Thread: gmc battery

You should be able to get the battery repacked, some people have been able to do it themselves. A mate of mine has done his own by dismantling them and checking the quality of the batteries inside and then replacing the ones that are faulty. The better ones were taken from other batteries. Have also heard that putting them in the freezer is supposed to work, can't verify it though.
Kryn

I have a similar GMC unit that runs from 14.4V Nicad packs. If your unit is the 14.4V Nicad unit, you should be able to get it repacked via one of the commercial repacking houses, but I wouldn't want to hazard a guess at the price. You would be paying for 10 or 11 cells that retail around $3.00 ea for average cells to around $10.00 for premiums, plus the labour involved in dismantling the pack, welding up the cells in the original configuration, reassembling the pack, testing it and packaging it to return to you, plus shipping both ways and a profit margin for the business.

If the drill you have is the same as mine, (unfortunately packed and in storage at present), they were an Aldi special offer about 6 years ago and cost about $50 for the drill, 2 batts, charger wall wart and tray, and a case. To the best of my knowledge, they were never included in the GMC Australian range and were an Aldi direct import, probably as a warehouse clearance line from overseas. I suspect you would be looking at $100 min per pack to have them repacked with fairly average cells, so it would be your call as to whether you want to go that way.

Other alternatives would be to do the repack yourself provided that you can open and seal the battery cases and are adept at and equipted for soldering at a heavy duty electronics level. If you go this way, you have to beware to minimise the heat buildup in the cells as you solder them together into the pack, heat boils and evaporates the electrolyte in the cells and reduces their capacity.

Another option is to dismantle the drill and remove the battery connector, and install a low voltage extension cord so that you can continue to operate the unit from an alternative battery system like a 12V sealed lead acid unit. I have done this in the past with tools that have outlived two or three sets on Nicad batteries. It's not as convenient as using the original clip on batteries, but more convenient than going without the tool completely.

Hope this helps.

I just bought 12 batteries for a GMC 14.4V drill and successfully re-packed it. Batteries cost $21 on ebay.

Thanks Malb,
I suspected it might have been that difficult & impractical to recondition batteries etc.
I think I paid Bunnings $49.00 for it maybe 9 years ago.
Its still as pristine as new & worked well. screwed down a whole plastic deck & more with it.
So with sadness, I'll place it gently in the otto bin.
That is unless someone will take it off my hands for nothing
Leecab

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

You should be able to get the battery repacked, some people have been able to do it themselves. A mate of mine has done his own by dismantling them and checking the quality of the batteries inside and then replacing the ones that are faulty. The better ones were taken from other batteries. Have also heard that putting them in the freezer is supposed to work, can't verify it though.
Kryn

Not a good idea to only replace some of the batteries. False economy really. If some are faulty then the others are on their way out.

I used to re-pack in the old days before ebay but these days replacements are usually easily obtainable for a really good price it mostly makes re-packing a waste of time. For my last two battery replacements, a Fluke lan tester and a Metabo cordless screwdriver for pretty much the same price as the individual cells.

John

l have a GMC router and it has a broken switch Small 1/4 inch chuck
Are these parts still available?
look forward to any replays
Regards
David Mitchell

l have a GMC router and it has a broken switch Small 1/4 inch chuck
Are these parts still available?
look forward to any replays

Go to JCAR as they have mobs of switches - I replaced the switch on my second bench grinder for a few dollars.

Mike