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Thread: Batteries

  1. #1
    cookie48 is offline Old Fart (my step daughters named me)
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    Default Batteries

    I have 2 porable drills and both have cactus batteries. As I do not use them a great deal they generally need charging before use, but do not last more than one or two screws. Is there a secret way to keep them charged if they are not in constant use??

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Hey Cookie,

    I have heard that if you cycle the batteries, that is set up a light globe and some clips and discharge the battery completely, Charge as normal and then Discharge again, and Charge again, it hasn't worked in my case, but then you might be lucky. Then you might try e-pay and sometimes pick up cheaper replacements

    HazzaB
    It's Hard to Kick Goals, When the Ba^$%##ds Keep moving the Goal Posts.


    Check out my Website www.harrybutlerdesigns.com.au

  4. #3
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    Default

    All rechargeable batteries have a self discharge curve, so if you don't use them very often, mains power might be a better way to go. Li-ion has the best self-discharge rate, NiMh the worst, but Li-ion chemistry has a pretty limited life of 3-4 years regardless of use.

    You can try the lightbulb trick to see if you can bring back NiCd batteries but generally capacity loss is due to the growth of crystals inside the cell that short it out, or loss of electrolyte due to reverse charging from other cells in the battery pack.

  5. #4
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    I've successfully "revived" a couple of mobile phone batteries by putting them in the freezer for a day or two and then giving them a full charge

    worth a shot
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  6. #5
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    Default

    Can also look at the economics of repacking them (though Lithium Ion can't be apparently).

    Acc to one source, best way to store Lithium Ion is to discharge to 40% and then leave in the fridge.
    Cheers, Ern

  7. #6
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    Try these guys they very good with prices and advice.

    Akkupak | Cordless Power Tool Batteries Shop On Line

    Ross

  8. #7
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    I wouldn't waste my hard earned on rechargeable NICads or any of LiOn junk batteries they push these days.
    A 12 v motor cylce will do the same job , it's still very portable and will last for hours before recharging.


    I fixed two old NiCad battery drills (7.2V Makita and a 9 V Makita) ,I tossed the batteries into the bin , fitted an Anderson plug inside each handle and soldered the wires to the battery contacts , the other side of the Anderson plug is wired to a lead acid battery I got out of my computer UPS , not good enough for the UPS but fine for the battery drills , they run fine on 12V . The batteries last for ages before they need recharging and can be done on my motorcycle battery charger .
    I built a small carry box for the battery with a rope handle to tote it around and have 2 meters of two core spaghetti wire for a lead which gives me enough to get up a ladder and use the drills for any odd jobs in the house .
    I"ve even taken it with me to the motor wreckers and used it to get some parts of a wreck I needed for my holden ute.

    Kev
    "Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend ,inside a dog it's too dark to read"
    Groucho Marx

  9. #8
    cookie48 is offline Old Fart (my step daughters named me)
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    Default

    Thank you all for the input. Will give the old freezer a try first, then the UPS if that no good.

  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Woodlee View Post
    I wouldn't waste my hard earned on rechargeable NICads or any of LiOn junk batteries they push these days.
    A 12 v motor cylce will do the same job , it's still very portable and will last for hours before recharging.


    I fixed two old NiCad battery drills (7.2V Makita and a 9 V Makita) ,I tossed the batteries into the bin , fitted an Anderson plug inside each handle and soldered the wires to the battery contacts , the other side of the Anderson plug is wired to a lead acid battery I got out of my computer UPS , not good enough for the UPS but fine for the battery drills , they run fine on 12V . The batteries last for ages before they need recharging and can be done on my motorcycle battery charger .
    I built a small carry box for the battery with a rope handle to tote it around and have 2 meters of two core spaghetti wire for a lead which gives me enough to get up a ladder and use the drills for any odd jobs in the house .
    I"ve even taken it with me to the motor wreckers and used it to get some parts of a wreck I needed for my holden ute.

