can I get a replacement battery charger?

I have a Ryobi 3/8" cordless drill/screwgun, that belonged to my husband. He bought it 10 years ago, and five years ago, he suffered a stroke and has been in a nursing home since.

He didn't use the drill/screwgun much, (he was a housepainter), and I used it some, (as a screwgun) around the house since he's been gone. I've sort of had to do whatever I can myself, I'm on a limited income and can't pay for help with repairs. I'll be 60 next month, and have found I can do some repair jobs, it just seems to take me longer because I have to figure it out and find the right tools, etc. (I wish now I had watched more when my husband or sons were doing this stuff!) But, I have surprised myself with some of the repairs I've learned how to do, and managed to get done.

Anyway, the screwgun worked, and I let a family member borrow it, and at some point it stopped working. He returned it and said he thought the battery charger wasn't working. It doesn't light up when plugged in, (with battery in it) It has a red and green light on top, one says trickle charger and one high voltage charge. The battery charger is for 12 V batteries and says CD 125 on it, like the screwgun.

Now, when the battery is put in, and the charged plugged in, neither of the lights go on. (and I make sure and line up the plus/minus sides correctly)

It's been sitting (unusable) in it's case for around 2 years now.

I just got it out, thinking I could either fix it, or find another charger to replace this one. The screw gun made a slight noise (the battery is dead), but it shows it's not that, that's broken.

I took the case off the charger and cut the power cord, taping it back together, taking out the flexible bending part of the cord, which seemed like it might be broken inside.

It still doesn't work. The wires inside look like they're all attached. But, I know, something could be burned out inside.

I looked on the Ryobi website and put in the model number CD 125 and it doesn't have anything about it I suppose it's too old. I registered for their discussion board, thinking I could ask there, but they didn't send me a password (so far). I thought maybe someone might have a battery charger, the screwgun had broken, and might sell it to me at a reasonable price.

The gun I have worked good, and has two batteries with it.

It's just a matter of getting them charged.

I just looked on ebay and was discouraged by the prices.

I thought someone who knows about tools might have some ideas, or links to websites to find information about this.

Maybe it's hopeless, and it's just too old to find another charger for it. But I hate to throw something away that seems like it would still work, (for what I need it for) that I easily can't afford to replace.

I joke that with a cordless screw gun, and a roll of duct tape, I can pretty much keep the house together.

Also, maybe someone could suggest one that's reasonable priced, good brand, powerful (enough for basic household use) that I could look for (on sale, ebay, etc?)

I don't know anything about them, size, power, etc. and can't afford to get ripped off. I've seen the small "power screw guns" and don't like them. I also have tool boxes full of drill bits, so would like one that works as a drill, too.

Thanks,

Carrie

 

It could be that there is a blown fuse in the charger case, but other than that, you'd probably be better off getting a new setup. If you do find a blown fuse and manage to get the charger going again, be sure to repair the wires properly to avoid a fire/shock hazard. (tape is no-good for that type of repair).

Good deals can be found at pawn shops if a used drill/screwgun is an option.

 

Thanks!

I will look for something that looks like a fuse.

I didn't even think about it having one.

Yes, if I can get it going I will repair the cord better. My son (lives in another state) is an electrian and left a box of wire nuts here. I could probably also manage to solder the two wires on, directly. It seems simple and direct. When I cut the cord, I was thinking of it as a "last resort" to try. Everything looked like it was attached okay, inside.

We don't have much for pawn shops (rural area) but I do think there is one.

It's not really a big deal in my life (having a cordless screwgun, or getting this one going) but they are handy to have.

~ Carrie

 

It appears to be working! Waiting awhile to see if the battery charges, before I say this for sure.

Not sure how or what exactly fixed it.

Since I hadn't realized there was a fuse in it (which should have been the first thought, something to remember) I openned it up again and easily found it.

It didn't look blown, had a fine "thread" still connected. Think maybe a fuse can be blown and not look like it?

I have no car and way to easily get something at a store, so looked around in my husband's tool boxes, etc. and found a small box of 5 fuses. Possibly for cars. The box says AGW 15 on the end.

They were the same length as the charger fuse, a tiny bit bigger, with a more solid strip inside.

Couldn't find anything readable on either fuse, but both seemed to have markings on one end. I had marked which end pointed towards the black wire in the charger. I pushed in one of the slightly larger ones (which fit)

Put the case back on (without screws which are hard to get in and I won't till I'm sure it's "done") put one of the batteries in, and plugged it in. NOTHING.

I was in the habit of hitting the battery (with my first) lightly, to make sure it was totally in (which hadn't made it work before) and did it this time, and the RED LIGHT CAME ON!

I have it sitting here in front of me, plugged into my computer plug strip (which has a breaker built in) keeping an eye on it. It feels slightly warm through the vents were the red (charge) light is on, but nothing that seems abnormally (warm).

