Electric Toothbrush - Not sure where to post

[indieFan]

Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure where to post this, but it's about my electric toothbrush.

I bought an Interplak PB2 on ebay recently because my current toothbrush is not charging well. I put the "new" Interplak on the charger several days ago, but it is not running at all.

The Interplak runs on a 3-cell NiCd battery. Other details I found online are: 2.4V 700mAh.

These cells are at least 20 years old. Probably closer to 25.

This particular version of the Interplak is sealed against water, with no way for the general public to open them for the battery pack. One of the sites I ran across stated that a dremel was used to open it. I'm thinking an O-ring or some other seal can be used.

1. Is there a physical danger to opening the toothbrush if no apparent charge is being absorbed?

2. Is there a way to get a charge into these batteries without opening the toothbrush?

3. If a charge is possible in these batteries after opening, is there a safe way to do it?

4. If a charge is possible in these batteries in either 2 or 3, how long will the batteries be rechargeable?

Thanks for any help,
indieFan

P.S.- For those that are thinking, this is a "stupid" idea, please understand that the original Interplaks typically lasted for 10 years and did a far superior job of cleaning teeth. You can find quite a bit of anecdotal evidence of both online. I've used other toothbrushes, including newer Interplaks (after Conair bought the division of Braun), and they don't hold a candle to the original.