Battery powered tools can be the mainstay for many RV’ers that like to be prepared for both unexpected needs and maintenance when away from home.

I carry a full complement of 18-volt Ryobi power tools, including a drill, flashlight, reciprocating saw, handi-vacuum, and a small chain saw.  Other tools such a air compressors, radios, saber saws, circular saws, and leaf blowers also operate off of the same 18-volt nickel cadmium battery pack.  I find myself frequently using the drill with a socket that fits scissors jacks to quickly raise or lower the jacks.  The drill also serves as an electric screwdriver that recently came in handy when the base of our bed broke apart.  Both the reciprocating saw and the 10” chain saw are great for cutting gathered firewood from downed trees or limbs.  Of course, you are limited to small diameter wood.

Using portable battery operated tools requires several spare batteries as well as a proper charger.  If the batteries are old and weak and can no longer hold a full charge, it is time to buy replacements.

I found myself needing to replace six 18-volt nickel-cadmium Ryobi batteries at $40 each; this would amount to $240.00.  I personally felt that the price was ridiculous, but having only one retail source, my choices are limited.

BTW – if you run across one of those on-line ads for information on how to resurrect nickel-cadmium batteries, don’t waste your money.  The method may allow a battery pack that will not normally recharge to function, but the life and durability of the battery pack will never be as good as new batteries.  If you really want to know how this is done, let me know – I’ll tell you the method for free.

I noticed that Harbor Freight Tools had 18-volt nickel-cadmium batteries for their brand of tools on sale for $10.00 each (regular price $19.99).  This was a great price, but the battery pack will not fit other brands of portable tools.  That was when I started thinking, “ The batteries inside this case are the same size and amp-hour rating as the ones in my tools – why not just move the batteries from one case to another and save $180.00 – THIS WOULD BE A 75% SAVINGS!”

Replacing the batteries in the Ryobi case is not a difficult task.  But, you do need to understand how single cell batteries may be connected in series to provide higher voltages.  Each Sub-C battery will produce 1.2 volts resting.  A recently charged Sub-C cell may reach 1.4 volts.  A Sub-C cell is considered fully discharged at 1.0 or below volts.  As far as basic tools needed to accomplish the exchange, you will need a soldering iron, solder, needle nose pliers, Phillips screwdriver, small wire cutter, safety glasses, and a hot glue gun.  A multimeter that can measure up to 20 volts DC is also extremely helpful for checking battery connections and final voltage.

The procedure I used to replace my battery packs may also be used on any other brand of nickel-cadmium powerd tool that uses the Sub-C size battery.   The majority of these tools use a cell rated between 1000 to 1300 mh. My Craftsman 12-volt and 14.4 volt tool battery packs as well as one Black and Decker product use this battery to make-up their power packs.  An 18-volt tool uses 15 single cell batteries, a 14.4-volt tool uses 12 single cell batteries, and a 12-volt tool uses 10 single cell batteries.  If you want more power and run-time than the original batteries may have provided, you may want to spend the extra money to purchase new 2000 mh batteries like the ones shown here available from Amazon or other vendors.  They should fit your original case and work with your original charger.  The final cost may be more than a new battery, but you will have up to twice as much run-time and power than the standard cells.

You start by taking the screws out of both the old and new battery packs.  This allows you to slip off the plastic case leaving you with the assembled batteries.

Step 2 is to take the new batteries and remove any that do not follow the construction pattern of the original battery pack.  Reorient the replacement batteries so they are identical to the old battery pack.  The metal straps connecting the batteries can be soldered back onto moved batteries.  The hot glue gun comes in handy when repositioning spacers and temperature sensors.

These photos show how I accomplished the exchange.

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The old batteries should be given to someone that will accept them for recycling.  Any Radio Shack store should do this for you.

Again, this can be done on any nickel-cadmium battery pack using the sub “C” size cells.  This method is NOT acceptable for power tools using lithium-ion battery packs.

HAPPY CAMPING TRAILS TO ALL!