Thanks.. that seems to be a fairly popular although fairly desperate easy
fix-it method for nicad cells.
If I were to try this method, I'd use a safety barrier of some sort between
the batteries and myself, as the results could be unpredictable.

I might try this after I open the pack case to see if there are other
issues, leaking, etc.

I was more curious about anyone's knowledge of the whisker/short failure
mode in NIMH cells, because I didn't remember hearing about it, and thought
that I'd read that this would not be a failure mode in NIMH cells.

In this instance replacing the cells, which would be my usual choice, isn't
easily accomplished unless I can find a source for the 63mm length cells.

--
Cheers,
WB
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wrote in message
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On Thursday, July 4, 2013 2:33:50 PM UTC-5, Wild_Bill wrote:
For years, I've read that nicad cells develop shorts from crystalline(?)
whisker growth penetrating the insulating layer. I've encountered many of
'em. Do NIMH cells develop the same faults?

I would try to burn the apparent shorts open by putting the power pack
across a 12V battery, being carefule to avoid melting wires burning
something up. Nothing really to lose, as long as the 12V source battery can
take a momentary high-short-circuit load. I would sort of brush one lead
across the source battery a few times while monitoring the powerpack
voltage, and see if it comes up at all as you brush the clip lead onto the
12V source battery. Really do exactly the same as you would for a NiCad
battery pack short.