What brands do you rebuild?  We do almost all power tool batteries. Brand does not matter. Pricing is based on voltage.

Is there any batteries you don't rebuild?  We do not rebuild lithium, if sent to us they will be returned at your cost.

Do you have any already rebuilt batteries for sale?  No, you must send in your old battery to get it rebuilt.

What is the warranty?

All 2000mah rebuilds have a 90 day warranty, the 3300mah rebuilds have 180 day.  All other products 90 days.

 

Should I send the batteries first, or pay first?  Pay first, then send batteries. Be sure that the name on the payment matches the name on the batteries or box.

What type of cells do you use?  Voltman uses 2000mah (2.0Ah) NiCD cells, or 3300mah NiMh.

How do your replacement cells compare with Dewalt or Milwaukee 2.4 original cells?  Longer run time guaranteed, money back!! Higher quality cells = longer runtime.

Will the rebuilt battery work with my current charger?  Yes.  Whether you choose the nicad or nimh rebuild it will work with your existing charger.

Will I need to charge my rebuilt battery before use?  Yes.

What is the difference between NiCad and NiMH?  NiCad batteries show excellent performance in high-discharge and low-temperature applications, such as powertool batteries. They also have long shelf and use life. NiMH batteries are very similar to NiCad. They have a higher capacity, are less toxic, but more expensive. NiMH will give you a longer run time per use, but actually discharges a little faster when not in use. Both NiCad and NiMH can sustain deep discharge levels, and are difficult to damage.

Can you rebuild packs using Li-ion?  No. Although Lithium batteries boast of a longer runtime, lighter weight, and lower self discharge, there are disadvantages often not addressed. Lithium is a very volitle chemistry and may be explosive if misused. Many battery companies have had issues with lithium overheating. A lithium battery can be damaged if discharged past a certain level. Lithium batteries require several built in saftey devices before they can leave the lab. And Li-ion batteries cost much more than NiCad or NiMH. Again be aware of your amp hour capacity. Our 3300 NiMH batteries have a higher amp hour than most all lithium.

So what are you saying?  I think of it like this. The NiCad is like a tank, bullet proof, dependable, a little slow, but steady, and could withstand a heavy attack. The NiMH is like a HUM-V, more agile, a little faster, could still withstand a decent assult, and runs longer. The lithium is then like an Apache helicopter piloted by an 18 year old, fast, high tech, inexperienced, volatile and powerful, but very vulnerable.

Can NiCad/NiMH powertool batteries can develop a memory?  No! To the disbelief of many, powertool batteries cannot develop a memory. Memory is formed when a nicad battery is used repetitively in the exact same application. Nicad batteries used in cordless phones, cell phones, and video cameras will develop memory. Powertool batteries are a high drain, variable load, application. Because of the various work loads put on a powertool battery it can never develop a memory.

How may I prolong the life of my battery packs?  Heat is your worst enemy!!! Do not charge a hot battery. Let cool for two hours before charging. If you charge a hot battery it can destroy the connections and protective battery cell wrapping. This causes meltdown and battery failure. Do not increase your drill rpm's to force the drill to work beyond it's capacity. The second you realize your tool losing power is when you change batteries. Never run your pack all the way down!!! Always use sharp drill bits. Charge your batteries monthly when not in use.

Should I leave my battery in the charger at all times?  No! When your battery is done charging remove it immediately or unplug your charger. It is very very important to remove the pack when charging is complete.

How long does it take to get a pack rebuilt?  Turn around time is two to four weeks.

Why did my 7.2 old school Makita last for ten years, and my fancy new DeWalt only last two years?  Heat is your worst enemy, remember!! Higher voltage batteries have shorter lives. Higher voltage = more battery cells per pack. More battery cells per pack = more heat generated. More heat generated = more material breakdown within the cells. Lower voltage batteries produce less heat, and thus less self damage.

Does Voltman cover return shipping?  Yes, you pay to ship us your dead batteries, we rebuild them and cover the return shipping. We pay return shipping to the lower 48 states. Everyone else please add $20.00 per package.

What is the warranty on the rebuilt batteries?  Our rebuilds offer a 90 day workmanship warranty on NiCad, 180 day warranty on NiMh. Any physical damage will not be covered. If you leave your battery in the charger and it melts down, the battery and the charger are not under warranty.

What is a mAh?  One one-thousandth of an amp-hour.

What is an amp-hour?  The unit of measure for a battery's electrical storage capacity, obtained by multiplying the current in amps by the time in hours of discharge. Example: A battery delivering 10 amps for 20 hours = 10 amps x 20 hours = 200 AH.

How do you rebuild the battery pack?  We use a power supply along with a pneumatic weld head to achieve the perfect inter-cell weld. Solid nickel tabs are used to connect the cells.

Should I open my battery pack?  No. Please do not open the pack. Some of the pieces inside are very fragile, and may break if mishandled.

Can anyone do this?  No. Rebuilding battery packs requires the special tools mentioned above. We have invested in the proper materials and technicians to do the job right.

Is there a recall on DeWalt chargers?  YES, DEWALT RECALLS 1.7 MILLION BATTERY CHARGERS DeWalt and Black & Decker charger models DW9107, DW9108, 97015, and 97016 are being recalled. DeWalt is requesting that consumers stop using the chargers immediately, and take to the nearest service center for a free replacement. The chargers can fail to automatically shut off after the battery is fully charged, which can cause the battery to burst, melt down, or catch fire. If you use a Voltman Batteries rebuild in one of these chargers the warranty is void. For more info see http://www.dewalt.com/us/articles/press_release.asp?ID=230

How does the Optima warranty work?  You must warranty Optima batteries at your local dealer. To find a dealer near you visit www.optimabatteries.com.