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Discussion Forum

New battery or new drill?

flash28 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 13, 2009 07:58am

So I have a Bosch BruteTough 18v drill about two years old with one dead battery.  The other seems fine, and the drill itself is still in very good shape.  While using them daily, I’m very kind to my tools.  Many of my corded tools are fifteen years old.  Anyway, should I buy a $65.00 NiCad battery or just jump to a LiIon drill?  Also, does anyone know if NiCads can be refurbished?  A few folks on ebay offer instruction to do it yourself.  Is this a scam?

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Replies

  1. theslateman | Mar 13, 2009 12:41pm | #1

    Our local Batteries Plus will rebuild them for $50 with better guts than what was in them.

    I'd buy one new one and have the other rebuilt - or do it yourself if you feel comfortable doing it.

  2. jayzog | Mar 13, 2009 01:37pm | #2

    If it is under 2 years old Bosch will repace it under warranty, if not I would rebuild.

  3. danski0224 | Mar 13, 2009 02:50pm | #3

    If you expect that LiIon battery to work below 40*, you will be disappointed.

    1. stemreno | Mar 13, 2009 03:30pm | #5

      This is not an answer to the origional post, but my curiosity is raised.

      I have a 18v bosch brute old style and the lion version.  I'm in Canada, where it is cold 6 months at least.  My tools stay in the truck all the time.  I've not experiemced any performance issues with the liion drill in the cold.  It seems to work the same anytime.  What are you getting at? 

      stemreno

      1. wane | Mar 13, 2009 03:33pm | #6

        there is a general opinion that Li bat's don't do as well in the cold as NiCad ..

        1. Henley | Mar 13, 2009 03:47pm | #7

          They do loose some performance, but it,s not like they
          totally #### out. I try and bring them in at night, that's about it tho.

      2. danski0224 | Mar 13, 2009 03:55pm | #8

        The stuff I have used has not worked well... nor will it charge. My expeience with NiCd or NiMh at the same temperatures is better.

        The Bosch 10.8 is useless.

        1. stemreno | Mar 13, 2009 04:35pm | #9

          Hmmm.... so I need to bring in my dewaldt screwdriver, rightt angle drill, two bosch drills, bosch 24 v saw,  bosch radio, rotary laser......I like to keep the batteries and chargers in the cases.  I was thinking of making a charging station somewhere in the truck so all the chargers and batteries would be together, maybe that could come in.... or just get a heater for the truck that plugs in to the house when I get home.

          But seriously, I thought li-ions were good for cold, the heat was what they don't like.

          1. Henley | Mar 13, 2009 04:54pm | #10

            The web searching I did said both are bad. Cold, shortens run time and hot shortens battery life. Fickle tools we have these days.

          2. frammer52 | Mar 13, 2009 07:11pm | #11

            GM supposedly has it licked on the new Volt.  LI batteries, everything I read is that they are great, but really loose the power on cold days.

          3. Henley | Mar 13, 2009 11:03pm | #15

            I don't get the whole Volt thing. Pardon my bad memory, but it costs something like 40K and
            gets Sixty miles to a charge. That Saturn in the nineties could do that and was cheaper. Another stonewalling technique from Detroit. Which stinks cause
            I would really like to switch over.

            Lots of torque and no maintenance.

          4. frammer52 | Mar 13, 2009 11:20pm | #16

            Just like the prious.  Whole lot of nothing, in my opinion.

            I can't wait until the prious batteries have to be replaced.  I think we will have a bunch of formally battery operated cars.

          5. Henley | Mar 13, 2009 11:33pm | #17

            I agree.
            You get all the problems of both technologies and save
            nothing over an efficient "normal" car.

          6. frenchy | Mar 15, 2009 05:03pm | #24

            the Prius is built on the Yaris chassis.  Identical cars except one is hybred and $10,000 more. The savings are primarily in city driving because the hyway mileage is so similar..

          7. frammer52 | Mar 15, 2009 05:16pm | #26

            I know that Frenchy.  I am wondering how many will replace those batteries when the are used up.  I also wonder if people buying them realize how expensive it will be!

          8. frenchy | Mar 15, 2009 11:15pm | #28

            It doesn't matter if it's the owner or the dealership when it's traded in.. because of the good mileage they will still be highly in demand and thus retain a high resale value..

