Battery rebuilds...help

[Mike Cruz]

I've seen discussions here on the Creek re: getting batteries for cordless tools rebuilt. My understanding is that rebuilds are better than "new". What about cost? Does anyone have a good recommendation for a company that does it? I tried searching the site for the thread(s) but I don't often have a lot of luck doing that...impatient...inept...incontinent...whatever. Thanks for your help.

[Gene Howe]

Here is a place that was recommended to me. I haven't used them yet, though.

Batteries

[Bob Wingard]

I've used him and am very pleased. Cheaper than new replacements and longer lasting (higher AMP rating) cells, so yes, they are actually better than new. He charges strictly based on the number of cells used plus a small labor fee. He was very good to deal with, and I've recommended him to several friends.

[Gil Knowles]

Mike
If you want to rebuild yourself, this site provides information.
http://www.astromart.com/articles/ar...article_id=587

Gil

[Ed Labadie]

Here is a place that was recommended to me. I haven't used them yet, though.

Batteries

I had some done 3-4 months ago. The batteries work great, fast turnaround. I'll use them again.

Ed

[Jim Laumann]

I will throw my experience in to the mix....

I had 2 Milwaukee 12v (Ni-cads?) batteries rebuilt at a local battery retailer in my area. They worked well for 6 months or so, and went down hill from that point. After many rounds of use and frustration w/ the rebuilts, I bought new ones. Have used them hard the last couple years, and they are still going.

Am guessing the replacements were cheap / low quality.

Jim

[Matt Meiser]

I had 4 rebuilt by MTO and was happy with the results. Some were Ryobi 12V packs and they took a lot longer to charge after rebuild due to the much higher capacity cells. But they also lasted a lot longer. I no longer own any of the tools as I sold them all a year or two later and went to all LI-ION Milwaukee tools so I can't speak to how they held up real long term.

[Susan Kahler]

Interstate Batteries All-Battery Centers, Batteries + and Batteries Unlimited all offer this service, if you are looking for a retail outlet.

[Dave Lehnert]

I just had a PC 12 volt pack rebuilt by Batteries Plus. cost was $32.99. What are others paying?

[Jerome Hanby]

The better than new part depends on what MaH the cells are and are they NiCads or NiMH. All the NiCad packs I have are constructed from sub C cells. I can purchase NiMH cells that are well over double the MaH of the original cells. Last time I priced it out, it was gong to run me about $40 for enough 4500 MaH cells to rebuild one 18 volt pack. Not too bad for much longer run time and quicker charging. You might have to monkey with the charger if the new cells are more load than the current supply can handle. Most of those chargers are the cheapest piece of crap implementations the manufacturers can manage (at least the cheaper stuff like B&D). I bet a dual mode charger that can handle LiIon or NiCad (like the Ryobi one charger) might not have a problem.

[Bill White]

I gave up on the rebuild and replacement for the NiMH batts. Went to the Makita LiIon 18v and never looked back.
Bill

[Jerome Hanby]

Good point. I've been pushing my rebuild project because i don't really use anything but the drills and I have a Hitachi 18V and (gasp) B&D 12 LiIon and they are so light and run so long that I can't get enthused about the rebuilds...

I gave up on the rebuild and replacement for the NiMH batts. Went to the Makita LiIon 18v and never looked back.
Bill

[Jim Summers]

Are LI-Ion's rebuildable? I can't remember which but, the last time I was at my local Interstate Battery they said either they were not or could not rebuild them. But I can't remember why?

TIA

[Bruce Page]

I had 2 14.4v DeWalt and 2 12v PC batteries rebuilt by MTO. I highly recommend them.

[Jerome Hanby]

I haven't see cells for them. As I understand things the batteries have a fair amount of electronics in them to keep you from completely draining the cells. That stuff may be so mated to the cells, that replacing the cells with something generic isn't practical.

Are LI-Ion's rebuildable? I can't remember which but, the last time I was at my local Interstate Battery they said either they were not or could not rebuild them. But I can't remember why?

TIA