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.