I have a model 2207 3.6v SKIL Twist Cordless Screw Driver with a battery
pack that won't
run the driver. Charging only makes the pack feel warm. No load voltage
measures 4.034 volts.
Souinds like you folks have succeeded in opening the SKIL battery pack
to replace the three NiCd cells
and reuse the battery pack? Replacement cost for battery is $25
including shipping. I have tried but cannot see how to open the pack.


I sure could use some suggestions.


Did I read correctly that you attach external wires to the SKIL driver
and run the driver from an external battery pack which does not slide
into the housing?

Many thanks, Dave_s


Robert Green wrote:
"ransley" wrote in message
...
On Apr 1, 2:20 am, "Robert Green" wrote:
"ransley" wrote in message

...
On Mar 31, 6:22 pm, Anthona wrote:

stuff snipped

Li Ion is great , but do they last more than 4-5 years. I have all
Nicad and some 20 years old that still work a bit. LiIon I dont
believe from what I have read have the longevity.

In my view, longevity at half power is mostly worthless. Who hasn't had a
drill or some other tool conk out prematurely because of bad batteries only
to find that the replacement batteries cost more than the original tool and
TWO sets of batteries!!?

I have one set of tools, Skil Flexicharge power screwdrivers, that run on 3
easy to access and replace NiCad cells. In fairly regular use, I have to
dispose of the 3 cell packs after three years.

If the timer I use to limit overcharging fails, (or I fail to set it
correctly) they die much more quickly. Since I have 5 of them, all taking
the same chargers and holders, they were worth keeping running, even with
NiCads. But the units came with a wall holder/charger that would quickly
ruin the batteries if you didn't unplug the unit at the wall. It was
designed to fail, endlessly trickle charging a NiCad battery. The
suggestion was clear, that you keep it plugged in all the time and buy new
packs every sixth months or so, because treated that way, they packs seldom
lasted longer.

Since the replacement packs cost $12, I don't even rebuild them anymore.
It's not worth the time. But I do keep the good cells because it's usually
only one cell in a pack that fails and as you point out, they may still be
useful when I can no longer acquire new packs from Skil and have no choice
but to roll my own.

My IRobot Roomba Dirt Dog charging base is the same way. Leave it plugged
in an ready all the time, and eventually cells only hold enough charge to
clean for 5 minutes instead of an hour, even though the charge light showed
green. I have one pack that's completely ruined as a result of just being
on standby charge for less than a year.

--
Bobby G.