dcimpact.com 12V impact wrenches

[strelnik]

I bought a couple of unused in the box dcimpact.com impact wrenches from government liquidation.

Since they were NIB, I figured they would be no problem.

However, I cannot get them to charge.

They are very simple. I have attached two photos to explain.

These impacts are used on heavier Army equipment, like trucks and HMMWVs. They consist of a power pack which is rechargeable and an attached impact wrench.

You charge the capacitors using the charger provided, then disconnect the AC power source and use them on site.

There are only three switches on the whole unit including one battery disconnect for travel-- to prevent discharge during shipping. One switch on the impact and one on the battery box.

Has anyone ever owned one of these? If it worked it would be really handy.

Please feel free to point out my ignorance.

The seller is DC Impact Power Systems LLC but they don't list any usable phone numbers. The 888 number is always busy and the other number is a fax.

The BBB in Austin never heard of them.

On their website, they say, " If you don't know how to use this, you shouldn't own it."

What arrogant j*******s!

They made their money on a Government contract but if this thing works, it would be amazing.

I'm also wondering if there is a way to check the capacitors, to see if they are defective.

I can check the current from the battery charger, which looks like a normal laptop charger.

The capacitors were made in Canada and might be available. Maybe I just didn't check them or charge them properly?

Any and all help gratefully accepted!

Then I can check the impact wrenches themselves.

 

[nsula_country]

The silver items on the left in the first picture appear to be contactors. Very similar to a winch. Probably for FWD and REV of the impact motor. Is there a battery under the silver plate? Or ultracapacitors?

EDIT. I went to the website. It states an AGM battery.

CT

 

[Brian_WK]

Im guessing the VLRA aka SLA batteries have deep discharged and are garbage. Get new SLA and enjoy. From what I read there are no capacitors and the the poster above is correct that the silver can things are the contacts for forward and reverse.

Brian

 

[TRWham]

This is my solution:

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/Impact-Wrenches/2763-22

 

[Millwrong]

Pull out the multi-meter and see what voltage the batteries are sitting at. As mentioned, they may have dropped below a certain threshold, and the charger won't recognize them.

 

[American Locomotive]

Those are not capacitors, they are solenoids/contactors. There's likely a large battery underneath that has gone bad.

...and yeesh. The construction of that battery pack is pretty freaking cheesy. I don't even want to think how much the government paid for something that looks like some dude threw it together in his basement.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How much did you pay for that pile of junk?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

$1299 in 2001. Probably about a 20AH battery by the weight. I think it's more like the mid torque Milwaukee. Not even sealed switches on the trigger.

AGMs take a little higher charging voltage than 'nomral' lead batteries.
Try jumping with a regular battery till the charger starts.

 

[strelnik]

Thanks for the info. Any idea where I might get such batteries?

If these items are new in box, could they be charged for a long time? Would that make a difference?

 

[mike93lx]

How much did you pay for that pile of junk?

This. Any amount is probably too much considering what is available in modern cordless impacts. Spending more money seems silly at best

 

[nsula_country]

Gel Cell batteries are cheap. I use atbatt.com a lot for battery purchases. If a standard gel cell, the battery number should cross. Otherwise measure the dimensions and it will point you to the correct size battery capacity.

I still think that it is a pretty cool tool! It is a little outdated with the surge of Li-Ion batteries and cordless tools available now, but can slap a battery(s) in it and go for years.

CT

 

[American Locomotive]

Thanks for the info. Any idea where I might get such batteries?

If these items are new in box, could they be charged for a long time? Would that make a difference?

Lead acid batteries have a pretty high self discharge rate compared to lithium batteries, and will completely discharge after a few years of sitting.

SLA or AGM batteries that this uses are fairly cheap and readily available. Just take the battery pack apart and see what kind of battery it uses.

 

[bwringer]

I think I can see two SLA batteries in gray cases peeking out in the first photo, under that white paper or divider.

12V SLA batteries come in several standard sizes and are easily available. They're just lead acid batteries with a sealed case and gelled electrolyte -- same chemistry as a car battery. They only last about three or four years under regular use, and less than that if they're allowed to discharge and sulfate.

Anyway, it would probably cost you less than $50 for two new SLA batteries.

