Cordless Tool Batteries

[SDMF]

I have 5-6 ~9yr old 18V Nimh Dewalt batteries. They're all getting so that they don't provide much power and certainly don't last very long. Is there anything that can be done with them other than just recycling them?

I've seen the "jumper them back to life" videos on YouTube, I'm skeptical but I'm all ears if someone here has done it and had it work well. I'm open to any other ideas that don't involve voo-doo dolls, piercing my nose with a large bone, or human sacrifice as well.

 

[5575]

http://www.batterydocs.com/about.html

These guys are good.:;:cheers

 

[2400]

Is there anything that can be done with them other than just recycling them?

I'm open to any other ideas that don't involve voo-doo dolls, piercing my nose with a large bone, or human sacrifice as well.

I see you have eliminated the "good" stuff, I'd tell you the 4th secret method to fixing them but then I'd have to kill you. :;:smokin












BTW, nice Barnes bullet in your avatar, what caliber?

 

[Zogman]

I pulled the trigger on changing everything over to the Milwaukee 12 volt about 3 years ago and they are more powerful than I have needed. Watch for package sales at ACME. I haven't needed more power yet. Same as my boat haven't needed the 350 yet.:;:stirthepot

I believe Batteries Plus will rebuild them for less than half new.

 

[2400]

Yup, once you go Milwaukee, you'll never go back...

I've both 12 and 18 volt and they're great, the new FUEL series is better yet.

 

[Zogman]

2400 My neighbor has all the 18 volt tools in case I need more power.

 

[SDMF]

I pulled the trigger on changing everything over to the Milwaukee 12 volt about 3 years ago and they are more powerful than I have needed. Watch for package sales at ACME. I haven't needed more power yet. Same as my boat haven't needed the 350 yet.:;:stirthepot

I believe Batteries Plus will rebuild them for less than half new.

I doubt I'll be swapping my cordless tools over to another brand. I don't use them nearly enough the way it is. To say that I'd use them as a "hobbyist" is doing a dis-service to hobbyists. But, since I own them, I want them to work as they should when I do need them. Maybe someone will run a Father's Day sale on the 18V Li Ion replacement batteries.

 

[Petras]

I believe that if you watch acme tool cribs ads or website, every once in a while they have a trade in type event where you can trade old stuff in to get a credit for new stuff. I know it's not the fix your looking for, but it's an option.

 

[eliminator]

right now runnings in Bismarck has two 20 volt batteries, the charger and the conversion for 18V to 20V on sale for $99 if you want to go that way

 

[You]

interstate batteries opens and rebuilds old batteries

 

[eliminator]

I have heard good things about the battery doctors but I personally have not had good luck with them. Their rebuild for me lasted less than a year. Would go new the next time.

 

[RustyTackleBox]

battery doctors in mandan will rebuild them (psst same place as mild 2 wild, you can look at new warrior boats at the same time!) I have dewalt 18v and milwaukee 18v I like both, dewalt is nice that it is usually cheaper, but I think I want to go brushless milwaukee for a K-Drill upgrade

 

[USMCDI]

Snap-on batteries suck ass and Battery Doctors won't touch them. I started writing dates on them and the longest operating battery I have is from 2016, maybe get 2 years max out of them, no more snap-on junk for me.

 

[deleted member]

Snap-on batteries suck ass and Battery Doctors won't touch them. I started writing dates on them and the longest operating battery I have is from 2016, maybe get 2 years max out of them, no more snap-on junk for me.

but, but, but, its the best on the market according to their price tag.

 

[( deleted account )]

SDMF, Ive built a gadget and tried the “zapping them back to life” on cordless tool and hand held radio batteries. that was a while ago and can’t recall if they were Ni Cads or Nime
H batteries. Whatever, it was an interesting project but had no significant success. Chalk it up to an educational waste of time, my project tossed into my electronic junk box.

i take them down to Interstate, though other battery companies all do the same, and they replace the battery inside the original case. You can buy the battery and do it yourself if you are so inclined. A 10 minute job, though the companies usually do it for nothing.
the only downside to repeated replacement is if you use the batteries and tools as much as I do, eventually the plastic cases start to wear out and eventually they won’t stay in place in the tools. Nothing brings out colorful language like having a battery pack fall out on your toe halfway through a job. Then it’s time to toss them in the recycle bin next time the batteries get weak.
ive been tempted to upgrade to the 20 volt Li, but the idea of switching the adapter every time I change batteries is not too appealing, though the LI’s have a lot of other edvantages.
lots of good suggestions above.

 

[shorthairsrus]

I am shopping for a extra lithium ion looks like eBay has some. Amazon is higher. $33 is the cheapest I could find new free postage