Search the forums

cordless battery

cordless battery (post #192466)

k1c on Sun, 08/15/2010 - 08:26

General Discussion

I need new drill and I was wondering if there was one drill battery that was carpenter friendly if I try to change the cells. On the other hand, I also wondered how hard it is to solder these flat tabs that connect the batteries together? I have dewalt nicad 14v. Lithiums seems to be very expensive and all drills in amazon seem to be 1/2" now. Not much 3/8 selections. I did some reading on changing the cells, so any hint or even encouragement toward diy is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

If you really want to get (post #192466, reply #1 of 14)

by DanH in reply to k1c [original] on Sun, 08/15/2010 - 08:36

If you really want to get into it you should get yourself a spot-welding setup.

We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. --Thomas Edison

battery (post #192466, reply #3 of 14)

by k1c in reply to DanH [original] on Mon, 08/16/2010 - 21:53

Thank you for reply. I was hoping there was a battery with enough room inside so that tabs could be soldered. I looked at youtube videos where kids are making small welders with converted transformers from microwave ovens. I was thoroughly impressed! I wish I had the time to really understand the procedure but again, time is running out.

I will look into the tab welder, but the price will have to make sense for the personal use. Again thanks.

Just wondering, but... (post #192466, reply #2 of 14)

by norman in reply to k1c [original] on Mon, 08/16/2010 - 11:04

Aren't all batteries cordless? ;-).

LOL, well, technically the (post #192466, reply #4 of 14)

by k1c in reply to norman [original] on Mon, 08/16/2010 - 22:30

LOL, well, technically the rechargeables would be corded. A true cordless drill would come with an engine that would recharge the battery.

That makes me wonder why these batteries are almost made to be thrown away. Besides the money they make, why not make the battery case so that each cell can be loaded one by one, something like a pistol?

You mean like a flashlight? (post #192466, reply #5 of 14)

by DanH in reply to k1c [original] on Tue, 08/17/2010 - 01:16

You mean like a flashlight?

battery (post #192466, reply #6 of 14)

by k1c in reply to DanH [original] on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 08:45

Yes! Why can't they make the battery case prewired so that when one cell or all go bad, just replace the cells instead of having to buy whole very expensive replacement. I am thinking of patenting a universal battery that will be clunky but will make the drill batteries cheaper. All you need is contact points that will fit the contacts in the drill, right? I would be happy holding the battery to the drill with rubberbands if necessary. And with lithiums, most of the drills have become 1/2" or heavy duty in some other ways so that there are no reasonable prices anymore. Actually there should be a class action suit that makes the points of contact a public use.

I remember somebody mentioning here buying Ryobi and just using it until the batteries won't charge anymore then throwing them out. It sounds better and better now. I don't do heavy drilling with cordless anyway. Even with hammer/drill dewalt, I found drilling for landscaping with 6x6 pt posts is not job for these cordless drills.

The manufacturers are giving an impression that these drills are capable of anything but they aren't. FHB should do an article about just how necessary these 18v, 1/2" drills are. Of course, this shows I really can't afford the best I want, but what's chasing what here? Money chasing the drill or drill chasing the money?

And sorry for ranting.

By the way, I found out I can't solder tabs to battery cans. Store bought tab welders are too expensive, and home made welders are over my head. Somebody mentioned batteries with welded tabs and I solder the tabs. I will look into this.

Yes! Why can't they make the (post #192466, reply #8 of 14)

by DanH in reply to k1c [original] on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:41

Yes! Why can't they make the battery case prewired so that when one cell or all go bad, just replace the cells instead of having to buy whole very expensive replacement.

And that would make the manufacturer more money how?

Sir, you are funning with me, (post #192466, reply #9 of 14)

by k1c in reply to DanH [original] on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 10:34

Sir, you are funning with me, sir.

Thank you for the good laugh. Although I resent the useless way of making money, I don't grudge their efforts. I just wish they don't fix things that aren't broken, such as making bigger drills that I don't need.

I didn't mean it to be funny (post #192466, reply #11 of 14)

by DanH in reply to k1c [original] on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 11:05

I didn't mean it to be funny -- it's the honest truth. There's no money in making things last a long time (just ask Maytag). It's always good to give an IMPRESSION of quality, of course, but it's still important that whatever you sell wear out or become obsolete in about 3 years, if you want to stay in business.

battery (post #192466, reply #14 of 14)

by k1c in reply to DanH [original] on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 15:09

I thought you were beginning to enjoy my ranting. Sorry thinking your reply was a lead, although it was funny. I really don't grudge their efforts to make money. I just can't understand that they are pretending that economy didn't take a dive and not likely to go back to the level it was before 2007, and making the tools bigger and costlier, and useless at least to me. I just think they are heading for trouble themselves.

I just bought half priced no name battery from amazon. It is 2 AH. If it doesn't work, I believe I can return it based on past experience with amazon return policy. I also plan to buy tabbed cells to rebuild the one I have now.

If you have a Batteries Plus (post #192466, reply #7 of 14)

by bd in reply to k1c [original] on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 11:35

If you have a Batteries Plus near you, they will rebuild them, although, it's sometimes almost as expensive as buying a new one. Depends on the battery.

battery (post #192466, reply #10 of 14)

by k1c in reply to bd [original] on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 10:41

Yes, the rebuilt battery is just as costly, plus the shipping. I found a site, all-battery.com, that sells sub c cells already tabbed. I also came across some info that these cells have to be matched and my dewalt charger may not work with new cells, etc. I don't know. All-battery does not seem to have tech support. I am thinking try this, but if it does not work, just charge it as cost of learning. Thanks for reply.

I've done all three battery (post #192466, reply #12 of 14)

by Ron_Trebbi in reply to k1c [original] on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 22:56

I've done all three battery replacement options, soldered in new cells, bought new manufacturers battery packs and bought third party replacements packs.

Soldering in new cells is too time consuming for the difference in savings over manufacturers replacement packs.

My experience with third party replacement packs was bad because I didn't understand the Amp hour ratings on the packs and got a "deal" on .7 amp hr batteries - Useless!! - not to say there are not good third party replacement packs ... just REALLY look at the specifications for what your are buying.

Third option: Buy manufacturers's NEW replacement packs. The price on these is staggering but they seem to last the longest of all the packs I've bought for myself and my guys. They go on sale around Father's Day and other 'boy' holidays at the Big Boxes (my least favorite place to buy anything) ... buy a bunch then ... call your mortgage broker before you go ...

RON

Ronald G. Trebbi

Architect / General Contractor

TREBBI CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION LLC

Award Winning Design and Construction of Residential and Light Commercial Renovations and Additions

One thing to beware of: (post #192466, reply #13 of 14)

by DanH in reply to Ron_Trebbi [original] on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 04:34

One thing to beware of: Batteries have a shelf life, and if you buy new mfgr's batteries they may have been sitting on the shelf for years.

I've done pretty well on a couple of occasions having Batteries Plus rebuild the packs. In other cases it wasn't worth it.