I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

Not familiar with the name, but if it's a bottom-end model you'd
probably find that buying a separate battery pack costs only a gnat's
less than buying the whole caboodle. However it's highly unlikely that
B&Q will even carry them (but you could always ask)

The alternative is to break into the battery pack and replace the cells
(which will be a standard type) - there's an online company who
specialises in these but whose URL escapes me - however, again it's not
going to be cost-effective for a cheap drill.

David

On Jan 17, 7:35 am, Lobster wrote:
Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

Not familiar with the name, but if it's a bottom-end model you'd
probably find that buying a separate battery pack costs only a gnat's
less than buying the whole caboodle. However it's highly unlikely that
B&Q will even carry them (but you could always ask)

The alternative is to break into the battery pack and replace the cells
(which will be a standard type) - there's an online company who
specialises in these but whose URL escapes me - however, again it's not
going to be cost-effective for a cheap drill.

It's actually the P Pro the same as but predating the name change. The
last one I bought cost 100 quid. I broke the handle but it is in a
masking tape splint and going OK.

Shame the batteries are different or I'd just use both drills on the
pair of cells for the goodun.

In article
,
Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

The larger stores do carry spare batteries for some B&Q own brand products.
I have a fairly ancient PPPro 18v and saw spares for that recently.

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Try Ebay too.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

I know the feeling. Trouble is labour, parts and postage often put this
above the cost of a complete new one - which will probably have a better
charger too.

You can buy the individual cells for a DIY repair - they are usually an
industrial size called Sub-C. And available with tags for easy soldering.
Will cost from about 1.50 - 3.50 depending on quality and supplier.
I'm assuming they are Ni-Cad - which are getting more difficult to source.
For 18 volts you'll need 15 of them.

The cheapest option is to find an 18 volt from any make on Ebay at a
bargain price and swop the cells, if you can't find the correct spare.

--
*What are the pink bits in my tyres? Cyclists & Joggers*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Jan 17, 8:26*am, Weatherlawyer wrote:

Shame the batteries are different or I'd just use both drills on the
pair of cells for the goodun.

If you're lucky the cells in the pack will be laid out in a similar
way making them easier to swap.

cheers,
Pete.

On 17 Jan, 02:55, Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

If you buy a Worx corless tool, and register it online, then you will
get free replacement batteries for the life of the tool

dg

"dg" wrote in message
...
On 17 Jan, 02:55, Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

If you buy a Worx corless tool, and register it online, then you will
get free replacement batteries for the life of the tool

dg

Sorry Sir, we no longer do batteries for that tool.. it has passed away.

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:57:09 -0000, "dennis@home"
wrote:



"dg" wrote in message
...
On 17 Jan, 02:55, Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

If you buy a Worx corless tool, and register it online, then you will
get free replacement batteries for the life of the tool

dg

Sorry Sir, we no longer do batteries for that tool.. it has passed away.

I've been caught out by that ploy.
Bought an expensive Electrovoice microphone back in the 80s - cost me
twice the price of the industry standard Shure mic, but came with a
'lifetime warranty'...which I reckoned was worth the extra considering
how rough a time a mic can have.
The mic packed up some 20 years later, so I duly rang the appointed
agent to sort out a warranty repair only to be told that they no
longer make that model of mic and there are no spares available.
I protested somewhat, but that was that.

I subsequently spent half a grand on some other mics...none of them
were by Electrovoice.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article
,
Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

The larger stores do carry spare batteries for some B&Q own brand products.
I have a fairly ancient PPPro 18v and saw spares for that recently.

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Try Ebay too.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

I know the feeling. Trouble is labour, parts and postage often put this
above the cost of a complete new one - which will probably have a better
charger too.

You can buy the individual cells for a DIY repair - they are usually an
industrial size called Sub-C. And available with tags for easy soldering.
Will cost from about 1.50 - 3.50 depending on quality and supplier.
I'm assuming they are Ni-Cad - which are getting more difficult to source.
For 18 volts you'll need 15 of them.

The cheapest option is to find an 18 volt from any make on Ebay at a
bargain price and swop the cells, if you can't find the correct spare.


I wasn't able to buy a nicad replacement for my old analogue camcorder.
They're advertised on various websites but I was told they're not
allowed to sell them. Bull****?
Ended up with the NIMH replacement which seems ok despite the warning on
the Sony charger that it MUST NOT be used to charge NIMH batteries.

In article ,
Stuart Noble wrote:
I wasn't able to buy a nicad replacement for my old analogue camcorder.
They're advertised on various websites but I was told they're not
allowed to sell them. Bull****?

