RYOBI 18V Battery Not Working? [Easy DIY Charging Hack]

A Ryobi battery will typically go bad when it simply has exceeded its number of effective charges, has 1 or more cells that have an internal short, or has simply fallen below the minimum charging threshold for the charger.
In the latter case, the battery isn't necessarily bad, it just can't be recognized by the charger because the voltage is too low. However, this case can be reversed with a little hack.
Proceed with the steps outlined in this video at your own risk. This is for entertainment purposes only. Wear safety glasses if you proceed.
Remove the screws on the battery case and the tamper-plug (which will void your warranty, so please exchange your battery if it is still covered).
Check the voltage of each of the cells and see if they are relatively close to each other without any outliers.
If they are, and the overall voltage is just low, you can proceed with modifying the charger to bypass the battery control module that is mounted on the battery.
The steps in this video outline the process.
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[@BryanFournier-k6i]

This worked for 2 of my P102 “dead” batteries. What I learned though is that you need to touch the GND side before the + side . When I had the positive connected first … it went to “defective “. When I touched the GND plus sensor wire then the positive… it worked. 2x at 30 seconds then back on the charger and I have 2 working batteries! Thank you!

[@anthonymigchelbrink3254]

Thanks! Your tutorial made this a quick and easy project! I brought an almost new but non-functioning pack back to life!

[@HomeBatteryBank]

Thank you so much! That was very kind of you. Much appreciated. Glad I could help! 🙂

[@jrbatek9427]

This worked! Thank you! $20 trickle charger and $10 for a set of hex lock heads saved me $100 on two batteries!

[@seatosky2668]

I had a brand new Roybi 18V battery sitting in garage for a few years and never been used. Recently take it out and plug in and it won't charge. I tried three methods and not be able to revive the battery. This is the fourth try and it worked. Thank You ! Also in my case I found out that the negative and neutral wires should not be touched each other when attaching them to the negative terminal of the battery. I felt really happy finally the battery can be revived using your method.

[@ericbreckenkamp976]

I had tried the steps in this video and no luck because I didn’t separate the neutral and negative. Was about to give up then read your comment and tried once more. Thanks bro!

[@Zomby_Woof]

Did you check the pack and cell voltages? What matters is how long the pack sits at a low voltage. It just depends on how long it took to become unchargable. By law, lithium batteries cannot be shipped fully charged, so if it sat in a store or warehouse long enough, then in your shop for two more years without charging, it could have sat long enough, low enough, for permanent damage. Your indicator would be whether or not runtime is about what it should be. If its significantly lower, it will degrade quickly. If that should happen though, its not the end of the world. Each cell should have a code on it that you can look up and purchase identical cells to replace the bad ones for about $10 plus shipping. Because its a proprietary bms, i don't know wif you can replace with cells much different in characteristics. I may know soon though. I have some good quality modern cells recovered fro. An ebike battery where just one group failed. And I have a dead 4amp high draw ryobi battery someone have me. I can try those cells, or I have some older but higher draw (30a per cell but low capacity) cells I can try. If I can expand the case with some scrap plastic and some deft work with a soldering iron, I can make a big ungainly pack that will spin the bejeesus out of my hammer drill.

[@wymemery1886]

I was on my way to HD to buy some new Ryobi batteries and decided to search on fixing them first. Found this video and gave it a shot. Got one battery from 4.9v to 15 in just a few minutes, and the second from 0 to 15 in just a few minutes longer. One is finishing on the charger now while #2 waits it's turn. Awesome hack, thanks!

[@vfritz3681]

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[@terryhollingsworth]

Your video is the best one out there. My Ryobi Li-ion 18v battery was totally dead! Almost no voltage and I measured the voltage of each battery as you said to do and they did not measure the same. I tried your method exactly as you show in the video, and it worked like a charm! Mine went bad after using it on my circular saw. The charge ran out while cutting a board. I let it cool and then when I tried to charge it...nothing! This method brought it back. Thanks

[@Steve_K2]

I've now watched a half dozen videos on this process, and like this one the best. Many thanks.

