Rejuvenating Milwaukee Batteries

[Bruce Amacker]

Hey Guys:

Yes, I did a search and did not come up with anything. I have 4 12v Milwaukee cordless drill batteries that are not worth a **** to use right now- some won't charge at all, some work for 2 minutes and die. I thought there was a thread about rejuvenating these batteries but I can't find it. Any help or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[03protege]

You may want to search youtube. I found a bunch of videos awhile back on how to do this.

 

[Rust]

http://www.voltmanbatteries.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

[Outlawmws]

If they are Nicad you have a shot. if the are NOT NiCad, have them rebuilt, of buy nrew, other battery technologies do NOT like this process:

You need a power source 2-3X higher than the rating of your Nicad batteries. discharge then COMPLETLY. then "jump" your NiCad Battery with the power source for a few seconds like 1-3 seconds.

Then check the voltage. If it is 0. You can try again, if it has jumped to something near useable, put it in the standard charger, and after fully charged, give it a shot.

This will not make then new, but you have nothing to lose if your old Nicads, are DOA anyway. I've had about 90% success with them coming back but they are likely to be shorter lived than new.


The power source could be two 12V batteries in series for 24 volts, or 3 in series for 36.

The batteries could be other power tool batteries or several car batteries.

 

[RichardNorman]

If it's ni-cad you can use a mig welder. I did it to revive my cheapie 18v Ryobi batteries. They're not like new but they work and take a charge when they wouldn't before.

 

[Deadhead]

If it's ni-cad you can use a mig welder. I did it to revive my cheapie 18v Ryobi batteries. They're not like new but they work and take a charge when they wouldn't before.

How do you use a mig welder to do this

 

[signcrafter]

I have a half dozen or so batteries that I have rebuilt. I bought 100 cells off ebay with soldering tabs welded on them. I just had to solder them together. I believe it was about 23 bucks to do an 18 volt battery and it works better than new. I don't believe in those gimmicks of jump starting them or putting them in the freezer. They do work but for a short time and the probelm will keep coming back. I prefere to do it once and do it right.