What kind of batteries are these? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 03:47:35 pm
content: 12 in total, 14.4 volts. Black & Decker circa from 20 years ago. See attachment.What are my options for this? Replacement pack is $25 from amazon. Spend another 25 and buy a new tool. I was expecting to find here 16850 batteries, perhaps replacing a few cells, I have them laying around from laptops. But no luck. Throw it out?

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 03:59:59 pm
content: NiCad or NiMH

author: Slh
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 04:00:10 pm
content: At a guess NiCad but there's a chance they could be Nimh. Not sure when NiCad got phased out (something to do with nasty toxic cadmium). Definitely one of the two.I doubt that you could find the cells and replace them cheaper than $25.

author: Uunoctium
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 04:22:33 pm
content: QuoteBtwLithiums from laptops are unsuitable for powertools. They use an other chemistry and optimized for maximum capacity at low discharge currents and unable to deliver currents of 10 to 20C. In corresponding datasheets you often read max. discharge currents of 4 to 4.5A.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 04:30:12 pm
content: Have you measured the individual cell voltages? My guess is Ni-Cad, but might be Ni-Mh, based on the number of cells and voltage, which is typically 1.2V per cell. It's not impossible they could be lithium with most of them bad.I wouldn't recommend replacing individual cells. Replace all of them.I doubt it's economical to repair it. Dispose of it in accordance with the local regulations: nickel is expensive and cadmium toxic so it make sense to recycle it and you could get in trouble if you put it in the general waste bin.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 05:03:37 pm
content: I'd say NiMH, Sub-C size. Very usual back then.

author: inse
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 06:41:46 pm
content: Did you closely inspect the battery compartment?There are often signs like “don’t throw away, NiCd“ or the like

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 06:54:16 pm
content: You either buy a new tool or new battery pack. You can't buy the 12 cells for $25. It's either NiCad or NiMH but either should work as long as the size fit.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 07:12:29 pm
content: I have migrated from my Bosch NiCad and Ni-Mh powered drills to modern Li-Ion powered models as the NiCad and Ni-Mh cell costs made them uneconomical to rebuild and chap cells / battery packs tend to be poor performers. A big advantage with moving to Li-Ion powered tools is the charge retention characteristics of the battery technology. Both NiCad and Ni-Mh suffer from quite high self discharge rates. If you leave the battery permanently on the charger they can degrade, but if you don’t they are often not charged when you need them ! You have to remember to charge them the day before you will need them. That is not the case with decent Li-Ion powered tools. The cells retain their charge for many months and I no longer have the annoyance of finding the battery discharged when I need to do a quick job with a tool. I have not looked back since moving away from the older NiCad and Ni-Mh technology. My advice is to buy a modern tool and you can get some good deals in flash sales etc. Some come with a built in battery whilst others have either one or two external batteries supplied. In the U.K., the offerings from Lidl and Aldi are good value for the cost conscious. (Einhell make a lot of the power tools sold by retailers who sell their own branded tools) Do not buy the cheapest models, get a mid range model and you will not regret it.Fraser

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 07:12:40 pm
content: Quoteyea ya can,and going by googles exchange rate still have 61p (82 cents) left overhttps://www.batteriesplus.co.uk/acatalog/Sub-C-1300mAh-1-2V-NiCd-Tagged-Battery-12-pack-for-14-4V-bat.html#SID=594

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 07:15:53 pm
content: I faced the same dilemma with my old Craftsman drills and driver. Replacement packs or replacement cells were more expensive than buying new tools, so I made the move to a Milwaukee M12 drill and driver set with charger and batteries for $100 during a sale.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2025, 10:02:27 pm
content: Tenergy has replacement cells on eBay (I tihnk 4/5ths Sub C), but I agree it's not really not worth the time/money. The only time I went that route was for multiple tools that could use the same battery.Replacement packs are available, but the Amazon ones can be sketchy. A reputable source I've used is Batteries Plus Bulbs, but they are expensive, so again, only if you have a bunch of the tools using the same battery.However, the voltage range of NiCd/NiMH in this configuration (12 in series) is going to be between 13.2V and 16.8V, so that aligns very well with 4x4.2V Lithium ion. Given the very simple circuitry of this pack, I think you could do the absolute minimum and just slap some Li-ion cells in there and call it a day. Add a fuse of some sort to protect against shorts. Use a regulated power supply to set the charge voltage for exactly 16.8V.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2025, 02:54:15 am
content: Quote from: Uunoctium on August 11, 2025, 04:22:33 pmYes, you should look for cells specifically for power tools or vapes. They will have lower capacity (usually 2000-2500mAh at most for an 18650, with some very high current ones even in the 1500-1800mAh range), but also much lower internal resistance due to thicker electrodes - hence also why the lower capacity as there is less chemistry area.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2025, 01:20:26 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on August 11, 2025, 07:12:40 pmWow big savings.

