How to choose a power supply for a screwdriver? Tips and Tricks

Screwdrivers have become a very popular tool for both professionals and home masters. They are mobile, since 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, and also how to make a power source by oneself.

Types of batteries

The most popular manufacturers, such as Makita, Bosch, Hitachi and other brands, use three types of batteries in their battery tools. These are nickel-metal hydride, lithium ion, and nickel-cadmium batteries.

Advantages and disadvantages of different batteries

Nickel-cadmium devices are today considered to be among the most popular. The power supply for a screwdriver with such a battery is quite cheap, the process of charging is fast enough. Among the disadvantages is the loss of unused capacity on recharging.

Chargers for nickel-metal hydride batteries are offered by Hitachi. These batteries are greener, more expensive, but also capacity, and with it the energy density is much higher. There is practically no memory loss in these batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries have more interesting characteristics. There is no memory effect here. Also significantly higher is the energy density. The price is also slightly higher than the other two species. Among the advantages - the ability to charge at any time, regardless of the capacity.

Screwdriver network or battery?

Both network and battery devices have their pros and cons. Thus, the instrument equipped with a battery is characterized by high mobility. You can use a screwdriver at high altitude, the absence of a wire prevents the possibility of clinging it.

Among the drawbacks of the battery solution is the amount of charge. It is necessary to periodically charge the battery.

Screwdriver from the network is not so mobile, but at the same time it is characterized by lower weight and lower price. Also there is no need to purchase chargers and additional batteries.

Often batteries even from reliable manufacturers fail. Replacement can cost a serious amount. Therefore, many owners of battery technology over time rework it into a network. Screwdriver from the network works from a self-made power supply unit no worse than from an expensive or, worse yet, cheap Chinese battery.

Types of chargers

Often the configuration of a good screwdriver also includes two types of chargers. These are standard systems and impulse ones.

With household models, you can use standard chargers that are designed to charge the most ordinary battery. The process of charging the battery to 100% with such power sources takes about 3 hours.

Impulse solutions are used for professional equipment. The power supply for a screwdriver with a strong operating mode can charge the battery in 1 hour.

Principle of operation

Typical power source when plugged into the outlet does not signal the readiness for operation. 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 finished, the green diode will light up again.

As for the length of time with which the power supply for a screwdriver can charge a battery, it depends on several factors. The first factor is the capacity of the battery. So, in standard models of tools for household use batteries with a capacity of no more than 1.5 Ah are used. In the professional group of equipment it is higher - 2.5 Ah.

Also for the time of full charge significantly affects the operating voltage of the battery. It can be from 2.4 to 36 V.

Market offers

Separately, chargers for brand models of instruments can often not be purchased. Only if someone put up for sale used appliance. But in the shops you can often find compatible chargers. Choose them according to the current charge and voltage. Also, we offer universal solutions that are suitable for 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 machinery of this manufacturer can also be found in stores.

Prices for the device can be different - from 800 to 2500 rubles. This power supply does not fit every battery - there is a shutdown if the battery temperature reaches 45 degrees. Power units for professional line tools have an initial price of 7,500 rubles.

Makita

Spare parts of "Makita" can also be purchased separately. The manufacturer offers a universal charger for all existing types of batteries. The system automatically selects the required voltage.

On the special control panel you can see the progress of the process. If the battery is non-working, it will also be indicated.

Prices for spare parts "Makita" start from 2000 rubles (for household models). Chargers and batteries to a professional instrument will cost much more.

Power Supply for Black Decker

These products can be purchased at a price of 650 rubles. The equipment can charge batteries with voltage 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 unit for a screwdriver 14 from Interskol. But you need to choose the characteristics of batteries - here the main thing is not to mix.

Universal models of chargers "Zubr"

The peculiarity of these devices is their versatility. The market offers fully automatic solutions that can work with a large number of very different batteries. The advantages of these devices are the careful attitude to the batteries. The price is 600 rubles.

Homemade power supplies

If the battery has become unusable, and the charger has broken, then the only way out is to convert the screwdriver from the battery to the mains. So, in the case of one of the batteries it is necessary to mount some compact power source.

The problem here lies in finding the most suitable for the 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. It is best to disassemble it, get the banks, and then measure the internal volume. It can differ significantly from external dimensions.

We learn electrical parameters

Then you should find out what voltage the tool is working on. The most popular models are twelve volts. A compact power supply for such a voltage can be found without much difficulty, but it can be higher, which makes the search much more difficult.

If the voltage is more or less simple, then the power is a bit more complicated. Often, manufacturers do not specify this parameter. But you can count it. 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 supply is impulse, and 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 the parameters and characteristics of it are greatly overstated. Do not trust too light and compact PSU. Soviet models are more preferable here. But they have a low efficiency, and therefore for a good current they are large.

The process of rework

The purchased product must be disassembled. Then the insides are installed in the empty screwdriver battery case, and the wire is taken out into the hole. The output of the power supply must be connected to the battery terminals. Then you can collect the case. Thus, you can easily and easily make a network tool from the battery.

Car battery as 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 instrument and connected to the battery. However, it is not recommended to use the screwdriver for a long time in this mode.

Powering the device from the laptop battery

The screwdriver attached to the socket is suitable only for the home master. However, a lithium-ion battery can be inserted into the tool body from the laptop. The first thing to do is to disassemble the case. Then the old battery is removed and the wiring is disassembled. A new power source is connected to the instrument. It is very important to take into account the polarity. On the body it is necessary to make a special hole and take out the plug into it. This is necessary so that the battery can be charged from the mains.

Inverter welding

In order to use the 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 the electronics.

Portable power supply

In this case, only a flexible cord is needed. The power supply will be located autonomously. To produce it, you need a transformer, suitable for the characteristics. It should be completed with a rectifier.

Rules of operation

All those who have already remodeled their screwdrivers, recommend to follow a few simple rules. So, although the device can now work very long, it is necessary to make small breaks. The power cable is best fixed in the area of the elbow. The power supply unit 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 are available for these construction tools.