Replacing cells in a cordless drill - Woodworking Talk

carbide man · 01-02-2007, 01:03 PM

Just got the replace battery signal from my charger for a Dewalt 14.4V cordless drill. I see the pack is assembled with screws, so I would think that replacing the cells would be fairly simple. Does anyone have a good source for replacement cells? Are there any tricks to this job, other than simple soldering?

**TexasTimbers** · 01-02-2007, 03:29 PM

Unless your time is not very valuable it's really easier and cheaper to buy a replacement battery. Unless you just like to tinker like me.
Here's a link to a thread where I presented a pictoral overview about halfway down the thread. I'm the kevjay dude on that forum.

Welcome to the forum!

carbide man · 01-02-2007, 06:48 PM

Thanks for your input. I did find Topcellbatteries.com has one for $50. It just doesn't seem right to pay $50 for one battery when I only paid $120 for 3 batteries a drill and a screwdriver.

Do you have any suggestions for a replacement battery.

PS-I spent a little time looking at your website. Looks like a neat business you have.

**TexasTimbers** · 01-03-2007, 12:01 AM

I have always just bought the manufacturers replacement. I was fooling around with that disection because we were discussing it but one guy says that independent Interstate Battery battery dealers rebuild them.
If you have a indie IB dealer call them and ask. The couple of people that I know who did it found out it cost nearly as much or more to rebuild them.
Interested to find out your experience with it if you research it.

carbide man · 01-04-2007, 07:59 PM

After calling Dewalt and getting a replacement price of $69 plus shipping, I decided to go to HD. $24 for a factory replacement. I can't believe it! I will buy two more at that price and then it will probably be time to replace the drill with a new technology.

Dewalt said they didn't make the regular NiCad batteries, and I could only replace it with an XRP one. HD was out today, but they have a shipment that is past due. I wonder if it will be one of the last and Dewalt was correct, or if the guy at Dewalt was mistaken.

**TexasTimbers** · 01-04-2007, 11:37 PM

Yeah that didn't make sense to me either cm. Maybe he meant they didn't make them but thier momma company B&D makes them, or imports them.
Maybe the guy was just smokin nanner peels or sumptin.

troubleseeker · 01-07-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasTimbers

Yeah that didn't make sense to me either cm. Maybe he meant they didn't make them but thier momma company B&D makes them, or imports them.
Maybe the guy was just smokin nanner peels or sumptin.

Just for information, Panasonic manufactures alsmost all cordless tool batteries according to my local tool supplier, and he has proven to be very accurate on his trade knowledge over the years.

**TexasTimbers** · 01-07-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troubleseeker

Just for information, Panasonic manufactures alsmost all cordless tool batteries according to my local tool supplier, and he has proven to be very accurate on his trade knowledge over the years.

I wish that were true . . . . Panasonic NiCad batteries are often tested as the longest lasting batteries in their respective classes.
There are dozens of and dozens of battery manufacturers. Most foriegn but still some American mfg's too.

One thing is certain, Panasonic batteries are not junk.