Battery Depot

DIY Rebuilding Tool Battery Packs

Rechargeable battery packs make using power tools much easier. You can use your tool anywhere and never have to worry about wires and plug sockets. Drill battery packs only last a certain time before they need replacing. The more you charge and discharge your battery, particularly NiCad batteries, the sooner its needs replacing. Replacement battery packs can cost 1/3 or more of the price a new tool costs, so the cost-effective way is to rebuild your existing battery pack.

Remove the battery pack from the tool. Look for small Phillips screws holding the pack together. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove them. Put the screws somewhere safe.

Remove the cover from the power tool battery pack for Makita. Look to see how many battery cells are in the pack. The number varies, depending on the voltage requirement of the tool.

Pry out the battery cells, using a small electrical flat-head screwdriver. If they are soldered in place, heat a soldering iron, then touch the terminals and melt the solder. Quickly remove each cell before the solder solidifies. Turn off the soldering iron.

Get the same number of replacement cells as in the battery pack and the same type. Take a battery cell to your electrical store so your get the correct replacements.

Insert the new battery cells in the battery pack. Simply push them in, or if you used a soldering iron to remove them, heat a soldering iron. Put each battery cell in the pack/ Then touch a battery terminal with your soldering iron and introduce the solder. Let the solder melt, then remove the solder and soldering iron. Repeat the process for each battery cell. Turn off the soldering iron.

Replace the cover on the battery pack and screw in the screws using a Phillips screwdriver. Replace your battery pack in your power tool and charge the pack for a short while.

Some power tool battery packs for Craftsman are sealed units. It's best not to try to open them as you will damage the pack. Purchase a replacement, but ensure it has screws so you can replace the battery cells if you need to.