              You'd be amazed at trade ins once you're on the inside..  

          9. frammer52 | Mar 15, 2009 11:24pm | #29

            ????????????????

          10. frenchy | Mar 15, 2009 11:47pm | #30

            Perhaps I wan't as clear as I thought I was..

              What I meant was that few people will actually buy new batteries for their Priuses..  they will trade them in when that time comes.. then the dealer will buy batteries at wholesale prices and replace them..  It will be a major selling feature and the used price will reflect that..

              Few cars traded in have new tires but most need them.. Dealerships buy cheap replacement tires put them on and sell them featuring new tires! Because those are cheap tires they don't last long and the second buyer takes it in the shorts..

          11. frammer52 | Mar 16, 2009 12:51am | #31

            I guess I remember why I didn't buy one.  I keep vehicles, not as long as you, but I like to get 150000 miles on them.

          12. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 02:14am | #32

            Yer also brushing off the folks who buy Priuses as, well, idjits... doesn't do much for your credibility stock... but that's probably not your point, right?http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          13. frammer52 | Mar 16, 2009 02:28am | #33

            Me thinks too many bought without thinking it all through.  If that makes them an idiot.... 

          14. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 02:47am | #34

            Okaaaay, I can see why you're spreading that theory around.http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          15. frenchy | Mar 18, 2009 02:36am | #44

            Hybreds work really well for those who's main driving is urban,  However they aren't cost effective for those who do a lot of freeway driving or rack up high miles per year (+30,000)

          16. frammer52 | Mar 18, 2009 03:26am | #45

            Hybreds work really well for those who's main driving is urban,  However they aren't cost effective for those who do a lot of freeway driving or rack up high miles per year (+30,000)>>

             

            My contention is that they make no economic sense for anyone, at best a psychic return, at worst a furhter drain on people pocketbook.

            How many miles do you have too drive to make up the 10000 price difference?

          17. frenchy | Mar 18, 2009 03:26pm | #49

            simple math question.. assume soccer mom trades in her SUV that averages  14 mpg. for a 51 MPG hybred.  Soccer mom drives say 25,000 miles per year mostly urban driving.. The answer is slightly less than 4 years. 

          18. danski0224 | Mar 18, 2009 03:51pm | #50

            Better yet to buy something like a VW diesel and get 40 MPG right out of the box without all of the electronic hybrid gadgetry.

            If someone took a diesel engine and tuned it to run at a constant RPM to drive a generator powering an electric motor or two... now that would be interesting, as long as it was a tad smaller than a locomotive. 

          19. frenchy | Mar 18, 2009 04:01pm | #51

            Most car buyers aren't do-it-yourselfers..

              all electric with a small generator is what is next on the drawing board..  Lot of prototypes, no actual vehicles  for sale at dealerships. 

          20. danski0224 | Mar 18, 2009 04:23pm | #52

            Well, mine has been reliable so far (knock on wood). There is the TDI Club for help.

            There are also models like the Honda Fit that have conventional gasoline powerplants and get mileage comparable to a hybrid.

          21. User avater
            nater | Mar 19, 2009 11:05pm | #56

            Yes, but you are forgetting what if she bought a non-hybrid, so we'll look at a Honda Civic. (numbers from fueleconomy.gov and honda.com)She's spending around $3500 a year on gas now (25k at 14mpg *$2 gas)A non hybrid civic (29mpg average) around $1700 a year on gasa hybrid civic (42mpg average) around $1200 a yearSo by going hybrid, she saves $500 a year. The base civic starts at $15,505, the hybrid starts at $23,650.So the payback for going hybrid in this case is 16 years.

          22. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Mar 19, 2009 11:47pm | #57

            Gas a $2 a gallon is a short term fantasy world.  Three things in the future for that:

            1.  Inflation - We just printed an extra trillion dollars, and the price of oil went up 25% from what it was last week ($50 vs. $40 a barrel)

            2.  Recovery - traffic is light in LA these days, thanks to all the out of work people saying off the roads, as well as trucks making fewer deliveries.  I doubt our economy can stay this bad much longer.  That demand be comin!

            3.  Scarcity - Takes time to find and drill, and its much harder to get those new finds.  I have a feeling the tar sands in Canada will be shut down due to monumental environmental damage, or scaled waaaaaaay back.  But less production only means more profit, so that's not really a loss for those companies.

