Explorer NiMh rechargable battery pack Rebuild??

[hansenrw]

I am sure this topic has been addressed multiple times but I have not been able so far to find anything in the forum seach.

My NiMh pack is 10 years old and has been a real trooper but alas it's time seems to have come. Has anyone out there come up with a way to replace the batteries with out destroying the case? I'm sure I could eventually cut it open and have at it but I'm open to learning from others experiance. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get a few opinions about what brand and capacity battery would work best.

Thanks

Robert

 

[Elton]

Cost me $18.00 last time I had a Whites recharge pack redone..

 

[kered]

You could also just put good quality rechargable AA's in the alkaline pack, i use 2800mah fujicell and they outlast the factory pack

 

[Buddysox]

My 1600 MAH rechargeable is just gathering dust, I have two of the other type that I use 3800MAH batteries in that I ordered.I have never had to change batteries in the middle of a hunt, It puzzles me why Minelab makes their batteries in just 1600 and 1800 MAH. For what you could rebuild that one for it would cost around 20-25 bucks to buy some whopper batteries and have twice the juice. Have a look at E-Bay and see.

 

[eppillus06]

you will get about 6 in the morn till about 3 half 3 on the 1600,then the 1800 should go till about 5.30 on low,best to have a spare,always brought pack's never replaced.

 

[hansenrw]

I have NiMh's for my other "alkaline" pack already. I just like the idea of not having to pull the batteries out to recharge them, take advantage of the minelab chargers.

Thanks for your input.

Robert

 

[RVL]

I too am interested in that. But my pack is still new so I will have to wait till it dies before I will tinker with it.

 

[silverfix]

I appreciate this post. Lots of options here.

 

[Buddysox]

Alright, you guys got me going and since I have a legendary reputation as not leaving anything well enough alone I just sat down looking at my tired old rechargable Minelab pack and after a few minutes with a leatherman tool it is now open. Looks like eight AA batteries wrapped up an in series with contacts across the bottom and soldered to a hot and ground up front . should not be hard to replace with some high capacity batteries. I dont know if the charging chip up front would fully charge the 2900 MAH batteries I just ordered for it. Maybe some of the Forum Geeks out there can offer an opinion. Tell you what , I will take some pics of what it looks like and what I do and how it works then post it here as a new subject after the batteries come. And nobody tell Minelab, they might send a hit squad after me! [/b]

 

[Tico]

I have an old one if someone else wants to mess with a rebuild.
I'll take 15.00 shipped for it