Battery Pack Restoration - Nicad battery pack that is- and a Warning

[Dr Zero]

When ever you mess with electricity you run the risk of injury and when toss batteries into the mix you run additional risk. Batteries can explode if overcharged. Please be careful if you decide to try this experiment and take precautions we dont want anyone getting hurt out there.

We all have cordless gadgets around the house and those darn battery packs get pricey but there seems to be a stop gap before full replacement,
I had a Ryobi 18 volt pack just fail to charge the other day so I went looking for a place that could rebuild it and found these links
http://ysuusy.com/easybatteryfix.html
http://jsautosource.com/top-free-fixes/how-to-fix-your-ni-cad-makitadewalt-and-other-batteries-for-free-including-step-by-step-video/
http://www.atv-projects.com/NiCad_Zapper.html

Basically you hook the pack to a higher voltage source for a few seconds and it breaks the crystals formed in the cells.

I was skeptical but figured what the heck I hooked up the battery to a 24 volt power supply for 10 seconds and then let it cool down next was to try and charge the pack.

Success!

The pack charges right up and has been working fine!

Maybe this tip will help another member save a buck and keep their project rolling.

[SavannahLion]

Might want to mention this is meant for Ni-Cad batteries. it's obvious from the title but you never know.

[ahofle]

I've been wanting to try this too, but I don't have a good enough power source besides the mains so I haven't been able to try it.  What 24V power source did you use? 

[Dr Zero]

I've been wanting to try this too, but I don't have a good enough power source besides the mains so I haven't been able to try it.  What 24V power source did you use? 

We have an old Heathkit variable power supply on the bench for testing looks like this


There is a project to build a similar one from an ATX power supply
http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/powersupply.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply
http://www.wikihow.com/Add-Variable-Voltage-to-Your-ATX-Based-Bench-Power-Supply

[Dr Zero]

I've been wanting to try this too, but I don't have a good enough power source besides the mains so I haven't been able to try it.  What 24V power source did you use? 

In another article I read a fellow used an older power brick from a printer that was rated at 24 volts and it worked for them also I have read car battery charges and welders but I liked the idea of a more controlled source