            We will snap back to $4 gas very soon, I'm thinking we'll see $6 gas in less than 4 years.

            That's payback in less that 6 years, but that doesn't take into acount the lesser maintanence costs associated with all hybrids over their conventional counterpart.  I don't have that number at my fingertips, but I believe that was about $200 a year.

            Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

            Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

          23. User avater
            nater | Mar 20, 2009 02:55pm | #59

            How do you figure less maintenance, when there is more components? The more complicated something is, the more things to maintain, and/or go wrong.

          24. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Mar 20, 2009 06:21pm | #60

            I don't disagree.  This was something reported by a company that tracks vehical maintenence history.  It was about 2 years ago when I heard it, and I was surprised too.

            Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

            Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

          25. frammer52 | Mar 20, 2009 07:11pm | #61

            I remember something like that also.  In reporting that, they faided to take into account, the need to purchase new batteries at approx. 5 yrs.

            I still say, hybreds cost money over conventional cars.  Most studies I have seen, do not take into account the cost of replacing batteries.  It is like it is just left out!

          26. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Mar 20, 2009 07:19pm | #62

            I haven't heard anything about replacing batteries yet.  In fact, I've heard the battery pack were lasting longer than the manufacturers expected.

            Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

            Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

          27. frammer52 | Mar 20, 2009 09:14pm | #63

            The battery is the weak point.  Knowing manufactorers, they will probably charge more for replacemment because they go longer!>G<

          28. frenchy | Mar 20, 2009 01:14am | #58

            You're right but I doubt that she see's it that way..

             she's looking at  much lower gas bills which translates into more shoes and purses.. <grin> 

          29. flash28 | Mar 13, 2009 07:43pm | #12

            You guys could all solve the cold temp issues with LiIon batteries if you lived in my neighborhood.  Bring it inside or it'll be stolen!

          30. atrident | Mar 13, 2009 09:19pm | #13

            "Fickle tools we have", ya , thats why they invented extension cords.

      3. gordsco | Mar 15, 2009 05:23pm | #27

         

        I have a collection of li-on drills. All but the Milwaukee V18 refuse to work at any capacity until they have warmed up.

        Holding the trigger and letting them run for a minute does the trick for a Rigid 18v and a little Mastercraft 10.8v. A 10.8v Htachi nmeeds to be put into my jacket for a few minutes before it will run at all below zero.

          

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Mar 13, 2009 03:15pm | #4

    talk to Bosch....

    you might be able to warrenty that dead battery...

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  5. rez | Mar 13, 2009 09:28pm | #14

    Look on the drill label and see if it says Made in Switzerland.

    Might not want to trade it in for a newer model and just instead go for a new battery.

     

    1. flash28 | Mar 13, 2009 11:49pm | #18

      The drill body is made in Switzerland, the batteries in Japan.  I bought this one in late Dec., 2005, but it is in very good condition.  I don't think I've ever strained it with oversized bits too much, so the gears should still be good.  I think I will go ahead and get another battery.  I've just been tempted by the LiIon eye candy--Milwaukee V18 hammer drill on Amazon for $168.08.  Maybe I'm just itchy for a new toy even though I'm broke.  I imagine you know how it is. . . 

      1. Snort | Mar 14, 2009 04:32am | #19

        I've had voltman rebuild Bosch 18V Nicads :http://www.voltmanbatteries.com/servlet/the-**POWER-TOOLS-REBUILD**/CategoriesSeems like its $45, I think I paid $35 a while back, and they're still cooking.And, my Bosch 10.8 Li stuff won't work at all after sitting in truck all night in real cold weather, stick the battery in my pocket, or in front of the heater on the drive to work, and they'll go for the rest of the day...http://www.tvwsolar.com

        I went down to the lobby

        To make a small call out.

        A pretty dancing girl was there,

        And she began to shout,

        "Go on back to see the gypsy.

        He can move you from the rear,

        Drive you from your fear,

        Bring you through the mirror.

        He did it in Las Vegas,

        And he can do it here."

      2. rasconc | Mar 14, 2009 08:00am | #20

        Just keep watching on ebay, you can find some every once in a while that go for a reasonable price.  Lots of new ones pop up.  Second the send off and rebuild with better cells. For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

  6. User avater
    IMERC | Mar 14, 2009 03:46pm | #21

    so did ya call Bosch???

