Lack of power in C12 - Battery issue

[rj_mccall]

Hello FOG'ers!

    First post, but have been following for quite some time. I was recently handed down a C12 drill with NiCd batteries, everything's in great shape, but I'm aware of how dated this drill is now. I've only used the batteries to power my sys rock since getting the drill, but had some pocket holes I needed to drill today and figured I'd take it for a spin. Immediately the drill had problems drilling the first pocket hole, so I decided to switch out the battery (both were coming off a fresh charge). Again, the drill was unable to drill the pocket hole, so I switched back to my CXS (love that thing!). Being the original batteries do you figure the power issue is a result of the batteries on their last life? I see that vendors such as Toolnut still sell these batteries, perhaps a new one will solve my issue? Are there any known issues with these batteries or drills?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

   

 

[greg mann]

I have had my C12 batteries rebuilt twice. Nicads only last so long. It is worth it to me because I love the drill. Batteries Plus did it for me. As a side note the guy who does the work loves doing Festool batteries. He claims they are the easiest of all brands to rebuild.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I also have an old C12 NiCd which I use sometimes as 2nd drill next to my T15, one battery is toast already, and the other is maybe at 10%, I can't get much use out of it before I have to recharge it again. The drill is not very powerful, but I can drill holes and drive screws just fine. The hole saw won't work though.

 

[TinyShop]

Based on the details you've described I would try to shock the batteries in order to rule out the possibility that they are simply suffering from crystallization. Google "renew nicad batteries" and follow the plentiful video advice about how to do this. I did and managed to jump start a pair of decade-plus year-old Porter Cable 12V batteries and a Nitrider Pro 6V bottle-type battery (that I'd also had rebuilt) none of which had worked for many years. Amazingly, all are now back to their original strength. So, it may be that your existing batteries are shot... but since you have nothing to lose it wouldn't hurt to try the jump start technique just in case there is some life left in them. Good luck! By the way, this only works for rechargeable batteries with NiCd  chemistry.