Replies

1. 
   loghacker | Jan 26, 2009 11:49pm | #1

   I took a 14.4 volt to Batteries Plus for rebuilding. It works fine. Just compare the cost to that of purchasing a new on from Craftsman.

1. 
   noviceneil | Jan 27, 2009 12:24am | #2

   Loghacker,

   Is Batteries Plus a chain or a mail order place? I've not heard of it in the farmlands of Indiana.

   Neil

1. 
   terrylee86 | Jan 27, 2009 01:15am | #3

   They are a national chain and have outlets all over the country. You may have to go to a larger city in Indiana or call own for mail service. They do a great job and the cells they use are usually better then the originals,but they are not cheap. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy replacement batteries from the manufacturer or in your case Sears. I had a 15.6V rebuilt for $55.

1. 
   zolton | Jan 27, 2009 01:20am | #4

   Ditto on the recommendation for Batteries Plus. I just had them rebuild a 12 volt Makita battery, and the price - about 37 bucks - was about half of what Makita wants for a replacement. Plus, the Batteries Plus battery has more amp hours, something like 2.1 compared with 1.3.

   I was contemplating buying a new drill, but I'm going to ride this one - and its new battery - for as long as I can. It has always worked well for me, and there's no real reason to replace it. Well, other than tool lust. Those little 12 volt units really look like the ticket for the kind of in-shop work I do...

   Zolton

   If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

   Edited 1/26/2009 5:21 pm ET by Zolton

1. 
   noviceneil | Jan 27, 2009 05:10pm | #6

   Okay, so I've used the internet to learn that there are Battery Plus stores 1 to 1 1/2 hrs from me...if I take in the batteries for rebuilding how long does it take? ie do I come back a couple hrs later or do I have to come back the next week? (just trying to get an idea because some days I can't leave the vicinity because of job requirements)

   Neil

2. 
   zolton | Jan 27, 2009 06:42pm | #7

   Neil,

   Mine took a week or so to be rebuilt. Your semi-local store might have a different policy though. You could also ask about having the store mail the batteries back to you after they've completed the rebuilding. But the main thing is that it's not a while-you-wait type of deal.

   ZoltonIf you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

3. 
   noviceneil | Jan 27, 2009 06:53pm | #8

   Thanks Zolton.

   haven't seen a possum but I'll probably just live trap it

4. 
   Tinkerer3 | Jan 28, 2009 05:02am | #9

   "1½ hours travel time"  I can't imagine any mode of travel that would be cheaper than just sending the battery by mail or other means of commercial carrier.  And then you have your time.  I just send it in to get renewed.

2. 
   loghacker | Jan 27, 2009 04:33am | #5

   Batteries Plus is a chain of stores specializing in batteries.

2. 
   fyrecaptain | Jan 28, 2009 03:00pm | #10

   Sears/Orchard Supply/Craftsman 19.2 Volt tools use the G3 battery system. They have a new Lithium-ion battery that fits all the old tools and lights (dozens) and I would suggest upgrading. A recent sale at a local Orchard Supply had a new 19.2V drill/driver, 2 LI-ion batteries, a charger, and a neat carrying bag with lots of pockets for $107. The charger with one Lithium-ion battery was marked at $133., so this was a great deal.
   Charger also conditions and charges the older Ni-Cads also. Love the new batteries, and they hold a full charge much longer. Built in charge indicator on the battery, and an LED light built into each battery. Pretty slick product. Check out their full line, including ####cordless planer. The drill driver runs circles around the DeWalt that my wife bought me a few years ago, and costs almost 3 times as much.