Has anyone fixed a Craftsman rechargable battery? The batteries that came with my 18V drill 7 years ago have finally stopped charging. I've found vague references to fixing them on eBay.

I think the newer chargers are backwards compatible with older batteries, batteries of different voltages (so you could go pick up a newer 18v batt and be good to go again). Give me a few mins and I'll go check my 19.2V hammer drill'* manual [(first time I cracked that manual out too)[/size]


Ed

I've replaced the cells in many battery packs, but not in several years now. I used to get my cells from Multiplier but there are MANY suppliers. The hardest part is getting the battery case opened nicely. After that you just tacweld/solder in the new cells in place of the old ones.

I didn't find anything about the batteries being backwards compatible. But I swear I read that somewhere. So I snapped a pic of the charger that says 7.2-24v :?



Maybe look around on Craftsman website for some help.


Ed

Craftsman will only help me buy a new one.

They don't list any Craftsman batteries. I realize some my cross over, but I can't find any cross-reference lists.

I didn't know that you could replace the cells cheaply in rechargable batteries. Most of the cordless I have are either Makita, or Dewalt, and after about 5 years they don't hold a charge as well. 7 years is quite good for the life of a rechargable. The dewalts I use are 18V. and the makita'* are 9.6V. I get more life out of the 18V.

Craftsman doesn't make their own power tools. Look through the parts and see if you can see marking from Skil or Black&Decker

It'* been a while since I sold tools at Sears, I still know they don't make them, but I can't remember exactly who does. Ryobi rings a bell though.

All my parts say Sears Roebuck and Co., made in China.