Replies

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 19, 2006 07:36pm | #1

   I took one of my DeWalt 12V batteries to one of those batteries-for-everything places and asked them to replace the ni-cad package. They said "no problem, come back tomorrow". When I picked it up (I don't remember how much they charged, but it was way less than the official replacement) I didn't look very carefully at the case and later discovered some jerk had practically destroyed it just trying to open it. (Turns out the screws were located under the label on the bottom.) Anyway, it worked -- for a couple of weeks. Still have it in the shop using the other battery that came with it. Meantime I've gotten a Hitachi 18V which is lot better tool and has two batts.

2. 
   highfigh | Mar 19, 2006 07:46pm | #2

   What are you doing that the batteries are toast after only a year? If you kill them completely before recharging, that's a big part of the reason they may not hold a charge. They're supposed to be recharged when you have a noticeable difference in their strength, not when they're dead and hot. Heat kills batteries, so does rapid discharge. Making them go totally dead can also cause some cells to reverse their polarity, which will make it impossible to charge the rest completely.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
1. 
   tangomike | Mar 19, 2006 08:01pm | #3

   I probably exaggerated, more like 18 months in thinking about it. At any rate they are going through a lot of duty cycles because I'm using the trim saw and sawzall as much as my driver/drill. I also think this is a Milwaukee issue because my Makita and Ridgid batteries have been very reliable. If I were to buy again I would have paid a lot closer attention to amp-hour ratings on the batteries than just the volts.

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 19, 2006 09:17pm | #4

   Why not call a Milwaukee service center and ask them if there's an issue with you batteries. It can't hurt.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   tangomike | Mar 20, 2006 04:08am | #5

   that's a good suggestion.

2. 
   TonLoc | Mar 30, 2006 07:56pm | #18

   Battery memory is a myth: from the Batteries plus web site:

    

   "Memory" or "Memory Effect" was a term used to describe a loss of capacity (run-time) that is common to nickel-based chemistry rechargeable batteries such as NiCd and NiMH. The more correct term used to describe this affliction is Voltage Depression. The word "Memory" was used because in earlier NiCd technology, it was found that if the battery was repeatedly discharged to the exact same level of capacity then re-charged, it would eventually provide only that level of run-time even though the battery was never fully discharged to its maximum capacity. It was said that the battery "remembered" the discharge level and would not perform beyond it. Since the 1980's nickel-based chemistry technology has improved to the point where this phenomenon no longer exists. However the term "memory" is still erroneously used as a way to describe a rechargeable battery that experiences a loss of capacity.Voltage Depression as mentioned above is the most common problem associated with NiCd rechargeable batteries today. The NiMH chemistry can also be affected however to a lesser extent. Voltage Depression occurs primarily when NiCd/NIMH batteries are repeatedly overcharged. Prolonged overcharging results in elevated temperatures within the battery. When this happens a voltage depression, or voltage drop, occurs at the end of the discharge cycle. This drop in voltage is seen as a premature end to the run-time of the battery. This condition is curable and even preventable. Voltage Depression can be reversed by periodic complete discharges of the battery when practical. See the following question.

   Discharging your NiCd battery after every use is not necessary nor is it practical. Voltage Depression, as mentioned in the previous question, can be alleviated by periodic discharges. Approximately every 3-4 weeks, drain the battery down in the device as far as possible, then recharge. By doing this on a fairly regular basis, it will assist in erasing Voltage Depression. To help prevent it from happening in the first place, do not leave your cordless device on the charger for prolonged periods. A cordless phone is a good example of a device that commonly can overcharge the battery. Since the base that the phone sits in also acts as the charger, the chance that the phone's battery will be overcharged is great. Minimizing the time the phone spends on the base will go a long way in preventing the battery capacity loss known as Voltage Depression. Even a practice as simple as removing the phone from the base at night and charging only during the day is an easy way to prevent this capacity loss as well as extend the overall life of the battery.

3. 
   Mikedej | Mar 20, 2006 02:13pm | #6

      I used primecell to rebuild one of my Milwaukee 14.4 batteries, the "new battery" would hold a charge for about 20 screws, it was terrible.  I called primecell told me if I sent it back (on my dime) they would take a look , I had a few big jobs coming, decided not to waste more money or time on this and bought a new battery.  Maybe they would have made it right if I gave them a chance, I was just to busy and had to move on!!

   MikeD

    

4. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 20, 2006 03:27pm | #7

   I've had several rebuilt at my local BatteriesPlus outlet. They were about 30% less than a new battery and have worked as well as the original equipment in each case. Probably depends somewhat on the tech that does the rebuild.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

5. 
   RickL | Mar 20, 2006 03:39pm | #8

   I've had good luck with http://www.voltmanbatteries.com

   Primecell screwed up a battery so I'm reluctant to try them again. There's others that specialize in off the wall type batteries for walkie talkies, discontinued equipment. etc.

1. 
   achome | Mar 24, 2006 07:33pm | #15

   I used voltman too. quick turnaround.  No problems so far.

   Johnny

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Mar 25, 2006 04:15am | #16

   Another vote for Voltman, batteries work as good (maybe better) than new and the price for rebuilding two packs was comparable to the price for a single new pack. I would use them again!

1. 
   DougU | Mar 26, 2006 06:14am | #17

   And another vote for  http://www.voltmanbatteries.com, have had several batteries done and have been very pleased.

