Multiple cordless battery chargers, how do you organize them?

[TheGrooveking]

I was curious as to how others may have set up their battery chargers for their cordless tools. I have over 14 different ones and that including ones like Makita's that'll do multiple voltage. It's a pain in the *** to have to keep pulling them out when I need them, so with that how you guys done it? Pics would be great.

ThGrooveking

 

[saabman]

Great question, I am faced with the same problem.

 

[Stuey]

That's a tough one.

I started taking chargers out of tool cases and put them all in a larger drawer.The most commonly used ones are in a small tool bag on a shelf.

 

[santagary]

I have a battery charging station on a window-sill and a shelf near the window...I got tired of looking for batteries, etc...they're all in one place now

 

[Coolabah]

I was curious as to how others may have set up their battery chargers for their cordless tools. I have over 14 different ones and that including ones like Makita's that'll do multiple voltage. It's a pain in the *** to have to keep pulling them out when I need them, so with that how you guys done it? Pics would be great.

ThGrooveking

Well I don't have quite that many ! But I have set up a charging station on a little benchtop in the corner, with 2 x 6 receptacle power boards piggy backed, since I am not charging more than a couple of things at a time haven't tripped any circuits yet ! So the chargers are all plugged in 24/7 ready & waiting for a battery , not having to plug & unplug- also since all in 1 spot I don't leave something plugged in indefinitely as I know to glance over there when I walk into my 'shop ( I know, supposed to be OK with the latest LiIon stuff but I am not so convinced yet ....)

 

[ddawg16]

That is one of my next projects.

I just finished making a man bar in the garage....it has space under it on one side. I'm going to make a shelf and set of outlets for my chargers (I only have 4...I try to stay with tools that use the same battery).

Because most chargers use a very small amount of electricity even if not charging a battery, I'm going to have switched outlets. You can buy outlets that have a switch built in....includes a light. I'll just take one of those large gray EMT Outside boxes, slap 4 switch/outlets on it....slap on a cover plate and call it done.

Oh...I will also mount the chargers....makes it easier to pull the batteries out with one hand.

 

[PCO6]

I keep all of mine in a drawer in one of my tool boxes and pull them out when I need them. Most are obvious as to what tool, light, etc. they are for but many aren't. I use a paint pen to number them. I put a big number on the charger and a small corresponding number on the tool in an inconspicuous spot, like where the charger cord attaches.

 

[nehog]

Toss 'em all to the back of the work bench... No rhyme or reason.

Two Ryobi, two Milwaukee, two Makita. Oh, and a couple of 12 volt LA chargers too...

 

[trbomax]

I just keep ditching all of the old tools and only replace them with 18v dewalt.One batt fits all,one 2 batt charger does all.

 

[Wanna Ride]

All of my cordles tools are Milwaukee. I keep one charger on the shelf. Charged batteries go rightside up in the drawer, dead batteries go rightside down. I don't store more than one charged battery at a time. I don't use this stuff everyday anymore, so no sense in unecessarily cycling batteries.

 

[mmhouse]

Not much help in your situation but I resisted buying many battery operated tools for just the reason you mention, I didn't want the jumble of batteries and chargers. Last year I ask for (and fortunately got) a Lithium 18V Ryobi One+ system for Christmas. As I add more tools, which I'm planning to do, I'll go to a a six-battery charger.

 

[LWW]

The problem with getting the "One" system is the manufacturer will come out with a new design and obsolete all your existing stuff.

I currently have 2 DeWalt 12v cordless drills & chargers w/4 batteries so 2 are always charged.

I also received a 19.2v Craftsman Cordless Combo Kit for Christmas last year and got another charger and 2 batteries to go with it. 2 chargers and 4 batteries so 2 are always charged.

On my bench, I have a 12 outlet power strip bolted to the back and all my tool chargers plugged in with all the other chargers I have, Chatterbox instructor's intercom, Chatterbox road race transceiver, GMRS radio's, battery tender, etc.

I actually have all 12 outlets used...

I like the idea of mounting the chargers on the wall for easy insert/removal, but mine come with me to the track, so I'd need to make them easy to pull off and put back on the wall.

