[Davids78Bronco]

I've got a couple 18V DeWalt packs that won't hold a charge. I bought into a site, that explains how to "ressurect" them... as the owner states. Bottom line is, it explains to find out which, individual, cells are bad, hit them with a like-voltage pack, or some 12V higher-amp'ed battery... I used a car battery. Holding the leads to the cells for no more than 2 seconds did show the cells back up 1.3V. Once everything was "charged", and reassembled, the instructions stated to charge the packs for 3hrs, before using them. I followed the instructions to the "T", and my packs are still dead.

Is there any truth to this? or, did I just lose 13 bucks? The guy's an ebay seller, where I bought the info from, and has a 99.4% positive feedback, claiming that many people are happy they saved themselves that much money. I'm ont of the several this didn't work for.

Once Ni-Cad cells are dead, that's it, right?

 

[Heartbeat Stops Here]

Usually what happens is a cell or 2 have gone south. Open the pack and measure voltage on each cell and replace the low ones. Dont over heat them with the soldering gun or your gonna fry it. I do this with my packs when I get a few that just wont hold a charge anymore. You may also be able to buy new cells if there is a part # on them or I have even seen places on line that will rebuild your packs. It can get a bit costly but if they discontinue your pack its the only choice.

 

[Davids78Bronco]

... and replace the low ones.

So, there's really no chance of "recharging" these back to life, is there?

 

[Clodbuster]

I'm not a true expert since I usually only work with NiMH packs for my R/C truck, but sometimes the charger may be faulty. Sometimes, I'd try a double charge and they work fine. Also, how long have you had these and how often are they used? If they've been used a whole lot, they are most likely dead.

 

[Weber]

Yes and no. It can work, but typically the problem is cell depreciation, the only true way to bring them back or reverse the depreciation is to hook it up to a cadex machine or a conditioning machine. What these machines do is cycle the battery higher than your charger can take it then drain them lower than your drill, they do this 3-5 times during a 24 hour period and if the cells are fixable they'll come back.
Other than just cycling them up and down a few times thats about the only way to "resurect them"

Oh and David, gimme a call if you want to know more or if you need them replaced or rebuilt.

 

[Davids78Bronco]

Well, I think I F'ed myself anyway. In the year I've been able to use the cordless, the battery has always been plugged in to the drill, when I put everything away. And since I didn't use the drill every single day, I think I just drained the juice out of them, and killed two batteries


But that still doesn't answer my original question - can I give these cells a kick in the ass, and save my packs?

*edit - heh, good timing, Chris - PM me your number

 

[Weber]

PM Sent