Repacking cordless drill batteries

[robbo1172]

Hi all

The batteries in my cordless drill are shot.

Anyone repacked their own that can recommend decent sub C size cells (prefer Japanese).

I have a 12V and 14.4V that I'll probably do.

Probably looking around 2AH batteries, depending on price.

Thanks in advance.

Robbo

[dales133]

I wouldn't bother in this day and age, probably cost close to a new tool with better technology and batteries.ask me how I know.... I did it to a 14.4v Panasonic and cost way to much in hindsight

[Bill]

I had bettery world repack a couple 18 volt for me a couple years ago.
A bit expensive but they were more powerful and lasted longer than the originals.
For the small amount of use they got around home I probably wouldnt spend the extra money again and would just buy original batteries.
However if I was a tradie and used them everyday I feel it would be money well spent.
Bill

[speewa158]

l found it cheaper to buy a new drill at around the 4200 range . Trade tools are better to get new batteries 

[jr]

Even with trade tools , you buy new batteries and charger the tools are near free.
Lithium batteries is good technology in handtools - need to buy whole new kit inc charger

[Steffo1]

Just a piece of advice. If you have a fridge in your shed then keep your batteries in it to hold charge longer & extend life.
Steve

[GUEY]

Looked into it and watched a couple of youtube videos a couple of months back for my Dewalt.

Then I got on ebay and bought 2 newies for $80 delivered.
Much easier.

[achjimmy]

Done my 15.6 panansonic numerous times over the 15yrs. Use a company called accupak.

But as other have said make sure it's worth it. I have done the panasonic cause I don't think anything comes close to its performance new today but Sadly I think the chuck on it won't see to many more years

[Rumpig]

I have done the panasonic cause I don't think anything comes close to its performance new today

you mustn't have tried using a Hilti drill yet then, they are expensive but you soon realise why when you use their gear.

[dazzler]

As a side issue I just bought an AEG 12v drill and driver combo. The driver has more power and life than my makita blue 18V behemoth.

[kylarama]

 I have done the panasonic cause I don't think anything comes close to its performance new today but Sadly I think the chuck on it won't see to many more years

Loved my 15.6v Pana. Served me well for 8 years of daily trade use.  Back in 2000 no other brand came near Panasonic in terms of battery and charger technology. Even Festool use to use Panasonic cells and charger design.
In the end the 2 original batteries lasted about 10 minutes after charging and i had a 3rd repacked for around $100. Not bad for 8 years.

Great compact, balanced and powerful drill. But! I went through 3 chucks, 3 trigger switches and 1 whole motor ( under warranty ) in its 8 year life.

Got $150 for it on ebay after I changed to Makita 18v Lithium.

Hey Robbo.

If the 12v drill batteries are dead. Pull the drill apart soldier in a 4m long lead with some alligator clips and keep it in the 4by to use.

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[oldmate]

you mustn't have tried using a Hilti drill yet then, they are expensive but you soon realise why when you use their gear.

Agreed.  2 years warranty on it all, including batteries (excludes the grinder from what ive being told), And all units have a serial number and is computer logged with owners details, warranty can transfer to new owner if sold, or if stolen, people (cash converters etc) can ring hilti and confirm owners details.

[kylarama]

We've got a ton of Hilti stuff at work. Explosive  and gas guns, drills, breakers and lasers. All top shelf stuff.
A few guys had the NMH cordless stuff years ago and the batteries were pretty average in lifespan. Our rep lent us a lithium drill kit to test a year or so ago.  I couldn't see a huge quality difference to Makita & Milwaukee given the price and Milwaukee have a 5 year warranty.

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[achjimmy]

you mustn't have tried using a Hilti drill yet then, they are expensive but you soon realise why when you use their gear.

Hey mate I have used hilti stuff in the past and have no issues with the quality. Didn't know they made normal drills always used the hammer stuff.

Loved my 15.6v Pana. Served me well for 8 years of daily trade use.  Back in 2000 no other brand came near Panasonic in terms of battery and charger technology. Even Festool use to use Panasonic cells and charger design.
In the end the 2 original batteries lasted about 10 minutes after charging and i had a 3rd repacked for around $100. Not bad for 8 years.

Great compact, balanced and powerful drill. But! I went through 3 chucks, 3 trigger switches and 1 whole motor ( under warranty ) in its 8 year life.

Got $150 for it on ebay after I changed to Makita 18v Lithium.

Hey Robbo.

If the 12v drill batteries are dead. Pull the drill apart soldier in a 4m long lead with some alligator clips and keep it in the 4by to use.

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So is the Makita got more balls?  I never thought they did, the Pana was 40nm iirc and it's hard to find a nm rating on current drills.

[kylarama]

So is the Makita got more balls?  I never thought they did, the Pana was 40nm iirc and it's hard to find a nm rating on current drills.

Makita have about 6 different drill models from the cheap Bunnings ones to 3 speed gearbox hammer ones.
I've got one of the bigger ones. Heap more grunt than the old pana, but it's also bigger and heavier. The pana was very compact, but was used as both drill and driver, hence the appetite for chucks with constant bit changes. Now I've got a drill and separate impact driver.  So much nicer screwing with an impact driver.