I'll be interested in pics from the other forum members for good ideas.

 

[blackice]

I just keep ditching all of the old tools and only replace them with 18v dewalt.One batt fits all,one 2 batt charger does all.

I am slowly trying to do the same, but I know once I am almost done, they will change there batteries in me...

 

[crewchief888]

i keep my 5 chargers downstairs in my reloading room.

couple of scraps of plywood, and a pair of thrift store shelf brackets

 

[Concrete B]

I have 2 chargers, one old style DeWalt, one new style DeWalt. They sit at the back of one of my benches under the pegboard. Pegboard "hammer" hooks hold charged batteries ready to go.

 

[KCarGuy]

I have an old Retro looking steel cabinet that fits between my Garage doors.
Inside are 5 welded "Fixed" steel shelves.
The Top shelf is chest level, so perfect for a power strip mounted high up on the inside.
Mounted to the shelf is 3 chargers...each from different manufactures.
with room for the extra batteries behind the chargers.

with the Cabinet closed, no one sees anything, so they are all out of the way.

This Retro steel cabinet is white and has rounded corners, which I love...and it was found on Craigslist along with a Matching Dual Door (wider) Cabinet that all my Bodywork supplies are stored in.

 

[mmhouse]

The problem with getting the "One" system is the manufacturer will come out with a new design and obsolete all your existing stuff.

No question...there's no stopping progress!

I'm pretty good at taking care of stuff and milking it. The one Makita battery drill I had was 15-20 years old. I'll likely still be using my One+ stuff when I die. My grand kids will be marveling at me using a mechanical drill when they're using their laser drills.

 

[hilld]

I put up a shelf with a 10 outlet powerstrip at the back of the shelf. All that is on the shelf are chargers for the different brands/voltages. It works great. Will take a pic later and post it.

 

[hilld]

Here is the promised pic.

 

[Sterff]

I use a paint pen and label all of mine with a number. If I remember I write down which ones I charged last and try to keep them in a rotation. I currently have 10: 6 19.2V, 2 14.4V li-ion, and 2 7.2V Li-ion.

 

[driver]

Mine are kept in a drawer with the bottom and front using material from a shelving system made from slats, to promote air flow. A power strip in the back to keep the cords organized. Works great and keeps all the batteries (Dewalt, Hitachi, B&D,) in one place.

 

[haugy]

Seeing as how I've burned and gone through more cordless tools than I can count, I only keep a sawzall, drill, and impact as a cordless tool. All one system.

The rest are corded. Most of what I need requires too much power for too long for a battery anyways.

 

[shopnut]

I only have two chargers for my Craftsman C3 system and I built a recessed cabinet for them. It is the yellow door on the left. Here are some pix during and after completion to better explain.



Door cannot close fully with batteries in chargers to remind me they are still there. The chargers themselves are on a wind-up timer (inside door, upper left) so I don't forget to turn them off, even if I forget to pull the battery out when fully charged.

 

[LWW]

Aren't these things good enough technology now to not degrade their battery performance when left on the charger?

I mean, come on, Battery Tender makes a whole business out of "preserving" batteries by leaving them attached to the charger perpetually.

For perspective, I'm in no way claiming to know for a fact, but I've always left my old DeWalt 12v batteries plugged in until the one in the tool I'm using is dead. They end up being plugged in for days/weeks at a time and I've seen no perceptible decrease in their life expectancy.

I actually just bought 2 new batteries for the DeWalt because the other two that were now 6 years old had cracked casings from abuse, not because the batteries were no longer holding a charge. They were a little weaker than the new one's but not "OMG!" weaker.

 

[ket-tek]

I only have two chargers for my Craftsman C3 system and I built a recessed cabinet for them. It is the yellow door on the left. Here are some pix during and after completion to better explain.



Door cannot close fully with batteries in chargers to remind me they are still there. The chargers themselves are on a wind-up timer (inside door, upper left) so I don't forget to turn them off, even if I forget to pull the battery out when fully charged.

Cool overall look.

Nice Pelton & Crane LF Series light there also, a timeless classic..