NiCad Batteries, hassle and solution

[daveshoot]

I hate buying a mega $$$ tool only to find that when NiCd batts inevitably need replacing, they either a) cost as much as the original tool or b) are no longer available.

I don't know about you but this seems to happen to me a lot.

I know about NiMh and Li ion and I'm sure it's better to buy a new $200+ tool when it's time to drill a new hole or sink a bunch of holes after most of a year or so of doing other things. It still rankles when my "old" expensive thing won't do what I need done today, and frankly NiCds have been around a long time and have their advantages.

There is also a whole internet meme on "shocking" dead nicads into life again. Good luck, ymmv, and they are still pretty much goners that you can only get a little more life out of. It's an interesting trick but that's not what this is about.

I found a new solution and resource and frankly have to give a shameless plug for a deserving local, hopefully within forum guidelines and etiquette.

I took my two Ridgid 14.4V "X2" batts, which are now made of unobtainium, to said local that was recommended to me by a work colleague. He rebuilds them with higher quality cells than originally provided, and they work great!!! He turned them around for me the same day, although I wasn't in any special hurry. It was a fraction of the cost of new batts, much less new tools. They are now much more powerful and longer-lived than the originals were out of the box.

The dude is a two Purple Heart Marine vet and works out of a brick-and-mortar industrial row and at the moment I can't say enough good about having my ol' driller back, as I do not like the cheap cr@p thing I had to buy to finish the last project.

So if you find yourself in a similar predicament you might try FixMyBatteries.com!, Either we have it, we can get it, or we build it!

I have no interest or affiliation with them but I am quick to b*tch when screwed, so I'd like to give a tip of the hat to someone who actually exceeded expectations. FYI, full disclosure, they are on my way to work and I had no shipping concerns. But this is a straight up dude that works long hours and does a great job. So, there. Mods, please edit if inappropriate.

 

[k0ua]

Well here is my opinion.. I am done buying Ni-cad or NiMh battery powered tools.. for me it is LiOn from now on... for this reason.. I am not a commercial tool user.. In other words, my tools are not used every day, They sit more than they are used.. but I want them to work when I need them. This type of operation is where Lithium Ion technology really shines.. They stay charged for months with very little self discharge. NiCads go bad quickly, and NiMh is not much better. I have had battery's plus rebuild my dead packs, and it is a way of saving some money, but if you really want to save money, stop buying Nicad powered tools. In my experience LiOn is that much better for the average homeowner. That's my story, and I am sticking too it, until proven otherwise

James K0UA

 

[SPYDERLK]

I hate buying a mega $$$ tool only to find that when NiCd batts inevitably need replacing, they either a) cost as much as the original tool or b) are no longer available.

I took my two Ridgid 14.4V "X2" batts, which are now made of unobtainium, to said local that was recommended to me by a work colleague. He rebuilds them with higher quality cells than originally provided, and they work great!!! He turned them around for me the same day, although I wasn't in any special hurry. It was a fraction of the cost of new batts, much less new tools. They are now much more powerful and longer-lived than the originals were out of the box.

The dude is a two Purple Heart Marine vet and works out of a brick-and-mortar industrial row and at the moment I can't say enough good about having my ol' driller back, as I do not like the cheap cr@p thing I had to buy to finish the last project.

So if you find yourself in a similar predicament you might try FixMyBatteries.com!, Either we have it, we can get it, or we build it!

I have no interest or affiliation with them but I am quick to b*tch when screwed, so I'd like to give a tip of the hat to someone who actually exceeded expectations. FYI, full disclosure, they are on my way to work and I had no shipping concerns. But this is a straight up dude that works long hours and does a great job. So, there. Mods, please edit if inappropriate.

There is a company called Batteries Plus that does that around here. Iv had good results as well. They cant do the ones that are thermal welded shut tho, because opening them destroys the case. Does your guy tackle those?
larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

Well here is my opinion.. I am done buying Ni-cad or NiMh battery powered tools.. for me it is LiOn from now on...

In my experience LiOn is that much better for the average homeowner. That's my story, and I am sticking too it, until proven otherwise

James K0UA

:thumbsup: Iv made the shift in buying too. ... But Ive still got a couple very nice drill motors based on NiCad so the rebuild option is quite attractive. NiMH is not the way to go as alternative because they cant supply the very high current NiCad is capable of when hi torque is needed.
larry

 

[daveshoot]

Dunno, check the link. I didn't ask about welded batts. He answers the phone.

Hey, I completely agree with LiOn about new tools, moving forward. I am just ticked off about the substantial investment I already have in past wonder weapons. Mine also sit much more than they are used but I do not wish to trash them, just yet.

And being schooled from experience, the LiOn batts will be obsoleted by kryptonite cells or something shortly, and you'll be in the same boat.

 

[k0ua]

Dunno, check the link. I didn't ask about welded batts. He answers the phone.

Hey, I completely agree with LiOn about new tools, moving forward. I am just ticked off about the substantial investment I already have in past wonder weapons. Mine also sit much more than they are used but I do not wish to trash them, just yet.

And being schooled from experience, the LiOn batts will be obsoleted by kryptonite cells or something shortly, and you'll be in the same boat.

I hope so..I hope that soon there will be some quantum leaps in Battery technology. I will jump on that wagon when it comes too! But so far, I am enjoying my recent tool purchases with LiOn technology. The things work when I go out to the shop and pick them up. Even the tools I haven't used for months. A long time ago, a man said, "what the world need's is a good 5 cent cigar"... Well I think what the world needs is a better battery. It would sure go a long way to solving problems.. We have better battery's than we have ever had before, but we need to keep working on the problem.

James K0UA

 

[cqaigy2]

Speaking of better batteries, i was reading something about somebody making battery using nano tech. Very large surface area and anode, cathode very close together. They would recharge in a few minutes and very large current capability.

 

[k0ua]

Speaking of better batteries, i was reading something about somebody making battery using nano tech. Very large surface area and anode, cathode very close together. They would recharge in a few minutes and very large current capability.

yes work is being done in this area.

 

[Xfaxman]

It is amazing how much more power is available in batteries rebuilt with higher capacity lithium-ion cells.

I found this guy on eBay a few years ago, now I use his Website: Products - currentbatteries.com

 

[Stimw]

My complaint is that we are being ripped off on the replacement batteries!
I bought a Sears Drill Set 15 years ago. I got one drill, two batteries, charger and carrying case for $79.
BUT then if you go to buy two batteries it costs $80.00!!!!
So they make the drill, charger and case for nothing, you are only paying for the batteries!
You are better off throwing the drill away and buying a new set!

I have a Ridgid Li drill and it is a lot better than nicad BUT the batteries haven't lasted either.
I took one battery pack apart and there is more electrical components in the battery than an AM radio!
The batteries do have a part number on them and I googled it and found new individual batteries for sale that can be put back in the pack. I haven't ordered them yet though.

 

[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