All this talk about batteries.....

NMUCat · 11-14-2011, 10:33 AM

I'm having issues of my own, but related to my cordless power tools. About 6yrs ago when I bought my first house I picked up a Craftsman tool set for small jobs around the house. The set came with two Ni-Cd batteries and a charger. Those who have played with r/c stuff know that Ni-Cd sucks with getting a memory, long charge times and short play time.

So I thought about rebuilding the packs myself with NiMH or even LiPo cells. The only problem is that the LiPo's will require a special charger or bad things can happen. I can get a Lithium-Ion battery and charger for $100 from sears but we all know you need 2 if not 3 batteries and that's more than the set cost to start with.

Should I just ditch the cordless stuff and buy new ones with cords, suck it up and buy the new batteries or try to make my own set (nvr done it and no clue what I'm doing)?

jw · 11-14-2011, 10:42 AM

I've had all kinds of cordless tools and my garage has a number of DeWalts - Makitas not being used cause it was to costly for battery's ! I usually just by a new tool when battery gives out on old one. I have corded ones but have to keep cordless as well.

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Steveo · 11-14-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwood1199

I've had all kinds of cordless tools and my garage has a number of DeWalts - Makitas not being used cause it was to costly for battery's ! I usually just by a new tool when battery gives out on old one. I have corded ones but have to keep cordless as well.

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I have a cordless DeWalt for more years than I can remember. Use it all the time for many different projects and I've never had a problem with it. When the battery starts to go down, I do make sure that it's completely discharged before I stick it in the charger. Don't know if that makes a difference or not, but it's lasted me for years and years.

2 Evil · 11-14-2011, 12:08 PM

I have been in construction all my life (22 years) and I can swear by cordless except for light weight hammer drills and circular saws. I do know that when the batteries don't hold a charge if you zap it with a welder it is brand new again. g\Google what I am talking about. My buddy does it all the time for friends/neighbors and batteries are new again. Since MFR is in construction maybe he heard of this procedure.
Revive Nicad Batteries by Zapping with a Welder

jw · 11-14-2011, 12:15 PM

I've been in construction / service for 30 plus years and have never heard of zapping old batteries with welder, hell it's worth a try ! I've given away cordless guns / saws due to battery deaths ??!

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2 Evil · 11-14-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwood1199

I've been in construction / service for 30 plus years and have never heard of zapping old batteries with welder, hell it's worth a try ! I've given away cordless guns / saws due to battery deaths ??!

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I lost money from a bet with this at work the first time. Someone did it on site with a old makita battery. It was the low volt long skinny battery and it worked like a charm. Do the research other than the link I posted and you will see. It will be something to pass along if your in the trade.

jw · 11-14-2011, 12:27 PM

Definitely will, thanks bro this will save me and the guys some $$ I know I'm not the only one in my circle that has power tools not being used cause of the dead battery's !!

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NMUCat · 11-14-2011, 01:07 PM

THanks for the link to the site. I dont have a welder, but I tried it with my Harbor Freight battery charger set to 12v 6amp and it seems to have worked. Before I would put the batteries on the charger and the two leds would light up indicating a bad/defective battery. Now just the "charging" light comes on.

I love the furyforum...some much knowledge.

cypress · 11-14-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Evil

Revive Nicad Batteries by Zapping with a Welder

The warning on that page cracks me up ...

"Ask your parents how to not electrocute yourself with a welder."

joefury · 11-14-2011, 08:17 PM

i used to be in the field working with my tools daily, but that was some time ago, now i use them every couple of months at best, with the same batterries?

they have lasted over 6 years?? only threw out 1 battery and 1 charger that went bad.

jwood if you have any Dewalt tools PM me maybe i can buy them and use them with my batteries?