Well, all the major component places like RS still sell the cells - but
with a much reduced choice. Could be they're outlawed on new equipment
too. But seem to be still available for repair/replacement.

Ended up with the NIMH replacement which seems ok despite the warning on
the Sony charger that it MUST NOT be used to charge NIMH batteries.

They would, wouldn't they. It's quite likely it won't perform as well as
it's capable of, though, in some way.

--
*Sherlock Holmes never said "Elementary, my dear Watson" *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Stuart Noble wrote:
I wasn't able to buy a nicad replacement for my old analogue camcorder.
They're advertised on various websites but I was told they're not
allowed to sell them. Bull****?

Well, all the major component places like RS still sell the cells - but
with a much reduced choice. Could be they're outlawed on new equipment
too. But seem to be still available for repair/replacement.

Ended up with the NIMH replacement which seems ok despite the warning on
the Sony charger that it MUST NOT be used to charge NIMH batteries.

They would, wouldn't they. It's quite likely it won't perform as well as
it's capable of, though, in some way.


I think the same basic NIMH battery is sold as a replacement for all the
major makes of camcorder NICADs, with no mention of the chargers needing
to be changed.
I should probably dump it but I like the extra weight of the old
analogue types.

On 2008-01-17 10:02:47 +0000, dg said:

On 17 Jan, 02:55, Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

If you buy a Worx corless tool, and register it online, then you will
get free replacement batteries for the life of the tool

dg

6 months..... Not bad.

Stuart Noble wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Stuart Noble wrote:
I wasn't able to buy a nicad replacement for my old analogue
camcorder. They're advertised on various websites but I was told
they're not allowed to sell them. Bull****?

Well, all the major component places like RS still sell the cells - but
with a much reduced choice. Could be they're outlawed on new equipment
too. But seem to be still available for repair/replacement.
Ended up with the NIMH replacement which seems ok despite the warning
on the Sony charger that it MUST NOT be used to charge NIMH batteries.

They would, wouldn't they. It's quite likely it won't perform as well as
it's capable of, though, in some way.


I think the same basic NIMH battery is sold as a replacement for all the
major makes of camcorder NICADs, with no mention of the chargers needing
to be changed.

Ok, teh issue is this.

On trivkle charging, it doen;t make much difference whether its NiCd or
NiMh.

On fats chargers, using e property thata fully charged nickel battery
actually shows a DROP in voltage as it gets to fully charged, the
problem is that whereas in a NiCd its a nice sort of tens of millivolt
type signal, with NiMh its only a few millivolts per cell.

If your charger isn't good enough to detect that, it will carry on
pumping full current in, and damage the cells.

NiCd sub cs are still available BTW

http://www.overlander.co.uk/categori...cid=11&scid=50

On 2008-01-17 12:18:58 +0000, Stephen Howard said:

I've been caught out by that ploy.
Bought an expensive Electrovoice microphone back in the 80s - cost me
twice the price of the industry standard Shure mic, but came with a
'lifetime warranty'...which I reckoned was worth the extra considering
how rough a time a mic can have.
The mic packed up some 20 years later, so I duly rang the appointed
agent to sort out a warranty repair only to be told that they no
longer make that model of mic and there are no spares available.
I protested somewhat, but that was that.

I subsequently spent half a grand on some other mics...none of them
were by Electrovoice.

Regards,

Japanese watch.

Lifetime guarantee.

Mainspring goes, slashes your wrist.

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Stuart Noble wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Stuart Noble wrote:
I wasn't able to buy a nicad replacement for my old analogue
camcorder. They're advertised on various websites but I was told
they're not allowed to sell them. Bull****?

Well, all the major component places like RS still sell the cells - but
with a much reduced choice. Could be they're outlawed on new equipment
too. But seem to be still available for repair/replacement.
Ended up with the NIMH replacement which seems ok despite the
warning on the Sony charger that it MUST NOT be used to charge NIMH
batteries.

They would, wouldn't they. It's quite likely it won't perform as well as
it's capable of, though, in some way.


I think the same basic NIMH battery is sold as a replacement for all
the major makes of camcorder NICADs, with no mention of the chargers
needing to be changed.

Ok, teh issue is this.

On trivkle charging, it doen;t make much difference whether its NiCd or
NiMh.

Oh good. The original charger is trickle so I guess I should be ok.

On 17 Jan, 07:35, Lobster wrote:
Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?

Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Failing that is it worth getting them repaired? Or would I be better
off getting a new one? It seems such a shame to ditch a perfectly
usable drill just because of the batteries.

Not familiar with the name, but if it's a bottom-end model you'd
probably find that buying a separate battery pack costs only a gnat's
less than buying the whole caboodle. *However it's highly unlikely that
B&Q will even carry them (but you could always ask)

The alternative is to break into the battery pack and replace the cells
(which will be a standard type) - there's an online company who
specialises in these but whose URL escapes me - however, again it's not
going to be cost-effective for a cheap drill.

David


Probably this type: http://shop.eurobatteries.com/produc...roducts_id=737

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:52:26 GMT, Stuart Noble
wrote:

They're advertised on various websites but I was told they're not
allowed to sell them. Bull****?

Only partially. NiCds are still around as old stock, but they're no
longer being sold quite so openly. You _could_ still sell them, but the
future ramifications of WEEE and the hazards of cadmium mean this places
a liability onto the seller. RS will probably shoulder it, Arthur Daley
won't care, and B&Q will just switch to NiMH.

NiMH are a better idea anyway. As almost all NiCd chargers are only
crude current limiters anyway (the "leave it on overnight and kill your
battery" design) then there's little difference. Typical loose-cell
chargers for the last decade have offered two switchable charge rates
anyway.

The only charger that might really notice would be something like a
camera where it has a real charger in there and some sort of battery
sensing. This will notice the difference and ought to be either checked,
upgraded, or kept on NiCds. But then useful cameras have used Lions for
some years now.

--
Cats have nine lives, which is why they rarely post to Usenet.

Andy Dingley wrote:
On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:52:26 GMT, Stuart Noble
wrote:

They're advertised on various websites but I was told they're not
allowed to sell them. Bull****?

Only partially. NiCds are still around as old stock, but they're no
longer being sold quite so openly. You _could_ still sell them, but the
future ramifications of WEEE and the hazards of cadmium mean this places
a liability onto the seller. RS will probably shoulder it, Arthur Daley
won't care, and B&Q will just switch to NiMH.

NiMH are a better idea anyway. As almost all NiCd chargers are only
crude current limiters anyway (the "leave it on overnight and kill your
battery" design) then there's little difference. Typical loose-cell
chargers for the last decade have offered two switchable charge rates
anyway.

Mine is an old Sony AC-V 17. The NIMH is sold as a straight replacement
for the original NICAD battery, so I imagine it works with the original
charger.

The only charger that might really notice would be something like a
camera where it has a real charger in there and some sort of battery
sensing. This will notice the difference and ought to be either checked,
upgraded, or kept on NiCds. But then useful cameras have used Lions for
some years now.


Apart from those which still use AA batteries! Canon are actually
praised by reviewers for this feature, but whether their cameras are
"useful" is another matter.

Weatherlawyer wrote:
On Jan 17, 7:35 am, Lobster wrote:
Weatherlawyer wrote:
I have an old B&Q 18 volt drill that needs new batteries. Can I get
them or do they only stock the latest modles?
Its a MacAlister hammer drill Model Number CLM18CHD.

Not familiar with the name, but if it's a bottom-end model you'd
probably find that buying a separate battery pack costs only a gnat's
less than buying the whole caboodle. However it's highly unlikely that
B&Q will even carry them (but you could always ask)

It's actually the P Pro the same as but predating the name change. The
last one I bought cost 100 quid. I broke the handle but it is in a
masking tape splint and going OK.

Shame the batteries are different or I'd just use both drills on the
pair of cells for the goodun.

Well I'm here to eat humble pie because I was in B&Q this afternoon and
was checking out their power tools (as they have a sale on!) and noticed
one 18V MacAllister battery pack on the shelf!

There was no price tag with it I'm afraid, but clearly they *are*
potentially available. FWIW this was the Macclesfield branch.

David

In article ,
Lobster wrote:
Well I'm here to eat humble pie because I was in B&Q this afternoon and
was checking out their power tools (as they have a sale on!) and noticed
one 18V MacAllister battery pack on the shelf!

There was no price tag with it I'm afraid, but clearly they *are*
potentially available. FWIW this was the Macclesfield branch.

About 30 quid, unless in a sale.

FWIW I replaced the cells in my PPPro 18v with Sanyo ones and ended up
with a much better performing drill - as well as having a higher capacity.
They've outlasted the originals already with no signs of reduced
performance. But I modified the charger to true constant current at the
same time.

--
*Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.