How to dissassemble a Makita Li-ion battery

[Spracker]

The screws that hold the makita 18v lithion packs together are tt10 (tamper proof torx)

[Spracker]

Can you tell me what size the screws holding the pack together are? I thought they were tt15, but they are not, can you confirm if they are tt10? Or tt9? I don't want to buy a whole set of screwdrivers to get the one I need, but its hard to tell which size the screws actually are. Thanks.

[joby613]

I don't get it. Most rechargeable batteries are under fifty bucks. With that being said... just buy a new battery. I understand your curiosity; mine is now satisfied, but how much time did you spend diagnosing the problem, then fixing it? Is it really cost effective? What's your time worth? Also consider that everywhere you can buy rechargeable batteries, they have a drop box for recycling. So... you ain't savin' the planet. Just my two cents.

[rijaka]

I want to ask something:

They are 5x2 = 10 cells. If i remove as shown from you 2 cells, can i continue use the batteri with 8 cells, but lower ednurance?

[vtichris]

OK i'm confused.

By looking at the battery pack i can see that are joined in parallel and in series.

So the 1.8vX10 =18v shouldn't be right.

The battery pack looks more like a 3.6vx5(x2)=18v

???

I got myself a pack of old BCL1815.

I found some 18650 batteries 3600mah Li-ion.

Can i make a pack in series out of these 5 cells - (3.7vx5=18.5v) and use my RC charger and balancer to charge it?

Will the discharge rate be sufficient on the Li-ion?

I won't be using any circuit protection...

[honda4004]

hi can you supply the cells for milwaukee v28 li ion and cost to ship to england i need 35 4v li ion for my 5 worn out batteries melvin mobile 07833528879

[VieuxMalcommode]

Très sympa, cette présentation :)

[Henniebrandweer]

Hi there, I have a AEG 18v Li-ion Cordless drill, both packs are dead, wont charge, would I be able to fix them? I have fixed my other NiCad drill batteries before as I know they take Sub C cells, but what cells does the Li-ion packs take and are they expensive? thanks in advance bud

[mickjc72]

just change battery cell that was knackered still flashes red and green on the charger any ideas why cheers

[olddeadhead69]

Hello Doctorbass -- where do you find/obtain/buy the replacement cells? Looked around and can't find a source. Thank you!

[Doctorbass]

I think these 2500mAh cells are not lithium manganese chemistry.. they are probably lithium cobalt. If so, dont use them to replace your actual lithium manganese! They are dangerous and are not as safe as lithium manganese!

But if you have many pack defective you can swap the good cells of one to repair another pack for sure. Ensure that the cells are above 3.0V and that when you connect them to the rest, they are at the same voltage each cell pair must have the same voltage before charging

[fluffylightengineer]

@Doctorbass

The ones I can looking at are from DealExtreme and the product is SKU 5790

It just says "Lithium" on the product page. I already have some and there isnt any info on the battery itself.

Soo you think they are Lithium Cobalt?

Thanks heaps for answering and providing this video.

[MrMikey69ers]

@Doctorbass

hay what is the best way to reconnect the good cells when using two batteries to make one good one? a soldering iron ?

[fluffylightengineer]

Hi, Great video thanks. I have a broken battery pack, and have found 18650 @ 2500mAh, If I get them installed in 5s2p config somehow do you think the makita charger will charge them correctly? Or would I need to jig up a 5 cell RC charger?

Great video. Thanks.

[Doctorbass]

These cells are 18650V model of 1.5Ah and they only exist on the BionX ebike battery and for the Makita 3.0Ah pack.

Yes yo can use two deffectives pack and make one working with the. Just make sure that all the cells have the same voltage and are above 3.3V ( usually 3.0V is enough but 3.3V is a good margin since their range of voltage is 3.0V to 4.2V

Makita pack of 3.0Ah use 5s2p.. or if you preffer, 5 pair of cells connected in serie. The pair will have the same voltage (keep them matched)

[ptrachilos]

@Doctorbass what if i switch a pair with one of different voltage and i let the batteries on the charger over night? Wouldn't that balance the batteries?

[tommo2785]

where would be the best place to purchase some cells to repair my Makita batteries?

I have three dead 14.4v 3.0Ah Li Makita batteries and would like to see them going again.

Or do I just harvest some cells out of one to get the other 2 going?

Also, you seem to have discovered that it is always the first cell that goes. Have you a reason why this cell goes, or what makes the packs fail?

[Doctorbass]

The thermal fuse connected in serie is rated 7A . that mean it can take up to 7A continuous with cells in the right temperature range. If your dril draw 6A no load.. than REPLACE IT... probably the motor winding have melted... A fuse can take overload for short period of time.

[eboyer2]

At 6:14 you said the fuse is rated for 7A. Are you sure it's that low? I have a Makita drill that uses this battery and it draws 6A at full speed with no load, and upwards of 10A under heavy load.

[wayneburgess63]

Just a question can anyone tell me why hitachi lithium ion battery packs are so good?

Ive had the first ones hitachi made 7 packs in total to run all my site tools and they get abused and used very hard every day and not a single one has failed :)

[wayneburgess63]

Very informative video, it has put me off Makita lithium power tools, the weakness you pointed out in them is scarey if you just paid a fortune to buy one.

Do you also harvest battery from other makes other than makita and dewalt?

I guess the ones you dont harvest from are the best battery packs.LOL :)

[SlyCayer]

@wayneburgess63

LOL, You'd be impressed, Makita 2009-2010 battery packs are the best... Most reliable in all of them.

