hairyone Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 The 12v nicad packs for my combo drill have been neglected / knackered for some time. Won't charge and only giving about 4.5V. Was going to buy replacements and came across this on the net, and found this Revive Nicad batteries by zapping with a welder. With a little trepidation I tried it out, and .... it works. Tried one pack first, now back up to 13.4 volts and now charging and holding a charge. Did the other pack today. Apparently it can also be done with a car battery or a charged up capacitor, just need to zap a way the filaments that are shorting some of the cells. Very pleased £80 saved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Cool! I wonder if that works on batteries that charge but dont hold the charge - i.e. if you use it immediately after charging it is OK, but leave it a couple of hours and it is flat.....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 It sounds very unlikely but nothing to lose I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 is there not a risk of blowing them up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat_pending Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 is there not a risk of blowing them up? Probably, B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 WARNING: If you get killed by a poisonous explosion it means you did something wrong. Electrocution is a real possibility also. Ask your parents how to not electrocute yourself with a welder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C18RCH Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Haven't tried it but someone also told me that if you have a battery that won't charge put in the freezer for a couple of hours first. Any thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 is there not a risk of blowing them up? Isn't that the coolest thing about it? Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_d Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Isn't that the coolest thing about it?Si Yep, sticking on the welding apron, gas mask, goggles etc make the whole thing worthwhile. Sounds like the type of job to do on top of the wheely bin half way down the drive. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boothy Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Sounds like a terrorist plot to me, was it a self harm web site ? I seriously wouldn't recommend anyone attempt or even consider this method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I just tried it on a couple of knackered 14v batteries They would only get to 5v. They are now showing 13v and working fine. No explosions, just a tiny little spark, a bit dull really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairyone Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 I just tried it on a couple of knackered 14v batteries They would only get to 5v. They are now showing 13v and working fine. No explosions, just a tiny little spark, a bit dull really. Same here, Rather than compete with the wire feed I just stuck an offcut in the end of the torch. Just about got a couple of sparks and briefly got the welding wire to glow (so I stopped). I was under the impression that the real danger comes from doing it too long which could overheat them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Sounds like the type of job to do on top of the wheely bin half way down the drive. While wearing welding gloves & mask and squinting over a sheet of plywood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Hmm, my mobile phone battery is getting a bit flat. Do I need a 3 phase welder or will single phase do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Brock Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Three phase for 3G phones, all others single will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Cool B) This is the best incarnation I have seen of the concept of "kill or cure" or Murphy's "if it jams force it, if it then breaks it needed replacing anyway". Either the battery works or there is a colossal explosion/fire/smoke and you know there is no longer any point in keeping it "just in case" - fantastic and final B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Cool B)This is the best incarnation I have seen of the concept of "kill or cure" or Murphy's "if it jams force it, if it then breaks it needed replacing anyway". Either the battery works or there is a colossal explosion/fire/smoke and you know there is no longer any point in keeping it "just in case" - fantastic and final B) LOL i've heard that if you weld your battery whilst it's sitting on top of an open petrol container you'll get better results G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 kaBOOOOOOOM I have always liked burning things... but not my eyebrows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmm Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I wonder who came up with this idea, it's not something you would do everyday. "My batterys knacked, i'll just zap it with my welder and see what happens" My mate is a good welder, i use him. Much safer than hiding behind some plywood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanny Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Mobile phone batteries you can lob in a microwave and nuke for a couple of seconds to recharge. But i hold no responcibility if you blow the bugger up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRecklessEngineer Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I wonder who came up with this idea, it's not something you would do everyday. "My batterys knacked, i'll just zap it with my welder and see what happens" Actually, it's got a sound theoretical basis. Crystals build up on the plates inside the NiCads through their life. A short sharp shock with high voltage/current destroys the crystals leaving the NiCads working again. I've heard of this before - a friends grandpa did it aeons ago with a couple of car batteries.... Has anyone had a wander around the rest of that site? Some interesting stuff on there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holyzeus Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I read somewhere that NiCads are about to be outlawed, sure that it was on a forum but i cant find anything searching the web. Does anyone know more? Cheers, Bal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I read somewhere that NiCads are about to be outlawed, sure that it was on a forum but i cant find anything searching the web.Does anyone know more? Cheers, Bal They were banned last year although powertools, electric toothbrushes and loads of other things are exempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Haven't tried it but someone also told me that if you have a battery that won't charge put in the freezer for a couple of hours first. Any thoughts on this? I would be totally amazed if this would work (more than the welder) since most car batteries die in winter due to the cold. Marc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I would be totally amazed if this would work (more than the welder) since most car batteries die in winter due to the cold.Marc. Watch it on youtube :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.