HOW TO REVIVE A NiCd DRILL BATTERY THAT WON’T CHARGE

After owning my cordless drill for more than 11 years, one of the NiCd
batteries wouldn't register on the charger so I thought it was at the end of its cycle life. I was about to recycle the battery and just use the remaining working battery but I managed to get it to accept a charge again.
I didn't re-build the battery, swap cells or anything so it's still in the same overall condition, but now it is recognized by the charger again and I can continue to use it to its normal life limit. This method applies to Nickel Cadmium batteries. If you have a different battery type, you will need to research a different approach.
1 year update: Battery still continues to charge and operate fine.
2 year update: Battery sometimes needs this procedure again, and when it charges it isn't as strong and doesn't hold as long. So I managed to get 2 more years of life out of it rather than having to replace it immediately!
My Craftsman battery model number is 130235030. This may not work for everyone's battery depending what the condition is and the nature of your failure mode, but it works in some cases and is worth a shot.
If you'd like to support the channel, you can:
Support me on Patreon: / gadgetreboot
Shop through my affiliate links!
Banggood www.banggood.com/custlink/3vK...
Aliexpress s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AFeHwB
Amazon.com www.amazon.com/?&_encoding=UT...
Amazon.ca www.amazon.ca/?&_encoding=UTF...
Videos are mirrored at LBRY/Odysee: odysee.com/@GadgetReboot:4

[@surfsidesantacruz8143]

I stumbled on this video went straight to the garage and dug out my old Craftsman batteries & charger. What?! Each defective battery now charges. Thanks for this.

[@azmyin]

This technique worked for me. Finally got the battery to start charging after two years of sittings. Thank you very much for sharing this technique with the world

[@stjimmy_45gingy31]

Says you posted this 3 years ago well it's still helping people today thank you

[@allanb52]

I bought a Makita drill with 3 batteries in France 15 years ago and haven't used it much and not at all for 8 years, got the same fault light on two of the batteries on charge. Did exactly the same as you did and now all 3 are charged. Thakns a bunch, I was about to bin this, but instead cleaned it.

[@Dent_Ed]

Omg this worked for me with just maybe three times resetting it, I’m ecstatic. Thanks so much for your time and making the video, I appreciate you in full. Nice work 💯💯

[@peterrobertson2892]

I plugged it in, unplugged it, plugged it in, did that a bunch of times quite quickly and was ready to give up and zzzing it started charging. Thanks for the tip.

[@1ButterflyHunter]

Holy sheep shit! It worked on second flick of the power switch, light went to charging. I have the same drill & battery too. After watching dozens of videos & dozens of different ways to charge this by far is the simplest & straight forward method. Thank you so much Sir! You my friend should receive a you tube best hack award!

[@jeremymelton8611]

I have this exact drill and batteries. I tried this trick on my 3 batteries and it seems to work great. thanks for posting this vid. Great trick!

[@2wheeleddemon999]

I'm glad you wrote that.

[@perspectivestudioscaribbea5899]

Way cool dude, I did what you said and now the battery started charging, I think you just got me a free cordless drill, my wife's dad brought it to see if it was any use to me ... Yay ! 😎 thanks for sharing

[@kevinclark4951]

I tried your method and it WORKED! Thanks for the video.

[@hersonlamolli6276]

Thank you, my 8 v battery hasn't be charge for seven years and with your help..., It Worked !!!!!!

[@PSXBOXClassics]

Thank you so much for this video i have a Makita Battery model number 9000 that has been stone dead since the 1990s and i tried your trick i had to turn my charger back on 3 times after the third time it stayed on and Charged so Thanks you very much

[@corbensmith9470]

Thank you for the video. This method does work. Out of three batteries bought and probably a year apart it was the middle battery that came back after sitting idle for another year after. Currently getting ready to use a 10 amp battery charger try the method. First video I watched they were using an arc welder and I thought that was just insane

[@americanescu]

This worked for me. I unplugged it several times (my charger didn't have an on and off switch) . I also did zap each battery with my car battery (car turned on and with the engine running). I didn't link the batteries; I zapped them one by one. No huge sparks or anything. Just lightly touched red to red and black to black (plus and minus) several times and held it connected for about 5 seconds a few couple of times. Just small sparks from touching the proper connector. This was an older Ryobi 12V drill which I've kept all these years, almost new and hardly used at all but with two dead batteries. I'm glad I didn't recycle it. Nice little backup drill now that's all back up and running. Both batteries are now revived.

