By accident I let my Ryobi radio run the Li-Ion battery completely dead, (battery check light does not come on at all- when pressed) which means that it would not charge when I put in the charger later. 

Having previously made a generator out of an old Ryobi drill connected to a bicycle exerciser, I simply connected the positive lead of the generator to the positive lead on the dead battery (it is marked on top) and pedaled for a minute or two-- until the "battery check" light came on when pressed (while un-connected). Then I placed the battery in the charger, and it charged right up! (Actually: started pedaling BEFORE connecting the leads).

I think this could be accomplished just the same, by using a fully charged battery to charge a dead one. Simply use a plastic clamp to hold two copper wires on one battery, and connect the other two by holding them on the other battery just long enough to get the light to come on- on the dead battery. Just be careful that you don't get the leads backwards!

I have NO CLUE if this is dangerous or not! So here is my disclaimer: "I take no responsibility for anything that might go wrong if anybody else tries this!"

 

 

Andyman, I think it was Gerry_D (not sure now) who did an excellent pictorial awhile back on shocking a battery back to life, well worth a read if you can find it.

Anyhow, I have instructions for shocking an old battery, but for an 18 volt system that requires 2 car batteries which not many people have, and is a lot more work.

Posted By Andyman on 01-26-2012 11:07 AM
I am 100% completely unable to get the search box to work. Every time I try, a message comes up with something about it "not matching my email" whatever the heck that means!

I've given up on this search engine, I open a new tab and type in the topic then "handymanclubofamerica" in the google search, OR, I go (in this case) to Tools and Tool Use forum and manually search back over the pages.

Yeah, they don't have any links directly to the administration, on the forum pages, to let them know about problems like that.

Here's one of the links I was thinking of, sorry I don't have time to fish out the other, I have to leave in a few minutes for a material run to Lowes'

http://www.handymanclub.com/forums/aft/37148

Maybe someone with more knowledge will know if this can be done with the Li-Ion batteries as well.

I have a LOT od DeWalt tools....I mean A LOT...and like them.....and also have recommended them....but no more....the batteries suck! I can charge up a couple of batteries so I have a spare, by the time I need the spare its dead...I have I think 5 batteries, and maybe two of them work......this is B.S.! spend that kind of money on tools and they can't make decent batteries? no thanks, no more....good by DeWalt!

Posted By hi ho sliver on 01-29-2012 08:54 AM
I have a LOT od DeWalt tools....I mean A LOT...and like them.....and also have recommended them....but no more....the batteries suck! I can charge up a couple of batteries so I have a spare, by the time I need the spare its dead...I have I think 5 batteries, and maybe two of them work......this is B.S.! spend that kind of money on tools and they can't make decent batteries? no thanks, no more....good by DeWalt!

So what are you going to?
I don't think it matters what battery tool that you go to you are going to have batteries go bad. Did you run your batteries out all the way before charging? I do not own a DeWalt,
I have Sears cordless tools and I have had my trouble with batteries from time to time but mine have lasted for a number of years. I usually keep about 4 Batteries on hand to change out when I need them. I had to replace 3 of them this year. But that will happen.
I think that the battery will last depending on how much you use it and how you handle that battery.
My Son has DeWalt tools and he really likes them. He has not had the trouble that you are talking about.

If you have an Interstate Battery Store or Batteries Plus near where you liove, they may be able to rebuild those batteries.

I have some old 14.4 Porter Cable drills and it is great to be able to continue using them, but only because I can get the batteries rebuilt - cost is about 1/3 what new was, and now they are out of production.

Bubba... I live about 50 miles from a Batteries plus. But I have often wondered about rebuilding the batteries.

Are they cost effective to rebuild them compared to buying New
Do they last as long as a new battery once rebuilt.

I have seen these Learn how to rebuild your batteries on eBay.
But not really sure if these would really work or if a waste of money

It has been good for me, but since I have begun using the impact driver I got last year, not as much use for the older units. - may buy anothe impact driver at The Woodworking Shows this year. Got spoiled having two identical drivers - could load one with the drill bit and the other with the drive bit. Tend to use a lot of Kreg pocket holes and screws.

I have a ton of DeWalt 18V tools. I've had my base kit for 6 or 7 years. The original batteries finally died on me about a year ago. I had one rebuilt at Batteries Plus, but they went out of business. bummer. I have five batteries all together. I do not keep them charging all the time. If I know I'm going to be needing them, I charge them up a n hour or so ahead of time. I've heard that leaving them on the chargers is not good for them. They almost always have enough charge for a quickie repair job wihtout charging them up. These are nicads, not LIONs. I hope their newer batteries are not the ones that dont' last. I just bought a dual pack. I love my DeWalts!! I use them heavily. I even bought a friend a starter kit so when I go down to help with projects, I don't have to lug all of my stuff down there (TN from IN). I watched in horror as my drill fell 12ft to a concrete floor, but it was fine. I wouldnt' recommend a drop test like that! LOL! Sorry you have had such trouble with your batteries. They are too expensive to have them die quick.

A lot of times the Locke stores run a sell on batteries . The last time I bought 18v dewalt I got 2 for the price of 1.

Here is a video showing a 18v dewalt battery rebuild.

Good Video Ron
Thanks for posting
Larry

Does anyone know if this will work. Sorry I didn't know how to put it into another thread because it came off the vid above.

Have a Li LON Dremel that is like my third hand.

Charger would not charge the battery..

Found the same kit on sale.

Then that charge went out.

Last weekend I took them apart found the five contact fingers were out of alinement.

Made adjustment they both are working.

One for shop one on the truck.