LI-ION battery question I need help:

[TheCarbideRat]

Just got a Milwaukee 1/4" impact driver off evilbay, one of the batts is showing failure in the charger [red and green lights flash together] the seller told me to "put it in the freezer for an hr. or 2 and see if it will take a charge"

are they kidding? I'll do it but... and I'll post the result can anyone tell me about this process? thanks.

 

[Stuey]

Err... I don't see how putting a battery in the freezer could make it unfail.

If it failed now, it will likely fail again even if somehow the freezer trick could make it work now.

I'd return it, or ask for a sizable refund to cover the cost of a replacement battery.

 

[Randy_che]

Depending on the voltage, and time of original purchase, it may be under warranty. Go to Milwaukee's website and see. I have a couple of 12v that might need to go back under the 2 year warranty, but I have the original proof of purchase. It seems like I have had better luck with them taking a charge when I run them pretty low, and when it is cooler outside. Maybe put in the fridge first to try it out before going with the freezer. LIon are not supposed to be adversely affected by cold like other types can be.

Also, make sure the tabs in the charger are not bent and are all making good contact with the battery. I hear it's common for them to get bent a little.

 

[Stick Figure]

I know w/ my li-ion makita batteries, they won't charge if they are hot. Maybe the freezer trick works on the temp sensor somehow?

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I did the fridge for an hour, now it's "charging" ... it's a 12v btw.

 

[Stainless]

I used to race radio controlled cars, and we used the freezer trick all the time with our NiCad battery packs when they'd start showing their age. It really does work. Freeze 'em solid, let 'em thaw completely at room temperature, then charge 'em.

As for Lithium batteries, I don't know if the "science" is the same.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I used to race radio controlled cars, and we used the freezer trick all the time with our NiCad battery packs when they'd start showing their age. It really does work. Freeze 'em solid, let 'em thaw completely at room temperature, then charge 'em.

As for Lithium batteries, I don't know if the "science" is the same.

we'll see. so when this process was done to NiCads they were as new again? or limited vs. a new battery??

 

[Stainless]

we'll see. so when this process was done to NiCads they were as new again? or limited vs. a new battery??

No, not as new, but we definitely squeezed some life out of packs that would have been finished otherwise. Probably got another month or two of life out of the packs, and that was with really heavy use (three to five charge cycles per use). That might be a lot longer with more normal use.

Anyway, if the battery's near the end of its life, there's not much to lose. I've used this trick on cell phone batteries, too, with the same success. It's no miracle solution, but it works well if the pack is marginal.

 

[mdbeck1]

One of the guys at work (engineering office) did some research on batteries years ago. As a result we stored rechargable batteries in the freezer. It extended the shelf life.

We would put them in when they were new and when we needed them the guys would pull them out and use them. The number of recharges didn't seem to be reduced by freezing. I don't know as we ever looked at refreezing them...

 

[Stuey]

This is a temporary fix. If the battery must be cooled down every time it needs to be charged, there's something definitely wrong with it. Such a battery is best returned or replaced.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=2450-22&CategoryName=SC:+Impact+Drivers


Stuey you are coming in loud/clear I did the fridge thing as I said and the run time is still poor, it just doesn't register as 'fail' on the charger now....I used it sporadically for 30 minutes and it went to low fuel [1 of 4 lites] it charged to green indicator [in charger] in like ... 10 minutes ... I think they owe me a batt.

 

[Teken]

You think?

 

[TheCarbideRat]

yep i think. i'm hopin' to have more discussion on these batts.

I'll post the results of what the seller does and if they don't exchange it I'll post their ebay ID.

Good lookin out.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

They gave me a generous refund.

 

[Teken]

They gave me a generous refund.

Good for you partner! Are you going to pursue trying to get a warranty from the OEM maker?

You might just come out ahead . . .

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I can do that?

yo ..... i'll post if I do, thanks 4 the heds up.

 

[Teken]

I can do that?

yo ..... i'll post if I do, thanks 4 the heds up.

If the item is new, and it has since failed, yes! If it's used more than likely no . . . But, they wont know this because you will have a receipt from e-bay stating that this item was purchased recently and this is all you require for warranty etc.

Keep us posted . . . Keep in mind you may be able to simply walk into Home Depot, Lowes, etc for a direct replacement . . .