Bring NiCad Battery Back to Life

[curtsprenger]

Nothing to do with 'Birds. on this post unless you carry NiCad powered tools. Short post to start...

Today I tried a procedure to bring a 14.4 volt NiCad tool battery back to life. The battery was dead, would not take a charge, measured zero voltage on the meter, and I was going to throw it out. After the first two steps the battery measured 13 + volts. Placing the battery in the battery charger until the light showed 'Charged', the battery now measures 16.6 volts. Placing the rejuvenated battery in the hammer drill, I don't believe the drill has every run that strong. Longevity remains to be tested.

Anyone done anything like this before? I can post more if there is interest.

[Randy Dupree]

tell us more!

[curtsprenger]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

tell us more!

Randy, I sent a private email for now.

Originally Posted by curtsprenger

Anyone done anything like this before? I can post more if there is interest.

We're all ears Curt. This reminds me. I think we need a new Forum labeled:

"Tools: Things that Work"

Can we do this John, Randy, or Rob?

[curtsprenger]

Originally Posted by davidmbrady

We're all ears Curt. This reminds me. I think we need a new Forum labeled:

"Tools: Things that Work"

Can we do this John, Randy, or Rob?

David,

I purchased the NiCad information on ebay, $5.00. I sent a link to Randy and Fred to see if what I received will work at their end. If it does, great. If not we'll all need to purchase the information.

Yes "Tools: Things that Work" sounds good to me.

I'll put the hammer drill to the test tomorrow just to see how the "back from death" battery behaves.

[curtsprenger]

A couple WOG members were able to access the Nicad Back to Life information. I've asked John Finn to post the link and the password out on the WOG site.

Looks like the password is not needed.

[Dan & Cindy]

I'd like to pass on my comments regarding distributing this information, knowing that many may disagree with me.

The WOG Forum should not make this video and information derived from it available to members of the forum or the public without compensation or permission of the owner. If the method described in the video really works, who would have a problem paying the video's producer the $5 he is asking on EBay instead of spending $50 or more to buy a replacement battery?

I'm not an attorney, but I have some knowledge regarding Intellectual Property that leads me to believe that the WOG is on a slippery slope if this video remains available. The video producer probably has some level of copyright protection. As everyone knows, piracy of copyrighted designs, music and videos is not legal. If the information in the video is available from other sources without copyright violations or compensation, distribute that info.

The WOG is an outstanding social site for BB owners and an exceptually valuable source of technical information, I'd hate to see it not have the same high level of ethics when it comes to protecting other's IP rights.

I yield my soapbox position to others............

[curtsprenger]

Good Points Dan. Thank you. WOG owner and moderators can make the decision.

[sanibel]

A defense attorney might argue that the link only gives access to the material rather than reproducing or distributing it and is not a copyright violation (but it is probably some variety of theft or conspiracy).

However, this is pretty commonly known info. The concept is not protected IP. What kills these batteries is a short between cells. The overvoltage current is intended to "burn away" the shorted material with high amps.

[Fred Hulse]

Thanks to Curt, I tried the method of renewing a couple of well used Batteries for a very old 12 volt Craftsman drill I have.
Battery # 1
This battery would not charge at all when put in the charger, the best I could do was watch the red lamp on the charger flash,indicating a bad battery. After the procedure in the guys video I got the same results, but finally figured out what he was trying to do.I believe my battery was so discharged it may have reversed the polarity, I am only guessing of course,considering I don't have any sage knowledge about these things. I decided to charge it a little bit with the automotive battery charger and it tested 11. something volts,then I placed it in the Sears charger and the red light was solid indicating it was charging normally,after about three or four hours the lamp had turned green indicating it was slow charging and had reached its 12 something volts.The battery has tested 12 plus volts and has never worked that ole drill better!! Very pleased with the outcome.
Battery # 2
This is a Chinese replacement battery I bought online from a vendor selling Heavy Duty Replacements for your Craftsman Industrial drill, I have been able to use it about 10 minutes at the longest since I started using it and it would then be a dead Heavy Duty Replacement.Using the same method it appears I have revived it to live up to its name and will spin the ole drill much much better. I would not be surprised if it loses its glamour. Not very pleased with this one.