3.6v tools

[rodster_67]

I have a Black and Decker 3.6v handheld grass trimmer and the batteries are about shot but nothing wrong with the trimmer. Of course replacement batteries are about as much as a new tool so I was wondering if there is a cheaper way using better battery technology to make a small battery pack to power the trimmer?

If it was 6v I'd just drag a 6v lead acid battery along.

From what I researched I think the trimmer uses 3 1.2v NiCd in series for 3.6v at 1200mah.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have the same tools, thought they were GREAT 15 to 20 years ago, but quit using them when I bought the Craftsman C3 19.2 stuff.

 

[rodster_67]

I would gladly step up to something better but seems all of the small handheld grass trimmers are only available as 3.6v.

I don't use it a lot but it comes in handy where I can't use a string trimmer.

Didn't see a C3 grass trimmer but thanks for the lead.

 

[Skidonenko]

Its easy enough to order the cells online and make your own. I used to do it with my old 9.6v makita batteries. For the cost of a new 1300mah pack i was sticking in 3000mah+ cells. They were sub-C size like r/c car packs.

The lithium stuff is way better now a days though.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Didn't see a C3 grass trimmer but thanks for the lead.

I don't think I have the C3 grass trimmer, but I recall seeing one at one time. I have most of the rest of them.

3.6 volts doesn't seem like it would have enough zip to do much trimming.

 

[rodster_67]

Its easy enough to order the cells online and make your own. I used to do it with my old 9.6v makita batteries. For the cost of a new 1300mah pack i was sticking in 3000mah+ cells. They were sub-C size like r/c car packs.

The lithium stuff is way better now a days though.

My first thought was to make my own but I recall from other tools I took apart, the connections between batteries are strips of metal 'spot' welded to the terminals. Not sure how I would duplicate that, not sure I'd want to solder (heat) the batteries too much?

I would prefer lithium or something better than NiCd if it's available. I will keep looking.

I don't think I have the C3 grass trimmer, but I recall seeing one at one time. I have most of the rest of them.

3.6 volts doesn't seem like it would have enough zip to do much trimming.

Yes, I haven't seen many options for grass trimmers, it's a limited selection. 3.6v works but I was thinking about kicking it up to 6v and watching the grass fly.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Just made a new 6 cell battery for my cheap flash light, got some AA sized Ni-MH with tabs on and soldered them together, used heat shrink to keep it all insulated. First time i tried something like it and it wasn't difficult.

 

[DenisG]

If it takes subC batteries, those are pretty easy to find both as NiCd and NiMH. Buy them online with tabs, solder them in and you're back in business