How to Rebuild a Ryobi 18V Battery
Ryobi makes a number of power tools. They have new electronic devices that work off lithium ion batteries, as well as their traditional problems, which have eighteen volt battery packs that power them. Because the cells can deteriorate over time, causing the battery life to diminish, rebuilding the battery is sometimes necessary.
What you will need:
Phillips screwdriver, soldering iron, solder, 15 NiCad cells, clear plastic bag
Directions:
- Take the eighteen volt battery out of your Ryobi power tool. Examine the battery's label, which will reveal the cell type that the battery has. They will either be NiCad or nickel metal hydride (NiMH). Just make sure that you know which cell needs to be replaced before working on rebuilding your battery.
- Using your Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the cover of the battery pack. Then, pull the cover off the battery pack.
- With caution, take the fifteen cells out. Many of these you will be able to remove easily, prying them loose with a screwdriver. For the ones that are soldered in place, you will have to use a soldering iron to remove them. Once the soldering iron is hot, gently touch it against the cell terminal. The solder will melt, and you can then pry it loose from its location. When the cells have been removed, turn off the soldering iron.
- Place the cells (there should be fifteen) into a clear plastic bag. These will have to be disposed of properly through recycling, and cannot be thrown away with your household trash.
- Place the new replacement cells into the battery pack. Push them into place, or solder them using your soldering iron.
- Put the cover back on the battery pack and screw it back into place with your Phillips screwdriver.
- Charge your battery pack on a charger for at least an hour. This will help the cells to become completely charged. Once this has happened, the eighteen volt battery is ready to use.