Need ideas for project

[Bluedog225]

Some dummy (me) left two newish Ryobi 18 volt battery packs out in the weather. I convinced myself there had only been a heavy dew but in reality they got rained on. Found them a week later. Circuits seem fried but he unprotected 18650s [corrected from 19650] are holding voltage. Neither will charge in the Ryobi charger.

I’d like to use the packs or the cells for something.

I could always use more flashlight batteries? Can I dismantle and attach a protection circuit to each battery? Or will that require a spot welder? Probably more expensive than I care to mess with. Or should I buy a flashlight that uses unprotected cells? I vaguely recall that they make those though I have always purchased protected.

On a related note, Restore was selling boxes of these little solar panels (see below). Something like 5 to a box for $5. So I bought 7-8 boxes….?

I wouldn’t mind cobbling together a Frankenstein bright solar powered, motion detector light, outdoor mounted in a metal box. I’d have to cut off the circuit board. I wonder if I could trickle charge these packs at 24 volts or would I need a charge controller?

Heck, I wouldn’t mind putting them in a sealed plastic box underground if what I end up is a little but electrically sketchy but might work good for years.

Any ideas welcome. Hate to throw them away.

thanks

 

[400bird]

You can buy replacement BMS on eBay.
I'm not sure if this one is correct, just an example

Li-Ion Battery Charging,Protection Circuit Board-PCB For-Ryobi 18V-P108 | eBay

Standard chip board PCB for replace for Ryobi P108 tools battery. Material: PCB. only for people who are familiar with battery performance. 1 x Protection Board. and have practical experience in battery assembly.

www.ebay.com

They are cheap copies, probably not as good as the real deal, but better than buying replacement packs.

 

[Bluedog225]

That’s great. I had no idea they were replaceable. Thanks!