I decided to just post this in the "other kind of edc" forum cause well...I personally EDC these things Every year I grab a new 18v Dewalt with two batteries during black friday "week" at Lowes. I am rough on drill and their chucks cause of the sideways pressure I put on them so I just get a new one when its that cheap One of my old batteries barely holds a charge (run in for abt three min) and the other only abt twice as long. The dude at our local interstate battery (I really don't like interstate batteries but its close by for oddball battery stuff) said they can hook em up and reflash them (not his words, i cant remember what he said they did) for like 10 bucks each & they miiiight work better. So batteryguru or anyone else, should I give it a shot. I have the new drill but is it rlly worth possibly wasting the $20 to have the two old batteries. I know it won't be "like new" just wondered what you guys/gals thought Sent from my Mobile Command Center via Tapatalk II
if you're talking about NiCd batteries, it works. You won't end up with a brand new battery but it should work better than it did. That is if one or more of the cells doesn't blow out, which is the risk you take but what have you got to lose? You can do this yourself if you have ready access to DC power in the 30 plus volt range. Like hooking up a series of car batteries or some welders will work. I have some 48V power supplies that I've used to breathe some life into dying batteries. Do not use household 120VAC for this. I don't know what would happen but it probably wouldn't be good. Another thing you can do, and this blew my mind but my kid proved it to me. Put the batteries in a freezer for a while, let it get good and cold, then give it a smack on the floor. You're not trying to crack the case open, just give the chemistry a good shock. This method brought some packs that were completely shot, to about 30% power.
check with Dewalt, I remember a recall awhile ago on the 18th nicad.. I actually got away from those and got the new 20v lithium ion two years ago.. Better setup than the old standard
I'm all for recycling! Even though Lowes employs me, save the $$$, do the earth a little good, reflash em.
i hope this helps, a while back i saw a website or a ebay store where you send in old battery packs and they make them better than new. voltman was the name.. try a search..
Just a quick FYI, don't ever place your battery tools battery side down on cement. It will suck the juice right out of them.
I've heard this from time to time but nobody has ever been able to explain to me why concrete/cement has such an effect on internal cell chemistry. Do the electrons get all confused when in proximity to cement rather than wood or steel or other materials?
No This relates to auto batteries but still applies to cordless drill ones. The plastic surrounding is plenty tough to protect the cells: http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp I still haven't had a chance to drop mine off to get refurbed but when I do I will let y'all know how well they work. Might do onejust to see Sent from my Mobile Command Center via Tapatalk II