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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1548
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2012 - 3:54 pm: | 
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I have a reasonably new Skil cordless dril with two batteries. I went to use it this week to install a radio in my "new" car, and found both batteries would not hold charge. I had left one charging overnight. Ok, at thism point only some minor frustration.
The I went shopping for replacement batteries, and discovered I can buy a new drill (same model) with case, charger and two batteries for less than I can buy a replacement battery.
Any suggestions as to why ouir land fills are overflowing?
The good news is, if I scrap the drill and buy a new one, I can always use the motor and clutch out of the old one to make a Screwdriver Antenna.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 431
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2012 - 8:36 am: |
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I had something simular happen. After buying the Yellow drill and dual battery set, one of the batteries craped out. I took it back to the store. No problem, get another one. Dropped it in the charger, after correct time in the charger it worked fine so I dropped the other one in and at the end of it's cycle, I took it out and NO WORKY NO MO! Took the whole thing back and got another. Took it home and everything worked fine for about a month. One of the new batteries would not take charge. I took my small project power supply, dialed it down and hooked the thing up in reverse till the battery got warm. Must have had spikes in it because it took charge after that and is now my best battery.
Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Revpo
Advanced Member
Username: Revpo
Post Number: 610
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 6:46 pm: |
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I had a cordless 3/8 SKIL, batteries died a long time ago, went to buy a new set and the salesman said buy a new one, just a few bucks more. It seems like a lot of stuff..electronics buy and throw after a year or two..look at the amateur h/t's $36, if it goes in a year, buy a new one..etc.Amazing anymore.
REVPO/cef795
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Scooterman
New member
Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2012
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2012 - 12:52 pm: |
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I buy the individual cells off of eBay and rebuild the battery packs my self. When I assemble the pack i make sure that the cells are discharged completely. After it is assembled I charge it all the way up and then let them cool off for while. Then discharge at the rated amps. let them sit for 24 hours and recharge for use. This matches the batteries for charge and discharge rate. I have had batteries last for years after this treatment. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1554
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2012 - 8:34 am: |
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I'd already decided to pick up enough cells to rebuild both, I was just commenting on how wastefull we have become =- where it is cheaper to repalce than repair.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Scooterman
New member
Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2012
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 12:14 am: |
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I was raised by stingy strict German descendants. If something was still feasibly repairable you fixed it and kept using it till repair was not viable. I have many items that are old but still serviceable. |
Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 448
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2012 - 11:36 am: |
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Scooterman,
Today it would be said those who raised you weren't stingy, they were frugal, thrifty or sparing, just ask them. Strict? Now days you can't even yell at a kid, someone will call the cops.
I have a friend that lived in Peru for a while. Down there they rebuild light switches. If a breaker burns out, grab the iron and silver solder.
You're in Louisville, eh? My wife's from Beech Creek near Greenville and Central City, KY.
73
Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2134
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 3:16 pm: |
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That's why all of my radios here have tubes in them. They'll probably all outlast me!
New electronics are just horrible. All built to a price. Disregard your choice of the oriental land in which they were made.
Buying all American is so difficult these days, but not impossible. Although maybe not the most cost effective way of living, it is certainly the most satisfying.
In my home, if we cannot find something we want made in the USA, then we do without it. And, people think WE'RE nuts. At least my stuff doesn't break after 1 or 2 uses... Who is "nuts" now???
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 452
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Monday, March 26, 2012 - 7:25 pm: |
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833,
Trying to get used to Windows 7 on this computer. Even on a comp I don't know of one US built. You're right about the oriental land, don't really have a choice anymore.
I was told that after the big wave in Japan that Yeasu may or has moved to China to regain market share.
We too, try to buy Made In America but the products are hard to find, not impossible, but hard.
I'd thought about a new 2m/440 HT but aren't we giving up some of 440 and with the digital on 2m we seem to be giving up space there too.
Missed you there for a while, glad to see ya back!
73
Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Rover
Advanced Member
Username: Rover
Post Number: 506
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 5:43 pm: |
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I agree. Buy American if at all possible. Today, I had the repair guy out to fix my Whirlpool dishwasher. Built around 1984-85. I thought it was the pump. Nope. Guy had it running again in all of 5 minutes! Problem? NOT the dishwasher. It's my old plumbing pipes clogging! Around $1000 to re-plumb!  OH well, the house is only 56 years old (sigh). American products used to be unbeatable.But that old Whirlpool is chugging right along!  Washing machine quit last year----was bought new in 1981! I'll never get this new China-made junk to last anywhere near that long! |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2141
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 9:17 pm: |
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Yes, it is possible. As long as you're willing to usually:
1. Go out of your way to buy the American made products.
2. Usually spend more for the American made products.
3. Occasionally do without because there is no product you are looking for made in America.
4. Sometimes have to look for a used (whatever it is) in order to get one made in America. (Did this when buying a digital camera recently).
