Screwdrivers have become a very popular tool for both professionals and home craftsmen. They are mobile because they can run on battery power, and this is their advantage. Power supply for a screwdriver is an indispensable device when working with this tool. Let's talk about how to choose which ones are, as well as how to make a power source with your own hands.
Types of batteries
The most popular manufacturers, such as Makita, Bosch, Hitachi and other brands, use three types of batteries in their cordless tools. These are nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion, and nickel-cadmium batteries.
Advantages and disadvantages of different batteries
Nickel-cadmium devices today are considered one of the most popular. A power supply for a screwdriver with such a battery is quite cheap, the charging process is fast enough. Among the disadvantages is the loss of unused capacity on recharge.
Chargers for nickel metal hydride batteries are offered by Hitachi. These batteries are more environmentally friendly, more expensive, but also the capacity, and with it the energy density is much higher. There is virtually no memory loss in these batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries have more interesting characteristics. There is no memory effect. Also significantly higher energy density. The price is also slightly higher than the other two species. Among the advantages is the ability to charge at any time, regardless of capacity.
Power or cordless screwdriver?
Both network and battery devices have their pros and cons. So, a tool equipped with a battery is highly mobile. You can use a screwdriver at high altitude, the absence of a wire prevents the possibility of its clinging.
Among the disadvantages of the battery solution is the amount of charge. It is necessary to charge the battery periodically.
The screwdriver from the network is no longer so mobile, but at the same time it has a lower weight and low price. There is also no need to purchase chargers and additional batteries.
Often, batteries even from reliable manufacturers fail. Replacing can cost a serious amount. Therefore, many owners of battery technology over time remake it into a network. A power screwdriver from a network works from a home-made power supply unit no worse than from an expensive or, even worse, cheap Chinese battery.
Types of Chargers
Often, a complete set of a good screwdriver also includes two types of chargers. These are standard and pulse systems.
With household models, you can use standard chargers that are designed to charge the ordinary battery itself. The process of charging the battery to 100% with such power sources takes about 3 hours.
Impulse solutions are used for professional-grade equipment. The power supply for a pulse type screwdriver can charge the battery in 1 hour using the enhanced operating mode.
Principle of operation
A typical power source when plugged into a wall outlet does not signal readiness for work. However, the design has green and red LEDs that indicate that the battery is installed. The second one says that the battery is charging. When the charging process is completed, the green diode lights up again.
As for the length of time with which the power supply for the screwdriver can charge the battery, it depends on several factors. The first factor is the battery capacity. So, in standard models of tools for household use, batteries are used whose capacity is not more than 1.5 Ah. In the professional equipment group, it is higher - 2.5 Ah.
Also, the operating voltage of the battery significantly affects the time of a full charge. It can range from 2.4 to 36 V.
Market offers
Separately, chargers for branded instrument models are often not available. Only if someone puts up a used appliance for sale. But in stores you can often find compatible chargers. They need to be selected by charge current and voltage. Versatile solutions are also available that fit most popular models.
Universal Power Supplies
For 1000 rubles you can buy a universal charger, which is suitable for a screwdriver 12, 14, 18 V. This charger can work with all types of batteries and is very popular. Preference should be given to domestic rather than Chinese devices.
Power Supplies for Bosch
The original 18 V power supply for the technology of this manufacturer can also be found in stores.
Prices for the device can be different - from 800 to 2500 rubles. This power source is not suitable for every battery - it provides for a power outage if the battery temperature reaches 45 degrees. Power supplies for professional line tools have an initial price of 7.5 thousand rubles.
Makita
Spare parts "Makita" can also be purchased separately. The manufacturer offers a universal charger for all existing types of batteries. The system will automatically select the required voltage.
On a special control panel, you can see the progress of the process. If the battery is not working, this will also be indicated.
Prices for Makita spare parts start at 2,000 rubles (for household models). Chargers and batteries for a professional tool will cost much more.
Power Supplies for Black Decker
These products can be purchased at a price of 650 rubles. The equipment can charge batteries with a voltage of 12 V, but they are very difficult to find in our country. Universal solutions are also used. Also for 600 rubles you can buy a power supply for a screwdriver 14 from Interskol. But you need to select according to the characteristics of the batteries - the main thing here is not to confuse.
Universal models of Zubr chargers
A feature of these devices is versatility. The market offers fully automatic solutions that can work with a large number of different batteries. The advantages of these devices are respect for batteries. The price is 600 rubles.
Homemade Power Supplies
If the battery is unusable and the charger is broken, then the only way out is to remake the screwdriver from the battery to the mains. So, in the case of one of the batteries you need to mount some kind of compact power source.
The problem here lies in the search for the very suitable power supply in terms of size and other parameters. Ideally, if all the electronics and the unit itself fit in the battery case.
The first step is to measure the size of the battery. For this, it is best to disassemble it, get cans, and then measure the internal volume. It may differ significantly from the external dimensions.
We know the electrical parameters
Then you should find out what voltage the tool is working on. The most popular are twelve volt models. A compact power supply for such a voltage can be found without any difficulty, however, it can be higher, which will significantly complicate the search.
If the voltage is more or less simple, then the power is a bit more complicated. Often, manufacturers do not specify this parameter. But it can be counted. It is necessary to measure the current consumption of the device using a special tester.
Power Supply Search Tips
It is much better for a screwdriver if the power source is a pulse rather than a transformer type. Pulse devices are smaller and lighter. However, these devices are designed exclusively for uniform current consumption.
If the choice is made in favor of Chinese products, then often its parameters and characteristics are significantly overestimated. Do not trust too light and compact PSU. Soviet models are more preferable here. But they have a low efficiency, and therefore, for good current, they are large.
Remodeling process
The purchased product must be disassembled. Then the insides are installed in the empty battery case of the screwdriver, and the wire is led into the hole. The output of the power supply must be connected to the battery terminals. Next, you can assemble the case. Thus, it is possible to easily and simply make a network tool from a cordless one.
Car battery as a power supply
This method is a good alternative for connecting a screwdriver where there is no access to electricity. The clamps are disconnected from the tool and connected to the battery. However, it is not recommended to operate the screwdriver in this mode for a long time.
Powering the device from a laptop battery
A screwdriver attached to the outlet is suitable only for a home master. However, a lithium-ion battery from a laptop can be introduced into the tool body. The first step is to disassemble the case. Then the old battery is removed, and the wiring is disassembled. A new power source connects to the instrument. It is very important to consider the polarity. A special hole must be made on the body and the plug inserted into it. This is necessary so that the battery can be charged from the mains.
Using inverter welding
In order to use the old welding machine as a power source for a screwdriver, you must add a secondary coil to it. This method is not suitable for everyone, but only for those who know and understand electronics.
Portable power supply
In this case, only a flexible cord will be needed. Directly the power supply will be located autonomously. To make it, you will need a transformer that is suitable for the characteristics. It should be equipped with a rectifier.
Terms of Use
All those who have already remade their screwdrivers recommend following a few simple rules. So, although the device can now work for a very long time, you need to take small breaks. The power cable is best fixed at the elbow. The power supply should be constantly cleaned of accumulated dirt. The battery must be earthed. It is undesirable to use a large number of extension cords. All these recommendations will help to breathe a second life into the screwdriver, and simple tips will make this tool durable.
So, we found out what power supplies exist for these building tools.