[@DoktorDetroit]

A hack that actually works, amazing. Was gifted barely used Ryobi NiCd 18V's; drill, sawzall, work light etc...Batteries had taken a dirt nap and were dead, but not anymore. Nice backups or gift them to someone else who might give them some use...thanks for the hack GR!

[@GadgetReboot]

Glad it worked with those batteries, it’s hit and miss depending on their condition. But when it works, it’s great.

[@DoktorDetroit]

@@GadgetReboot In this case, it did, thanks!!

[@budster1966]

I’ve done this Twice on a dead battery- worked like a charm 👍👍. I mean it was Deadly ☠️☠️. Great video. Thanks

[@kareno8634]

*BRAVO* 'Showing\ *Proving,* pre\ post of connected in tests, should be *Standard* in All procedures - thus known as *TRUSTED!* Wish tests for Govt (KSA) would be as such. Well Done! Thanks!

[@kipwilson3771]

Cool! I have a whole Craftsman cordless set with NiCad batteries that was barely used when the charger fell with one of the batteries in it and it wouldn't charge anymore on the battery that fell with it or the other one, so I thought the charger had broke. I later got a great deal on a brand new charger, but it wouldn't charge either battery either. I think I will try this and see if it works. I hated having a practically brand new set of power tools that I wasn't able to use when I needed them and didn't want to buy new batteries if they too might die for good that soon.

[@jeff5725]

Nice way of keeping it simple but smart!!!

[@markoijen8671]

Hey thanks bud it worked the very first time I did it 😊 I tried the sparky jump start ideas from other utube ideas but your method worked. I had no power bar so just unplugged my mastercraft 14.4 charger. I bought this drill at a garage sale this morning for 5 😅 one battery was fine . But now both take a full charge. So thanks.

[@kevinandrews4876]

This worked for my Skil 18v ni cad battery after 2 or 3 resets. It has been sitting out in my shed for 8 years now dead as a nit the whole time.Thanks.

[@mickgatz214]

very interesting tests and review, and thanks for sharing this. (thumbs up) :)

[@yoman5136]

Thanks for pointing out the power bar being used.

[@chrissweisberger7509]

thanks it works saved buying 2 batteries

[@patthesoundguy]

I'm going to give this a try, I was thinking I was going to have to zap my fathers batteries with the welder or have to rebuild them with new cells. Thanks for sharing. I'll report back on how it works.

[@jlkelly2300bc]

I’ll be darned! Worked like a charm. Charging now, I’ll let you know. Two others flash, probably finished but I’ll see. Thanks

[@anonymousdywy]

This really worked. Can’t believe it was that easy...

[@jr148537]

Wow this worked! I was v sceptical but it did!!! Off on about 10 times. Also tried pulling battery in and out while charger was on a few times. Saved throwing out a Titan cordless drill. Thanks!!! J

[@oforrester82]

Worked like a charm on my Hyper tough batteries.... thanks 😊

[@LeftHandedRightHanded]

Hyper Tough gets a bad reputation for being at Walmart, but they've been nothing but great for me

[@Misslove-ol1nq]

His reaction just after 2:00 ("what!?") is priceless! 😂

[@cindysmith8567]

Had 2 batteries that were both dead and wouldn't charge. Your technique worked great but I did do a 30 second charge from a car battery charger on each of them before putting them on the power strip and to the regular charger and following your instructions. They both charged back up.

[@marnieocarroll7924]

Awesome! This just worked for me. Thank you.

[@sxhbk]

You are a flipping genius..i did the on off thing like ten times than BAM the red light... ty my brother!!!!!

[@GadgetReboot]

I had to do it recently for that other battery that used to be always considered good, I let it accidentally discharge too far and I had to do this to recover it, now it’s working fine again. So far I’ve gotten an extra year and a half out of the original battery while some people said it’s time to throw it away and get a new drill.

[@dave434]

I'll sure try this, I have this very same drill.

[@michaeledgecombe3098]

Nice short and simple and works thanks

[@elecaire9094]

Fantastic video, love the testing after.