   Doug

6. 
   mudman | Mar 20, 2006 06:20pm | #9

   OEM replacement batteries are expensive, but it is for a reason. Most contractor grade battery packs include very tough batteries and eletronics that monitor battery condition. When you recharge the pack the carger knows the use state and is programed to charge a curve that is optimal for those bateries. When you go to Batteries Pluss or a rebuild service they only tell you the voltage and amp/hours. They might describe them as being "heavy duty" but that dosen't really tell you anything. Using batteries to power a circular saw is nuts! The batteries have to be uber-tough, and the tool manufacturers have put a lot of R&D into those cells.

   I am a remodeler come cabinet maker and still spend about half my time remodeling. I am VERY hard on my batteries. I have trimmed the exterior of houses and framed a hundred feet of wall on two batteries (keeping one charging while the other is in use) Under that kind of abuse I get about a year or maybe 18 months before they start showing a decline of run time. At that point they have made me enough money that I am OK to shell out the $150 to $200 for a new tool (which comes with 2 new batteries). By the way, I too have found Ridgid to be a superior product in terms of power and battery life. I am currently using a 6 piece Dewalt XRP set that is about 1 year old and is loosing run time already.

    

   Mike

7. 
   twincoach | Mar 21, 2006 05:35am | #10

   I had two Porter Cable 14.4 batterys that were 4 to 5 years old  rebuilt by my local batterys plus 1 was great no problem one went back 3 times each time back the battery lasted one charge the would not charge the last time in the tech told me he replace the whole pack again and it seams ok but I lost my patience and bought a new Bosch 14.4 price for the two rebuilds was 96 $ if I remember right

   Jerry

8. 
   Guppy | Mar 22, 2006 09:53pm | #11

   Another perspective on Primecell.  Primecell is not a perfect company--no company is.  However, I have had several batteries rebuilt there (from 12v to 18v), and all have come back from Primecell much better than when originally purchased (or at least better than I remember).  I do not doubt the experience of the previous poster, but my experiences have been positive.

   Elliott

9. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 24, 2006 02:11am | #12

   $600 for a package !

   DAMN! I'd get a electris drill and a long heavy duty extension cord!

1. 
   tinkerer2 | Mar 24, 2006 05:35am | #13

   I've always been somewhat apprehensive of the battery operated tools.  I came by a PC 19v somewhat by default.  It sat around here a year or so with little use.  Finally gave it to my maintenance man and he just loved it.  Charger quit.  Got a new one and two weeks later a battery quit.  Although so many love them, I'm still apprehensive.

1. 
   tangomike | Mar 24, 2006 06:59am | #14

   Even with the cost of the battery replacements factored in, battery powered tools are have so much utility on a jobsite that I'd sooner give up my tape measure and pencil. For years I resisted going beyond cordless drill/drivers but have since adopted them to. You would be surprised at how much you can get done with a cordless trim saw or a cordless sawzall. Don't know about the cordless routers though.

2. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 31, 2006 04:49pm | #19

   late reply BUT!I have more than 'MY SHARE' of battery operated tools.. Nice if ya up on the roof.. But in the shop I use my old trusty extension cord..
   Fer what Electric cost I bet I can turn on that drill and run it few' about 55 years for the cost of a new battery and charger!

1. 
   alfie | Aug 10, 2006 06:08pm | #20

   I had 3-18V and 2-19.2 Porter Cable battery packs rebuilt at the local BatteriesPlus. Since then they just don't hold charge for long and don't have decent torque. My use is erratic, and that could impact performance. But then, the original batteries lasted years and years, each charge lasted long and there was plenty of torque ... and use was erratic all those years too. So I called the local BatteriesPlus to inquire about warranty and found that the guy has folded - too bad, he was a nice fella. Called the national 800 number and no one answers, so I just gave up. I checked in this forum to see what other people do with batteries that are shot, found this thread, and thought I'd add my experience. If I had to do it again, I would just buy new OEM batteries or new drills if the batteries are cheaper that way. (Note to self: Hmmm ... perhaps it's time to buy those (expensive) Festool drills I've had my eye on.)

   Edited 8/10/2006 5:59 pm ET by alfie

10. 
    MRGreer | Aug 10, 2006 07:51pm | #21

    I've heard both good and bad about the battery rebuilding services, but haven't tried them personally.  I have a Bosch 12V and a Milwaukee 14.4V drill/driver, the Bosch is old and I'm down to one working battery, three have bitten the dust.  I simply shopped for a sale on the batteries for this drill and when I found one for less than list price I picked it up.  By now the drill has other problems and it was just less expensive to pick up a new one than to fix the old Bosch and buy new batteries assuming they were still available.  Batteries have a number of enemies, heat, cold, use, shelf life, running till dead, etc. and there has been a fair amount of misinformation about how to maintain batteries for extended periods of time.  There is only so much shelf life and so many charge cycles in a battery under the best of circumstances, the goal is to get that maximum number.  If your use is heavy you may be getting all there is out of your battery pack if you are following the new rules of use.

    My personal opinion is that unless you are working where an extension cord is not a practical solution, i.e. somewhere that power is not available, then corded tools such as circular saws, recip saws, etc are a better choice.  During a bathroom remodel the contractor that was installing the grannet vanity top puled out his cordless DeWalt recip saw to cut some bracing for the sink.  After about 10 strokes it was dead, so he sent his helper out to the truck for the other battery.  After maybe 5 strokes it too was dead.  They finished the job with my corded Milwaukee Sawsall using the plug in the wall that was less than 2 feet from where they were working.