Still, I wouldn't spend a dime on this until I determine whether the actual impact wrench has any balls. Suss out the wiring, hook up a couple of car, motorcycle, or lawn tractor batteries with jumper cables, and see what you've got.

It's going to be tough to beat that Milwaukee... it would not shock me if you could remove and recycle the batteries, sell these on fleaBay (NIB, needs batteries) to some collector of militaria, and come close to getting enough to buy that far more useful Milwaukee impact.

 

[strelnik]

I think I can see two SLA batteries in gray cases peeking out in the first photo, under that white paper or divider.

12V SLA batteries come in several standard sizes and are easily available. They're just lead acid batteries with a sealed case and gelled electrolyte -- same chemistry as a car battery. They only last about three or four years under regular use, and less than that if they're allowed to discharge and sulfate.

Anyway, it would probably cost you less than $50 for two new SLA batteries.

Still, I wouldn't spend a dime on this until I determine whether the actual impact wrench has any balls. Suss out the wiring, hook up a couple of car, motorcycle, or lawn tractor batteries with jumper cables, and see what you've got.

It's going to be tough to beat that Milwaukee... it would not shock me if you could remove and recycle the batteries, sell these on fleaBay (NIB, needs batteries) to some collector of militaria, and come close to getting enough to buy that far more useful Milwaukee impact.

Thanks, I got these for a dc price and I have a 1" Makita and a 1" IR, plus a 1/2" MATCO and a 1/2" IR.

This thing could be useful out in the field where it could be charged from a generator. And it's more expendable than my other tools.

Plus I just got a shipment of about 120 Snap-On, IR and Sioux impact wrenches for nothing. Some need seals or cleaning, that's all.

 

[thickhead]

Try this company contact. http://www.dcmatic.com/contact-us.html

 

[strelnik]

Try this company contact. http://www.dcmatic.com/contact-us.html

Thanks,
I've called them several times and left messages and e-mails. Radio silence.

However, I removed the battery from one of the units and took it to my buddy Pete's battery shop.

The battery itself is defective, apparently being unused for 8 years then opened the other day by me.

I got a battery of the same size and connected it as if to jump the impact wrench on a work bench.

The thing came to life like nobody's business.

I'm looking at redesigning the space that holds the battery and making a better carrying case for the thing.

I have a couple extras that I bought with it, which I will test, build a case for, and resell to break even.

This is how I get a lot of tools for less. I'm not interested in profit, just breaking even.

Forgot to mention:

The battery appeared damaged internally. Pete ran some tests for me for free, since I buy my batteries from him and recommend him to other people. I always patronize local guys especially when they know what they're doing.

 

[ForceFed70]

I'd be very tempted to adapt such that you could easily hook it up to a car/truck battery for field work vs trying to buy actual replacement batteries.

 

[strelnik]

I'd be very tempted to adapt such that you could easily hook it up to a car/truck battery for field work vs trying to buy actual replacement batteries.

There is a version of this tool that runs that way but it's 24V. Also had a 50 foot cable, hooked into the power outlet of a 5 ton Army truck or an armored HMWWV.

Besides, I'm looking at running this tool as one of a set of heavy-duty emergency tools that are used to work on dead cars and bring them to life.

For that reason, most cars have dead batteries when I work on them.

I am still looking for a good super heavy-duty battery that plugs into 110VAC and becomes a jump box or another power supply.

 

[ForceFed70]

Besides, I'm looking at running this tool as one of a set of heavy-duty emergency tools that are used to work on dead cars and bring them to life.

For that reason, most cars have dead batteries when I work on them.

I am still looking for a good super heavy-duty battery that plugs into 110VAC and becomes a jump box or another power supply.

I assumed you'd have a service vehicle of some sort.

I suppose one of those jump boxes would work and could come in handy for other uses. I agree with the others - if you need to buy a dedicated battery you're better off buying a whole new cordless 12V impact.

 

[strelnik]

I assumed you'd have a service vehicle of some sort.

I suppose one of those jump boxes would work and could come in handy for other uses. I agree with the others - if you need to buy a dedicated battery you're better off buying a whole new cordless 12V impact.

I took my dc impact with its new battery to a lab and paid a little bit of money to get a torque test.

422 lbs ft tightening
379 lbs ft loosening.

This thing might be a little awkward, but for a total cost of $106.00 including new battery, that doesn't seem like too much money, given some forum member spotted one for over $1200.

