Thread: GMC Platinum batteries

Mick, Sounds like the nicad blues to me.
These poor things typically can take anything but heat, but they heat up running tools and heat up again on medium or fast charging. When they heat up, they boil the electrolyte paste between the plates, pressurise the cell case, and vent through the pressure relief valve. Conceptually similar to a car battery except that you can't open the caps and top them up.

Are the packs sealed or screwed together? If screwed together they can be repacked.

Your packs would have 12 nominal 1.2V cells in them, probably rated at about 1.5AH or less. If you can locate a source of decent (Panasonic, Sanyo) cells, you could repack them yourself but would probably be looking at $90ish each for the batteries. Not really worth doing with generic shop brand cells as the quality and value is poor, and the prices are similar.

Otherwise, some places will offer a repacking service. Google Tool Batteries for local repackers or suppliers of aftermarket packs.

I think they managed to do alright on the drill, but typical GMC on the charger and batteries.
Thanks

Sadly these types of drills of all brands that are basically throwaways after the batteries go as the repacking costs exceeds or comes near to the price of a new unit that is usually an improved technology anyway - as well as having a 12 mth warranty.

As malb says NiCad not the best for intermittent use and are very sensitive to charging - the smarter chargers extend their life, but now NiMh are competitive and Lithium Ion getting to be so.

Wasteful really - I have two or three perfectly good tools that are no longer usable because the batteries are dead. Of course there are no standards for battery cases even within one maker, although Ryobi has its One+ series that gets around that and the trade versions of many makers have been a little more consistent, but the initial price of those is usually beyond the casual user.

I have a mate who wired a plug onto his 12v cordless and uses a battery charger to drive it on his bench, but although that extends the life after a dead battery rather than wastes his drill, it misses the point just a little . . .

Originally Posted by Bloss

I have a mate who wired a plug onto his 12v cordless and uses a battery charger to drive it on his bench, but although that extends the life after a dead battery rather than wastes his drill, it misses the point just a little . . .

In the past I have done similar except wired to a 4AH 6V or 12V gel cell that I set up to clip into a belt. Ok for smaller stuff, but a pain over 12V.

Bashed a battery apart today and all the cells were panasonic, made in Japan.
They generally make reasonable stuff I think. So I think I fubar'd it by leaving it on the charger too long.

I have learned, by sad experience, that the battery operated drills etc are basicially disposable. Once the batteries are dead, chuck it and buy another.

I go thru a pair every 18 months or so. The drills are still fine, but the batteries just won't hold a charge.

I was quoted $30 for one new battery, where I can buy a new drill with 2 batteries for about $50.

I would buy a more expensive brand, ie Makita, De Walt etc, but I hear the same applies. Longer battery life, but overall the same whimper for the buck.

See them like razor blades.