[@miztatone918]

Thanks man i had 2 4 ah batteries that i let sit too long and wouldn't charge it was my fault but still a huge bummer. I have watched a few videos about this yours was by far the best i have come across. I have been a little nervous to try this until i saw this and you broke it down simple and clear. I now have both my batteries back and you just saved me 100 bucks thanks man

[@Hutchoo0]

Easier than I thought! No jump start needed. Once I opened it up and inspected the cells I found a break in the circuit. They were all held together with hot glue which had cracked. Probably a sharp blow like dropping the battery had broken the joint connecting two cells. I glued everything tight and soldered the bus. It worked! My 5 tool pack now has 2 good batteries... just like it came with 18 years ago.

[@chrismoore9997]

Time to get some new batteries. The new ones really are better.

[@dionbouchard4638]

Oh, the batteries are good like this? 18 years. Sounds good, I hope mine can also work for 18 years.

[@Zomby_Woof]

Cells have a finite number of charge cycles. That these have lasted 18 years indicates that this equipment isn't in high usage. A use case like my ebike that gets charged to capacity at night, then run at high drain rate on my way to work, and then charged to capacity for my return trip, is not going to last 18 years. I'm hoping for two. Still cheaper than gas.

[@marvinmendez7109]

It worked!!! I had two dead (detective according to charger) ryobi batteries laying around for about 3 years. This worked like a charm. I used my car battery to jump them.

[@HuggyBearHikes]

I opened up my dead battery to bypass the protective circuit, and just used a known good battery with cover on to jump wires to for about a minute and it worked like a charm.

[@ZeroColdx911]

How did you wire it?

[@davidwho8215]

Positive to positive and negative to negative. That is how I do it as well. I use a fully charged single cell to attempt to bring up individual cells that are not registering.

[@kabib0831]

Thank you so much. I had two batteries that I haven't been able to to charge. I didn't want throw them away hopping one day I would be able to take a look inside. I searched for a video and found yours. Very easy to follow instructions. I was able to save the batteries and they are now fully charged.

[@fleet1stltd326]

It's the only hack that worked for my Ryobi batteries after watching loads of different vlogs.. much appreciated.

[@keaco73]

I fixed mine by putting the battery in and out of the charger quickly about 6xs and on the last one it recognized the battery. Worked on 2 of them.

[@manny8450]

I just did this like 4x times and it worked thx

[@EvermontKing]

This is the real hack. No need for all the stuff this guy is doing lol thanks man.

[@JOEGAMESLAB]

100%

[@juniorgut1]

Worked for me to thanks

[@chasesavagfield4782]

Work for me too thanks man!

[@AussiePom]

I bought a new Ryobi leaf blower and it stopped working within two weeks. The shop I bought it from said that the battery I was using was too old (manufactured 2020) but when they tried it on a new battery it was still dead and refused to work. I have two 5ah batteries from 2020 and a 4ah battery from 2016 and a 2.5ah battery from 2013 and all still charge perfectly because I run them until they completely dead before recharging them fully. I have two Ryobi cordless drills the first from the Ni Cad era and the second from the Lithium era and Lithium batteries power the Ni Cad era drill because they didn't change the design of the drill where the batter connects. So I can use one to drill holes in wood and the other as a cordless screwdriver without the need to change head bits. I saves a hell of a lot of time. This video is just the icing on the cake for the drills last for years and now the batteries can too provided the cells aren't past it.

[@wepainting1422]

I had 2 bad batteries and I followed the steps that you said in your video. It really works. Thank you 🙏

[@Ju5tK1dd1ng]

I followed your directions and it worked!!! Thank you for saving me some $$$.

[@MaxxerMan-Dan]

Yooooo, this was an awesome hack!! I had some spare 14/2 wire and I just looped the ends to slide over the internal clips...worked like a charm. Gotta say, I was a little nervous that the battery was going to explode or something, but it didn't. Glad I brought my dead battery back to life. Thanks so much for making this video!

[@niclasbertell8783]

A simpler way I found in another video is to just connect one working, fully charged battery directly to the bad battery, positive to positive, negative to negative. Some wire and electrical tape did the trick. It worked on one of my bad batteries, after a couple of minutes of battery to battery charging the charger accepted the bad battery. For this to work you need to have one working battery, obviously. I have one bad battery left. I'll open it and check the cells. Thanks for a great video.

[@ftapete]

Tried that but it didn’t work for me.