I have a couple others that I bought as a part of this auction. Might keep one and sell one.

Still, I want to make adaptor cables to run to a 12V car, and a steel/wood box to carry it, rather than a heavy cardboard one.

Once I make the box and cables, I'll send a pic.

 

[nsula_country]

strelnik,

Those torque values will handle about anything with a fastener from a Class 8 truck to a Sub-Compact vehicle. I would haven't hesitated to put a battery in it either. Looking forward to seeing the tool box you build for it.

CT

 

[mike93lx]

I took my dc impact with its new battery to a lab and paid a little bit of money to get a torque test.

422 lbs ft tightening
379 lbs ft loosening.

This thing might be a little awkward, but for a total cost of $106.00 including new battery, that doesn't seem like too much money, given some forum member spotted one for over $1200.

I have a couple others that I bought as a part of this auction. Might keep one and sell one.

Still, I want to make adaptor cables to run to a 12V car, and a steel/wood box to carry it, rather than a heavy cardboard one.

Once I make the box and cables, I'll send a pic.

My high torque dewalt (1000lbf rated) was $130 open box at lowes
Came with a small battery and charger.

Still don't get the appeal here

 

[strelnik]

My high torque dewalt (1000lbf rated) was $130 open box at lowes
Came with a small battery and charger.

Still don't get the appeal here

Here's one example of the appeal:

I can take that torque wrench on the road and if the battery is discharged, I can replace it with a car battery or hook up jumper cables.

Since I was once stuck out in the Arizona desert unable to get two flats off a 26 foot trailer, a good torque wrench that works under all conditions on trips through deserted country is a need for me.

Your torque wrench may be a great buy, but these kits are periodically sold, so the opportunity is greater, also.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If Strelnik is happy with what he's doing, far be it from me to pass judgement on it. If I was out in the boonies in frequent need of an impact that strong, I'd have a compressor on the vehicle and just use a real impact gun.

Maybe he would like to buy a used $10k Gubment contract hammer for $100.00? I bet I can find one...

Tommy

 

[strelnik]

If Strelnik is happy with what he's doing, far be it from me to pass judgement on it. If I was out in the boonies in frequent need of an impact that strong, I'd have a compressor on the vehicle and just use a real impact gun.

Maybe he would like to buy a used $10k Gubment contract hammer for $100.00? I bet I can find one...

Tommy

Tommy,
Thanks for your unbiased and tolerant support.

I bought ten of those set-ups that I showed you for $8.00 each.

I could remove the batteries in them and take them to my local battery shop, which will give me $10.00 each for them as dead lead.

I can't lose on this deal. It's just a matter of how much I want to win as I have fun with these.

BTW I already have a small engine+compressor on a hand truck-type stand and can roll that in and out. If I need air tools I have a 20 year-old US-made Ingersoll Rand set to use or blow up tires, mattresses, basketballs, you name it. I keep it at about 140 for the shutoff.

Maybe I'll make it into a air-powered train horn and keep the slow people out of my way!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

379lb isn't going to touch an old truck lug, but if you run it off a big 18v Lithium battery, it will shed a bunch of weight and probably get a bit more oats.

 

[strelnik]

379lb isn't going to touch an old truck lug, but if you run it off a big 18v Lithium battery, it will shed a bunch of weight and probably get a bit more oats.

Thanks for the advice. How long do you think I can run it at 18V before something melts?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'd guess a long time, automotive electrical (the motor) is designed to operate with the car running, so 14-16V, and I don't think the switch is anything special.

You can also get 12v Li starting batteries, but I think they cost a good bit more per watt.

 

[strelnik]

I'd guess a long time, automotive electrical (the motor) is designed to operate with the car running, so 14-16V, and I don't think the switch is anything special.

You can also get 12v Li starting batteries, but I think they cost a good bit more per watt.

Thanks for the info.
New progress: I have taken one of these apart more, removed some spacers that prevent installing a new battery. Runs like gangbusters!

However, to make it easier to carry, I'm going to cut the cable and make another 10 foot extension cable. This will make the wrench able to move 20 feet from the battery box. Plus I can coil the cables and make a better box to hold it all.

I am torn between making a wood/steel case or just buying a rolling suitcase and putting everything in that.

I may go to the local Salvation Army to see what they have, or just to get some ideas.