a place with good lighting.
- Turn the hand vac on and make sure that whatever charge was remaining in it has faded. The motor that powers the vacuum will power down, indicating when the charge has been used. At this point, the battery can be removed.
- Swivel any attachments on the vacuum away from the usual storage resting spot. If your Black & Decker does not have this, this procedure may not be possible on your own.
- Seven Philips screw heads are visible that should be taken out, then the housing can be pulled apart.
- Looking at it from beneath, check the vacuum for the batteries for the lead connections that connect the pack to the vacuum, and gently detach them.
- There may be screws holding the batteries in place, securing them and the motor. You’ll need to unscrew the motor.
- Lift the motor out, and unscrew the screw heads keeping the battery in place.
- Once they have been taken out, you should be able to gently lift the battery case from the motor. Once this is done, gently take the batteries out.
- Insert your new batteries, and repeat these steps in reverse to put your vacuum back together.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, while replacing the batteries is a little tricky, it is possible to do so on your own.
Again, make sure that the charge is completely gone, and that you don’t void a potential warranty by doing this!