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

    1. flash28 | Mar 15, 2009 09:03am | #23

      No, I didn't call because the battery is already over three years old.  I think their warranty is only two years.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Mar 15, 2009 05:08pm | #25

        take a long shot and call them anyways....

        1.877.BOSCH99 

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!

        Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

         

        "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  7. Ray | Mar 14, 2009 06:40pm | #22

    have you checked http://www.reconditionedsales.com  ?  I recently bought 2 18-V Hitachi NICads for $20.00 each.

  8. User avater
    Dam_inspector | Mar 16, 2009 03:18am | #35

    Sometimes you can blast a shorted or poor battery with a high current source. I think this is really what the ebay sellers are selling. I have taken a couple car batteries in series and applied the 24 volts to the cordless battery momentarily, and I don't mean a short while, I mean just a little blip. Make SURE that the + goes to the + and the - goes to the -!!! This can be dangerous, but I'm a fairly dangerous man.

    1. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 03:21am | #36

      did that work? I spent 99¢ for that tip, and haven't tried it... I know, I know, I should call bosch, ha.http://www.tvwsolar.com

      I went down to the lobby

      To make a small call out.

      A pretty dancing girl was there,

      And she began to shout,

      "Go on back to see the gypsy.

      He can move you from the rear,

      Drive you from your fear,

      Bring you through the mirror.

      He did it in Las Vegas,

      And he can do it here."

      1. User avater
        Dam_inspector | Mar 16, 2009 03:45am | #37

        Yes it worked, but I didn't get a lot of use from the battery before it failed again. Bought a Werker brand battery at Batteries plus which is a very good battery to replace it. The other battery (makita) is still going but is over ten years old.

        1. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 04:03am | #39

          you jolted the makita, and its still working?... that's worth 99¢, eh.http://www.tvwsolar.com

          I went down to the lobby

          To make a small call out.

          A pretty dancing girl was there,

          And she began to shout,

          "Go on back to see the gypsy.

          He can move you from the rear,

          Drive you from your fear,

          Bring you through the mirror.

          He did it in Las Vegas,

          And he can do it here."

          1. User avater
            Dam_inspector | Mar 16, 2009 04:08am | #40

            No, I never had one problem with that battery, but it seems to be losing it's storage capacity now. The other battery didn't last so long. The Werker battery is about 5 years old, still like new.

          2. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 04:13am | #41

            so, what's 99¢?<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

          3. User avater
            Dam_inspector | Mar 16, 2009 04:13am | #42

            Not enough to buy a soda anymore.

          4. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 04:19am | #43

            and here I thought it would fix a battery! ha.http://www.tvwsolar.com

            I went down to the lobby

            To make a small call out.

            A pretty dancing girl was there,

            And she began to shout,

            "Go on back to see the gypsy.

            He can move you from the rear,

            Drive you from your fear,

            Bring you through the mirror.

            He did it in Las Vegas,

            And he can do it here."

  9. joeh | Mar 16, 2009 03:56am | #38

    http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=116490.1

    Joe H

  10. mikeroop | Mar 18, 2009 04:47am | #46

    zap it with a car battery charger on high really quick. it'll shoch it back to life and start taking a charge again.

    1. flash28 | Mar 18, 2009 08:30am | #47

      Sounds scientific.  So precise.  But I HAVE heard it a few times before, so what the heck.  I'll wait a little longer and then have a little excitement.  Should I have a few beers while I do this?  I assume I shouldn't tell my wife what I'm attempting.  Thanks, though.

      1. User avater
        Dam_inspector | Mar 18, 2009 02:00pm | #48

        It's anticlimactic. If you're lucky a spark.

        1. flash28 | Mar 18, 2009 06:29pm | #53

          Oh well.  Then I suppose changing diapers shall have to remain as the exciting part of my life!

          1. mikeroop | Mar 19, 2009 04:29am | #54

            I 've heard a few beers makes everything better :) I know 2 guys that have done this and it has worked well for them,but like everything else results could vary according to the # of beers :)

          2. flash28 | Mar 19, 2009 04:07pm | #55

            Sadly, one beer and I'm nodding off.  But you ARE encouraging me to try the battery.  I just need to find a charger to borrow.

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