[@johnnycakeslim]

Thanks so much for this insight. I have a new battery with similar problem. I tried off on attempt and green light remained on. Then i tried bouncing it from about 6 inches and the jolt made red light come on. So ill see if it charges. Thanks again

[@ralphfraumeni6190]

Awesome information. I have the same kit. Thanks!

[@jragonwriter6316]

Oh my gosh! This seems so easy I'm going to try it right away, even though it's almost 3am.

[@fredericklagerberg3715]

I just tryed to do the trick of chargeing my battery that will not charge I turned the on and off switch fast five times and WHAT it is chargeing this battery has been dead for six years and now it is working this trick is great it works...

[@nbrown80]

That’s awesome! It worked out for me too!!! Instead of bumping with a surge protector I just removed and replaced it for 2-3 seconds multiple times about 12 times….. and presto…. Yellow light off red charging on.

[@ricardoherrera8764]

thank you so much , it did work for me too!!👍👍

[@Gmoney84CMA]

Its all good got tons of projects done since i purchase many year ago... Cool hack by the way

[@GadgetReboot]

Thanks! Yeah I have had the drill at least 12 years if not longer so I’ve gotten my value out of it and if I can help it limp along even just a few more months, even better.

[@victordough6859]

I had a Sears Craftsman tool set that died over 10 years ago. I tried to return/exchange the set for another set 2 years from the date of purchase but the Sears Associates and Manager denied my return/exchange attempt. Thereafter, I stopped buying any power tools from Sears and other sellers. I still have that Craftsman Power Tool set and batteries in storage. Seen other videos with similar tricks for reviving "dead" batteries for power tools. Haven't tried any of them yet but this gives me some hope that it may be revivable. Just have to double-check if it was Nicad or Lithium.

[@APJavy]

You are the man thanks again

[@DIMTips]

Great video. I did something similar and it worked.

[@russdesigns]

I’m at my in-laws and they used this drill maybe once and let it sit for three years. I tried unplugging and replacing the charger from the wall but it didn’t work. So I found an old power strip to replicate the steps more closely. It took about twenty rapid flicking off and on but it’s now charging! Fingers crossed!

[@user-ze1kw5ot7v]

This WORKS... had to cycle it about 7 times to get it to go.

[@Kungfupanda839]

Thanks for the video. My Skil cordless drill battery is charging again. Done subscribe ♥️♥️♥️

[@sr633]

It works but when it is aged it will lose it's charge in a day or two. My experience with my drill. I bought a new one and now have use from both.

[@cloudstrifeification]

You don't have to throw out your old battery packs if this is only temporary! You can go online and order brand new Ni-cad individual cells and rebuilt those with the old housing and they will be as good as new.

[@jeffstringer5352]

just watched your video thanks my father in law gave me a drill and saw set of 18volt craftsman that had been in his garage for years, still looks new but it would show full charge lite and defective battery lite at the same time so I figured they were shot tried this hack and on the first battery on the 3rd time I turned it off and on it started charging second battery 4 times. Now works will holds charge like it should too. saved me $100 bucks on new batterys. Great hack thanks again

[@jeffstringer5352]

earned a like and subscribe from me

[@450slm]

Perfect worked for me thankyou!

[@datacabling]

I used 2 paper clips to link the batteries... definitely don't recommend that (was a bit hot and smokey..!!) but the short jump start has worked nonetheless! Thanks :)

[@evstar2010]

I also used two paper clips to spark the batteries back to life. Shout out from the year 2022 !!

[@stevenritter2062]

Thanks for posting! This happens to be the drill I have as well. Going to try it now.

[@hchickenz1138]

Did it work at the time?

[@lov55e]

Thank you

[@electronic7979]

Useful video 👍

[@alangushea7550]

Yes thank you for the video my is working as well 😊

[@evilalien1741]

Thanks for the tip just tried it with my old mikita just pluged and unplugged from wall 3 to 4 times and bam shes chargin even checked with rhe meter and shes takin the juice thanks again got my sub.

[@GadgetReboot]

Glad it worked! Of course it’s not a miracle worker, if the batteries really have reached their end of life, they may not hold a charge but it’s been practically one year since I made the video and I’m still using that same battery with good charge capacity and they can still drive 3 inch screws through wood no problem.

