BATTERY (sub C NIcd) Ratings

Jack345

Member
Purchased some new 2.8 amp (2800mah) cells to rebuild battery packs for a Sawsall. OEM battery is rated @ 2.4Amps thinking that the new sub C batteries would be close to OEM specs.WRONG! The new assembled packs read 20+ volts but will only power Sawsall for less 2 minutes under cutting load. Discharged & charged several times...no help, current just was not there and no where close to OEM 2.4amp NiCd battery. So ratings must be inflated greatly (am sure these cells would be just fine for drills but for high current uses they are garbage)Now for the big question what cells do you guys use? Brand name , NiCD or NiMH ? I noted when you get into the better cells (Tenergy, Panasonic) cost come out to about the same as a OEM assembled battery pack.
 
Hello jack355,

Try discharging the pack to zero voltage before you recharge it. If you can charge it at a low rate say 500 Ma it will equalize the pack, it may take a good charge then. 20volts sounds right for a fully charged pack. You may have a bad cell that is going down. Price. On NICad's is going down, but capacity claims is not always truthful. Brand names like you said are pricy, but capacity is there,

Guido.
 
I have "rebuilt" battery packs in the past and have learned a few lessons (your results may vary). #1; With new NiCd batteries one should run them down first and not charge them first (read this somewhere and seems to make them last longer). #2; You will ruin NiMh batteries trying to charge them on a NiCd charger.
 
Forget even thinking of rebuilding a Ni-cd battery when you can buy the best Ni Mh for under $31 on ebay. I've been using them for years. I would highly recommend using a dewalt charger designed to charge them, it a yellow charger not the old black ones.
ebay
 
the cells that came out.. were they sub c?

were they nicad?

were they nimh?

What went in? nicad or nimh?

wired the same?
 
Milwaukee Nicd came out 2.4 amp..Nicd (EBAY) Nicd 2.8 amp went in. and yes they were wired right in series same as factory cells, purchased 30 cells for two battery packs both read proper voltage. Both packs would not handle a Milwaukee Sawsall for more than 2 mins when cutting, maybe would work just fine for drills or light duty. No matter how you look at it the cells did not provide current required for Sawsall operation. Only sub C were used, 2 different chargers were used. Discharging down to zero volts was not tried but was discharged to point of no operation of tool. Battery packs got warm when charging & when using, think Geo-TH,In has the cure go to NIMH . Thanks guys for your help .
 

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