Can I charge my DeWalt li-ion batteries with a desktop power supply?

[superblinky]

I know nothing about electricity, fixing bits of wood together is my bag. 

My cordless drill batteries are not charging. I don't know if it's because the charger has given up the ghost, or both of my batteries have. I'm wondering if the batteries have become so discharged that the charger doesn't recognise them (see first sentence).

So before I shell out for a new charger or batteries I want to have a go at charging the batteries another way. I have a desktop powersupply (one like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Adjustable-DC-Power-Supply-Precision-Variable-Digital-Lab-0-5A-0-30V-DC-UK-SHIP-/252403349854?hash=item3ac469795e). 

Can I use it to charge the batteries? If so how do I wire it all together?

This electric noob thanks you. 

[Nigel Worsley]

If they are lithium batteries then using anything other than a proper
charger can be very dangerous. Don't try it!

If they are NiCad or NiMh then they can be safely slow charged from a
bench supply. To do this the power supply should be set to deliver a
constant current that is a tenth of the battery capacity. so if they
are rated at 1.5Ah then a charge current of 150mA should be used.
Fully charging them should take about 15 hours, assuming they still
have their full capacity (which is unlikely). If they start to get hot
then stop charging.

Nigle

[superblinky]

Thanks for your answer. 

Unfortunately they are lithium batteries. Damn. 

[Nigel Worsley]

On 25 November 2017 at 00:11, 'superblinky' via London Hackspace

<london-h...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
> Thanks for your answer.
>
> Unfortunately they are lithium batteries. Damn.

Yep, I should have read the title and not just the body before replying!

With sufficient care they can be recharged from a bench supply, but
the consequences of getting it wrong are rather catastrophic.

Nigle

[Jon Russell]

You can use an RC car or drone lipo batter charger? Find someone with a lipo charger and just plug your battery in with croc clips ? Most lipo chargers these days are intelligent and will analyse the battery before charging. E.g. they will tell you if the battery is under voltage etc.

If you can't find someone with one in the space, shout. I can bring mine in from home one day and meet up ?

Regards

Jon.

[Andy Selby]

My cordless drill batteries are not charging. I don't know if it's because the charger has given up the ghost, or both of my batteries have. I'm wondering if the batteries have become so discharged that the charger doesn't recognise them (see first sentence).

I've brought back non-charging drill batteries using an imax B6 charger by opening up the battery and attaching a cable from the balance charger socket to the plus, minus and every cell inbetween. 

check every cell with a multimeter, the cell with the lowest voltage is probably the culprit and you can get away with just recharging that cell, attach the red and black cables to the plus and minus and it should bring that cell back into spec.

I'd help but am no longer a member.

Andy

[Lex Robinson]

On Sat, 25 Nov 2017, 01:12 'Nigel Worsley' via London Hackspace, <london-h...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

With sufficient care they can be recharged from a bench supply, but
the consequences of getting it wrong are rather catastrophic.

With both of those suggestions bear in mind that "catastrophic" literally means "fireball" in this context.

The higher capacity the cell the more impressive the YouTube video they play at your memorial: https://youtu.be/ixIOEPnsgbI

[Alex Shabi]

It's great that you want to troubleshoot and try charging your cordless drill batteries using a desktop power supply. However, charging rechargeable batteries can be tricky, and it's important to be cautious to avoid damaging the batteries or causing safety hazards.

Here are some general steps you can follow, but please note that specific details may vary depending on your drill battery and power supply specifications. Be sure to consult your drill and power supply manuals if available:

Important Notes:

1. Voltage Matching: Make sure the voltage output of your power supply matches the voltage of your cordless drill batteries. For example, if your batteries are 18V, set the power supply output to 18V.

2. Current Limiting: Ensure that the power supply's current (amperage) output is within the safe charging range for your batteries. If your batteries are rated for 1.5A, set the power supply's current limit to a similar value.

3. Polarity: Check the polarity of your batteries and power supply. Connect the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals correctly.

Charging Steps:

1. Disconnect Batteries: Remove the batteries from the drill and make sure they are not connected to anything.

2. Identify Battery Terminals: On each battery, identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.

3. Power Supply Setup:

   • Set the voltage output of the power supply to match the battery voltage.
   • Set the current limit on the power supply to a safe charging value (not exceeding the battery's recommended charging current).

4. Connect Wires:

   • Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the positive output of the power supply.
   • Connect the negative terminal of the battery to the negative output of the power supply.

5. Monitor Charging:

   • Turn on the power supply and monitor the charging process. If your power supply has a current meter, ensure that it stays within the safe range for your batteries.

6. Safety Precautions:

   • Do not leave the batteries unattended during charging.
   • Stop the charging process if you notice any unusual heat, smoke, or other signs of distress from the batteries.

Remember, charging lithium-ion batteries requires careful attention to voltage, current, and safety considerations. If you have any doubts or concerns, it's recommended to contact the drill manufacturer or seek professional advice. Additionally, investing in a proper charger designed for your specific drill batteries is the safest and most reliable solution in the long run. Answer picked from https://iceagetools.com/hot-cold-delay-on-dewalt-charger/

[Andy Bennett]

Hi,

Notwithstanding the attribution at the bottom, this reads like something
copy/pasted from a Large Langauge Model.

It points out some safety issues and then ignores them in its instructions.

I would avoid connecting a branded li-ion battery pack to anything other
than the official charger because of the catastrophic consequences of
getting it wrong (I know someone who did tens of thousands of pounds of
damage to his house and set fire to his cat).

Even if you manage to succeed the first or second time, there's no gurantee
that you'll not make a mistake with your settings or connections in the
future. You'd also need to make sure you understood the protection system
for that particular battery and charger combo.

Moreover, whilst the technically correct answer is "yes, it's possible", in
reality, a naive implementation is not recommended and a more advanced
implementation involves enough complexity that you're best off shelling out
for the off-the-shelf charger.

There are far more issues to consider, in far more depth than the the
article below mentions.


Please don't try this.

--
Best wishes,
@ndy

--
and...@ashurst.eu.org
http://www.ashurst.eu.org/
0x7EBA75FF