Ryobi Battery Hack

[MceeD]

Hello everyone, I wanted to share a little trick I did to help out during my build.

I like many use a set of battery powered tools. Waiting for a battery to charge it a killer.

I hacked a battery and a Tool clip then attached it to a transformer to allow me the ability to use wall power while working in my garage.

It is actually quite simple and the transformer is only about $50 @ Ebay.com

I have done it twice now. My friend needed one too.





Thanks to all for the great resources...

[eamarquardt]

Not to quibble but you bought a power supply not a transformer. In your picture the rating of the supply is hidden. How much current can the unit supply?

You can't argue that it works for you. When doing something like this you need to ensure that the voltage and current capabilities of the power supply need to be "close" to what the battery supplied. Under or overvoltage or too little current can damage the motor of the tool.

Good work and thinking "outside of the box".

Cheers,

Gus

[MceeD]

Quibble away.... It's to much fun to pass up

In my job we pretty much call anything that changes electricity a xformer.

This hack actually started by a mistake. I meant to buy a 12vdc one and bought the 24vdc model. I turned the adjustable voltage pot down and got to about 16 or 18vdc ( can't remember exactly) and was think crap what can I use this for... and I saw the 18v battery sitting there.

I have it adjusted to about 19vdc which is a tad lower than a battery at full charge. I have almost built an entire Teardrop at this point. and have not had any signs of damage to any of the tools. I have mostly used the circular saw, for all the plywood ripping and cutting. It can dog a bit if your forcing it through a piece of wood but no more than with a battery.

It is a little hard to read in the picture but it states 100-120v AC/6.5A

[eamarquardt]

I love a good quibble! At your work, youse guys (and the fairer sex) probably call a rose a petunia! After all, why expand your vocabulary!

It works!! That's all that is important! You did good checking the voltage and a little low wont hurt and if the drill has enough power you're good to go.

Cheers,

Gus

[Miriam C.]

I guess if all you have is battery powered tools this is good! I am thinking a good old fashioned powered tool might be more convenient and cheaper. . .

[eamarquardt]

:o :thinking: I guess if all you have is battery powered tools this is good! I am thinking a good old fashioned powered tool might be more convenient and cheaper. . .

What and miss an opportunity to quibble?

Cheers,

Gus

[pete42]

I read it as 24 vdc 14.6 amps output

120 vac 6.5 amp

[MceeD]

I read it as 24 vdc 14.6 amps output

120 vac 6.5 amp

You would be correct.

In all the time I have used this contraption the cooling fan has not even turned on, so I'm pretty confident it is way more than necessary. But over kill has it's advantages :-)

[bve]

Wouldn't a spare battery be <= $50?

[MceeD]

Wouldn't a spare battery be <= $50?

Yeah you got me there :-) Actually I'm down a battery, since I hate to Frankenstein one to make this.

But I had the power supply and I hate waiting for batteries to charge. Eventually I will have all corded power tools for the garage, But untill then this gets me buy and save me some pain and anguish waiting on electrons to store themselves in a medium I can release later..... I want them NOW!!!!

[synaps3]

Wouldn't a spare battery be <= $50?

The good Lithium ones are $99...

The NiCad ones aren't worth anything -- I avoid them.

I've built up quite a bank of "wireless" tools, since I don't have a workshop right now.

I'll probably do this once I have a shop so that I don't have to buy a bunch of corded tools! Being stuck to a battery with no plug nearby sucks.