QA

How To Recondition Power Tool Batteries

Can power tool batteries be reconditioned?

Reconditioning a drill battery containing NiCad cells is easy. If it contains lithium ion (Li-ion) cells you need to get it reconditioned using a battery repair store as Li-ion battery packs needs specialist attention.

Can you refurbish cordless drill batteries?

Lithium Batteries cannot be rebuilt. Many cordless power tools use nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel metal hydride (NiMh) battery pack rechargeable batteries, after a few years, these batteries no longer hold a charge.

How do you recondition a lithium ion battery?

Seal the Li-ion battery in an airtight bag and put it in the freezer for about 24 hours, ensuring there is no moisture in the bag that could get the battery wet. When you take it out of the freezer, let it thaw for up to eight hours to restore it to room temperature.

Can lithium batteries be rebuilt?

Yes, it is possible to rebuild or recondition Lithium-ion batteries but when rebuilding them extra care needs to be taken. Lithium-ion battery has electrolyte inside it which is flammable and the cell itself pressurized. So let’s look how to rebuild Li-ion batteries.

Can a dead lithium-ion battery be restored?

This allows the cells to be rejuvenated whenever they may seem dead. Can you revive a dead lithium-ion battery? Yes, it is possible to resurrect a dead lithium-ion battery using a few simple and convenient tools. However, these batteries can be very unstable especially when they are handled inappropriately.

Can a NiCad battery be restored?

As you use nickel-cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable batteries and continuously recharge them, they hold less and less of a full charge over time. To repair NiCad rechargeable batteries, you need to remove the dendrite crystals using an electric current.

Does freezing NiCad batteries help?

A NiCad battery pack can be frozen to help restore function to the battery. Over time, rechargeable batteries lose efficiency, meaning the amount of time they can power a product, begins to decrease. Eventually they will die and need to be replaced.

How do you charge a 20 volt lithium battery without a charger?

You can also use a laptop charger for an 18V or 20V drill battery or AA cells attached in series or another drill battery or a balance lipo charger. You can also use a 12V solar panel to charge a battery without a charger.

How do you maintain NiCad batteries?

Nickel Cadmium (NiCad®) battery: Store in a cool, dry place. The battery should be discharged before storage. If the battery is to be stored longer than a year, it should be fully charged and discharged at least once a year to maintain performance.

Can you reset a DEWALT battery?

DeWalt battery packs are quick to charge and long-lasting, and contain a microchip that shuts the battery pack off if it overheats. Once the battery pack shuts off, you have to reset it. The reset process clears the microchip’s memory and gives the chip the “all clear” to charge normally.

Is it OK to leave DEWALT battery on charger?

DOES IT HURT DEWALT BATTERIES TO LEAVE THEM IN THE CHARGER? No. The DEWALT chargers have a maintenance mode which allows batteries to remain in the charger, maintaining a fully charged pack until the user is ready to work. Storing DEWALT Lithium Ion batteries outside of the charger will not result in loss of charge.

How do I recondition my NiCD?

Nicad Battery Reconditioning – DIY Recondition Methods Verifying the Voltage. Use A Good Battery to Shock the Dead One. Discharge and Charge Again. Discharge the Battery and Put It in the Freezer. Reviving It with Disposable Camera Capacitor. Check the Battery. Check the Welder. Zap the Batteries Using the Welder.

Do NiCad batteries go bad if not used?

The shelf life for nicad batteries is 36 months, according to Panasonic, (formerly Sanyo). Our experience is approximately 18 months. While we’ve seen nicad batteries that last past 18 months, they usually require many charge/discharge cycles to get it to perform at 80% capacity.

Do you need a special charger for lithium batteries?

Using a lithium battery with a lead-acid charger is a different matter. You can use a lead-acid charger to charge lithium batteries as long as you can set the maximum voltage of the charger and as long as the charger does not have an automatic equalisation mode enabled.

Do lithium batteries require a special charger?

Lithium batteries require a Constant current/Constant voltage (CC/CV) charge type with simple Bulk, Absorption, Float stages. Many lead acid chargers have desulphation and equalisation stages built in, which will pulse high voltages of 15.3-15.8V into the battery.

Will a 18V charger charge a 20V battery?

This adapter will allow people with 18V stem top tools to use the newer 20V MAX batteries. The 20V batteries will not charge on the 18V chargers however using this adapter, so the user will also need a 20V MAX charger.

Can lithium batteries be recharged?

Lithium batteries were invented before lithium-ion batteries. However, because they could not be safely or easily recharged, companies were motivated to come up with a rechargeable alternative. Enter lithium-ion batteries. These batteries can be recharged many times before they suffer degrading.

Can you overcharge NiCD batteries?

As long as NiCads are kept sealed, and never short circuited or severely over charged, NiCad batteries are perfectly safe to use, and do not vent toxic material. If a NiCad battery is treated well, it should last to the 1000 cycle mark.