Went to Batteries Plus the other day to get battery for DD’s (dear daughter) car, asked for thier price on 9.6 volt for Makitas, didn’t have any, said bring ’em in for $10 will erase memory and see if they take full charge. If they do, it’s $10, if they don’t, free disposal. I said these are really old, they said they’ve “renewed” some 2 or three times.
Whad’ya think? Worth a try?
Edited 8/21/2003 3:52:16 PM ET by johnnyd
Replies
Ripoff.
Short'em out for 10 seconds, if the wire don't get hot, leav'em shorted for 5 minutes. then recharge. same as the ripoff buggers would do. Likely only one cell bad, cut the stack apart, replace the cellwith a sub-C from another old stack (you do save the old ones, don't you??) and you are back in business.
Art, Makita 9.6V sticks get "Fat" right about death time. It's not nikkid eye fat, but they don't want to go in the tool or the charger and then they are junk.
Haven't taken any apart to see what's up, but someday I'll have more dead than alive. If I ever find all the tools at once, I might need to get more batteries.
Joe H
Edited 8/21/2003 11:17:56 PM ET by JoeH
Joe:
Have found one of the "fat" ones in about 8 or so of the used 9.6 V I'v scrounged, the bulge was apparently due to KOH crystallization (the white power crap) from a leaky cell bulging the case. You are right in the assessment that "they are junk" since a leaky cell with that much KOH blowout means a severe overcharge and the other cells are also likely damaged. Only way to salvage even the case was to heat with a heat gun and kinda press back into shape for 'newer' cells (not cost effective except for DIY satisfaction).
I can't offer personnel experience on "refreshing" old Ni-cads. I did know an electronics geek who claimed some success with something like johhnyd's technique. He also described some other exciting results. As did a friend who designed high-tech batteries (for cruise missle). The take home message:
WEAR GOGGLES! at a minimum. Better yet, if you are going to short batteries, it is better done in another room by another person.
I took 'em in...they put them on thier machine for 24 hours. After the treatment, if the battery rates 80% of new in terms of run-time, it's $10. If it's anything less than 80% they give it back, no charge. If it's zero, free disposal.
....I'll let you know how it comes out.
They are going to offer free disposal.
Then they'll repack the cartridge, and sell it to the next guy that asks.
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
Luka
that was the 1st thing that came to my mind too.....lol.
Personally I buy off of Ebay and the batteries I've gotten are up to date and half the price of anywhere else. Its way worth it.
The 2 new 18V DW batteries I got for 1/2 the price of HD were also the extended time batteries unlike the old ones.
Be well
andy
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
When you buy those batteries on Ebay are you dealing with an individual via auction or are you dealing with an established business with a set price for the product all the time?
Provide a link to the vender?
I deal with individual vendors...check it out Ralph
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
There is more to it than just erasing the memory effect. Sometimes they can be brought back to a reasonable level but they don't last any where as long as original.
If you really want the correct advice go to:http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&safe=active&group=sci.chem.electrochem.battery
Good comment, Ya got that right.
Oeiginal post method described is akin to the decades old practice of used car dealers of shaking up a 'dead' lead acid battery, pouring the guts into a inert pan, let settle for an hour, then refill & add water & charge-- battery will often last for a few weeks, even months.
This group from Ohio rebuilds batteries, http://www.voltmanbatteries.com After you add shipping I don't know if its the best deal around?