How to Rebuild a 14.4-volt Battery Pack

Battery packs producing 14.4 volts either contain 12 nickel cadmium (NiCad) cells, each producing 1.2 volts, or four lithium ion cells, each producing 3.6 volts. Rebuilding a pack containing nickel-based cells is moderately straightforward. If your pack contains lithium ion cells, it's best to get it rebuilt professionally, as lithium ion battery packs have an internal electrical system that prevents overcharging. It is best not to tamper with the pack.

1.Get 12 replacement NiCad cells from an electrical supplier. Each cell produces 1.2 volts, so 12 cells wired in series produce 14.4 volts. NiCad cells are widely available and relatively inexpensive.
  
2.Put the 14.4-volt battery pack on a work surface. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the screws holding the dell vostro 1710 battery pack cover in place. Once removed, the cover lifts off and you find the individual cells inside. If your pack is a sealed unit, then don't attempt to force the cover open: You will damage the pack.
  
3.Check how the cells fit into the 14.4-volt battery pack. Most cells are soldered in place and have metal contacts linking the cells together. If you find the cells clip into the battery compartment, insert a flat-head screwdriver down the side of a terminal and connector, then lift the cells from the compartment. If they're soldered, heat a soldering iron.
  
4.Place the end of the heated soldering iron between a metal contact and the battery terminal. Wait until the solder melts, then quickly pry the cell away from the contact, using a flathead screwdriver. Remove the soldering iron. Repeat the process on all the metal contacts and terminals until all the batteries are removed. Remember to turn off the soldering iron.
  
5.Get your 12 replacement NiCad cells, and position them in the toshiba battery compartment. If they clip in place, gently insert the cells into the compartment, and push them down with your fingers until they click into place. If the cells need soldering, heat a soldering iron.
 
6.Put the end of the soldering iron on the metal tab, and immediately put some solder between the metal contact and the cell terminal. Let the heat from the soldering iron penetrate through the metal contact until the solder melts. Remove the soldering iron as the solder melts. Let the solder harden, and allow the contact and battery to cool before proceeding.
  
7.Repeat the procedure by soldering all the metal contacts onto the cell terminals. Allow each one to cool before moving on to the next. It's important to make sure the batteries don't get too warm. Turn off the soldering iron once all the cells are soldered in place, and let the battery pack cool.
  
8.Replace the cover on the dell m1530 battery pack. Put the screws into the cover, and use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten them.