Dead lithium ion battery

Joe Shmoe · 12 Dec 2015

I purchased a returned to shop faulty item that uses 36v Lithium Ion battery. It was described as non working, but process of elimination shows its the battery. Using a volt meter shows zero. Absolutely zero.

I've seen some YouTube videos about reviving over discharged lithium batteries by hooking them up to another battery to raise the power enough to be recognised by the charger, but in all the videos the dead battery still has some volts showing, where mine has none at all.

Is it likely the battery was already close to dead and then sat in a box for a year has reduced it to zilch, or could it be a loose connection inside and worth fiddling about with?

Any pointers would be great.

Joe Shmoe · 12 Dec 2015

Forgot to mention the battery has an "on" switch with a little LED so if left on in the box, would contribute to battery drain, as I know lithium batteries don't lose much charger when stored.

NazNomad · 12 Dec 2015

I'd definitely take it apart and check the switch/LED were connected.

Myfordman · 12 Dec 2015

If it has been flattened by that led to absolute zero charge then it it likely to be fatal.

Depending on what sort of cells it uses, you might get is re-celled by specialists who do that sort of thing. (google)

lurker · 12 Dec 2015

You cannot revive lithium batteries like this they will most likely explode.
What you have seen is nicad ..... It can work, have done it myself, but take precautions!!!