Interesting video! A few years back, I grabbed a few discarded laptop battery packs, dismantled them and separated all individual cells, to recover them for other uses, but I never managed to salvage more than 60 to 70 percent of them - there were always cells that never recharged properly and tended to get hot. You seem to have recovered all of yours, which is impressive!
The 28 cell 28volt battery packs I used for the welding experiment were the worst for good cells. Lost count on how many battery packs were thrown out because all the cells were dead. The first two cells in the black battery pack that were low voltage were good under load but a week later after charging them they dropped to 3.7 volts, all the rest were 4.08 volts which means that they are excellent cells. I have found that those cells which drop in voltage can be ok if the battery pack is always charged before use. This is why they were thrown out. The other option is to take out the good cells and use them for other projects and use the bad cells for less demanding projects like led lights.
@@luckygen1001 Thanks for the insight! What I did in the past was precisely take out the good cells to make new packs for other uses, and discard the bad ones. I never attempted to recover them like you did - I might have salvaged a few more 🙂
That is awesome. Even if you strip the batteries down like I do, you can biuld your own 12 volt battery for power supply or solar power setup as a backup power to run just the fridge in a blackout situation! Or go through and charge/discharge and test. Then reassemble and go to cash converters and buy a power tool to suit. Mate that is an awesome score!
I have used a lot for making led torches and they last for hours. Another use for I found for them is replacing nicad cells in cordless drills with lithium cells. Only the best cells are used for cordless drills.
I wouldn't trust them very much, it's hard to tell the internal electrolyte damage from the idle voltage drain. It's less risky than recycling high C lipoly cells though still need to be cautious.
Very interesting. I have one of those old SIP welders. It's been rather average as a welder, but perhaps I can make use of it, like you have. Curious to know more about the ad for the batteries. I thought a 20v drop with the redgum was pretty good actually, I expected more.
Can I ask what a SIP welder is? The ad was on a private forum. Nearly all the battery packs were from cordless vacuum cleaners that are used in schools and offices. Before I did that test I thought the power saw would stall with the red gum but it cut really well for a blunt blade. I should keep cutting firewood and see how long those battery packs last.
I don't think any insurer do have policy against this kind 'scientific experiments' 😂, so (unless you are expirienced with hot stuff like Lucky ) DON'T DO THIS AT HOME
This battery pack has every two cells in parallel so I charged both. No need to disconnect the connector straps because if one cell fails it will drag down the good cell so this is why every pairs of cells need to be tested with a multimeter
I'll keep you in mind. A lot of people were interested but shipping 180 kgs of battery packs to some distant corner of Australia put everyone of except me because it was only one hours drive to pick them up.
@@luckygen1001 Lucky, thanks. My son lives in Melbourne, so he could pick it up and send them to me (or use some by himself. He is a maker and Electronic Engineer).
Awesome battery score and the upcycling is a bonus.
Interesting video! A few years back, I grabbed a few discarded laptop battery packs, dismantled them and separated all individual cells, to recover them for other uses, but I never managed to salvage more than 60 to 70 percent of them - there were always cells that never recharged properly and tended to get hot. You seem to have recovered all of yours, which is impressive!
The 28 cell 28volt battery packs I used for the welding experiment were the worst for good cells. Lost count on how many battery packs were thrown out because all the cells were dead. The first two cells in the black battery pack that were low voltage were good under load but a week later after charging them they dropped to 3.7 volts, all the rest were 4.08 volts which means that they are excellent cells. I have found that those cells which drop in voltage can be ok if the battery pack is always charged before use. This is why they were thrown out. The other option is to take out the good cells and use them for other projects and use the bad cells for less demanding projects like led lights.
@@luckygen1001 Thanks for the insight! What I did in the past was precisely take out the good cells to make new packs for other uses, and discard the bad ones. I never attempted to recover them like you did - I might have salvaged a few more 🙂
You didn't mention the rod you were using to stick weld. I think 20 volts would be a little low.
That is awesome. Even if you strip the batteries down like I do, you can biuld your own 12 volt battery for power supply or solar power setup as a backup power to run just the fridge in a blackout situation! Or go through and charge/discharge and test. Then reassemble and go to cash converters and buy a power tool to suit. Mate that is an awesome score!
I have used a lot for making led torches and they last for hours. Another use for I found for them is replacing nicad cells in cordless drills with lithium cells. Only the best cells are used for cordless drills.
I wouldn't trust them very much, it's hard to tell the internal electrolyte damage from the idle voltage drain. It's less risky than recycling high C lipoly cells though still need to be cautious.
This is why the load test and the voltage drop test after a month is so important.
good on ya mate sort of well done
Very interesting. I have one of those old SIP welders. It's been rather average as a welder, but perhaps I can make use of it, like you have. Curious to know more about the ad for the batteries. I thought a 20v drop with the redgum was pretty good actually, I expected more.
Can I ask what a SIP welder is? The ad was on a private forum. Nearly all the battery packs were from cordless vacuum cleaners that are used in schools and offices. Before I did that test I thought the power saw would stall with the red gum but it cut really well for a blunt blade. I should keep cutting firewood and see how long those battery packs last.
@@luckygen1001 SIP is the brand - it's under the word Migmate.
@@DDB168 That welder in the video was thrown out because the wire feeder stopped working.
That's whats happened to mine ! 🤣
not sure what I got out of the video, but it was interesting and held my attention all the way thank you
Get yourself a nice insurance policy or get some metal cans to store them outside the home.
I don't think any insurer do have policy against this kind 'scientific experiments' 😂, so (unless you are expirienced with hot stuff like Lucky ) DON'T DO THIS AT HOME
How are you charging discharging indivedual cells? Are you removing the connector straps? And if so, how are you reconnecting them?
This battery pack has every two cells in parallel so I charged both. No need to disconnect the connector straps because if one cell fails it will drag down the good cell so this is why every pairs of cells need to be tested with a multimeter
Very interesting
Lucky, if you not going to use all of them we can buy leftovers (for a fair price)
I'll keep you in mind. A lot of people were interested but shipping 180 kgs of battery packs to some distant corner of Australia put everyone of except me because it was only one hours drive to pick them up.
@@luckygen1001 Lucky, thanks. My son lives in Melbourne, so he could pick it up and send them to me (or use some by himself. He is a maker and Electronic Engineer).