How to Rebuild Milwaukee NiCad Battery Packs
- 1). Place the Milwaukee NiCad battery pack on a workbench. Look at the label on the battery to find what the output voltage is. It's clearly labeled, and says either 12 or 18 volts.
- 2). Calculate the number of replacement NiCad cells you need to buy to rebuild the Milwaukee battery pack. Each NiCad cell produces 1.2 volts so divide the output voltage given on the battery pack label by 1.2. For example, if your battery pack is 12 volts, you need 10 NiCad cells; if it's 18 volts, you need 15 NiCad cells.
- 3). Purchase the replacement NiCad cells you need to rebuild the Milwaukee battery pack from an electrical store. You will find they are widely available.
- 4). Remove the cover from the NiCad battery pack so you can access the cells. The cover is held in place using six Phillips screws, so use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove them; then, simply lift the cover from the battery pack.
- 5). Heat a soldering iron, as the cells' terminals are soldered in place. Have a small flathead screwdriver nearby. Put the end of the soldering iron onto the first cell terminal, using one hand. As the solder melts, use the flathead screwdriver to pry the cell from the terminal connector. Remove the soldering iron as soon as the solder melts. Repeat the process for each cell, until all the cells are removed. Turn off the soldering iron.
- 6). Put the cells you've removed from the battery pack into a clear plastic bag. NiCad cells must be discarded at a battery-recycling facility. Never put them in your regular trash. Use the link in the resources section to learn about disposing of NiCad cells.
- 7). Insert the replacement cells into the battery compartment. Be careful to place the positive cell terminal in the positive connector and the negative terminal in the negative connector. The positive battery terminal and connector is labeled "+" and the negative terminal and connector is labeled "-."
- 8). Heat the soldering iron. Put the end of the soldering iron onto the first cell terminal. Introduce a small amount of solder, and let it melt onto the terminal and connector. Quickly remove the soldering iron and solder once it has melted. Repeat the process for all the cell terminals. Turn off the soldering iron.
- 9). Put the battery pack cover onto the battery pack. Insert the Phillips screws in the screw holes. Tighten the screws using the Phillips screwdriver, then put your rebuilt Milwaukee battery pack into the device it powers.