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2025, 01:53:26 pm
content: Good Morning U666sa, I had a cordless screwdriver that I got as a gift, back when cordless tools were just coming out. I hardly ever used it because it was weak and didn't hold a charge for long. I opened it up and it had 3 Ni cad cells, mounted end-to-end, for power, which accounts for the problems. I removed the 3 NiCads and replaced them with one 18650, (repurposed), Lithium battery, which had a 'nominal' voltage that was close enough. There was just enough room for the batt. and a single cell holder. I don't use it a lot, but it sure is handy when I have lots of screws to deal with. So see if you have room for 4 Li-Ion batts, connected in series. I charge mine with one of my adjustable power supplies in constant 4.2 VDC, while I am there, (never leave unattended.).

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2025, 06:32:16 pm
content: Quote from: Slh on August 11, 2025, 04:00:10 pmThat's one reason. Add to that high self-discharge rates. If you leave the device on the shelf for a few weeks, you'd need to recharge it before use. Lower energy density compared to newer technologies, even NiMH. They also suffered from the dreaded "memory effect" Meaning, if you only used a 1/4 of the capacity each time, that's rapidly all you ended up with. To avoid this, you had to discharge them fully before recharging them.To sum up - in comparison to technologies that came after them they:1) Had poor shelf life2) Were environmentally poisonous3) Had low energy density4) Were a pain in the ass to use if you wanted to get good working life out of them

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 01:31:35 pm
content: Quote from: BILLPOD on August 12, 2025, 01:53:26 pmI've this Bosch cordless screw driver (see attached pictures), same story purchased in 2010, was used during few weeks to redo wood floor. I did use it once in a while then forgot to use it, was sitting. Recharging now works but it will not fully charge neither store charges.For a few weeks, I'm on my learning curve to repair or recondition my wife's eBike's battery pack (another thread about 10x5 cells battery pack), I'd like to know if it makes sense or how to secure say remove then swap of old NiCd in my Bosh unit with spares 18650 cells which might still healthy acceptable.Note the actual Bosch case holding unknown number of NiCd cells is plastic glued or sealed.Thank you

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 03:31:05 pm
content: FWIW these are probably "Sub C" sized cells, very common in the older power tools (22.2mm × 42.9mm, 0.87" × 1.69") . They are still readily available in NiMh, but the cost of individual cells to rebuild that battery would be prohibitive IMO. A possible option is to scavenge cells from the older 7.2V radio controlled model battery packs (aka "racing pack" or "stick pack") which are also readily available, tend to use high performance cells and are cheaper than buying separate cells.Quote from: Tantratron on August 13, 2025, 01:31:35 pmIt's possible, but how will you charge the pack? The existing charger will absolutely not be suitable, it must be a charger suitable for the chemistry of the cells you intend to use. For lithium battery powered tools it's also important to have some kind of low voltage cut off to prevent completely discharging the cells and damaging them.

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2025, 09:11:35 am
content: Quote from: mikerj on August 13, 2025, 03:31:05 pmOk thanks for the warning on time, cost and hazardhous risk.Does anybody knows if Bosch offers nowadays a compatible plug&play Lithium-Ion charger which would fit my 2010 screw driver unit as in the pictures or is it programmed obsolescence ?Thank you, Albert

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2025, 12:22:01 pm
content: Quote from: Tantratron on August 18, 2025, 09:11:35 amMore likely it is economic obsolescence in the sense that it could never be cost effective to design and produce the needed upgrade.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2025, 02:21:14 pm
content: The sad fact is that Bosch of today are not the same as Bosch of the NiCad era. They used to be made in Switzerland with excellent Swiss Scintilla motors. They are now made in China. With that said, my Chinese made Bosch drills are all working well and get the job done. I can see why someone might want to resurrect an older model Bosch drill from the grave, but sadly Bosch has no interest in prolonging the life of obsolete drills. Our World is now one of disposable goods. For old timers like me this is sad to see, but I have had to accept it and move on. As I have said, I do not miss the NiCad or N-Mh battery packs but still have those excellent quality drills in case I can ever be bothered to upgrade them to Li-Ion technology.Fraser

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2025, 03:00:48 pm
content: Another option to continue to use older battery-powered tools is to find/make a suitable power supply for it effectively turning it into a corded tool.There's a lot of experience reports on the web such as this one:https://www.instructables.com/What-To-Do-With-A-Drill-That-Has-A-Dead-Battery-Ad/