[@evilalien1741]

@@GadgetReboot ill try it tomorrow see how long it last ...i got other drills but that one is sentimental so it will be nice just to use it again here and there

[@mdirollo]

Thanks for the helpful video. Tried the suggested remedy (turning power on and off to charger) and sure enough...it worked! Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Thanks.

[@airbornegrandpaw6366]

Thanks for the trick😉

[@josedl9543]

Thanks for making this video. I just tried it and it worked. It took me flipping the on/off switch about 7 to 10 times before it started charging. I hope it will continue to charge and work as well. Thanks again, and have a blessed and wonderful day. 😇👍🏼

[@drgabrieldentista]

Thanks, id worked, mine are even older, yhe 12v version diehard, about 15 years old

[@RetroCrypto]

Awesome you saved me money

[@trulurecords]

Thank you!!! So far so good!!

[@danbuchalter]

I just tried this on the exact same kind of battery and charger. The only difference is that while the charger did show the green light (in fact I picked up an identical charger today at a garage sale in case the charger itself was defective, but got exactly same same results), the defective battery light was not lit. But I tried this technique anyway. I unplugged the charger with the battery already inserted, waited a few seconds, then plugged it back in -- and the red "charging" light came on, with the "fully charged" and "defective battery" lights both out. In about an hour (I didn't time it) I noticed that the green "full charged" light was on and the red "charging" light was off. I haven't measured the voltage yet but the tool (an angle grinder) roared to life! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@danbuchalter]

PS I ran the tool very briefly without any attachments or doing any work ('no load' on the tool itself) about 8 times before testing voltage; which was then at just over 12 volts (this is a 19.2 volt rated battery). I ran it 3 more times no load and checked the battery again and it was between 10 and 11 volts. So it's not taking a full charge, nor holding it for any time/work period. I put it back in the charger and the red charging light came on again. I know that Ni-Cads can have a problem with "charge memory effect" so wondering if I should have just tied the trigger into the "on" position and ran the battery all the way down before trying to charge it up again. I also didn't check voltage before the reset procedure. Suggestions anyone?

[@henrytorrrs5067]

Wow Cool it worked for me ty

[@esteinbr1]

Tried this on one of my batteries and it worked perfectly on the first try no less. Second battery still doesn't want to charge so i might have to try one of the other methods for that one or it might be totally dead.

[@csgmail4316]

Thanks!

[@geralddeitz9169]

I pulled the battery out of the charger while charger plugged in and if flashed to red charge light but back to green. I did it quickly a few times and watched the lights and when it stayed longest on red I left it and it charged. About 15 minutes of that original smaller auto charger, I put it in the new fully auto charger and it charged regularly... Hope it helps...

[@whatitdoolilnigga7548]

Lol. I really like this guy when he says 2:45 well alright. Lol

[@arlenelegair8305]

I'm happy for this video save me about to buy new charger and battery for my craftsman 29-2volt lithium. Battery. Thanks imt now gonna try this fix

[@arlenelegair8305]

You are a good person nice meeting you here. Wow

[@geralddeitz9169]

I've accidentally done this but it won't work on the newer auto chargers. I'm going to try putting some juice it it from another old battery. I got 3 old ones back charging last night and this newer red 19.2 was perfect 2 months ago and won't charge now I think it is a curcuit.

[@edwardthull5648]

On surge protector didnt' work tried hot plug 1st time RED! Charging now Fingers crossed

[@STBRetired1]

Awww, I had such big hopes. I first tried it through a surge protector and that didn't work. Then I saw your post and thought, hooray. But, alas, that didn't work, either. Guess I'm going to have to try some "jump starting" tactics and see what happens.

[@garyslemmonds7518]

Thanks, that worked for me

[@garyslemmonds7518]

I just unplugged the charger with the battery in it and it started charging. Thanks again

[@abotasnimabotasnim5856]

Thanks 👍

[@phil01230]

tried this on a 12+year old bosch drill/screwdriver psr 9,6ves-2 and it seems to work

[@rwebb4988]

Just kick started a Worx 20v.

