Batteries

[dpep5]

I use my cordless drill quite a bit in my reloading process...mostly for work brass. My battery just went south...won't take a charge so I guess it's time for a new one. Where do ya'll source your batteries? Mine is a Dewalt 18v. Looked at ebay and the prices are all over. Anywhere from $100.00 to $18.00 for one battery. The more expensive are the brand name and the cheap one's are knock offs. What has been your experience with the batteries you have purchased lately? Thanks, Durward

 

[CharlieNC]

Check out a battery supply store, like Batteries Plus. They will rebuild your housing with a new battery for a fraction of the cost of new. After a number of years Im on my second rebuild, so count me as satisfied.

 

[T-shooter]

I would buy a less expensive off brand if it were me. I hate paying for a name. Try to find something that has a warranty and not shipped from China, although it may be made there. Look at Amazon too. Even it the $18 battery won't hold a charge as long, 2 of them for $36 would probably do. Look for the mAh rating. Good luck.

 

[parson48]

The last time I had a battery die on me, I went to Lowe's and they had year old model DeWalt drills for about $10 more than a battery was going to cost me. And, it came with 2 batteries. Might be worthwhile to check at the home stores.

 

[wwbrown]

I got batteries for my old DeWalt cordless by searching Amazon using the battery part number ordered 1 to test, after I used it for two cycles I ordered another one. This was a much cheaper route than buying DeWalt batteries or a new cordless drill.

 

[Daddymac]

I have had very good luck with these from Amazon, $41.00 for the pair, I have used them for 18 months and have no complaints.


ExpertPower 2 Pack 18v 2000mAh NiCd Battery for Dewalt DC9096 DW9095 DW9096 DW9098 DE9039 DE9095 DE9096 DE9098 DC9099 DC9098

 

[thejamesd]

Dewalt also makes an adapter that uses the new style 20 volt batteries in the older tools.

 

[hogpatrol]

Like CharlieNC posted, if there's a full service battery house in the area, you could check and see if they can rebuild them. Been a few years back but I had a $60 battery done for $25.

 

[gary0529]

since the battery is toast anyway , go to you tube and search "renewing a NiCad battery--number of videos showing guys using a car battery charger to "spark" jump them back to life. somehow it renews the plates and allows the regular charger to work

in full disclosure I have not tried it but will the next time I have one die





'

 

[Big_Daddy]

Some Interstate Battery Stores also do "repairs" on cordless tool batteries.

 

[jepp2]

Check out a battery supply store, like Batteries Plus. They will rebuild your housing with a new battery for a fraction of the cost of new.

I'm glad it worked for you. I had exactly the opposite experience. Cost to install new batteries was nearly the cost of buying a replacement, and the life was about 1/4 of the original.

Every year near Christmas when all the specials are running, I buy a new Dewalt drill with 2 batteries (if my replacement supply is running low). Usually about $80 for the drill with 2 batteries. And I have had the drill motors wear out as well. So I have what I need. I usually run with 4 batteries in service.

 

[The boogalorian]

I'm sorry Gary, but I will have to respectfully disagree with this. While I am not a chemist I do know quite a bit for a lay person when it comes to rechargeable batteries. I have been in and out of racing electric rc cars for the last 33 years. The technology of rechargeable batteries has changed drastically in that time. In no way would I recommend hooking a 12v lead acid car battery to a li-ion battery to "revive it". You might cause the li-on battery to catch fire. Once a rechargeable battery has deteriorated to the point that it will not charge, it will not rejuvenate itself.

 

[SEGARE]

You can improve Ni-Cad batteries SOME with a battery charger. I tried it with a couple of DeWalt Ni-Cads and the improvement was noticeable but short lived. I then sent them to a guy that rebuilt the pair for about $40. I wore out that second set and just retired the drill and bought a Bosch Li. Li is so much easier to deal with than the Ni-Cad.

 

[moondog]

Some Interstate Battery Stores also do "repairs" on cordless tool batteries.

I've had them do several Snap On batteries .

 

[jpx2rk]

Big box store HD has the Ryobi brand and you can get one of their "kits" for under a $100 most of the time which includes a charger and 2 batteries in some kits along with one or two tools. I got a couple of the 18v heavier duty batteries right before xmas for $80 IIRC on sale. They have their own brand but can't remember the brand name that has some kind of lifetime warranty but not sure about the batteries themselves. I have several "kits" out in the shed with the tools almost new because I needed/wanted new batteries.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Batteries Plus Bulbs Store !
Have one in Fly Over Oregon Prices not Bad ?


Check Grizzly also ?

 

[kelbro]

Those Amazon knock-offs have worked well for me.

 

[Texas10]

since the battery is toast anyway , go to you tube and search "renewing a NiCad battery--number of videos showing guys using a car battery charger to "spark" jump them back to life. somehow it renews the plates and allows the regular charger to work

in full disclosure I have not tried it but will the next time I have one die





'

You can use this technique to restore a Ni-cad battery when polarity has reversed, but in a situation where multiple batteries are welded together you have to separate the bad one electrically from the rest.
It will work, but you then have to cycle the bad one several times to get it charging and discharging without reversing polarity again. The problem is that as part of a pack, the battery in question will not take a full charge and will discharge fully first and then reverse polarity again. All that takes a lot of time and IMOP is a fool's errand when replacements are so readily available.

Don't ever try this with a Lithium battery. And don't store them fully charged. That will degrade the life substantially. Lithium batteries are best charged just before use and then stored about 80% discharged for best life.

For my DeWalt, I bought a generic battery pack for about $30 for two. Over a year old and working fine but with some diminished capacity.

 

[Burnt Powder]

Google Hoffa’s batteries, he also sells rebuild kits on eBay. Does a great job, even rebuilds odball obsolete batteries too. I’ve bought and had Master Mechanic batteries rebuilt by them. Outstanding performance, very good turn around time, highly recommend.

BP

 

[dpep5]

Thanks for all the replies! Lots of good info.