universal battery for cordless tools?

[frascati]

Can anyone provide a thread or link on this?

I'd like DIY plans for a universal belt or fanny pack with 18v worth of cells.

Using an integrated themistor of a value that would work with a specified 18v charger.

Digikey or Mouser (etc) sourced basic output regulator switchable 12/14.4/18

My drills have OEM nicd packs. I'd like to know if my DIY universal pack should/could be made Nimh?

I plan to simply wire the drills with six inch pigtails. One end permanently soldered into the handle. The other end with protected three prong plug to the battery pack. All drills have the same pigtail and plug. The cord from the battery pack will be coiled for to keep it less in the way.

This is mainly an exercise in cost savings and partly in weight savings at the hand especially with my two Bosch 18v "Brute" drills which are the heaviest cordless out there. Sick of juggling batteries, ryobi, bosch, milwaukee, of various voltages and chargers and mind numbing replacement costs. Been wanting to do this for a while but there still seem to be few plans or explanations online.

 

[Danglerb]

I thought about doing this, thread someplace back in history. Idea I had was to start with a boost/jump box and add a DC/DC voltage converter and put the common pigtail type on empty battery packs so the tools don't have a big hole, and I only need one modified pack for all of the same battery type.

Great idea, not really practical except for amusement. If you "need" a good tool, its more practical to buy a good one, or rebuild the old battery pack.

OTOH do it right and variable power might breath new life into old tools.

Reason for no plans online is that six people might do it six different ways.

 

[Fcvapor05]

http://www.rambobattery.com/

 

[kythri]

I can't comment on quality, but I know there's some folks selling belts and battery pack adapters on eBay for a variety of models.

 

[bcradio]

Doubt it would be cost effective. That's why many people in the RC community buy up the 36v Dewalt batteries to take them apart for the cells. Cheaper than buying them elsewhere.

 

[bonneyman]

I did a cordless drill conversion a few months ago. Can't remember the thread title.
After researching all the various methods, I decided to convert a Makita 9.6v to run off an old (analog) car battery charger.
Works great!

 

[Askme42]

Buy a corded tool.

 

[G_P]

Buy a corded tool.

This.

The whole point of a cordless tool is that it is a self contained unit with no wires to get tangled up or trip over. Wearing a battery pack on a belt means you cant just put the tool down and walk over somewhere else, you have to carry the tool with you or unplug it just like a corded tool but then you are still carrying the battery pack and a long dangling cord around on your hip.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Buy a corded tool.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking when I read this thread...

 

[Ruger_556]

Buy a corded tool.

This... Someone somewhere will happily trade a corded tool for your cordless tool.

 

[Askme42]

Thanks for making me feel good. Thought I might get railed on a little for that comment.

 

[kythri]

Thanks for making me feel good. Thought I might get railed on a little for that comment.

I'm not going to "rail", but I will say this really isn't helpful.

If the guy wanted a dedicated corded tool, I'm pretty sure that he would have come to the obvious conclusion of "buy a dedicated cordless tool".

I'm in the camp that would like an AC adapter for their cordless tools - there are times that such a thing would come in incredibly handy.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'm in the camp that would like an AC adapter for their cordless tools - there are times that such a thing would come in incredibly handy.

For some reason I want to say that a few years ago one of the brands had such a thing for their tools.

 

[Fordman7795]

For some reason I want to say that a few years ago one of the brands had such a thing for their tools.

One of the first drills i bought was a skil corded/cordless drill. It took a battery or an adapter to run on 110. It was called dual drill something i think

 

[collision1]

Lithium-ion batteries are best. More power and run times. Less weight overall. Makita, dewalt,Bosch, Milwaukee, and craftsman offer these.

 

[monomach]

I'd like DIY plans for a universal belt or fanny pack with 18v worth of cells.

This is all fun and games until something melts down and sets your *** on fire.

I did a cordless drill conversion a few months ago. Can't remember the thread title.
After researching all the various methods, I decided to convert a Makita 9.6v to run off an old (analog) car battery charger.
Works great!

Well...really didn't you just make a corded drill that has less power than a $25 new one?