[@pauldean8638]

What your describing is a way to fk your battery up

[@niclasbertell8783]

@@pauldean8638 I had two dead batteries that the charger didn't charge. This method worked on one of them. No batteries were destroyed. Why do you think it would ruin the battrery?

[@pauldean8638]

@@niclasbertell8783 because I understand better than you about the difference in lithium batteries to others . Do you know what a bcs and a balancer does ? Especially the latter. Go look it up and get back to me

[@niclasbertell8783]

@@pauldean8638 My battery didn't work. I hooked it up to a working battery. Now both batteries work. What's the problem? It's something you do only if the charger doesen't accept the battery. Once you get the charger to charge the battery, it will handle balancing etc. What am I missing here?

[@rbenoit80]

I used a similar method, but the old battery was so low the charger still didn't recognize it. I put a good battery in the charger and once it begins charging, use ur method below the board on the dead battery, AND wallah! Worked like a charm.

[@winsen4138]

Directly charge it until the dcv voltage reaches 18v. Do it every 30 sec then test voltage.repeat procedure until you get 18v then assemble and placed on the charger

[@joeorciani9691]

Great video, I had this exact same problem, my battery would just flash red on the charger and wasn't that old, I found your video and said, I might as well try this before I go out and buy a new one. Well i followed your video step by step and IT WORKED, my battery has recharged and is back to life. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

[@tinman7249]

Thank you! I could not get the 3-wire charging method to work. Instead, I used an old 19V laptop power supply and 2 wires to charge the battery terminals for about 30 seconds. The battery pack went from 2V to 12V. I put the battery back on the charger and it charged! The hard part for me is actually getting the plastic cap to one of the screws out. For the screws, my regular torx almost fit and could take out 2 screws. But I eventually have to go to Harbor Freight to get a $6 security bit set that can unscrew at ease.

[@aldozamudio1687]

I just found a bunch of ryobi tools in my alley in a box saying bad battery blower drill, this 💯% works

[@stuartmclaren2402]

THANK YOU. After holding on to a dead battery for 3 years, I decided to give one last try. Checking each of the cells, they barely had any voltage, but using a good battery, it worked very well, lifting the output voltage to over 10 V. It was enough for the charger to work. So no matter how dead it seems, give it a try as you never know. I am testing to see if the unit holds the charge. So far so good.

[@orinshankar3202]

Thank you. Your instructions are clear and easy to follow. The most difficult part was getting the correct T10 bit to extract the screws.

[@stevebabiak6997]

Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive security bit set that has the T-10 security bit needed for opening a Ryobi battery.

[@ashkhim7487]

​@@apocal4psel😊😊

[@xXxCrazyJay810xXx]

Small flat head screwdriver at an angle comes right out 🎉

[@jefftiller5035]

center punch fixes this small security torx pretty quick lol @@stevebabiak6997

[@hunters1274]

Thanks for the video. This helped me to open and bring back to life a Ryobi battery I found on the curb in my neighborhood. It looks brand new but the voltage on the contacts were 1.5V. Its amazing how lithium batteries can be saved. Acid batteries if go below 20% of their minimum, can't be saved easily. I had to do it 3 steps because it stopped charging after reached 6V. Then I had to wait a few hours and charge again. Then stopped at 9V. Third time when it stopped at 12.30v I put back the case and put it in it's own charger. I used a Bosch battery to save the Ryobi. Cheers.

[@petegiraldez949]

Thanks got my two battery packs working in 30 minutes. Good video. Except I just flashed the terminals with a small 12 volt battery charger for 30 seconds.

[@wwjd6792003]

This worked great! I tried taking battery in and out, it wouldn't charge. Did this for about 30 seconds and now it is charging! My battery was left in something for days, it was totally drained. Thank you very much for your video!

[@lindamorris7115]

Thanks for the video . From your video I did something a bit more simple. I have a trickle charger so after I took it apart I taped the trickle charger ends directly to the bottom negative and positive for about 10-15 seconds. I tested it with positive results and now it charges. My items were manufactured in 2014 and never got taken out the box!

[@brouillard54]

Thank you. My cells was "0.4v" each. Your method made the cells raise to 14v then the charger accepted to charge again.👍

[@tiffanyvaello1042]

You sir are a genius. I fixed my husband’s drill. Thank you!!!