[MrTrozx]

Are these LiMn cells standard 18650s? Sounds and looks about right to me.

Do the Sonys have some special charge characteristics? I'm curious how Makita can bring them up to full charge in 15-20min in a safe manner that does not eventually ruin the cell. Yes, the smart circuit monitors charging voltage, current, and temperature.. but still.

I'd also like to see a datasheet of these Sony cells if available.

[mudslingerO5]

Do you repair and re-sell the 1.5ah variants? Or do you only harvest the batteries for independent projects?

[Mark1Spitfire]

Sorry i didn't see you mention limn.

Ive never heard of them, before. i fly Model aircraft so was curious to their origin. I Presumed wrongly that all power tool maufactures used the ltihium ion nano phosphate cell.

I use polymer cells. lighter. Limn lighter than a123?

[Mark1Spitfire]

Are the sony cells knons as LIFE cells too?

I guess there must be a different cell configuration to achieve 18v with A123 if those cells are 3.3v nominal,not 5s2p?

Whats your big battery pack for?

[Doctorbass]

As i said already, Konion( LiMn) and LiFePO4 are different chemistry.

Dewalt A123 18V pack are in 6s2p LiFePO4

Makita Sony 18V pack are 5s2p LiMn

These packs are for my very powerfull 5kW+ electric bike. Read my account you will see...

[Mark1Spitfire]

Are they A123 lions?, funny not 5s 3ah individual cells

[Doctorbass]

no they sony lithium manganese ( 3.7V nominal) A123 are 3.3V nonimal

[Mark1Spitfire]

5s2p 10 cell.

whats the single cell voltage and how does 10 cells add up to 18v.

The math please

[Doctorbass]

3.7V nominal per cells

1.5Ah per cells

5 x 3.7 = 18.5V nominal

2x 1.5 = 3Ah

[dannybruff]

@Mark1Spitfire the size is 18650 65mm long 18mm wide

and from 5.07 he tests each one. 1.8 volts. Now times that by 10 and there you have it 18 volts

[lostbuffalo]

@Mark1Spitfire it taks 15 sub-c batteries to make 18 volts

[erehwyrevekool]

great video, thank you so much!

[vlahos78]

can you please tell me what kind of screwdriver i need to open the case and what nr? i couldnt hear it very clear in the video..im having trouble finding the right screwdriver...thanks!

[Doctorbass]

It's a Torx T-10 anti-theif bit.

[takforalt]

Excellent explanation. Thank you so much.

[labada131]

ive done this and have all good cells now, and battery still wont charge, the charger is good, i use it with another battery all the time. any ideas

[Doctorbass]

dont use a tool charger.. use RC charger

[OLGAANTREOU]

@labada131

The circuit board in the battery cuts off charging after several attempts to charge if it has defective cells and cannot be reset even if the bad cells are replaced.

[cornishrob123]

hi there thanks alot just begining to play more with electrics ,to much is thrown out just because it stops,thanks again great viv :Rob Cornwall UK

[izzzzzz6]

Hi Dr Bass How many Ah @V? do you calculate your finished pack to be? I have recently started dismantling any laptop packs i can find. i will separate all cells to locate bad ones. Any tips on charging them? can i charge from a laptop power supply? If i buy electric scooter LiFePo4 2x 20Ah @48v or 72V batteries, can i mix the two packs together on a 2000W e-bike?

[Doctorbass]

I recommend NEVER use any laptop cells for any ev use! these cells chemistry are dangerous if not used perfectly!

My pack is finish and it have 23Ah

[mrbest20]

i like ur videos :D

[patrickza]

Thanks for that, how difficult is it to dremel the tabs without damaging the pack? Also to remove the white plastic holder do you have to break up the 2p cells?

[Doctorbass]

You need to have max speed on your dremel and to cut slowly withot pushing too much on the cutting disk.. Yes, to seperate the 2p cells i need to cut one end link.. I usually cut the negative.

[berkelusa]

Does one battery inside go bad and disable all of the others? causing the whole thing to be bad?

[dalomas2008]

Very informative thank you.

[mikolajdeejay]

from where you have all these batteries? did you bought it?answer

[mrearly]

Wow,that is some power! Safety glasses might be a good idea if you don't at least wear regular glasses.

[mdocod]

There seems to be a recent trend towards shipping these cells in a heavily discharged state, with the idea that if something were to go wrong in shipping they would be safer.. if a fork-lift crushed a pack, and caused some shorts, with fully charged cells it would very likely start a fire from all the heat. I agree that having them stored above 3V is better for their health, but I have received "new" packs full of Emoli brand LiMn cell that were ~1.8V per cell. They are working fine.

[hardyhard84]

Are this FEPO4 Cells or Konion 1600mAh 5S2P ?

[Doctorbass]

1600mAh 5S2P .. and dont need balancing like the A123.. i built and still use a 24s18p pack and i never balanced them.

[hardyhard84]

Thank you!

In Germany is the Pack very expensive ;( ~100$.

My favoriet, Dewalt 36V or Bosch 36V 2,0A (10S2P Konion 1100).

greetings from germany

[UrsusC330]

dissassemble? what for? 1 battery cost around 80$ or more...

[Doctorbass]

dissassembling is for other use than powertool ! like electric bike or RC hobby!

[UrsusC330]

I know...so that must be a expensive hobby ;)

[coreymon77]

thank you.