Recover the battery screwdriver. How to restore the efficiency of a screwdriver battery

A practical host, like no other, understands how convenient and effective in use is an autonomously-operated hand power tool. A professional builder who deals primarily with finishing work, without a screwdriver and can not do at all. Nevertheless, the battery, of any type, after a certain time begins to lose its energy potential. The acquisition of a new battery is not a cheap pleasure. But who said that the recovery of a screwdriver battery is impossible in principle? What prevents the owner of the brand modification to save on expensive batteries? Perhaps you will not be surprised at the universality of the answer. Ignorance. Developing the topic, we note: this is possible! The article's material will help you solve the problem of "global aging" AKB. One has only to read about how and what to do.

"Banks", which do not store money

Speaking about the recovery of the screwdriver battery, we can not fail to mention that the battery with which the specified construction tool is equipped can have different technical characteristics. Often this kind of "energy individuality" of the power source plays an important role at the time of exploitation. For example, under low-temperature operating conditions, preference should be given to nickel-cadmium batteries. While the nickel-metal hydride type of battery is more durable in use and can have a relatively large capacity. Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries have become widely used. The power source of this type does not need maintenance at all, it lacks the "memory effect", and most importantly, with a high capacity of "energy banks", batteries have more compact dimensions than those of "competitors".

Recovery of the screwdriver battery through freezing

Most likely, your power tool is equipped with a nickel-cadmium battery. Because this type of battery (in the context of the presented article) is the most common. This is why our material is devoted specifically to this type of battery. However, the recommendations below are also valid for the use of metal hydride energy sources. So, the order of actions:

• Packed in a plastic bag (completely discharged!), Put it in the freezer.
• After 10-12 hours, remove the battery from the refrigerator.
• Charge the battery for several hours.
• Then it is necessary to "disembark" the battery. Let it work until the energy in the tanks is exhausted.
• Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

But what if this recovery of the screwdriver battery did not succeed to the full? In this case, you should resort to a comprehensive solution to the problem, which you will learn about from the sections below.

Disassembly of the case of an autonomous power supply unit

After you have ascertained that several of the deep charge / discharge cycles of the battery have not produced a positive result, and your battery is still discharging quickly as you work, follow the step-by-step action scenario. As an example, let's take a battery for the Makita screwdriver.

• Charge the device before proceeding with the disassembly process.
• To gain access to the capacitive elements of the battery, it is necessary to unscrew a few fixing screws.
• In some cases, it is necessary to gently crack the housing at the junctions of the structural parts.

Attention: when implementing the last version of the dismantling, do not use excessive physical force, since it is possible to deform the plastic body of the battery. Remember: after the "restoration" works the container should sit securely in place.

Search for the "weak link": the definition of the failed "banks"

So, the battery for the screwdriver "Makita" is a series of connected batteries. However, the standard scheme (when the positive contact of one of the capacitors is connected to the minus of the next "can") is used in almost all such devices. Of course, we mean an autonomous electric tool. So, the algorithm of actions:

• Using a multimeter, perform a methodical measurement of all the elements of the "power harness".
• In order not to get confused - do not grin, for nickel-cadmium accumulators for screwdrivers (18 volts) usually consist of 15 consecutively connected containers, - on each "bank" mark the "actual" voltage with an ordinary pencil.

Attention: when measuring, use a simple device that consists of two wires and a load resistance of 0.5 ohms. As a result, you get the most plausible data on the status of the batteries involved.

• After connecting the "load" to the measuring instrument, check the values given out by the containers.
• The element with the lowest index is required to be replaced by a knowingly functional component of the power supply system.
• It should be noted that a deviation of 0.5-0.7 V from the norm is considered critical.

Forced retreat: the energy features of the battery

As you already understood, the device of a screwdriver battery does not differ in anything. Nevertheless, the serial circuit of the connected battery cells can have an additional component in the form of an installed thermistor (heat sensor), the principle of which is to open the charging circuit at a time when the temperature reaches a critical level - overheating. At the same time, when repairing the battery, it is necessary to take into account the output rating of the battery used in the power tool, and also to adhere to the identity of the standard layout.

In other words, quite powerful accumulators for screwdrivers (18 volts - a very common standard) are usually assembled from fifteen nickel-cadmium elements. Each individual capacitance has an energy potential of 1.2 V. In the case where the device is supplied with a lithium-ion battery type, the 18-volt battery consists of five elements with a rating of 3.6 V. As a result, Li-ion batteries are more compact and Light, rather than the battery of previous technologies.

The process of replacing an inoperative battery

• Using an acute knife (ideal - a scalpel), "cut off" the contact plates "+" and "-" from the malfunctioning container.
• Using a household soldering iron and low-melting solder, add a new capacitive element to the overall "energy strapping" of the battery.
• Observe the polarity when installing a new container.

Important: do not allow the case to overheat when soldering. Use special acid and catalytic fluxes.

Assembling and initial charging of the screwdriver battery

• After you have replaced the defective parts, carefully check the soldering points.
• When installing the battery "bundle" in a protective container, do not forget about the insulating substrates, which protect the elements from the moment of closure.
• Carefully glue or twist the fixing screws of the connecting parts of the housing.

It is absolutely not important which battery for the screwdriver (Interskol, Makita or Bosh) you restored. The main thing is how well you have assembled the power device. Since any unimportant installation error, whether it is a body gap, "jammed wire" or incorrect positioning of the contact plates, can negate all your efforts. Only after you have visually convinced that everything is correctly assembled, you need to completely discharge the "new" battery. The battery for screwdriver (12V) will very quickly sit down, if you "load" it under the full program. The next thing that you have to do is to produce 2-3 cycles of deep charge / discharge. It should be noted that this kind of prevention should be carried out at least once every three months.

Useful recommendations

As a bonus, take some valuable advice on weapons, perhaps they will help you in solving energy problems:

• Do not bother if your battery is of a lithium-ion type. It is unlikely that you will be able to restore it.
• A traditional nickel-cadmium battery can always be "pushed" by briefly applying a higher voltage. However, before resorting to such radical measures, it is necessary to study in more detail this electrical issue of "reincarnation".
• Perhaps you do not know, but the traditional type of battery, which is a nickel-cadmium battery, can not be connected to charging if its capacity has sufficient energy potential. Otherwise, the destructive effects of the "memory effect" of the battery can not be avoided.

Instead of an afterword

The Russian battery for the screwdriver "Interskol" in quality is not inferior to brand analogues. However, the cost of domestic battery, without exaggeration, is sparing. For those who are not confident in their abilities, who is "easier" to buy a new battery, rather than restore the old one, this is an option. Nevertheless, in the case when the structural part of the energy container has exclusive forms (grooves, fixators and specific bends), still have to devote a few minutes of your precious time to technical creativity. Since it may be necessary to repack the battery in the "native" case. Well, and how to charge the screwdriver battery and what you need to do when the battery is not charging due to long idle time in a discharged state, you already know. Effective recovery methods for you and do not forget about safety - your and others!