[@coegj]

I know I know they want to sell more batteries, but why the hell don't they have a special connection built in so purchasers of their products to just plug in a special charger of some kind that only allows a 30 second charge to kick start the ( expensive ) batteries for consumers. This a wonderful tip, thank you.

[@binglefish_6742]

Battery charges will not recharge batteries once they go below a certain voltage bc they can be internally damaged, so recharging them after that is a potential fire hazard. Good luck

[@mohamedhaseeb7595]

nice Video straight to the point no dam unless music your voice is calm an professional truly appreciated.

[@donbayan1057]

Thanks a lot for making and sharing this video. Clear, concise, and easy to follow. It did not work for the 2 RYOBI 18 V batteries I have. I’m glad though, because you pointed out that, it will not charge or wake up, if one or more cells is depleted. Mine read

[@sublimationman]

This trick is something I have done with car chargers, the newer smart chargers won't charge a car battery if it's really low (like 8v or lower) but if you hook up the charger then also hook up another 12v battery (or anything close) it will then start charging, I had 12v batteries from UPS power supplies and I would use that to just trick the charger. Now, technically if a lead acid battery drops that low the cells are damaged but you can still put enough charge into one this way to last a few days and to get you to the store to buy a replacement.

[@dwatsonmcify]

This worked beautifully. My ryobi battery has been sitting in my garage for years. When cleaning out my garage I decided to make one last effort before disposing of it. Mine must have been very dead - I had to hold the wires to the connectors for several minutes before the green light flash. Then several more minutes more to get the reading above 14 before putting it back together.

[@ramseybenachour]

Such a great hack. Thanks so much for posting this video. Had a great time trying it out. I had an even better time confirming it works. You’re the man.

[@hendrikdejong5481]

This worked for me. :) But, It occured to me that if all you're doing is pushing a bit of charge in, there's no need to use the ryobi charger, and wire nonsense. (I have a different charger that seems to have another security pin). In the end, I just used a 12V 500maH wall charger that gives 17V not under load. held that aginst the terminals for about 5 mnutes, until I was solidly above 13.5 V (which I'm assuming is the cutoff voltage of 2.7V per cell). reassembled, and it is charging as we speak . Cheers!

[@kyleives8510]

I tried the way the video explained it wasn’t working. It still wouldn’t register. Even with the non marked pin to the ground. I scrolled through the comments and found yours. I did it this way and it worked perfectly. Thank you both for the video and the comment

[@alanija]

Ty..what you did plus drilling holes instead of taking apart is what I plan on doing for the larger battery that died on me.

[@JOEGAMESLAB]

Even a good laptop adapter works perfectly.

[@shaunturner8434]

I did this to one of my water logged batteries today and it worked like a charm. Thanks.

[@SpringRubber]

Also know that Ryobi's various chargers can have different circuitry and if one of my batteries won't charge in one charger I'll try a different one. I have 3 different models acquired over the years (Models P114, P117 & P118) and sometimes the newer P117 or P118 charger won't pass the test to charge a battery but the older P114 model will. That particular charger dates to 2014 or 2015 and either came in the box with a leaf blower or as part of a 6 piece tool combo.

[@germccartan419]

Hi, just tried this method, simple explanations, worked 100%, thank you from Ireland.

[@HomeBatteryBank]

🍻🍻🍻

[@josesalasjr9973]

Dang! Bro thanks for sharing it’s amazing my battery now charging, it saved me from buying another battery.

[@collinshead]

Thank you! Took about 10 mins. Canceling my order for replacement batteries.

[@pbweill]

Thank you for saving me the cost of a new battery!!!!

[@pmaher44]

Worked great! Just one tip, dont connect the negative and the signal wire together before touching the battery, gives a false defective battery signal

[@JSlza]

Excellent video. Thank you. You have saved me some headaches and $$$. Merry Christmas ⛄ and a Happy New Year 2024.

[@karenmcnamara854]

you are brilliant. I'll need to watch this a few more times. but since I have 5 batteries that won't charge, it's worth learning.

[@Juggalotus253]

Worked great, I used alligator clips to make it easier and just used the plug to disconnect. Originally read as 03.009V, after 3 cycles of 45sec it read 13.641V. I was then able to charge normally. Thanks for the tip. 😊

[@bunkbedsunlimited]

Well put together video. Worked well for me. I really appreciate your time and effort putting this out.

