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MG TD TF 1500 - Rejuvinating Power Tool Batteries

One of the most useful tools I have is my DeWalt cordless drill. Over the years it has been used on countless jobs including many on the TF. It is great for winding off the five wheel nuts once they have been loosened. Unfortunately the batteries are now on their last legs and will not hold a charge. New ones are VERY expensive. I have seen on YouTube a number of guys rejuvenating dud NiCd batteries by "sparking" them with a high current. They use cars batteries, a battery charger and even a MIG Welder. The chap using the welder presses the trigger until about 2" of wire is poking from the gun, he then slackens the pinch roller, connects the earth crocodile clamp to one side of the battery, touches the welding wire to the other side and flicks the trigger twenty times. This is done with the welder on its maximum setting!

I believe rechargeable batteries are dangerous things and am going to purchase brand new ones or even a drill kit which only slightly more expensive. I wonder though if anyone has tried sparking a dud battery? Did it work? Do you still have scars from the burns?

Cheers

Jan T
J Targosz

Haven't tried it and wouldn't. NiCads are pretty benign compared to LiPos but I don't think its worth messing about with them. Buy new, better still get a new cordless drill with LiPo batteries - they keep their charge for much longer and the cost of the drill is not much more than a couple of batteries.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I would not " spark " them.

I have taken them apart and re-soldered only good cells after testing each one.
Out of 3 I can re-build to two. These have lasted over a year now.
You might look into upgrading the charger for it.
Ryobi had a battery conditioner that keeps 6 charging in cycle. This is what I have.
M Grogan

When the batteries on my drill would no longer hold a charge for very long.
I found a package deal with a new drill, two batteries and charger to be close in cost to just the batteries alone.
And the best part the newer drill and batteries are higher voltage with more torque and last longer between charges.
G D

look at Ridgid drills and such. lifetime warranty on the drill and the battery . they work great and I for one will not buy anything else. dont have stock in them or anything else just MHO.
TRM Maine

I tried this on some low voltage tool batteries. Think they were 9 V. Used a 12 v charger to spark them. It did work, but the battery only lasted a couple more months. Might work if you absolutely needed the drill immediately, but better to replace them.

I took one of my Milwaukee batteries apart as the charger is saying it is bad. No more soldered terminals, they are spot welded on now. They just don't want you fixing them any more.

Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 13/10/2017 and 16/10/2017

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