Are there any reliable sources for rechargeable drill replacement batteries at reasonable prices?

I hate like hell to toss a 14.4 Dewalt that gives good service, but Dewalt branded batteries are $68 each, and I have not had particularly good luck with the no name replacements bought for other purposes.

I don't know if you have a batteries plus near you but I took an old drill battery to them and they took the battery apart, checked each cell and replaced the bad cells. Worked like a champ and was maybe 20 bucks. It might be worth looking into.

Aaron

I've bought some on eBay.

I don't know about Dewalt, but for my Ryobi, I just buy a "kit" that includes whatever tool I don't have yet as they come with a new battery(ies) and a charger.

Many times I spend less money doing this versus buying just a brand new battery.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
I don't know about Dewalt, but for my Ryobi, I just buy a "kit" that includes whatever tool I don't have yet as they come with a new battery(ies) and a charger.

Many times I spend less money doing this versus buying just a brand new battery.

This has been my experience. I was just wondering if there was a better and more responsible option for reasonably priced, reliable replacements.

I may try the take it to Batteries Plus and have them repair the existing cells.

For the price of a battery being so expensive, I usually buy a new drill. The last one I bought was the Home Depot Brand (Rigid) which gives a lifetime replacement if it dies.

Batteries + Bulbs just quoted me $32 for new battery pack for 12 volt Bosch drill. I am going to do it and give it to my daughter. Nice drill and should serve her well - if the battery holds up. I have bought laptop batteries from them before and they have worked well

Search on Amazon for the battery part number. You'all get plenty of generic options.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Search on Amazon for the battery part number. You'all get plenty of generic options.

This.

Just recently had to get new batteries for an 10+ yo milwaukee driver and an 20+yo makita. Got some generic (expertpower) replacements that have higher amp hours for a reasonable price.
They are a GIANT improvement. Tool is running good as new.

quote:

Originally posted by PeteF:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Search on Amazon for the battery part number. You'all get plenty of generic options.

This.

Just recently had to get new batteries for an 10+ yo milwaukee driver and an 20+yo makita. Got some generic (expertpower) replacements that have higher amp hours for a reasonable price.
They are a GIANT improvement. Tool is running good as new.

I went this route with a cell phone battery that was supposed to be OEM, the battery worked great for about 6 weeks and then it got so bad my 2 year old cell phone battery I replaced held twice as long a charge......it was a chinese knock off and junk....

quote:

Originally posted by PeteF:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
Search on Amazon for the battery part number. You'all get plenty of generic options.

This.

Just recently had to get new batteries for an 10+ yo milwaukee driver and an 20+yo makita. Got some generic (expertpower) replacements that have higher amp hours for a reasonable price.
They are a GIANT improvement. Tool is running good as new.

++
I have an old DeWalt 12v drill that I hadn't used in a long time due the the batteries being dead (i.e. not able to recharge). I picked these up on Amazon, and they work well at about a third of the price for new batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They should have the 14.4 batteries too.

I just buy a new bundle on sale. Dewalt 20v drill and 2 batteries with charger is usually available for $99. $60 more will get you a second tool.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
I just buy a new bundle on sale. Dewalt 20v drill and 2 batteries with charger is usually available for $99. $60 more will get you a second tool.

I have these and they're amazing. The batteries stayed charged for months and last a long long time compared to the old nicad stuff. I'd go this route over buying old nicad batteries. My old 18 volts didn't hold a charge when sitting for a long while and the batteries didn't last near as long.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have been doing the "package replacement" thing and have a garage full of drill chassis with no usable batteries. I have friends who have had the "cheap Chinese crap" experience with replacements. That's why I asked here, was to see if there was a replacement that was worth owning.

I may try the Expert Power route. If I pick up just two replacement batteries, I will have three 14.4 DeWalt drills in great shape that I can use. Very convenient on some projects not to have to be changing drivers or bits.

I actually "jump started" my old drill batteries and they've been working fine for a few months now. But I can tell they're going bad again. I'll have to think about getting those cheap Amazon ones.

On Amazon I found after market 18V Ni-cads for my Black and Decker tools for $23.00, I ordered 2 about 6 months age and the work fine. I have string trimmer, blower and chain saw.

Just replaced the batteries on an old Craftsman set of drills. The originals were NiCad. The new ones are Li-ion. Got them from Amazon

If you do go that route, you'll also need a new charger. The old charger for NiCad won't work for Li-ion ... but the new charger is capable of charging both.

With Fathers day sales.. it pays to Upgrade right now.. you can buy a complete Dewalt Lithium Ion Drill with batteries cheaper than just buying batteries. And the new Lithium are lighter and last longer.

I'm a Ryobi fan and have a bunch of their tools. A couple of times a year Home Depot has a sale on their 4.0 Ah batteries, 2 for the price of one and that is when I buy them. Those 4.0 Ah batteries are the bomb. They last, easily 4 times longer than the smaller ones.

Jim