Identifying the good cells in a dead battery and moving them to another battery, to get it working. But even the 'good' cells are well used, so will this repair stand the test of time?
WARNING: Repairing lithium power tool batteries is potentially DANGEROUS. Wear eye protection, do not short or overheat cells. If in doubt - buy new batteries.

By Julian

Youtuber, shed dweller, solar charge controller aficionado

17 thoughts on “Fixing 18v 2.4ah ryobi lithium power tool batteries”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ultimate Guide to Building Shed says:

    Good charging station

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Garth Daddy says:

    Big mistake keeping that leaking battery in the package it will cause major corrosion in the pack and will fail very soon.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Simon Cossettini says:

    Good video – Its not always just the cells sometimes the boards fail… I have 50 /50 success

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Khult Herro says:

    DON’T BUY BATTERY POWER TOOLS. Battery powered tools goes obsolete, corded tools can be used indefinitely.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rui Nunes says:

    Question, is this battery still alive?
    I have one exactly the same as yours and when I press the power button, it shows yellow fully charged. I opened it up and 6 of the cells have a lower voltage than the remaining 4. I wonder if taking the circuit board out and recharging the cells individually, if it would work. What method did you use to recharge the cell that you just put in? A battery charger or you charged it from a similar fully charged cell?
    Regards

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Practical Medicine says:

    Can I ask a silly question? If you only have a low powered hobbyist soldering iron, could you use electrically conductive epoxy instead?

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Cohen says:

    Excellent explanation!
    Hi, Does someone have done this 110V to 220V conversion on a P118 charger?

    Is it possible?
    Does someone have inside view pictures of the P118 charger?

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tony o says:

    Why don't you use gloves??

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars my2centz says:

    I'd keep old cells from laptops. I have a few dozen of them I've saved just for my battery tools. Usually it's always just one or two that goes bad and pops the protector and makes the battery stop working for anything that takes 18650 cells. At least that's what I've found. I've never reset the cid's. Personally I feel if it's popped its popped for a reason plus old laptop batteries are pretty easy to come by.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Saverio Mallardi says:

    i've tryed to upgrade a ridgid's battery pack by 2200mah to about 6700mah 18650 panasonic ncr18650, (2 pair for 5 in series), when i started to use a brushless drill i've
    had no problem when tryed a brushed tools the same battery pack stopped to work. To enable the battery i insert into owner charger and all back like before, what i have to think bms problem with the brushed tool
    Thank you vey much

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alacritous says:

    Buy the blocky USB battery banks from the Dollar General or Dollar store or Poundland, whatever they have wherever you are. Those are made with 18650 batteries. I've used those to replace the batteries in my dead Ryobi one+ battery packs with great success.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pops Rawson says:

    have a 18 volt ryoby battery that says it's full charged you check battery it does not have charge and won't work in tools

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dollarbillyboy says:

    my module (protection board) is bad. I just need to find who sells them.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ad says:

    Do you think the circuit is intelligent enough on the battery pack to detect if you were to replace the cells with brand new cells of a different capacity? Would that throw a spanner in the works..

    I'm just wondering about completely building a custom battery out of a dead one. Say for example I used an originally 1.5ah ryobi pack that would be 5 18650's @ about 1500mah each to produce the 18v.. if I'm not mistaken, so could it be possible to replace those cells with 5 3200mah ones.. what would the circuit make of this? Is it a bad idea.

    I do kindly appreciate it if someone could have an input on this matter..

    Obviously questions are to use high drain cells due to the power consumption and does the circuit have built in under voltage protection or is that cell based under voltage. And does the circuit on top of the batteries consider consumption accustomed for the genuine cells.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Barry Rogers says:

    I attempted to contact Roybi tools to see if they would stand behind their product, even when they have design problems. They won't. DON'T BUY ROYBI PRODUCTS!

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars spencer moon says:

    you were such a great help to me jools after i was forced into a full year of off-grid living following the christmas flooding of 2015 with only a small 100w solar panel and my van and guidance from people like yourself i managed to survive keep healthy clean and safe so big thanks buddy keep up the good work i watch with a growing intrest and am now setting up a small area in my new workshop for electronic projects keep up the good work!

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars the eabster says:

    I know this is an old video but that battery is venting if that was a icr battery it would have blew up.

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