avid power drill battery dies super fast, like in 10 minutes. is the battery bad already?

Possibly. More often, it's improper charging, a bad connection, or using the drill on a high-torque setting for light-duty work.

Diagnosis: Rapid drain indicates either a failing battery cell or excessive load on the tool.

Fix: Run a test.

1. Fully charge the battery until the charger indicator shows green.
2. Use the drill on speed setting 2 (high speed) for a light task like driving screws into softwood. Do not use the drill on speed setting 1 (low speed/high torque) for this test.
3. Time the runtime. If it's still under 15 minutes for light work, the battery is likely degraded.

If that didn't work: Check the drill itself. A binding chuck or damaged gear train creates drag, making the motor work harder and killing the battery. Spin the chuck by hand. It should turn freely. If not, the drill needs service.

Heads up: Lithium-ion batteries degrade with time and charge cycles. Store batteries at room temperature. Avoid leaving them on the charger for days or storing them fully discharged. For best lifespan, charge them when they reach about 20% power.