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Reviving NiCd batteries
ahofle:
Have any of you successfully rejuvenated or 'zapped' a NiCd battery using the instructions below (or similar)?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Revive-Nicad-Batteries-by-Zapping-with-a-Welder/
I assume these are the same procedures those :censored: are constantly trying to sell for $15 on ebay. Problem is, I don't have a welding power supply, and it sounds like using a car battery would be enough voltage.
My 19.2V power tool batteries are starting to shorten in charge life. The thought of buying a new Li-ion battery set for over $50 is not inviting and I would like to try to zap these first. Any experience or hints would be appreciated.
patrickl:
Sounds unlikely. The whole "test" looks daft. He zaps the battery and is surprised there is some new power in it after that? Isn't that what charging is supposed to do?
for a proper test he'd need to charge the battery full, show how long it runs till emtpy. Then zap it, charge it to full and then see how long it runs. If there is any improvement then he'd be on to something.
Kevin Mullins:
I use a car battery charger on batteries that otherwise don't seem to want to take a good charge.
Just a short kick start charge and then put them back on their normal factory charger.
MonMotha:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-48.htm
That website has lots of useful information.
Sounds like this isn't overly likely to help your dying NiCd tool batteries that are just "worn out", but it could be useful if you had a newish battery and needed some extra torque from your drill. Sounds like it isn't all that likely to result in killing your battery further, though.
Note that other battery chemistries suffer from other problems and have to be regenerated (if possible) in other ways. And of course, NEVER play with a Li-Ion unless you know what you're doing. They are fairly safe when treated nicely, but if you abuse them, they can catch fire (or "vent with flame", aka explode), and the fire is damn well impossible to put out (and whatever you do, DO NOT put water on it).
Just be careful with that cap; it could make your arm feel funny.
SirPeale:
I tried it and had mixed results. I could have probably done better but was afraid of blowing the battery up in my face.
--- Quote from: patrickl on October 27, 2008, 06:51:07 pm ---Sounds unlikely. The whole "test" looks daft. He zaps the battery and is surprised there is some new power in it after that? Isn't that what charging is supposed to do?
--- End quote ---
The point of the massive jolt is this: the longer you use NiCad batteries, crystals form within them. Eventually there are so many it doesn't charge well. The jolt breaks up the crystals so you can charge the battery again. A few blows to the battery should do the same, so I've read.
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