NiCad Batteries, hassle and solution

[k0ua]

You are better off throwing the drill away and buying a new set!

That does kind of "T" you off doesn't it? It reminds me of the fact you can buy a printer that comes with ink for a value of X and the next replacement ink cartridge is about 1/2 X. So they give you the printer and make all their money selling you ink at an extreme inflated price... Tain't fair, but that is how it works.

 

[crazyal]

I had a Makita with NiMH batteries and they lasted for years. Had tones of torque. The problem was the drill itself. It had a 3 sp gear box and the top gear stripped out, a few years later the middle gear, and then Low. It costs more for the gearbox than a new drill, so I chucked it. I now have Milwaukee with Li batteries. I'm not sure if there's any incentives for the MFGs to use batteries that will not need to be replaced, it would kind of put them out of business.

 

[Ken45101]

NiCad batteries have always been "problem children". Yes, the initial purchase is lower but if you research before you buy you find that 1) battery life is poor 2) replacement batteries are very expensive. Bottom line, not a good choice.

 

[daveshoot]

Another thing about printers: I almost never print anything, and then when I try to, the print head and/or cartridge is dried to the point where it won't print anyway.

So I dislike NiCd as much as the next guy, but a lot of us have NiCd powered tools that have aged, and there are resources for restoring them to better than new condition. Before we lose sight of that, the small business I endorsed does a great job for cheap, and that was my goal in posting.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I had a Makita with NiMH batteries and they lasted for years. Had tones of torque. The problem was the drill itself. It had a 3 sp gear box and the top gear stripped out, a few years later the middle gear, and then Low. It costs more for the gearbox than a new drill, so I chucked it. I now have Milwaukee with Li batteries. I'm not sure if there's any incentives for the MFGs to use batteries that will not need to be replaced, it would kind of put them out of business.

I have a Makita 2sp 14.4 Volt. I replaced one of the orig packs with high capacity NiMH -- poor comparative torque. I returned the pack and got another. Same thing. I had the pack rebuilt with NiCad at Batteries Plus. Great torque -- real zip. NiMH has higher internal resistance than NiCad and thus cant deliver the high currents that NiCads can. Your extra speed overcame this but unfortunately the smaller parts are fragile.

I sure wish Lithium retrofits were available. But these packs can be dangerous unless treated in a controlled fashion. Electronics in drill, battery, and charger. :confused3:

 

[B7510HSD]

If it is a Rigid brand ,Mine have been replaced free of charge twice now over the last few years under warranty my Rigid has a lifetime warranty including the batteries that is why I bought Rigid!!

 

[cqaigy2]

If it is a Rigid brand ,Mine have been replaced free of charge twice now over the last few years under warranty my Rigid has a lifetime warranty including the batteries that is why I bought Rigid!!

That's why i bought my too. They are a little tricky to keep the lifetime warranty going, after getting the tools a few years ago, i received an email saying they needed to be re registered. Then when you get your replacement battery, you have to remember to register it but it sure beats buying new ones.

 

[dmccarty]

I gave up on battery powered tools years ago when my last battery started to smoke very heavily. I think the battery was about to catch on fire and if it had, the flames may have spread to the wall cabinets and burned down the house. That was years ago and the old B&D corded drill I bought many decades ago still works. I could buy a much better corded drill for far less then the cost of a new battery, much less the 3-4 batteries I would need to power all of my battery powered tools. Getting out the extension cord is a PITA at times but sure is cheap and not likely to fail in my lifetime unlike the known failure of the batteries.

I am about to replace two UPS batteries by going to Batteries Plus. I bought a battery from them a few years ago and it has lasted a good long time. The batteries I am replacing were originals in the UPS. We have four UPSes to protect a PC, network, monitor, and TV.

Later,
Dan

 

[k0ua]

I gave up on battery powered tools years ago when my last battery started to smoke very heavily. I think the battery was about to catch on fire and if it had, the flames may have spread to the wall cabinets and burned down the house. That was years ago and the old B&D corded drill I bought many decades ago still works. I could buy a much better corded drill for far less then the cost of a new battery, much less the 3-4 batteries I would need to power all of my battery powered tools. Getting out the extension cord is a PITA at times but sure is cheap and not likely to fail in my lifetime unlike the known failure of the batteries.

I am about to replace two UPS batteries by going to Batteries Plus. I bought a battery from them a few years ago and it has lasted a good long time. The batteries I am replacing were originals in the UPS. We have four UPSes to protect a PC, network, monitor, and TV.

Later,
Dan

Dan, I have used these guys several times for UPS batteries, and I was quite satisfied with their service. Might be worth a look.

James K0UA

 

[dmccarty]

Dan, I have used these guys several times for UPS batteries, and I was quite satisfied with their service. Might be worth a look.

James K0UA

The Battery store I use is on the way home from work so I don't have to pay shipping charges. I looked up one of the batteries and it was $16ish and shipping was $8. Usually, I am stuck mail ordering stuff but for batteries this store is kinda easy to get too. Pretty sure the store had replacement batteries for tools that were reasonably priced.

Later,
Dan