I bought a portable screwdriver and drill and picked Milwaukee's M12 line because I've had good luck with their tools in the past. The clincher was the availability of 3rd party adapter that lets people use the batteries to operate Power Wheels, the child-sized motorized cars. The M12 tools run at 12V, hence the name, and many automobile electronics can use my spare batteries. The first item I wanted to convert was a well-reviewed power inverter with four USB ports.
Inverter and adapter plate
The battery adapter has a removable plate, and I translated those holes to the back. I removed the back plate to drill them. After pilot-drilling the spots, I used an 11/64" (4mm) drill bit. I chose countersunk M4 bolts because I had a variety of lengths on hand, and they closely matched the adapter plate. When I found a suitable size, I tightened nuts on the inside of the inverter plate and added a layer of Kapton tape to prevent shorts inside. After I sealed it all back up, I used a lever-locking wire nut to connect the stripped ends of the inverter's cord and the battery pack's conductors.
I tested with my receptacle checker, which showed an open ground and a lighted USB stick. The LEDs were too powerful for the camera, so I rested some 1.5mm thick basswood over the device, but everything worked. Now I can power small 120V loads anywhere, which is good news because my laptop battery has failed.
Successful operation
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2022-05-30
The battery adapter has a removable plate, and I translated those holes to the back. I removed the back plate to drill them. After pilot-drilling the spots, I used an 11/64" (4mm) drill bit. I chose countersunk M4 bolts because I had a variety of lengths on hand, and they closely matched the adapter plate. When I found a suitable size, I tightened nuts on the inside of the inverter plate and added a layer of Kapton tape to prevent shorts inside. After I sealed it all back up, I used a lever-locking wire nut to connect the stripped ends of the inverter's cord and the battery pack's conductors.
I tested with my receptacle checker, which showed an open ground and a lighted USB stick. The LEDs were too powerful for the camera, so I rested some 1.5mm thick basswood over the device, but everything worked. Now I can power small 120V loads anywhere, which is good news because my laptop battery has failed.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2022-05-30
Comments
Post a Comment