I bought a used Power Wheels toy for my kids, trying to save some cash, and paired it with a DeWalt battery adapter I found online. Unfortunately, we left a couple of DeWalt batteries in the toy overnight a few times, and despite the adapter's claim of over-discharge protection, it failed. Now, the batteries won't charge at all. I've heard about the method where you connect the positive and negative terminals of the dead battery to a good one, but I tried it for 30 seconds and then 30 minutes with no success. It's disappointing because I wanted to avoid buying a $75 Power Wheels battery, but that might be my only option. Any ideas on how I might be able to save these batteries?
3 Answers
I’ve had similar experiences with other LiPo batteries. If you're trying to revive a dead battery, one tip is to give it a quick burst of voltage from a 12V source—not too long though, or you risk overheating. Just be cautious and do this outside, away from anything flammable. That said, if you can, consider sticking with batteries designed for your toy. They're usually cheaper in the long run!
I've been in a similar boat, and unfortunately, that 'jump start' trick doesn't always work. At some point, over-discharge can cause permanent damage to the battery. If you're willing to do some work, you could break down the pack and test each cell to see if any are still good. However, it's a labor-intensive process! Alternatively, there are rebuild services available online if you want to avoid the full replacement cost.
Jumping power tool batteries can be risky! I've seen it backfire, causing real safety issues, including fires. Ideally, if your charger isn’t showing any signs of life when you connect the battery, it’s probably time to look for a fresh replacement. Safety first—better to stick with the correct battery.