[@dinovegas]

Great Hack! I tried a couple others before finding this one, the others were a little simpler but did not work, this one did work! saved me time and money.. Thank you!

[@ZeroColdx911]

Saved another battery from the dumpsters! This trick work very well, the battery worked after reaching 15v

[@Lil-wy1ob]

Worked a treat - charging now - thank you....

[@MikeW-m5s]

Great video! I was unable to charge a dead battery using the 3 wires from the charger. I was able to use a fully charged battery and jump the dead battery pack with 2 wires. The dead battery showed 1.56 volts at the battery pack, while the tower showed .2 volts. 10 seconds of contact gave the battery pack 13 volts, and the charger accepted it.

[@HomeBatteryBank]

Awesome! Glad you got it going! It's a handy trick to know with these Ryobi batteries.

[@raymondjroth]

Thank you! Using a car battery charger I got the Ryobi battery from 5v to 9.5 and it worked!

[@victoryfirst2878]

This is a great video fella. You helped me to fix my batteries. Thanks a bunch.

[@rgruenhaus]

Caused you? Or HELPED you?

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@rgruenhaus HELPED fella. My bad.

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@rgruenhaus HELPED FELLA AND THANKS AGAIN.

[@pauld2273]

Thank you. I ended up using a power supply with a diode inline and it worked as well.

[@HomeBatteryBank]

Awesome! Happy to have helped!

[@teddekker3383]

Excellent video 👍 Well explained and shown 👀 Thank you very much.

[@arsenicjones9125]

Just a note for the channel. No Manufacture can deny your warranty claim simply for opening the device. The FTC has given notice on this multiple times and the myth persists. Open all your devices.

[@johnb1997]

Until you can show Exactly the Law or Policy by the FTC that says what you said "It's not worth the paper it's NOR written on"..and it won't hold up in COURT either!

[@arsenicjones9125]

@@johnb1997 www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2018/04/ftc-staff-warns-companies-it-illegal-condition-warranty-coverage-use-specified-parts-or-services

[@arsenicjones9125]

@@johnb1997 you’re welcome for doing a basic Google search for your incredulous butt

[@ralanham76]

They just deny it based on physical damage 🤷‍♂️

[@arsenicjones9125]

@@ralanham76 go read the law. They can’t just deny you based on whatever they can point at. Magnuson-moss warranty act.

[@jeanjulien]

I can’t believe it but it did work!! Thank you so much for this 🙏🏾

[@HomeBatteryBank]

I'm pumped that it worked for you! 🍻

[@dalefreshwater9286]

Sir, you just acquired yourself a subscriber. Thank you for the upload.

[@sHrG78]

Worked for me. My battery was 0.5v and I had to charge it to 18v to get it working.

[@james2041]

Thank you for the video, worked great. I have some batteries that I ordered but this allows me to use my tools still until they come in.

[@mrlorry7727]

Worked beautifully for me,,,,respect and appreciation 👌👍

[@TheBry_Guy]

Worked for me too! except I used a completely different battery (20v maximum Canadian tire) to charge the dead ryobi instead of the charger. I took the ryobi apart like you said, but jumpered the 20V working battery BAT+ terminal to the ryobi Bat+ and BAT- to BAT- bypassing the BMS computer. counted to 30 secs and voila. reassembled, inserted and green blinky light.

[@chrisfernandes5266]

This worked out great! Used my portable car booster to jump the battery back to life…. CLEAR!

[@ralphpetry1745]

I have tried several different videos with various methods of bringing my "fallen soldiers" in the garage back to life without success. This method at least tells you if you shouldn't even bother investing any time if some of the cells are defective. Looks like I have a project this weekend - will post back my results!

[@winsen4138]

Thank you for the DIY info. I was able to recharge now my battery following your instructions.kudos.

[@0secundus]

Life saver, or actually battery saver. Thank you!

[@adamtrudgen9585]

Awesome video! I just saved 2 batteries! Thank you sir. 👍

[@super_happy_alien509]

Good Tips i worked with batterys in Warrenty. This Bug has been known for over 24 years since charging Smart Chips where placed on Batterys. from laptops to Tools.

