Cordless drill batteries wear down and eventually die over their normal life cycle. The cordless power tool battery resurrection process is simple and quick, but can be hazardous if you overcharge or mishandle the rechargeable power tools batteries. Today AussieBatt battery experts Sean share the instructions about how to resurrect both nickel cadmium (Nicad) and nickel metal hydride (Ni MH) cordless drill battery packs.
How to Revive a Makita 1220 Cordless Drill Battery
Mark the positive and negative leads on the Makita drill battery case, using the voltmeter to determine which is positive and which is negative.
Unscrew the cordless drill battery case to reveal the rechargeable tool batteries within the case. Carefully remove the top of the cordless drill battery case. Keep the screws and the spring in a container so you can find them during reassembly.
Lift the drill battery cells from the battery casing. If the batteries are shrink-wrapped together, cut enough of the plastic away with scissors to reveal the top and bottoms of the battery cells.
Locate the point at which the wires from the battery pack terminal run down through the silver cardboard insulator. Mark this opening before you remove the Makita PA14 drill battery terminal for easier reassembly.
Remove the silver cardboard insulation piece and place this piece aside. Remove the shrink wrap from the top and bottom of the battery cells, so the battery leads are exposed.
Test the drill batteries within the pack to determine which battery cells need reconditioning. Use the cordless drill battery tester and mark all batteries that are not at full charge capacity.
Find the positive, or raised end, on the first battery to be reconditioned. Place the black alligator clamp from the 12-volt power source on the negative end of the battery cell, while holding the red alligator clamp to the positive end for no longer than two seconds.
Release both clamps. Using the battery tester, test the battery cell to see if it has been fully recharged. If not, repeat the zapping process.
Repeat the zapping process with all cordless power tool batteries until they have all been reconditioned and then reassemble the battery pack.
