B&D dustbuster .....

[Papa Bear]

I have an old B&D dustbuster that still works well but the battery is worn out and won't hold a charge. It's a NiCad pair, 2.4 volt, number DB100.
I have seen replacements for over $20.00, but I'm wondering if I could wire in a couple of NiMH batteries in series. I really don't want to pay $30 bucks or so (battery pack, shipping, tax etc) for a battery for an old machine if I don't have to. Some call me CHEAP !! .....I prefer FRUGAL.
Will the original dustbuster base charger for the NiCad work on the NiMH ??? It is one of those small transformers that plug in and go to 2 contacts on the base. I measured the voltage this morning on the base contacts with the dustbuster removed (no load) and it measured 8.7 v A.C./ 0.0 v. D.C. There is a small 1 amp diode (1N4004) built into the dustbuster.
Am I going to have regulation, over charge/under charge/overheating problems using NiMH batteries or are they "plug & Play" ??

Thanks in advance, guys & gals, for your input.

P.B. (hoping for

NOT

)

 

[Scimmia]

Generally, NiMH chargers will work fine for either NiMH or Ni-Cd batteries, but not necessarily the other way around.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

Side note - why is this in the Maintenance forum?

 

[unDummy]

You shouldn't charge a NiMH battery with an ignorant NiCd charger. Sorry, you'll overcharge/overheat it and ruin your new batteries.
So, your choices are to buy a new stock replacement battery or NiCd cells, OR buy NiMh batteries and a NEW charger.

Online hobby shops have a good selection of battery cell sizes/types along with chargers.

 

[brianl703]

RadioShack sells, or used to sell, "sub c" NiCad batteries which have solder tabs on them.

If you use two of those and wire them in series, it should work fine, as long as they physically fit which I suspect they probably would.

 

[Papa Bear]

Yeah, I saw a new one at Service Merchandise DB100 Dustbuster for $9.97 complete with base. That makes it hard to justify a $20.00 battery ?!?!

Thanks for all our help.

P.B.

 

[Papa Bear]

There is lots of room, Brian, just hard up here (in Canada) to find NiCads.

My son & D.I.L. took Mama Bear & I to Detroit for dinner at MexicanTown for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. We stopped at an A.Z. while there and got a good deal on a serpentine belt for my '98 Corolla. Belt was made in Canada !!

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

Most of the parts I buy here or order from the US is made in Canada too. Guess Canada is one of the main parts suppliers in the industry, good thing for the resemblence of my Canadian Chevy....

I was to ask how a new one would cost... New ones translates to 15 to 40 US dollars here which prohibits the DIY satisfaction... what kind of a world is this becoming, not even an opportunity for a humble satisfaction.

 

[kc8adu]

go to radioshack and look for the replace a cell pack of 2 sub c cells on closeout for $5
i get cells by buying dead stock camcorder batteries and cellphone packs.
brand new cells on the cheap.
i fix up lots of power tools with them.

 

[Papa Bear]

Thanks, guys....looks like time to buy a new "buster".

P.B.

 

[michaelc80]

I don't know about your area, but around here we have several battery stores that specialize in batteries like you describe. I've used them several times when I have had a hard to find battery style.

Or, for that amount of money you could consider simply purchasing a new dust buster. I bought a new one a couple years ago for that reason-it was cheaper to replace it than repair it.

 

[Dominic]

Use a 20% coupon for bedbath and beyond and get a new dustbuster on the cheap? That's the american way, but I admire and understand your want to repair the durned thing.

Goodluck PB

 

[labman]

It is really a shame all the stuff that goes to the landfill needing only a small component replaced.