GC2 Battery Pack Rebuilt

[Maverick]

If your battery pack is no longer holding a charge, you can save money by getting it rebuilt at local places like Batteries Plus. New replacement battery packs can cost $65-80 + shipping. Batteries Plus will replace all the cells with new ones for about $40 including labor. You'll basically have a new batter pack.

The GC2 battery pack is made up of 6 NiMh 1A cells. Total voltage is about 7.2 volts. Batteries Plus should have those cells in stock or can get them in a couple of days.

[HWoods]

Great post, thanks!

[JV17]

That's really good to know Zmax, thanks. The overall battery life seems to be the largest complaint about the GC2.

[Maverick]

You're welcome JV17.

Here's another tip:

These batteries need to be drained. Always try to use your GC2 with the charger disconnected. Then allow it to charge fully for 6 or so hours.

[JV17]

I drain the battery every 10 days or so by leaving it on overnight. I really should just play with it while unplugged a few times a week.

[rigasminho]

I just got the GC2 -
How do I know when my unit is fully charged besides timing the charge? Is there a voltage the unit should read when turned on to know when its fully charged?

[Ronsc1985]

I just got the GC2 -
How do I know when my unit is fully charged besides timing the charge? Is there a voltage the unit should read when turned on to know when its fully charged?

Around 4 hours. A fully charged battery pack reads about 8.5 volts on the display. If you are using it indoors just leave it plugged in. Unplug it once a month and leave it powered on until the unit shuts itself off.

[rigasminho]

Around 4 hours. A fully charged battery pack reads about 8.5 volts on the display. If you are using it indoors just leave it plugged in. Unplug it once a month and leave it powered on until the unit shuts itself off.

I thought we werent suppose to leave it plugged in while in use?

[Ronsc1985]

I thought we werent suppose to leave it plugged in while in use?

Old wives tale. Modern charging devices shut themselves off when the battery is fully charged and only turn back on when the voltage level drops below some fixed level.

[rigasminho]

Old wives tale. Modern charging devices shut themselves off when the battery is fully charged and only turn back on when the voltage level drops below some fixed level.

Eh I thought it was more about the battery being NiMH and not lithium ion

[Noobie]

Is there any downside to not getting the battery rebuilt or replaced? I plan to use it only inside for now. I just noticed that my battery won't hold charge.

[Ronsc1985]

Is there any downside to not getting the battery rebuilt or replaced? I plan to use it only inside for now. I just noticed that my battery won't hold charge.

Not really. The unit functions just fine after being completely discharged when first plugged in.

The only possible advantage is a battery also functions as a relatively low impedance path to ground and as such is kind of a filter for any voltage surges that make it through the charger electronics. This is not a big deal as the charger electronics should have input transient suppression already built in. That said a battery that will not hold a charge may function just as well for any surge suppression as one which will hold a charge.

[Noobie]

That's what I was hoping. Thanks!

[p3eps]

I like to take mine inside with me (from the garage) when I'm finished using it... so I usually use it on battery. When it flashes and tells me it's running low, I plug it in and let it charge for a few hours.
I hoped this would keep the battery life at an optimum, Incase I want to take it to the range etc.

It's a shame that they're still selling these with a NiMH battery rather than Lithuim.

[smc]

Are you suppose to charge the unit with the device on or off ???????

[Ronsc1985]

Doesn't matter.