Low Cost Replacement Batteries and Battery Repairs

[Scrit]

I've just had some new batteries for my Makita kit from a company called Excel (the eBattery Shop) who do a good range of unbranded replacement batteries, for example their 12 volt 3.0Ah NiMH replacements for the Makita equivalents are £25.36 + shipping, less than half the price of a "proper" Makita battery. They also sell replacement batteries for laptops, PDAs, etc.

If your batteries are on an older model and no-longer available then I'd recommend Re-Cell who seem to be able to re-pack almost any old battery casing so long as it is still serviceable

Scrit

[dom]

Thanks Scrit, very useful.
I have an old Metabo that is an excellent tool but I couldn't get the batteries.

[colincott]

dom said:

Thanks Scrit, very useful.
I have an old Metabo that is an excellent tool but I couldn't get the batteries.

Dom
Is that the one with the chuck that has a mind of its own

[dom]

No it's the old one not the new one ;D

[jmk89]

I think replacement is the way to go, but here is a thread that discusses some tricks to get batteries working again:
www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=62399

[scrums]

Another good way of buying current model Makita batteries on the cheap is to buy a makita drill when it's on special, ie with 3 batts and drill set etc...keep the batteries and resell all the other bits separately - you can see it done on ebay regularly.

Chris.

[Scrit]

Chris

If you check the prices for the Excell batteries you'll find they're probably cheaper than doing things that way. For example a Makita 8414 12 volt MXT combi-drill and 3 x 2.6Ah NiMH batteries typically runs circa £220 or so even on eBay (assuming you don't end up buying a fake - very common on Makitas and deWalts I'm told). The charger is about £60 to £70, the drill body only can be had for £70 or so, meaning that the batteries are £80 for a pair, or £40 each - and that's before you start dealing with postage charges. An Excel 3.0Ah NiHM battery on the other hand is about £30, delivered....... and only one transaction.

Scrit

[paulm]

Sent a couple of Metabo 12v 3amp batteries to Re-Cell last week for repacking and got them back in about a week duly repacked which is pretty fast.

Cost £40 each though, although thats inclusive of return p&p. Couldn't get replacements from the e-battery shop that was also suggested by Scrit, so decided to pay the higher price to have them repacked.

Just charging them up in the workshop at the moment but seem to be fine and will put them to use later and see if they perform as you would expect.

So looks a good option if there is plenty of life left in one of your power tool bodies and you don't want to chuck it for the sake of a battery.

Thanks Scrit ! ;D

Cheers, Paul.

[argus]

.

You have to recognise that re-chargeable batteries have a finite life (usually shorter than admitted to with NiCads).

I have used Recell in the past and can recommend their service. Very often they will also beef up the output on old clapped out batteries.

They restored life to a couple of Ryobi batteries a few years ago and they are still going strong.


Good little firm.

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