IF you know how to solder, you can solder the cells together. You have to
rough up the ends a little to accept the solder. Tin them, then solder some
small gauge wire between them. I've done many like that.

L.

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...
Jeff,

You've done exactly what I want, i.e. I recently acquired an Apelco
VHF510 [supposedly water-proof, I don't know] but the battery is dead
and W.Marine wants about $65 for a new one. No way.

Is there actually a "You-Do-It" electronics ? If so how do I get in
touch. We have Radio Shack, of course.

After getting the AA NiCADs with tabs, what then exactly did you do ?

Appreciatively,

Courtney

Jeff Morris wrote:

You should be able to get NiCad's with the small tabs on them. I think
I got
mine at Radio Shack (but it might have been You-Do-It electronics). I
was able
to bring my Apelco VHF back to life and its now a nice backup.
Actually, this
is a third life, since it had a one hour bath, courtesy of our little
daughter.
This is a "weather resistant" model, not water proof, but with a few
hours of
TLC, and a few weeks of drying, it came back to life.


Opening each pack is different - sometimes labels cover a screw, others
need
gentle prying around the edges. Inside is usually just AA NiCad's
soldered
together.


"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...

Having several devices using these "packs", and seeing the prices on
buying new packs; I was wondering if there is any way to safely rebuild
these things and save some money.

Are there simply individual batteries inside plugged into the pack or
what ?

How can you open the packs without damage, if possible ?

I realize disposal is a problem.

Gratefully,
Courtney
--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619






--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619

try these guys,

http://www.batteryspace.com/

they have pretty good prices and a nice website. They even have those
sub C used in the cordless drills.

I've done a lot of rebuilding and even rejuvenating.

I rejuvenate batteries that are shorted by charging a capapcitor like
50,000 uf to 50 volts and then apply it dead short to nicads that show
a short. It usually blows the internal batteries short and gives it
new life. Not always but sometimes it fixes it for a long time.

PLEASE WEAR SAFETY GLASSES when you do it. Molten metal can fly.

good luck

Don

Don,

Thanks for the information.

An in depth description of your rejuvenation procedure would be greatly
appreciated.

I'll wear the glasses, of course.

Cordially,
Courtney



Don WA5NGP wrote:

try these guys,

http://www.batteryspace.com/

they have pretty good prices and a nice website. They even have those
sub C used in the cordless drills.

I've done a lot of rebuilding and even rejuvenating.

I rejuvenate batteries that are shorted by charging a capapcitor like
50,000 uf to 50 volts and then apply it dead short to nicads that show
a short. It usually blows the internal batteries short and gives it
new life. Not always but sometimes it fixes it for a long time.

PLEASE WEAR SAFETY GLASSES when you do it. Molten metal can fly.

good luck

Don



--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619