Power Tool Battery Recondition?

[timm9]

Has anyone had any experience with the "secrets" for battery reconditioning? There is a person on the net that will "sell" you the secret for $12.95 that will allow you to recondition your battery pack. Has anyone tried this? Does it actually work? I don't mind paying as long as it's legit. I just don't want to waste $12.95 that could be put towards a new battery if it does not work.

Thanks!

Tim

[snowjoker]

I read something about a shot of juice from a DC welder will bring them back to life. One of the welding forums...

[chtucker]

I read something about a shot of juice from a DC welder will bring them back to life. One of the welding forums...

http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Battery.html#NICDBATTERY_019

2.17) I've seen people talk about zapping cells to revive them
Yup -- a quick fix it. When cells short due to dendrites, the piece of material that is actually shorting the cell is very thin. So, by forcing a huge impulse of current into the cell, one can vaporize the dendrite -- sort of blowing a fuse.

This works, and can revive an otherwise shorted cell. However, it is a stopgap measure at best. First, the fact that one dendrite has formed means that another is not too far behind. Second, the material that was vaporized has now permeated the separator material, forming a resistor that shorts the plates. The cell may no longer be shorted, but will still have a poor charge retention.

Besides, unless done properly, this can be dangerous as large currents are necessary.

[BWhite]

Who is going to try it ?

[chtucker]

We try it at work... Just delays the inevitable, usually only for a few weeks

[Pickering Snow]

Who is going to try it ?

We did it for years with car batterys like Howard said it just buys time, usally not very long either.