Battery-powered inverter possible?

[Ign]

Just curious, would it be possible to do an inverter than runs on something like Milwaukee M18? I know you wouldn't run angle grinders on it or anything, but recently my friends needed to charge FRS radios at a campsite and the radios only had wall chargers.

Anyone think we'll eventually see "cordless" inverters for low-draw items? Or is there something that makes it impossible (I'm not talking market demand)?

 

[Sal Bandini]

Do the radios use standard AA or AAA rechargeable batteries? If so, better to carry extra batteries.

 

[Ign]

Do the radios use standard AA or AAA rechargeable batteries? If so, better to carry extra batteries.

Sure, but that wasn't the question.........

 

[Sal Bandini]

I know.

It is possible but most are designed for 12V input. You would need to step it down to 12V.
I found this video:

Snap-on makes one but you probably need to use their batteries, or figure a way to wire in other brands.

https://store.snapon.com/Memory-Savers-Power-Inverters-18-V-Power-Inverter-P819559.aspx

 

[wait4me]

I built this a while back with a couple of buck converters off of amazon. Steps the 18-20v down to 12v or 19v continuous for field equipment. I've attached an inverter to the 12v out before to run chargers.

 

[ddawg16]

If you have a DC inverter, yes, it would work just fine off a car battery. They are basically DC to AC converters.

Most of the FRS radios will also take regular batteries. Pull out the rechargables and put in the same size alkaline

 

[ISurvivednmu]

Dewalt has one coming out that takes 4 batteries.

 

[maxpower_hd]

What about a regular inverter for your car/truck and you can just plug the chargers into that? I have one in one of my trucks and it works awesome. I've run tools off of it too, and my boiler once during a week long power outage.

 

[mnoeltne]

What about a regular inverter for your car/truck and you can just plug the chargers into that? I have one in one of my trucks and it works awesome. I've run tools off of it too, and my boiler once during a week long power outage.

This would be simpler and cheaper if you have a vehicle around when you go camping.

 

[Strouty]

Just curious, would it be possible to do an inverter than runs on something like Milwaukee M18? I know you wouldn't run angle grinders on it or anything, but recently my friends needed to charge FRS radios at a campsite and the radios only had wall chargers.

Anyone think we'll eventually see "cordless" inverters for low-draw items? Or is there something that makes it impossible (I'm not talking market demand)?

They make a power socket for the M12, M18 is just USB, but get creative and you can do something.

Those style plug in adapters are almost always DC voltage adapters for the AC outlets, just find the appropriate plug and adapt them. Radio Shack used to make lots of adapters, I know someone still makes that type of stuff.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/2349-20

 

[rlitman]

They make a power socket for the M12, M18 is just USB...

No, the M18 Power Source is not just USB. The M18 Power Source has a 12V barrel connector on the side. That's how you can use it to power a jacket. It does require use of the on/off switch though, or else the internal DC/DC converter will drain the battery over a few days or so (something that is not required on the M12 Power Source).

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/49-24-2371
See the hole in the upper right corner?

If the charger for the FRS radios requires 12V power, you can tap right into the M18 adapter using these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G6EAMEC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use a cable with one of those on each end to power all sorts of stuff. That connector is pretty common for 12V chargers, so I can use an M18 battery instead of a wall powered transformer with the same plug.

 

[ambenz]

Today's FRS radios come complete with a Micro-USB charging cable, with jack port on the top & rechargeable NiMH batteries.
My Cobra CXT 390 can be charged by plugging in my phone charger to the Micro-USB jack on top of the radio.
That rubber door on top accesses the charging port.

What this means, is you can have 5V and charge your radios, with something like this!

Maybe you just need a upgrade?

 

[DieselSaves]

https://store.snapon.com/Memory-Savers-Power-Inverters-Power-Inverter-18V-P819559.aspx


I saw one of these on the truck a year or two ago. I don't have the battery system for it but I liked the idea. The dealer said SO was running a flat screen TV on one for the tool show.