The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Rebuilding Battery Packs, Anyone Done it?

I have a few battery packs (12 volt & 19.2) that no longer hold a charge. I have read a few articles on rebuilding by buying the sub-c batteries on EBAY.

Some of the guys had sucess others did not.

Have any of you tryed this? Any suggestions for a sucessful project or just scrap the idea, bite the wallet buy a factory rebuild?

if you look around you might find a shop in your area that'll do it [about 1/2 new price] - there's a discount tool place here as well as some of the builders supply places that do - fail safe

Bill

A buddy of mine used to take apart battery packs that wouldn't charge, test & replace bad cells with good cells from other battery packs that had some bad cells. I guess he finally decided it wasn't worth the time & effort involved because he doesn't do it any more. That's one thing I like about my 18v Dewalt. It has a smart charger that equals out the cells during the recharge & won't over charge the battery pack.

Over on ChevyTalk their was a thread about this same topic about a year ago, they mentioned a Co. that rebuilds battery's and actually makes them better. I lost the web site for them but maybe a search of ChevyTalk would help, I have found that they are very helpful over there.

We used to do it ourselves 50 years ago when parts were expensive and labor was cheap. I wouldn't even think of doing it any more. I buy batteries with a 3 year free replacement and make sure they go dead within 3 years. If a battery is completely discharged and allowed to set a couple of weeks, it will now longer take charge. We have the same type of computer tester in our shop that the battery sellers use. I make sure they show dead and get a new one for free. This is the cheapest way I know of to keep good batteries in our welders, forklifts and my old jalopies.

I think he was refering to batteries used for tool's, I am trying to find the website for repairing batteries.

I think I found the site www.primecell.com give that a try.

The batteries that I want to rebuild are the dry cell batts for power tools. I have found several mail in companies that provide the service. Has any one used one or know personally of one that is a good value.?

I totally get CRENWELGE' idea of making sure they the battery fails within the warranty period. I used to buy Diehard work boots that were warrantied not to wear out for a year. Every year I had to drive around & drag my feet off the Yamaha to get the sole worn thru. Those were great boots.