Rebuilding tool batteries?

[Les Robb]

Re: Rebuilding tool batteries?

About the volt and amp issue. Yes you can have good voltage with poor performance if you have no current flow. Of course without current flow no amps. Maybe an internal defect in battery?

Faced with same problem with my DeWalt batteries this year after 4 years of heavy service on the farm. Decided to forget new batteries and asked Santa for a new 18volt Porter Cable 1/2" drive with 2 batteries plus soft case.

$139.00 at Lowes and it's one heck of a heavy duty performer. Heavy duty drill if I ever saw one for a few dollars more than off the shelf batteries. Now this guy in Florida does sound interesting but since my DeWalt was only 14.4
don't think so.



My old

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Rebuilding tool batteries?

Here is the last of my research on, at least, Makita tool batteries. As I mentioned before I have two each of 2.0 mA 18v NiCad batts and two each of 2.6 mA NiMh 18v batts. Each of those types are recharged in the same charger but with different contact points for a different rate of charge. In other words, if I rebuilt a NiMh case using NiCad batts, it would receive a NiMh style of charge which would not be good.

Now my 2.0 mA NiCads are also weak, but they still do work, albiet with very short legs. They are definite candidates for replacement or rebuilding. The best deal I could find on 2100 mAh cells are nearly $40 for 15 cells with shipping. Once I have them in hand, even though they have tabs on them, I still would have to solder them together. Time consuming an sloppy without a spot welder.

I can buy complete Rayovac 2100 mAh NiCad replacement batteries pacs (for the Makita), with all the right charging terminals for $59.95.

I think it is a no brainer even though I have spent enough time this subject to rebuild 1000 batteries if I had the right equipment.

So goes the fortune of DIYers.

edit: Oh I forgot to mention, the Rayovac replacements are available at Batteries Plus. They have them for, or can order them, or will rebuild them at the same price, for a huge variety of different brands.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Rebuilding tool batteries?

Here's another place that does rebuilds. They offer 2100mAh, 3300mAh and 4000mAh replacement batteries. http://mtobattery.com/store/page2.html

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Rebuilding tool batteries?

Here's another place that does rebuilds. They offer 2100mAh, 3300mAh and 4000mAh replacement batteries. http://mtobattery.com/store/page2.html

Prices look pretty good too!

 

[scamoot]

Re: Rebuilding tool batteries?

i came across this vid and tried it on an old rechargeable flashlight battery pack. it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja2TXbkDI2I

 

[Tig]

Re: Rebuilding tool batteries?

I used to rejuvenate NiCads in my work shop. There is always a chance the battery will explode. Protecting yourself from the explosion is not hard but decontaminating afterward is practically impossible. I decided it wasn't worth it.

WizeOne, what is the full charge voltage of your battery when it has a load on it? eg, when the drill or light bulb is first on?