5. Be vigilant, or willing to compromise on "assembled in America" vs. "Made in America".
So, was working on some American made ham radio gear recently, and boy was it easy to figure out. Oh, it was made by Collins.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 456
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 5:56 pm: |
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I looked for a fridge a while back, M.I.A. I wanted one I found with the compressor on the top, runs cooler and uses less electricity. It was a nice one by description. Problem though--have to by the freezer separate to get enough cubic feet. Price went double !
Think I'll put windows in the house first. Here in Florida there's two points about windows. Single glaze or insulated safety glass. The single 3/16" glass is $8000 installed and the IGs are $10000. If I do it my self with worn out rotator cuffs, I can only do it if I hire a helper. Might come out to the same price. Another problem is, down here if you want an Insurance discount, they want to see a permit and a sales reciept of being Storm Proof, it's getting so you can't DIY and save $$.
833 !
Brag, brag---Collins. I've got some nice Kenwood gear, bought it used.
Rover !
Know how you feel, my home was built in 1961 so it's been getting repairs too. Iron pipe gets rough and splintered inside. I had the plumber fix it but how it will hold up is a gamble. Speaking of China made, how about thier drywall?
Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2144
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 12:57 pm: |
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re: Chinese drywall
One of the key ingredients in drywall is "gypsum". Gypsum is created as a byproduct of burning coal, as in power plants. The flue gasses, after going through desulphurization and calcination, creates many things, including the raw gypsum.
Chinese power plants are almost all coal burning, and very few have the kind of particulate traps that the U.S. plants have. The Chinese are just now finding a marketable reason to install some kind of pollution controls on their filthy coal burning power plants (for gathering gypsum), so they are a little behind the curve when it comes to the quality and cleanliness of the gypsum they use for their drywall. A lot of Chinese drywall is known to make people sick due to its tendency to release sulfurous gasses.
U.S. made drywall is typically the best quality, and will hold up the longest. Some of the fillers used to stiffen drywall from China is inferior (synthetic glues) and will break down and become brittle in short order. Most of the U.S. drywall is clean enough that little glue is required, and will outlast drywall produced almost anywhere else in the world.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1560
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2012 - 8:52 pm: |
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I also thought that Gypsum occurred naturally, but never really checked
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 463
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Monday, April 02, 2012 - 8:43 am: |
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Morning 833!
Yeah, we do produce the best drywall. There is a community NW of me that went through a construction explosion a while back. One contractor in particular used all Chinese drywall. He built what should have been very high quality homes. These homes were mostly built on 75X130' lots with a good electric supplier, all on wells and septics tanks. The houses ranged from 1300 to 1800 sq ft plus a two car garage. He used 12 gage wire in the homes, all copper plumbing and termite treated lumber. The homes were CBS construction with wood studs, a few got steel studs but all were well insulated.
Can you imagine what happened to him and his customers when the fit hit the shan? Most of those homes have been resold, gutted, rewired and replumbed. Most of the first owners just walked away. I could have bought one, if the remodel money had been there, for 35K. It was a custom built on a double lake front lot (150X130) with 3/2.5/2 and a two car work shop/garage out back.
Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Scooterman
New member
Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2012
| | Posted on Monday, April 02, 2012 - 10:14 am: |
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Tech 327 said,"I also thought that Gypsum occurred naturally, but never really checked."
It is a resource that is mined. There is a company near my home town called "U.S. Gypsum" that has a huge open pit mine. Just north of San Antonio TX. |
Scooterman
Junior Member
Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 21
Registered: 3-2012
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 12:57 pm: |
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Tech883 wrote"Buying all American is so difficult these days, but not impossible. Although maybe not the most cost effective way of living, it is certainly the most satisfying." endquote
I just got finished reworking the intake of my GMC Jimmy along with ignition upgrade. The intake and carburetor are Edelbrock and made in the USA.
The distributor is billet and manufactured in Tennessee. They put in only American made components inside of it.
I buy American made products even if the Asian parts are cheaper. That is if I can find them. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2165
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2012 - 12:20 am: |
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You're a good man.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 511
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2012 - 12:35 pm: |
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Ever notice how many folks are looking for Made in USA now? Guess my next car will be a A-Model Ford just to be sure. If the firing order is 1,4,2,3 here on an A-model, what would it be in Australia?
73
Write 1423 on transparent paper and turn it over for the answer.
Pressman/KC4ZWM
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1574
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 9:27 am: |
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It's spelt wrong, as that should be eski - the Ozzie drink cooler.
By the way, the rebuolt battery packs are doing fine. Cost me as much as a new drill, but worth it.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Scooterman
Junior Member
Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 23
Registered: 3-2012
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 2:23 pm: |
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That's cool! did you discharge the individual cells and build your pack then charge to maximum capacity and then discharge? If you did you will have a battery pack that will last for years. I always charge with a voltmeter attached but if you have the know how you could build a peak detector that would shut off after the battery has peaked. I have the know how just not the time to build one. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1576
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 8:30 am: |
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Scooterman - twice, and yes I have had a nicad (although these new ones are Nickle-Hydroxide cells) conditioner for several years. After all I am a radio tech by trade.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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