[@DanielGwimbly-theGwimb-Larson]

I'm trying to restore the same exact drill and batteries they both say full and faulty and won't charge hope this helps

[@worthyman7601]

Worked for me turned on an of at mains 10 times and hey presto dead battery back to life thanks

[@ajaydasrath4515]

This worked for me as well but I tried it again and ended up blowing the fuse in the charger (I have the 18v fast charger) so I would be careful when doing this

[@shillout3867]

Batteries develop a Surface Voltage. For instance, you have two identically charged 12V car batteries, in good condition. One battery is used till it is flattened. After a short while it will indicate 12V. the same as the fully charged one. Now put them under a Load. The Charged battery will tend to hold it's voltage for a long period. The voltage on the discharged battery, will fall away rapidly. Your method seems to have definitely worked so I will 'give it a go'. :-)

[@rstevewarmorycom]

Shill Out That's lead-acid, NiCd's are very different.

[@STBRetired1]

I tried your method on my six batteries but it didn't work. Another poster recommended plugging the charger straight into the wall outlet and not go through a surge protector but that didn't work for me, either. Guess I'm going to have to try the "sparky" method and see what happens. I keep reading about battery reconditioners for these cordless drill batteries that will charge them AND do a deep discharge to them to give them their full capacity power. But, I can't seem to find any Schumacher or other manufacturers that make such a device. The only thing that seems to come close is the Lipo B6 charger/balancer. Has anyone tried that device?

[@passerofgases]

Recently my 18.0V batteries never start fast charging right away (the video's solution doesn't work for mine) and they need to sit in the charger for at least 6 hours with yellow and green ("soft start" or "defective batt") before they somehow reach a green "full charge" after I wake up the next day. I don't know if this method goes through a red light "fast charge" now like I've seen in the past. So maybe give your charger a chance overnight (but keep combustibles away as there's always a remote risk when charging any battery, and more so unattended).

[@jimmio3727]

I was looking for a way to get a dead cell to come back; DeWalt stopped manufacturing 18V NiCd packs and I don't want to run my drill at the higher ~20 volts and overheat it. I'll try reverse charging at constant current and voltage, then reversing again I guess. Just forcing it to charge with CC/CV lab supply resulted in hot battery so it's probably just gonezo 😢

[@FS-dy8ng]

I have exact same as yours but doesn’t working for me after several tries.

[@dennisturner7823]

How can I revive a EGO 56volt battery

[@DaveGalligher]

Have the exact same batteries and chargers, no such luck for me. I'll need to do something else... good video though.

[@dmo848]

Tickle charger does the job also if the battery is dead dead or flat

[@thomasdubois3126]

I have a hitachi bcl1815 battery with charger, no can do

[@serkandemirhanofficial]

I suggest to people before doing this to check the batteries inside the enclosure. And take precautions.

[@FrankNStein-mr1mp]

I've thought often about why would there be a LOW threshold. It seems that the threshold would be at the TOP as in "TOO MUCH "of something so as not to damage or blow-up. I've never understood the thinking!!!

[@MarcelDiane]

I did something similar by putting a 9 volt adapter on one and watching it for about 20 minutes. It brought up the voltage to 9 volts and it then started charging on the base.

[@GadgetReboot]

I tried a power supply on the bench with various voltages all the way up to 20 V and a current limit set for 1.5 A but it was not budging after half an hour so I was ready to give up.

[@Gmoney84CMA]

Hi, i followed your video but have no go result. Im trouble shooting the same exact batteries. Same old drill. any other advice

[@GadgetReboot]

It may not work in every case, the battery has to have some life left in it for this to work because we are just allowing the charger to recognize the battery if the voltage drops too low but if the battery really is hopeless, there’s not much we can do except replace it or take it apart and replace individual cells that really are properly dead. About the only thing that can be done is repeatedly try this process, not just once, and see if it ever does kick in. It worked for me on the very first try but it could take a bunch of tries in other cases. If I had nothing left to lose anyway I’d probably try 50 or 100 times but at that point I would just give up on it.

[@Smartiebob317]

I had two old batteries like this. I got the "defective" light on & neither would charge. I followed the video but after 7 or 8 clicks of the power switch. Nothing changed which made me angry so I flicked the power switch on & off on & off maybe 30 or 40 times & WOW all of a sudden it showed "charging". After an hour it was fully charged & worked perfect. The 2nd battery was the very same way. After switching 30 or more times the charging light went on. After an hour both batteries are fine.

