I was given an older Bosch Drill (#305VSR)about 4 years ago. It came with 2 9.6v batteries but without a charger. I purchased the charger so I could make it a working drill. About 2 years ago, one of the batteries gave up the ghost.
I tried ‘freezing’ the battery (somewhere I had heard that this sometimes worked) and then tried to charge it but that did not work. So I was now down to 1 battery. Now the one battery isn’t holding a charge very long. I like this Bosch drill- it will hold and handle my Kreg Pocket Hole Joinery bit.
The last time I contacted the Bosch parts store (about a year or so ago), the cost for a new 9.6v Bosch battery was, by my memory cells, about $50.00
I have heard of places that ‘rebuild’ batteries – and the cost is less than buying a new battery – but I really don’t want to spend the cash if this rebuilding doesn’t really last or isn’t up to snuff.
I saw at Costco a cordless drill for about $40.00.(I might ask for this for Christmas just to have a more powerful and new drill).
Does anyone have any comments or experience with having powertool batteries rebuilt – and if so, who do you recommend or who to stsy away from?
Thanks.
Mike
Replies
Mike,
I have no personal experience but have heard good things about this firm.
http://www.voltmanbatteries.com
Regards,
Mack
"Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"
Yes, I just got some back from MTO/Batteries and I am well pleased with their customer service, even repaired my charger at not cost. Check out their website and you will get some idea what the cost will be.
http://www.mtobattery.com/STORE/
It is straightforward and inexpensive to replace the batteries in your tools with much more powerful ones. I did it for my cordless drill a year or so ago and it is a HUGE improvement. As long as you know how to solder you should be good to go.Some examples are:http://www.instructables.com/id/Cordless-drill---Improving-the-battery/http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-Rodding-a-Power-Drill-Battery/Good luck,Dan
Mike,
I've done it, IMO waste of time. You can buy new ones cheaper after factoring in your time....Unless you'er working for $10/hr.
WSJ
I agree with Jon that it would be a waste of time, if you replaced the old batteries with similar ones. You may as well just buy a replacement unit as he suggests. The real opportunity here is to use batteries with a much higher amp hour rating, meaning that your rebuilt battery pack will last much longer between charges than the original ever did. One of the links I posted talks about this and tells what kind of batteries to use and where to buy them. Since battery technology is improving and prices falling, you may be pleasantly surprised by the price of the 'raw' batteries. They will probably be significantly cheaper than buying a replacement battery pack unit from the OEM.Good luck,Dan
I've had DeWalt batteries "rebuilt" at BatteriesPlus. They take apart the case and install new batteries. (The cases are just holders for a bunch of rechargable cells, like A cells or C cells, the number of cells depending on the total voltage in the pack.) Pretty much the same thing you'd do if a battery burned out in your flashlight. They even recycle the old ones for ya. I've never had any problems with the rebuilts.
If there's one in your neighborhood, I'd use 'em. If you have to mail away, you'll probably spend more on shipping than you'll save.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled