NiCad Battery won't take a charge

[presto]

One of my versapak NiCad Batteries won't take a charge. I left it on the charger over night and it just will not take a charge. When I plug it into the flashlight it gives an orange glow not a bright light.

I found a web site that is selling some method to resurrecting this kind of batteries. They say it only takes a moment and then you put it on the charger over night.

Any one know what this trick could be?

[jackal70058]

May be just draining the battery completly and charging again.

This has known as renewing the battery, but I don't know if it actually work or not I've never actually tried. By time my batteries get that old for the camera I toss it out and go and get new one.

[presto]

I know they are not talking about draining the battery. They say it is something you can do in only a moment.

I found another site that talks about "shocking" the battery back to life by putting very high voltage though it. They say it works but is really only a stop gap. The site claims that whatever they do lasts.

I'm curious about exactly what they are selling for $12.00 but probably not curious enough. I thought the battery would cost $30 to replace but it is less than $15.00 I still have 2 that work fine.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

such is the fate of all NiCads, after a while they're just dead.
I don't know what their magic trick is, but jackal is right, if you completely drain the battery, you should be able to get a few more charges out of it.

NiMh batteries are supposed to be better when it comes to this longevity problem, but mine haven't died yet, so I can't say

[stiltman]

I found another site that talks about "shocking" the battery back to life by putting very high voltage though it. They say it works but is really only a stop gap.

I used to do the same thing. I would just zap it with my 12 volt battery charger for about 10 seconds, then put it the regular charger

[otpw1]

I have done this with single cells with good results, but never batteries.

[lordsmurf]

You can always try freezing the battery. That'll kill it real well. If it over-freezes, it'll never take a charge again.

[smearbrick1]

The crappy thing about NiCad is that the only way to ensure any type of life was to drain them completely (I think they actually sold a device that would dishcharge them.) Unfortunately, most peoples' first inclination is to yank a dying battery and put it in the charger right away. Being that NiCad develops a memory of sorts, this causes the battery to not last very long.

In my opinion, you should possibly try Ebaying the Versapack tools and plunk down some cash for some tools that use NiMh. I think pretty much all cordless tool brand uses these batteries. Besides, I don't think Versapack is even made anymore. I had a few of the Versapack tools, and I should have had my ass kicked for buying them.

Also, if your handy with electronics, you may be able to adapt another NiMh battery of the same voltage to the Versapack tool. I believe the voltage is 7.2 volts.