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[oldmate]

Agreed.  2 years warranty on it all, including batteries (excludes the grinder from what ive being told), And all units have a serial number and is computer logged with owners details, warranty can transfer to new owner if sold, or if stolen, people (cash converters etc) can ring hilti and confirm owners details.

Sorry, my details were not exactly right.

https://www.hilti.com.au/medias/sys_master/h55/hd1/9141446410270.pdf?mime=application%2Fpdf&realname=Hilti+Cordless+Kits+Brochure+2015.pdf

[prodigyrf]

What the others said re economics of repacks and if they're lithium cells forget it unless you have the special spot welder to join them without blowing them up.

By the way that advice about wiring up a 12V drill for use with the car battery will also apply to 9.6V and 14.4V drills although you might find an 18V drill conversion a bit sluggish. DC motors are very torquey and fairly ambivalent about voltage over a range as you'll discover and a mate even wired up a 7.2V Makita that way with no probs and it made for a very nice compact drill on the road. Depends on the duty cycle you're after I guess.

By the way any Hilti fans tried the after market 14.4V batteries re bang for buck?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/14-4V-3Ah-Battery-for-HILTI-SFH-144-A-SID-144-A-SIW-144-A-B-144-2-6-/310989937938 

[robbo1172]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice.

As a tradie (electrician) I relied on my battery drills daily, so I bought the best I could afford at the time (so not always the best, just not the worst).

I bought a 14.4V Ni Cad Bosch battery drill (the blue trade ones) and found it well balanced and not too heavy at the time.

After about 12 months the charger de-smoked itself so I could spend $79 for a new charger or $99 for a green 12V kit with the same charger in it, which is how I ended up with two battery drills. I had the 14.4V repacked 7 years ago and one is cactus but the other is still OK but definitely losing life.

I hate to throw out what seems like good gear, but I think I need to concede defeat and buy a new kit (I will convert with a lead and Anderson plug or similar for use around the CT).

Now that I am no longer relying on battery drills for my livelihood (now a desk piloting engineer) I'm looking for good value for money, as it will just be for hobby and handy work around the house.

The Ryobi still seems pretty good in the Li Ion range but I just noticed the Stanley Fatmax range. I went to the local BGS to compare the feel of the Ryobi and Makita (more trade based so a bit dear for me) but they were all screwed down so you couldn't pick them up and man handle them.

Has anyone has any experience with the Stanley range? Like I said, not for trade, just handy work and some wood work.

Thanks in advance...

Robbo

[kylarama]

Stanley and Dewalt are the same company. The Fatmax stuff is rebadged Dewalt with probably cheaper internals and battery cells?

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Edit:  I think the above is wrong.  The Fatmax range is different to the Dewalt and looks to only share visual inspiration from Dewalt.  Batteries, tools and chargers are not compatible between the two brands.
It's supposed to be 'high end DIY' or 'value trade', like AEG is at Bunnings?

Looks like pretty good value and the Dewalt stuff is pretty good.

For similar price I'd look at AEG too.  5 year tool warranty and 3 year battery warranty.  My only gripe is AEG is exclusive to Bunnings, which personally I'd cross off my list because of.

[Rumpig]

Hey mate I have used hilti stuff in the past and have no issues with the quality. Didn't know they made normal drills always used the hammer stuff.

Hilti do all sorts of cordless gear, i've used their power saw, grinder, impact driver, drill and also impact wrench...it's all great gear 

[robbo1172]

The only thing with the Stanley range is it looks pretty limited, unlike the Ryobi One+ system and Makita.

If there were a couple of other tools (like a sander and maybe a planer) I'd probably jump at them.

I might do a bit more research and see if I can see one in the flesh.

Robbo

[dales133]

AEG is made by the same mob that make Milwaukee, and ryobi. I changed from hitachi to AEG when all my batteries were dieing and I've been thrashing them for a good couple of years and havnt had to many issues.
I blew up the angle grinder and it was fixed no issue under warranty and I just blew up a battery charger by pulling it out of the wall without turning it off. Done it before but this time was fatal
Thing I like about AEG is its got great battery technology, good range of tools and good value for money.
With the warranty as well its a no brainer for me

[Bill]

I have had 90% of the Ryobi +1 gear for a few years now.
I had trouble with one battery and it was exchanged with no questions asked.
I spend alot of time using my gear, I always have 1 or 2 or 50 projects going plus mates projects.
I would not hesitate to buy it all again.
Bill

[pauljygrant]

For similar price I'd look at AEG too.  5 year tool warranty and 3 year battery warranty.  My only gripe is AEG is exclusive to Bunnings, which personally I'd cross off my list because of.

AEG is now 6 year warranty on tool and 3 years on battery, provided you register within 1 month of purchase.

I asked a local firm about re packing my old batteries but he said he couldn't justify his price compared to the new AEG batteries with their long warranty. I respect his honesty and still buy all other batteries from him.

Agree that AEG is high end DIY or lower end trade.

[Andy_Q]

I've had the ryobi one for a few years now. Recommended by my cousin who is a cabinetmaker. Apparently they get used quite a bit in kitchen assembly factories and the like. 

Mine have done quite a lot of work for a diy set and I am happy with them. Thinking about getting the 1/2" drive impact driver to make changing wheels quick.


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