Hi guys,
Last November 2008 I bought a Bosch 12V cordless drill model GSR 12-2. The batteries that came with the unit are NiCds. In just over a year the batteries started to deteriorate. They would accept a full charge but would only keep a few days just sitting on the shelf. I followed Bosch's battery maintenance. But still the charge would only last with just a few minutes of use or would almost completely lose their charge just sitting. When I bought the unit I insisted that the batteries be of the latest production. And they were, based on the date stamped on the batteries. I expected the batteries to expire eventually, but not this early. I had a Talon cordless drill (which the Bosch replaced). It had only one battery and it lasted for over two years and takes less than an hour to charge. In contrast the charger that came with the Bosch is not a 1 hour charger as stated on the case. It takes two hours to completely charge a rundown battery. I wished I had bought the deWalt instead. Well, anyway, rather than buy new batteries ( which would cost you an arm and a leg), I decided to convert. I bought a UPS type12V battery at the fraction of the cost of a Bosch NiCd, did some converting and voila I have a 12V drill that could run hours on end. Of course there's the slight inconvenience of a cord trailing the drill. But still you could take the drill anywhere and not worry of running out of juice in the middle of your work. A little price to pay.
Any of you guys had the same experience?
Re: Bosch NiCd
I have some Black and Decker Versa Pack NiCad batteries and these tend to lose charge when not in use for prolonged periods. My Makita drill has NiCad also and tend to lose charge too but somewhat slower. If I am not mistaken this is inherent with NiCad Batteries.
None the less after recharging these are ready to go again. I just make sure these are fully discharged before re charging.
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Re: Bosch NiCd
I've never opened a Bosch battery pack but if they are like most then it probably just uses standard cell sizes in series which you can get anywhere and DIY a pack in the original form factor. You do get a lot more capacity probably from what you rigged up though.
I think it would depend on the number of times you cycled them. If you are a heavy user then 1 year may not be surprising. A professional boatbuilder told me they use up a Bosch pack for every boat they build which does not take a year to build but it does required a lot of screw-unscrew operations (fastening PVC foam panels to their molds).
Re: Bosch NiCd
I'm sorry to hear that, I had the same model before GSR12-2 which I bought early 2008 to replace my lack of power Makita.
sold it early this year and got 10.8 LIQ..
I haven't gotten any battery problem on my Bosch cordless and I use them regularly, but not for heavy work. just the regular everyday drilling and screwing around.
adding a battery that size should prove cumbersome, it might be easier using a corded drill instead... I reckon a cord would be lighter than the UPS battery.
the original battery, if you still have them can be replaced in a store along raon near ongpin. you do not have to replace all of them which makes it expensive. maybe a cell or two died and drains the rest...
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Re: Bosch NiCd
Hi guys,
It's not as cumbersome as it seems. In fact it's more of a hassle using a corded drill ( I have 3) especially when you are far from a power outlet. I would like to post pictures of my converted drill but I'm having difficulty.
will somebody help me?
Re: Bosch NiCd
Hi fellow DIYers,
I would like to post 2 pictures of my converted drill but every time I try I get the message 'upload of file failed'. Each photo size is very much less than the maximum size (97.7Kb) allowed. Thanks for any help I can get..