If the battery charges, I'm not sure what to do next?

Leave in the bigger fuse or try the original one again? Maybe something is loose, or the original fuse wasn't in tightly enough?

IF the original fuse is no good, I'm thinking what could have blown it, there seems to be some kind of white plaster spilled on the top of the charger, about half of the vent slits were clogged with it (dried) When I started workign on it, I used the tip of a knife and pried most of the dried plaster out of the vent slits.

Totally guessing, I'm thinking maybe the plaster spilled on it, dried, clogged the vents, and it heated up and blew the fuse?

Or, maybe something was just loose (that isn't visable to me) and taking it apart, putting it together, and once more knocking the battery firmly in might have done something.

I also have the cord I cut and repaired, spliced and taped with electrical tape. I know you said this wasn't a good way to leave it, but what would be better? Not sure I can find the materials, or soldier it back on. I have some wire nuts, orange, which seem to be about the right size, but not sure they will fit in the case once on the wires.

The wires that are repaired go in different directions and where they are spliced aren't near to each other to ever both come untaped and touch. Probably the real problem would be one of them pulling apart, in which case it might just stop working?

Anyway, after I let the battery charge, and if that works, do the 2nd one, too, I'll try and put the wire nuts on, and fit it all into the case. Put some tape or something where the cord comes out for reinforcement.

Even when it was working, I noticed it is very hard to get the batteries out of the charger, once in. They have places to squeeze on each side, which supposedly releases them, but I've even had men try and get them out that way and it's very hard.

What I noticed is, unplugging the charger first (of course) if I slip a screwdriver in between the battern and the charger (in a place with no contacts) and just pry lightly it comes right on.

I was wondering if there is something I could do to get the batteries to come out of the charger easier? It's almost like the plastic material is binding (sticking) in the charger space. Maybe from age, or getting dry or something?

It seems like a major project for me to get something done or fixed, but it feels good when I can get it done/fixed. I'm also getting more confident with my few successes. I know, women can do anything men can do (with tools, home repairs, etc) but I have always been a wife and mother, and getting a late start.

I wonder if there are a lot of other people who are forced to learn/try to do things like this themselves?

Thanks for the help.

~ Carrie

 

Carrie:

I'm glad to see that you are making some progress with your project.
There is a possibility that the charger won't work because of the contacts not seating correctly when the battery is inserted.
This is a possible cause considering it is charging now.

One thing you must do however is to remove the 15 amp fuse you installed and replace it with the original or it's equivalent, most likely a 3 amp or less.
The rating will be stamped on one of the metal ends.
It is quite unsafe to leave it in. Even if you sit there and watch it, a sudden dead short could cause a burnt component to spatter or ignite.

If you wish to persue your repair inclinations maybe your son will loan you a multi tester.

 

Okay, I will put the original fuse back in.

That's why I came here and asked (LOL)

I left the battery in around 2 hours and it charged.

But, there seems to be another problem, the trigger on the screw gun. It needs to be pushed way in to connect. I think maybe there is a spring that has fallen out?

Something light rattles when I shake it.

so, it's a good thing I didn't find a replacement charger to buy, at the start.

Now, maybe I can take the screw gun apart and find the spring and replace it?

I think a lot of this is more getting into trying to see if I can get it to work properly.

Finding out what I can do (and learn about).

Maybe by next Spring I can jack up and replace the sagging foundation on my front porch?

I once wrote about this here (in another topic) and was told I'd have to have professionals do this. But, I have no money for this. It's not like I am planning a vacation to Hawaii and could postpone this and have jobs done on the house (LOL)

I know, there is the right way, the best way, the safest way, and "doing the best we can".

And, who knows what I can do, if I decide to, and spend all winter asking for advice and learning all I can about it?

~ Carrie

 

A lot of low end Ryobi product is really throwaway, they are lackluster quality of late.....their older stuff was quite good. They were making (and still do) a lot of Sears power tools.

I have some of their older USA made stuff and it's quite good.

Try calling their Technical Line, 1-800-689-9928. That is for Sears/Craftsman made by Ryobi, but they should be able to help you out. Maybe they have a discounted charger they can send you or they will fix the old one reasonably.

 

At this point, it will probably make more sense to try and find another one. Maybe on ebay (used but still good)?

Is there anything I should look for, or any brand that is especially good?

I'd like one that's powerful (to use) but not too big and bulky (to hold).

I'd probably only be using it to put in screws, around the house. Not like something big and expensive a professional might buy.

Someone once gave me a (used) power screwdriver, sort of shaped like a flashlight idea, but it wasn't powerful enough to be of much use.

I kind of get into the idea of seeing if I can get something that doesn't work (or work right) to work. At least before I give up and throw it out.

I'm probably not the only one (woman or man) who is in the position of trying to do things (home repairs, handyman type work) on their own homes, because if they don't try it, it won't be done.

Thanks...

Carrie