Question about Sub C NiCd batteries

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

I´m not very familiar with this size or options what to get.

Thing is, these are the batteries that are used in powertools etc., correct me if I´m wrong.

Does anyone know, are eBay 4/5C batteries total **** or complete ****?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-4-5-SubC-Sub-C-1600mAh-NiMH-Rechargeable-Battery-Tab-/160646354466?pt=US_Batteries&hash=item256744d622#ht_1988wt_1060

At least the seller has tons of deals and 99,5% feedback. Batteries would be dirt cheap to replace in a used drill.

Planning to get ~10pcs, will be using 5pcs to get one balanced pack out of the selection.

Thanks in advance for odd-size battery pro´s :)

2

My understanding is the power tool packs are made with A123 batteries because of the "C" rating. NiMH don't have the amperage discharge that A123's have. A NiMH may have a C rating of 10 where an A123 has a 50 C rate. Those would make good R/C packs.

3

I got a 10 pack of similar sub C sized cells for my Panasonic drill/screwdriver. They seem to hold a pretty good capacity but the discharge rate is alot lower than the old battery pack. Still usable for normal jobs but it's alot weaker.

There are higher grade cells with discharge rates of over 30A but they are much more expensive and for me it just wasn't worth it.

4

Oops... I forgot to check those C-ratings totally, very valid point since powertools tend to need high amperage.

How about these? : http://www.batteryjunction.com/subcnireba.html

In fact, my friend just called and told the cells are NiCd, not NiMh.... :|

Sooo http://www.batteryjunction.com/nc-sc-1800hd.html

5

Again, most of these are used by R/C guys (I am one). Try http://www.all-battery.com/lifepo4battery.aspx. Any of the high discharge ones will do even a flat pack. Try to get the highest mAh battery. A friend has used 18650 to power his but it dies too quickly for me.

6

A123 cells are a LiFePO4 (nanophosphate design), with a 3.3v nominal. These are used in some lithium tool batteries, but many others use NiCd (as the TS is looking for), NiMh, LiCo, LiMn etc etc.
If you are careful with the charging, you should be able to replace old NiCd with NiMH cells and gain a huge amount in capacity (just watch for the discharge rates! Power tools need lots of current)

7

Ok so your friend said they are NiCd and they are Sub C in size but you should pop open the battery pack and check the mah or milli-ampere hour rating on the individual cells. Then replace them with equal or higher mah value cells. www.all-battery.com was mentioned before and that is a good site for loose cells. Check also: http://www.batteryspace.com/

I recommend you don't order super cheap cells from China, they will not provide the high amp draw necessary in power tools.

best of luck

EDIT: see here: http://www.batteryspace.com/NiCd-Rechargeable-Cell-1.2V-2200-mAh-Sc-size-Batteries-with-Tabs-10-Pcs.aspx