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Soldering/desoldering batteries?

W

Wildepad

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have some 9.6V NiMH battery packs (originally for R/C use).

Taking apart the plastic casing, I found eight AA-sized unmarked
batteries connected in series.

Since my current project needs 12V, the simplest thing would be for me
to desolder the tabs and assemble a set of ten.

But I've always heard that batteries and soldering irons don't mix.

If I'm to use these at all, it will require a certain amount of
soldering and/or desoldering (cutting a tab joining two batteries
doesn't leave enough of a stub to solder onto). (I can't cut them
apart and put them into a battery holder because of the added weight.)

Is the danger of soldering/desoldering batteries only that it might
ruin them (an acceptable risk), or could a NiMH cell explode/be
dangerous?


Alternately, is there way to change from 9.6VDC to 12VDC, <0.5A, that
weighs less than adding two cells?

Any help appreciated.
--
 
L

Lord Garth

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wildepad said:
I have some 9.6V NiMH battery packs (originally for R/C use).

Taking apart the plastic casing, I found eight AA-sized unmarked
batteries connected in series.

Since my current project needs 12V, the simplest thing would be for me
to desolder the tabs and assemble a set of ten.

But I've always heard that batteries and soldering irons don't mix.

If I'm to use these at all, it will require a certain amount of
soldering and/or desoldering (cutting a tab joining two batteries
doesn't leave enough of a stub to solder onto). (I can't cut them
apart and put them into a battery holder because of the added weight.)

Is the danger of soldering/desoldering batteries only that it might
ruin them (an acceptable risk), or could a NiMH cell explode/be
dangerous?


Alternately, is there way to change from 9.6VDC to 12VDC, <0.5A, that
weighs less than adding two cells?



Look carefully at the tabs, are they currently soldered or are they spot
welded?
Typically the tab is spot welded to the battery. I would not solder
directly to
the battery, rather, find a shop that can spot weld the batteries together
in your
desired configuration.
 
B

Bob

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wildepad said:
I have some 9.6V NiMH battery packs (originally for R/C use).

Taking apart the plastic casing, I found eight AA-sized unmarked
batteries connected in series.

Since my current project needs 12V, the simplest thing would be for me
to desolder the tabs and assemble a set of ten.

But I've always heard that batteries and soldering irons don't mix.

If I'm to use these at all, it will require a certain amount of
soldering and/or desoldering (cutting a tab joining two batteries
doesn't leave enough of a stub to solder onto). (I can't cut them
apart and put them into a battery holder because of the added weight.)

Is the danger of soldering/desoldering batteries only that it might
ruin them (an acceptable risk), or could a NiMH cell explode/be
dangerous?


Alternately, is there way to change from 9.6VDC to 12VDC, <0.5A, that
weighs less than adding two cells?

Any help appreciated.
--

I've soldered bunches of them (for RC planes). I never had any problems.

Use a high-powered iron and be quick about it. Use just enough heat to get
the job done.

Bob
 
W

Wildepad

Jan 1, 1970
0
Look carefully at the tabs, are they currently soldered or are they spot
welded?

Both. In one pack, they look spot welded, and in another (same model
number, different year of manufacture), they're soldered. In both
cases, they can't be mechanically removed without tearing off the end
of the battery. But even on the one that is spot welded, the leads
that go to the pack-terminals are soldered on.
I would not solder
directly to
the battery, rather, find a shop that can spot weld the batteries together
in your
desired configuration.

I'm afraid there's no place around here that could do that.

Thanks for responding!
--
 
J

James Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bob said:
I've soldered bunches of them (for RC planes). I never had any problems.

Use a high-powered iron and be quick about it. Use just enough heat to get
the job done.

Bob
I agree with bob. Use a gun and get some solder flux. Wet the battery with
flux and then I pre-tin it with solder (both wire and battery) then touch
wire to battery with iron and you have it. You should plan out the shape
you want before hand so it fits what its going in. JTT
 
W

Wildepad

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks!

I don't know when/where/why I learned that you're not supposed to
solder to batteries, but I hoped there were exceptions.

(Sorry to answer indirectly, but your post didn't reach my server).
I agree with bob. Use a gun and get some solder flux. Wet the battery with
flux and then I pre-tin it with solder (both wire and battery) then touch
wire to battery with iron and you have it.

I'll try it that way. Thanks.
You should plan out the shape
you want before hand so it fits what its going in. JTT

That's good advice. Fortunately, this can just be a slab for now. I'll
get fancy with weight distribution once I get the other 1,862 bugs
worked out.
--
 
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