Stihl MSA200c battery charging issue after inactivity.

[organic guy]

I broke a 3.2 mm file and now use it 2" shorter, makes it much less bendy! They definately require more patience than bigger ones but theres not too many cutters. I have one this morning i will chuck away as it is worn down enough to have lost a tooth🤦‍♂️

[openspaceman]

37 minutes ago, organic guy said:

I broke a 3.2 mm file and now use it 2" shorter, makes it much less bendy! They definately require more patience than bigger ones but theres not too many cutters. I have one this morning i will chuck away as it is worn down enough to have lost a tooth🤦‍♂️

I would file most chains freehand but the 4mm files had to be in a guide to prevent snapping.

[pleasant]

5 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

TBH, I’ve rarely been happy with my efforts, it’s hit and miss if I get it at least as good as out the box.

I tend to throw a new one on long before it’s due, exasperated with poor cutting.

Yup....if we get a saw in with a 1/4" chain, we just replace and return the old one back to the customer with the saw if they want to have a go manually themselves. Like i posted earlier a pro grinding machine isnt suited great for sharpening 1/4" chain,

and for us to manually sharpen one whilst the saw is in for a service isnt cost effective. I am referring to domestic users here...if it were a pro user we would ask them if they want a new chain fitted first. 

[Muddy42]

Its my eyesight that is the limiting factor with 1/4" chain!

[Fatboy2017]

For info what 1/4 chains does everybody use? I've only used the Stihl chain which cuts well and smooth, but still a bit pricey, any alternative worth using?

As muddy42 says limiting factor is old eyes, I have set up good lighting a break out the reading glasses to even attempt filing! I'll have to try the 4mm file, I use the file holder method to keep the file from bending on this and on the top handle saws.

[nepia]

On 10/12/2025 at 09:40, Fatboy2017 said:

I have a Stihl MSA200c  cordless chainsaw, was used 6 months ago and charged up fine no issues. Had a couple of jobs to do which required a cordless saw, battery showed no lights even though battery, a AP200, was left with approx 75% charge when put away. 

On connecting the charger (AL101) lights up solid green for 3 seconds or so then goes quickly to red, then al lights go out.

The Stihl service info I've read does not mention this code situation. Any ideas? New batteries are horrendous cost so trying to recover this one. I have many saws so not stuck for an alternative but find this one very useful for jobs it's designed for. @mark-skyland? 

@Fatboy2017   I've just looked at pics of your battery online: is that a reset button beside the indicator lights?

If not read no further; if yes read on...

 

I recently had an Ego 56v battery 'die'; it got what's known Stateside as the red ring of death in its indicator lights and wouldn't take charge even directly connected in parallel to a good battery.  It needed resetting which in that case was done by pressing the reset button three times, holding down for 7 seconds on the third press.  Bingo!

[Fatboy2017]

I'll try that now! just going to the workshop, thanks for that snippet!

[nepia]

I've just watched a Youtube short where a guy plugged his AP300 into the charger every day for 9 days before it started accepting charge again.  Another possibility. 

 

Sadly I found no mention of a reset button on your battery but don't give up; as you say earlier it's a lot of money - I was looking at £230+ for a replacement Ego battery.

 

Let us know

 

Jon

[Dan Maynard]

2 hours ago, Fatboy2017 said:

For info what 1/4 chains does everybody use? I've only used the Stihl chain which cuts well and smooth, but still a bit pricey, any alternative worth using?

The Stihl cuts well, I also use Panther chain from chainsawbars.co.uk - if you get the unguarded then no bumper links to make filing the depth gauge difficult.

 

Not tried Oregon, didn't know they did 1/4.

[Fatboy2017]

2 hours ago, nepia said:

I've just watched a Youtube short where a guy plugged his AP300 into the charger every day for 9 days before it started accepting charge again.  Another possibility. 

 

Sadly I found no mention of a reset button on your battery but don't give up; as you say earlier it's a lot of money - I was looking at £230+ for a replacement Ego battery.

 

Let us know

 

Jon

I just tried the reset button, it's a AP200, this is what happens when connected and switched on, plus took battery apart to try what Kram suggested, but over my head, not have the brains to understand how to test each battery without pulling the whole thing apart! Meter connected to the positive and neg contacts