Screwdrivers have become a very popular tool for both professionals and home craftsmen. They are mobile, as they can run on battery power, and this is their advantage. The 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 are among the most popular today. The power supply for a screwdriver with such a battery is quite cheap, the charging process is quite fast. Among the disadvantages is the loss of unused capacity on recharging.
Chargersdevices for NiMH batteries are offered by Hitachi. These batteries are more environmentally friendly, more expensive, but the capacity, and with it the energy density, is much higher. There is virtually no memory loss with these batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries have more interesting characteristics. There is no memory effect here. The energy density is also much higher. The price is also slightly higher than the other two types. Among the advantages is the ability to charge at any time, regardless of capacity.
A corded or cordless screwdriver?
Both corded and battery powered devices have their pros and cons. So, a tool equipped with a battery is highly mobile. You can use the screwdriver at a great height, the absence of a wire prevents it from snagging.
Among the disadvantages of the battery solution is the amount of charge. The battery needs to be charged periodically.
A cordless screwdriver is no longer so mobile, but at the same time it is lighter and cheaper. There is also no need to purchase chargers and additional batteries.
Often batteries even from reliable manufacturers fail. Replacement can cost a significant amount. Therefore, many owners of battery technology eventually convert it into a network one. The mains screwdriver works from a homemade power supply no worse than from an expensive or, even worse, cheap Chinese battery.
Types of chargers
Often a complete set of a good screwdriveralso includes two types of chargers. These are standard systems and impulse.
With household models, you can use standard chargers that are designed to charge the most ordinary battery. The process of charging the battery up to 100% with such power sources takes about 3 hours.
Pulse solutions are used for professional grade equipment. The power supply for a pulse screwdriver can charge the battery in 1 hour using the enhanced mode.
Working principle
A typical power supply, when plugged into an outlet, does not signal readiness for operation in any way. 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 LED will light up again.
As for the duration of time with which the power supply for a screwdriver can charge the battery, it depends on several factors. The first factor is battery capacity. So, in standard models of tools for domestic use, batteries are used, the capacity of which 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 be from 2.4 to 36 V.
Market offerings
Separate chargers for branded tool modelsoften not available. Only if someone puts up a used device for sale. But in stores you can often find compatible chargers. They must be selected according to the charge current and voltage. We also offer universal solutions that fit most popular models.
Universal power supplies
For 1000 rubles you can buy a universal charger that fits a 12, 14, 18 V screwdriver. 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 this manufacturer's equipment 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 is provided to turn off the charge if the battery temperature has reached 45 degrees. Power supplies for professional line tools have an initial price of 7.5 thousand rubles.
Makita
Makita parts 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 parts start from 2000rubles (for household models). Chargers and batteries for professional tools will cost significantly more.
Power supplies for Black Decker
These products can be purchased at a price of 650 rubles. The equipment can charge 12V batteries, but they are very hard 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
The peculiarity of these devices is versatility. The market offers fully automatic solutions that can handle a wide variety of batteries. The advantage of these devices is respect for batteries. The price is 600 rubles.
Homemade power supplies
If the battery has become unusable, and the charger is broken, then the only way out is to convert the screwdriver from cordless to 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 finding the most appropriate size and other parameters of the power supply. 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, take out the cans, and then measure the internal volume. It may differ significantly from the external dimensions.
Learn electrical parameters
Then you should find out whichthe tool is working. The most popular are twelve volt models. A compact power supply for such a voltage can be found without much difficulty, but it can be higher, which will make the search much more difficult.
If everything is more or less simple with voltage, then with power it is a little 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.
Tips for finding a power supply
It is much better for a screwdriver if the power source is pulsed, not 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 they are large for a good current.
Rework process
The purchased product needs to be disassembled. Then the insides are installed in the empty battery case of the screwdriver, and the wire is led out into the hole. The output of the power supply must be connected to the battery terminals. Next, you can assemble the body. Thus, it is easy and simple to make a cordless tool from a battery.
Car battery as a power supply
This method is a good alternative to connectscrewdriver where there is no access to electricity. 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 connected to a socket is suitable only for a home master. However, a lithium-ion battery from a laptop can be inserted into the body of the tool. The first step is to disassemble the case. Then the old battery is removed, and the wiring is disassembled. The new power supply is connected to the tool. Polarity is very important here. It is necessary to make a special hole on the case and bring the plug into it. This is necessary so that the battery can be charged from the mains.
Using inverter welding
In order to use an old welding machine as a power source for a screwdriver, you need to 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 source will be located autonomously. For its manufacture, you will need a transformer that is suitable for its characteristics. It should be equipped with a rectifier.
Operating Rules
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 short breaks. The power cable is best fixed in the elbow area. Power Supplymust be constantly cleaned of accumulated dirt. The battery must be grounded. 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 construction tools.
