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18V battery revival tricks?

1411 Views 20 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Old Thomas
I have a Ridgid 3.0ah battery that I purchased with a Ridgid radio. The person I bought it from said that they both came from a tool lot auction so going through the lifetime service agreement is not an option. He said he used the battery in the radio and it worked fine but once it died, he had no way to charge it and it sat for about 6 months before he decided to sell it. I bought it and when I put it on the charger, the EVALUATE light flashes for about 30 minutes and then the DEFECTIVE light will flash. There are no indicator lights that come on when I push the button on the battery itself and with a multimeter, its reads 0 volts. Physically, it's in brand new shape which leads me to think it hasn't seen much use, but maybe there is something I can try before it gets recycled. Thanks.
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What kind of batteries are in it—Ni-Cd or Li-Ion?
Been through the warranty process on the ni-cd batteries several times and they no longer have replacements. last ones I got were from their re-build servicer and his last ones in stock. I still like some of the smaller tools I have that need them, but buying new Li-ion is far too expensive.

If you have ni-cd I've had some of mine apart and batteries corrode and short out. There are places that can replace the internal batteries, but also expensive.

Bud
It is a lithium ion battery.
Li-Ion is newer and you might still be able to bully Home Depot into a replacement. Just say no receipt and not sure of the date. The battery or radio may have a date on it.

But lifetime warranties should not be limited to the original purchaser, they are not in Maine. And we are not required to send in those stupid registration cards. Just be nice and give them the opportunity to make a good customer happy.

Check for a mfg date on the radio or battery.

Bud
Li-Ion is newer and you might still be able to bully Home Depot into a replacement.
But lifetime warranties should not be limited to the original purchaser, they are not in Maine.
https://register.ridgidpower.com/about_lsa


I wish that were true but this is quoted from the above link:


Customers have 90 days from the date of purchase to register tools for LSA. Once all conditions of the registration process are fulfilled, the tool's service coverage lasts the lifetime of the original purchaser.


I'll try my luck at Home Depot, but I'm not going to "bully" them into something I know I'm not entitled to. They'll likely refer me to Ridgid directly and then I'll be rejected by them.


EDIT: I googled how to decipher the date code on the serial number and it looks like the first four numbers are the year and week of production. In my case 1351 (51st week of 2013) so a little over 6 years old.
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i already done it (another brand) with a small 50 ma recharge to each cell individually to bring it over minimum recharge voltage but had to open battery, but battery after wasn't very good, still works but maybe 1/3 of original capacity
Question is.............

If you buy it used should you be entitled to the lifetime warranties.?

Just my opinion.
I would say no for the obvious reasons.

What if the person you bought it from stole it.?
Why should the company suffer/pay and the original purchaser gains their money back.?
Question is.............

If you buy it used should you be entitled to the lifetime warranties.?

Just my opinion.
I would say no for the obvious reasons.

What if the person you bought it from stole it.?
Why should the company suffer/pay and the original purchaser gains their money back.?
I agree with the possible exception of it you were given the purchase receipt when you bought it used from the original owner. Most people though aren't keeping their receipts because they are no longer required once the tool gets registered.
Not sure if Makita is the same but theirs run the chip in the battery on one cell. If it is left dormant too long that cell runs down. Then the chip detects an imbalance in the cells and it locks out the battery. Some people take the battery pack apart and swap out the dead cell for a good one from another locked out battery pack. That is why dead battery packs have a value on eBay.
Not sure if Makita is the same but theirs run the chip in the battery on one cell. If it is left dormant too long that cell runs down. Then the chip detects an imbalance in the cells and it locks out the battery. Some people take the battery pack apart and swap out the dead cell for a good one from another locked out battery pack. That is why dead battery packs have a value on eBay.
Thanks, I'll have to buy a security torx bit set so I can open it up and test the cells.
Thanks, I'll have to buy a security torx bit set so I can open it up and test the cells.
I am curious about your findings.
I am curious about your findings.
I will update.
I agree with the possible exception of it you were given the purchase receipt when you bought it used from the original owner. Most people though aren't keeping their receipts because they are no longer required once the tool gets registered.
I think you clearly miss the point.

You gave the money to an individual not the company, but you want the company to supply you with free................
I think you clearly miss the point.

You gave the money to an individual not the company, but you want the company to supply you with free................
Where did I say that I expect Home Depot to give me a free battery? I know I'm not going to get a free replacement, hence my original post asking for any pointers on how I might try to get it functioning again.


If I had the receipt from the original owner, it would be confirmation that it isn't stolen but I am aware of their policy and that it doesn't apply to second hand owners.
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Question is.............

If you buy it used should you be entitled to the lifetime warranties.?
It depends. If the company has a caveat that only the original purchaser gets the warranty, then only the OP should get that warranty.

However. It's my opinion that a lifetime warranty should be a lifetime warranty, no ifs ands or buts. Otherwise the company should limit it to X years or whatever.
It depends. If the company has a caveat that only the original purchaser gets the warranty, then only the OP should get that warranty.

However. It's my opinion that a lifetime warranty should be a lifetime warranty, no ifs ands or buts. Otherwise the company should limit it to X years or whatever.
To be fair, Ridgid offers a lifetime service agreement, not a lifetime warranty. But like any sort of after-purchase product support, there can be all sorts of stipulations and fine print.



The lifetime warranty (clearly written on the packing) on my expensive Icebreaker brand merino wool socks is only valid for 3 years after purchase, which Icebreaker tells me is the expected lifetime on each pair of their socks. If they do need to be replaced within 3 years, they will do it once, but only once. Don't buy Icebreaker socks.
It depends. If the company has a caveat that only the original purchaser gets the warranty, then only the OP should get that warranty.

However. It's my opinion that a lifetime warranty should be a lifetime warranty, no ifs ands or buts. Otherwise the company should limit it to X years or whatever.
And where did that get Sears.?
I am curious about your findings.
All 10 cells read 0.00 volts. I'm not very technical with this sort of thing, but it seems strange that every single cell is completely dead. Someone suggested individually charging each cell to see if that brings them back, but I don't have an 18650 charger and for the cost of buying one, I may as well just buy a new Ridgid battery.
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