    Kev
    Sounds like a solution for my mobile phone Oh how I long for the days of carrying a briefcase with it.

  11. #10
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    Default The Batteries.

    Hi Cookie48,
    I'm with Ian, only I was told to Flatten the Battery first, then put it in a couple of Plastic Bags & leave for more than 24hrs., but I'm not sure, but I think you have to Thaw the Battery out 1st.
    It has something to do with the Memory of the Battery.
    Regards,
    issatree.
    Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

  12. #11
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    Yes, the battery must be SLOWLY bought back up to room temperature ie don't go take it out of the freezer and put it straight in the sun, and definately don't try defrost it in the microwave. Don't laugh, its been done before by others!

  13. #12
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    Default The Batteries.

    Hi Scoc***,
    Sorry could not remember how to spell it.
    Yes, I intend to leave them in for 24hrs. remove them from the bags, then sit them in the back room on a couple of sheets of Kitchen Paper, till the thaw out. It will be interesting to see if it works. The batteries are from a Bosch Drill approx. 3 yrs. old, & not looked after to well.
    Regards,
    issatree.
    Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

  14. #13
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    My advice re batteries, is to keep them from getting hot. At all costs!
    Heat is deadly on battery chemistry, with Li Ion the worst affected.
    Just a few minutes @ 45C+ will do permanent, irreparable damage.
    This sounds a lot, but remember that a microclimate in a battery (they're almost always black) will see temp soar if left in the summer sun.
    Shut vehicles are also bad! Better in the boot than the "glasshouse".
    Sycophant to nobody!

  15. #14
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    Default battery replacement on the cheap

    Way to go, Woodlee!!! (also Niki (RIP) was a great supporter of this avenue)

    6V, 12V, 18V

    and 5AmpH at that. (not sure if any power tool manufacturer comes near that - may be wrong on this though)

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/f15/gm...4/#post1177579

    Buy a trickle charger for your SLA battery and enjoy the 6 - 8 years you can get out of these cheap, cheap batteries. I've only just replaced my 2004 12V 7AmpH batteries (DOSS from Radio Parts Melb).

    TA

  16. #15
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    Default

    Interesting idea about SLA batteries but I bought a cordless drill to be "Cordless". I actually went that way many years ago with a 12 volt drill and cig lighter socket for use on the property. With 43 acres sometimes I don't have enough extension cords. I was going to have it available if I needed it for fencing etc. I cut the cord off the other day to use it for speaker wires for the ute stereo. It had never been used.

    I have a GMC 18volt which cost me $70 with 2 batts about 4 - 5 years ago. When the batts gave out about 12 -18 months ago I researched and finally bought Ni-MH from jaycar. Cost me $250 including adapter kit for Ni-M but twice the Amp hrs and they last for a long time between charges. I recently bought another drill the same so I can swap over when my current one dies finally.

    On the subject of heat and rechargable batteries, these batteries are charged by a system that detects a fast rise in temperature. This fast rise in temperature is an indication that the batteries are fully charged as the power has to go somewhere so causes heat. I think that 45deg C is a bit low. They get hot when recharging normally. Heat does damage batteries but I think that 45 deg would be exceeded in normal use. Think about a day of 38 degree heat, batteries charging, heating due to not being 100% efficient process, then when fully charged the temp rises enough to be detected by sensor..........

    Comments re replacement batteries being cheaper than self repacking. You get what you pay for. I am more than happy with $210 worth of batteries in a $100 retail drill as they are longer lasting and I can fit them to any 18volt Battery pack.

    A special charger is needed for Ni-MH batteries. I bought a kit from jaycar which fitted a thermocouple device next to the battery cells. I had to fit a 3.5mm socket to connect this back to the control box. Works perfectly but is a little more fiddly to connect up when charging and you need to be able to assemble the kit, not to mention the battery pack. Kit cost $40.

    Dean

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