Rechargeable Batteries For Drills?

[Pete E]

I have an older Bosch cordless (14.2V NiCad I think) which has been lying unused due to the battery pack dying.

I noticed I can get replacement aftermarket batteries for it, but was wondering if anyone knows whether I can "upgrade" to a Li-on battery pack and if so, would they be compatible with the existing/original battery charger???

Thanks in advance,

Peter

 

[ShaunCorbs]

NO you cant sorry to say

 

[Pete E]

NO you cant sorry to say

I had a feeling that might be the case, which is most annoying..Will take a look in the sales to see if I can get a Li-on drill...

I 'm not using it professionally so a drill with a single battery will do...

What do people recommend for around the £100 mark? Another Bosch, DeWalt or Makita?

I would like to go to 18V if possible but a 14.4V would not be the end of the world...

 

[ShaunCorbs]

TBH there all about the same

If your going for a single battery which these days are rare go for a high amperage one eg 4-5 ah

I'm a makita impact and combi and Bosch sds man

 

[Best]

£100 is not going to buy you a professional cordless tool including battery & charger, unfortunately.
I have a Bosch combi as a spare (I have Hilti gear) which can be bought for around £100 now, but it is a bit of a lightweight toy.
Pay a little more and get a 2 or 3 battery drill kit on a deal. Then you can buy same brand of bare tools as you can afford them.

 

[Pete E]

Thanks for the advice...

Just one more general question about cordless tools/batteries...

I will be using this cordless drill fairly in frequently maybe for 3 or 4 jobs a year mostly for DIY around the house and garden.

Will using the drill so infrequently kill the batteries and again for infrequent use, should I leave the battery fully charged or discharged while its sitting on the shelf?

Regards,

Peter

 

[Best]

As you are only going to be using a new drill a few times a year, then just buy a cheaper model of a good brand. Definitely also go with Li-on battery drills because those batteries can be charged if partly down in charge without any memory effect on battery. Also they are lighter & smaller batteries.
You will find Li- on batteries will barely have any power loss if left for months, but I think you should charge them every few months and in a warm place.

 

[Pete E]

As you are only going to be using a new drill a few times a year, then just buy a cheaper model of a good brand. Definitely also go with Li-on battery drills because those batteries can be charged if partly down in charge without any memory effect on battery. Also they are lighter & smaller batteries.
You will find Li- on batteries will barely have any power loss if left for months, but I think you should charge them every few months and in a warm place.

Thanks for that...was concerned I'd end up killing another battery pack from lack of use.. Will see what deals come up in the Sales over the New Year..

 

[Best]

Thanks for that...was concerned I'd end up killing another battery pack from lack of use.. Will see what deals come up in the Sales over the New Year..

Definitely keep them charged

 

[Welder]

Best NOT to charge fully. Charge to 80% for storage.
Bear in mind all modern batteries will stop charging after a fixed number of charges so will need replacing even if only charged for storage.
Lithiu ion is a chemically unstable arrangement which is why each batt pack has a computer to monitor charges. Its that which stops you charging any more. The fact you have to replace more often (profit) has NOTHING to do with it

 

[Pete E]

Had another look at the drill and its a Bosch 18V PSP Ve-2...I can get an aftermarket Ni-MH battery for £60...The new version of the drill is Li-ion and can be had for about £80...It is smaller and lighter than my version.

What I did notice though is this latest version has considerably less torque than mine so would seem to be a step back?

I should add this is for home/DIY use so I don't really need a commercial grade drill of the type favoured here...

 

[Trotter31]

Seeing as you're only using it for the odd DIY job, I'd look on Ebay for a replacement battery.
Usually find something that won't break the bank but, will do the job!

 

[zzzjim]

Iv'e used NiHM batteries ,they self discharge faster .
definitely more delicate that NiCad
( that could be kicked back into life)
--Just remeber if you go Lithium they have no steel jacket --
(can be a bit spectacular if punctured deply )

 

[Pete E]

Iv'e used NiHM batteries ,they self discharge faster .
definitely more delicate that NiCad
( that could be kicked back into life)
--Just remeber if you go Lithium they have no steel jacket --
(can be a bit spectacular if punctured deply )

I always thought NiHM was supposed to be an improvement over NiCad?

Also, how do you kick the Ni Cads back into life?

 

[zzzjim]

Also, how do you kick the Ni Cads back into life?

If you are using a fast charger , they are already getting a Kick .
( Some batteries would get stuck with plenty of cells well charged ,and one stuck shorted - singling this cell out for a kick at plenty of amps 1Volt would get it back from the dead often)
,Packs die faster if 1 cell is stuck ,as the rest get cooked -IF fast charging. (Helps if have an Electronics fanatic about)

NiMH hate being over charged -- so rarely are crammed as full !
(NiMH using right charger -keeps it safe any way)
Nicads did not mind if trickeled for ever. (If have time to do it !)

 

[Pete E]

Thanks, That's most appreciated...I am just using the standard Bosch charger that came with the drill..I can't see it being anything fancy..

I tested my current battery pack over Christmas and it seems to hold a charge for about 5 days or so...what I haven't tested yet is how it holds up in use...Still thinking I will get another battery pack, but maybe just a cheaper NiCad one and then look at upgrading to a new drill and eventually an impact driver using common Li-Ion batteries..