[@GadgetReboot]

That’s great! I was surprised mine worked on the first try, I expected I might have to do it multiple times. Maybe it depends on exactly how discharged it is.

[@carlosbrea6403]

here's a few things for battery reconditioning never attempt to do this until you know what you are doing - the acid can burn your skin Test the voltage first - there may be a kaput cell which would waste your time. Check the battery fluid. Try to fully charge the battery. (I discovered about these and more on Jons mender guide site )

[@dahrvat]

What acid? What battery fluid? What are you talking about? Did you even watch this video?

[@michaela2858]

i just bought a Ridgid 18v Lithium-ion 2 Speed Drill/Driver R860052K . it Come in 2 new Batteries, my Question is should i only Charge 1 Battery and use it ones Every 3 Month and Keep the other Battery Sealled in its Bag , so it will Last Much Longer . or i Should use Them Both and Rotate Them , Keep in Mind i use the Drill Every 3 Month ?

[@GadgetReboot]

I would think it’s best to alternate between the batteries instead of leaving one sitting untouched especially potentially for years. The batteries are normally stored with about half charge capacity and that’s going to self discharge over time if it’s not maintained, and if the charge drops too low the battery pack may become unuseable especially if there’s electronics inside the battery pack and it loses power. Similar to how laptops or phones automatically shut off at a certain point to make sure the battery doesn’t go completely dead and become useless.

[@michaela2858]

@@GadgetReboot 🌟 TOOL BOSS replied: "Yea u can do that ...prob get 500 cycles minimum out of it ..if not Guna use it .. keep it sealed" 20 hours ago

[@michaela2858]

i am More Confused Now ?? ///////

[@GadgetReboot]

The main thing I’m thinking about for a stored battery is the fact that it might lose up to 4% of its charge per month and if it has never been used it’s probably starting out at about 50% charge level so if you don’t use the main battery very often and the other one sits possibly for a couple of years, it may discharge too low and be damaged. Here’s One resource that talks about lithium ion storage self discharge. batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/elevating_self_discharge I haven’t found any info about using up charge cycles on a fast or slow interval to be detrimental so it generally seems like there shouldn’t be much difference between alternating batteries between charges or using up one completely until it can’t be used anymore, and then using up the other as if you just bought it brand new. But if you keep it in storage and it self discharges and is compromised, you might not get to use that second one so without being much of an expert I just conclude alternating between them keeps them all charged enough to stay healthy until they can’t be used anymore. I have a Bosch lithium ion impact driver that I’ve had for at least five years and it came with two batteries and I don’t use them very often probably about as much as you do, and I alternate the batteries and they are both still perfectly fine.

[@16B9]

I have two 10 year old plus Milwaukee batteries I use in two job box radios and a screw gun. I discovered both of my batteries in the radios were dead and wouldn't charge placed in the charger. The first battery I hooked up to a 13 volt power back used for an old CB. I charged it for about 4 minutes to 10 volts. Putting it in the charger it worked and started charging! I did the same thing with the other charger and it did the same thing. I'm guessing the battery or the charger, has some sort of memory or safety feature that won't allow it to charge a dead battery(??). In any case, I saved myself over $100 not having to buy two new OEM Milwaukee batteries. I'll pay more attention to recharging the batteries so this won't repeat. I know 10 year old batteries have well outlived their service life, but if it works I'll milk them for more service life. I'll try the charger unplug re-plug next time. Thanks for your video :)

[@surreycpr]

Automatic (smart) chargers are such a pain, I have a 1 hour universal charger that flags 50% of batteries which charge fine in a conversional charger.

[@MajoyCatian]

How much the charger

[@nolove5062]

I have the same battery and drill but have the hex impact and saw as well but my battery dies fast that charges up good and have one that won't charge up what would cause my battery to die fast

[@GadgetReboot]

if it dies fast it sounds like it really is too old and lacking storage capacity. mine still hold the charge significantly enough that I don’t have to replace it just yet but if I don’t use them often enough, they might discharge on their own significantly and I have to do this again and then they are fine again, so far so good.