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Rebuild Batteries Better Than New
You don't have to toss your old cordless drill just because the battery's worn out and the company stopped making replacements. Primecell, a Bedford, Penn. company, has been rebuilding batteries for nearly 20 years.
"Battery technology changes so quickly that a lot of product today is made to be disposed of afte
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Rebuild Batteries Better Than New ENERGY Miscellaneous 28-3-34 You don't have to toss your old cordless drill just because the battery's worn out and the company stopped making replacements. Primecell, a Bedford, Penn. company, has been rebuilding batteries for nearly 20 years.
"Battery technology changes so quickly that a lot of product today is made to be disposed of after 3 to 5 years," says Joel Cunard, owner of Primecell. "People can't find a replacement for their battery, so they have to throw out the tool."
Even when a dealer or manufacturer says a battery cannot be rebuilt, Cunard says his company can often do so. Primecell has developed a way to open batteries to replace the cells, then reseal them without damage. Not only are rebuilds less expensive than a replacement, but more than 97 percent end up with increased capacity.
One way to increase capacity in NiCd batteries is to rebuild with NiMh cells. Original NiMh batteries normally have to be recharged with expensive NiMh chargers. Primecell is often able to install circuits that allow the rebuilt batteries to be charged with the original NiCd chargers, yet enjoy the greater NiMh cell capacity.
"The company works with orders of all sizes," says Cunard. He cites customers as diverse as AT&T and NASA to individual ham radio operators, paramedics and home handymen.
"We pride ourselves on single orders for individuals, but we also do large orders for companies," says Cunard. "A new battery might cost $100. We can rebuild for $40."
One battery the company hasn't developed a process for is lithium ion rechargeables. Popular for their energy density, they are very expensive to replace, notes Cunard, and can be killed if undercharged or overcharged.
Visit Primecell's website for a long list of batteries that can be rebuilt and information on assessing your battery's health. Cunard suggests requesting an estimate before sending in a battery.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Primecell, 9343 U.S. Rt. 220, Bedford, Penn. 15522 (ph 814 623-7000; email: info@primecell.com; website: www. primecell.com).
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