[@brettbarager9101]

"Before you do anything stupid." I think he was talking about me! Lol

[@billj4137]

Just break the security tip out of the screw with a small screwdriver and use regular torx bit.

[@michaeldochney1260]

I had success with this same issue by just connecting the positive and negative terminals on the bad battery to a good battery for 2 minutes without taking the battery apart. After this the charger did its job and charged the dead battery.

[@ButteredToast32]

This worked for me also 👍

[@ktpowerwashing]

Good to know. Thanks

[@lilcole1]

Worked flawlessly! Thanks so much!

[@HomeBatteryBank]

Awesome!! Happy to have helped!

[@DonBessette-jf5ii]

Thanks for the tip. I managed to save 1 of 2 batteries that were not taking a charge. Second one had 1 dead cell.

[@robbillington1603]

Man changed nationalities and accents in the first seconds. Mr. World wide??? Is that you?

[@ngodinh3818]

Thank you so much . Your method works like a champ .

[@joelthebiker]

Works perfectly!!!!!!!!!! I had one battery that wouldnt charge and I only used it once. Put the wires on for about 30 sec and BAM! it is now charging!!! I was wondering, could you just put the wires on the battery terminals without taking it apart? 2 wires on neg and the one on pos?

[@karlshaw8169]

great thanks just brought it back to life

[@harrydelange1821]

Great trick. I had already 5 deep discharged batteries from Makita. Once I forgotten to charge them (let them unused for several months) I had to order a new third brand one á 35 euro 😢.

[@stewartbruce8902]

I have a ryobi pbp 005 battery. Inside I get 17.5 volts, at tower only 0.5 volts. Tried boosting the inside with another fully charged ryobi battey, but no luck. I have done many in the past boosting the inside when they were low and brought them up to be acepted for a charge. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you for your tutorial, and all the best from New Rochelle N.Y.

[@patrickpetree3649]

Wow! Thanks so much for this video. I was very frustrated that one of my relatively new batteries was dead even though the other one that came with my tool at the same time was just fine. Tried your hack and it worked perfectly. So glad to know about this.

[@ktpowerwashing]

Thank you! I was able revive 8 ryobi batteries!! And 2 Amazon knock off ryobi batteries

[@a1soundman]

It works! Thanks bro 🍻

[@pcampbell1313]

Thank you. That worked perfectly

[@rickgaston7118]

Answered some questions I have had , thank you

[@stealth692001]

Thanks sir! This fixed my battery! Much appreciated

[@rustywarrior-re7go]

Thank you I just jumped started a Ryobi 18v 4ah battery

[@danpena8034]

What if both batteries are not charging or dead? Any recommendations?

[@carlford5287]

Great vid....thanks for posting this

[@HomeBatteryBank]

My pleasure!

[@lennonjames3871]

One of these days gotta try that.thanks 👍✌️

[@allett19]

It worked! I only have 1 battery so this was a saver!

[@chrischiesa609]

I just nearly used up both of my batteries on a job, am still on the job, and my charger seems to be dead -- no LEDs when I insert a battery and plug on the power cord. My batteries are both fairly new and both still power a tool but are now down to "one LED" (one of them even blinking). Need to charge these! Any thoughts on what might be wrong with the charger? I opened the case and found a glass fuse-looking thing, but it appears to be intact. I don't currently have access to a meter, alligator clips, scrap wire, etc.

[@Mylife19792]

This worked for me. Thank you.

[@edpippin]

Will this work for dewalt batteries

[@nathanhale7444]

I've got two that the charger says they're fully charged but the power indicator says it's dead and nothing happens when I put it in a tool. I have about 5 or 6 others that have good cells that are fully charged but won't work and the charger says they're bad.

[@anddes45]

Hi! very good video. I have two almost new Ryobi 9Ah batteries that are not working. They both went in the water while we were drilling a four inches hole in a 2x6 in a water dam. Is it possible to fix?

[@vladdezdechado4656]

Thanks. I just use fully charged battery instead of charger and it worked

[@RobFerrer]

I have one registering about 17v on the cells, but negligible amounts on the tower. Any idea? Is the controller dead?

[@asianperformingartsasianpe6994]

Thanks so much. Great video.