Crafts from an old Hitachi screwdriver. New life for an old screwdriver with fresh batteries. Connecting to an external battery

Any home cannot do without a home assistant, which is a screwdriver. This is an electrical device with which you can not only screw screws, but also drill holes.

The main advantage of such a device is its mobility, which is provided by a 12-volt battery. There are also more powerful versions of screwdrivers, the battery of which has a constant voltage of 18 Volts.

If the device is not used for a long time, the battery will spontaneously discharge, which is a negative factor. When the battery becomes unusable, the screwdriver becomes useless, so we’ll find out how you can convert a screwdriver to be powered from a 220-volt network with your own hands.

Although a tool such as a screwdriver is the most popular, not every home craftsman uses it every day. Every day the battery is subject to spontaneous discharge, as a result of which the internal structure of the product is destroyed.

After the battery does not last for several minutes, the question arises, what to do with the screwdriver now? You can buy a new battery, but first you need to find it, because you can only find the exact design of the power element from official dealers. The second option is to throw away the screwdriver and buy a new one, the cost of which is at least 2-3 thousand rubles (this is an average quality product). The third option is the simplest, but at the same time it requires effort - to convert the product to be powered by alternating voltage.

The advantages of the latter option are the following factors:

• There is no need to constantly recharge the battery, which is very annoying during the work process;
• Now the screwdriver can be stored as long as you like, without thinking that the battery spontaneously discharges every day;
• Constant torque, which will provide voltage from the mains.

Among all the advantages, there will be only one drawback, which is due to the need to connect the device to an outlet, so the product must be connected to an electrical network during operation.

Required materials and tools

For most, the third option may seem difficult, because it is much easier to buy a new device and use it for several more years. In fact, the old screwdriver will last even longer, but for this it is necessary to restore it. This is quite simple to do, and you will need the following tools and materials:

1. A charger that previously played an important role in charging the battery.
2. Multicore electrical cable.
3. A battery from a screwdriver that has become unusable.

Tools you will need are a soldering iron, acid, solder and insulating tape.

All these details will allow you to transform the screwdriver so that it can be connected to a 220 Volt network.

Where to start work

Important! During soldering, it is important to control the polarity, but if it is not observed, then nothing terrible will happen, only the device will function in the other direction. But with the help of a switch this situation can be easily resolved.

The electrical cable is inserted into the battery from the outside, making a special hole in the structure of the required diameter. After this, it is important to ensure that the cable is securely fixed in the battery housing structure. For this, you just need insulating tape, with which you should wrap the cable inside and outside, thereby making a lock. After this, insert the battery case into the screwdriver and use it for its intended purpose.

Options on how to do it + (Video)

If the power supply has also become unusable, then do not be upset, since there are other options for how to power the screwdriver:

1. PC power supply

The power supply for the screwdriver can be provided by a PC unit, which is much easier to find than a new battery for the device. The advantage of a PC power supply is the fact that it is possible to obtain different current values ​​at the output, which is considered very important.

The design of the PC power supply includes a cooler that provides cooling for the transformer and its component elements, so you can immediately note that this type of power supply is durable, and in the next few years you will forget about problems with a screwdriver.

2. Old inverter welding

You can power a screwdriver using an old inverter welding machine, but this will require some knowledge of electrical engineering theory. After all, in this case it is necessary to add a secondary coil of the transformer, which will make it possible to obtain at the output a completely suitable current for powering the electric motor of the device. Therefore, before connecting the screwdriver to the welding machine, it is necessary to measure the current and voltage at the output, which must correspond to the values ​​of the device.

3. Car battery

The last option is a car battery that can be connected to a screwdriver and used in places where it is impossible to get 220 Volt power. The disadvantage of such a device is that you won’t be able to work with a screwdriver for a long time, since the car’s power source quickly discharges. Therefore, if the standard UPS of a screwdriver refuses to function, which happens very often, then there is no need to rush to get rid of the device; just spend a few hours and the device will work even better than with a battery.

Precautionary measures

After remaking a screwdriver, it is important to adhere to the following precautions:

• Provide rest for the device every 20 minutes of operation, which will extend its service life;
• Do not operate the device at a height of more than 2 meters from the ground;
• Periodically clean the power supply from dust;
• Make sure that the electrical cable during operation is not pinched, strained or exposed to negative factors, which can lead to the creation of a short circuit current.

After the alteration, following the safety rules, the old screwdriver will last longer than the new two.

When batteries stop working, many people wonder how to convert a cordless screwdriver into a corded one. It is impossible to repair batteries with damaged elements. The cost of new power supplies is almost equal to the price of a screwdriver. It is not always possible to find suitable elements; models are often discontinued. But for zealous and skillful owners there is a way out - to power the screwdriver from the network.

Mains power supply for a screwdriver - 2 main options

The converted tool has one drawback: it is tied to an outlet. But for indoor work this is not so significant. But there are more advantages. Now you don’t have to worry about recharging the battery, there will be no downtime. The current strength remains stable all the time and does not depend on the discharge of the battery, which means constant torque.

Before you go looking for a power supply (hereinafter referred to as PSU), study the screwdriver parameters that are indicated on the case or in the passport. Pay attention to the tension. A 12-volt tool is more common; finding a power supply for it is not difficult. If the tension is greater, the search may take longer. It is necessary to find out the current consumption, which is not indicated in the technical specifications. The purchased unit must produce an average current value (between the battery capacity and the standard charger). Data can be found from the labeling.

There are two main options for converting a 220-volt cordless screwdriver. The first is to use an external power supply. Any rectifier capable of delivering the required DC voltage will do. Even if it is big and bulky, there is no problem. After all, you don’t have to carry it around the room. The block is installed near the outlet, and the cord to the instrument is made of the required length.

Remember that as the voltage decreases, the current increases if the power remains the same. This means that the cross-section of the low-voltage cord must be larger than that from a 220 V network.

The second option is that the power supply is mounted in a battery-powered case. The only obstacle when choosing this method may be the size of the transformer. Mobility is maintained, the radius of use depends on the length of the power cord. It is important to remember that the instrument is supplied with 220 V power, so the cord must be reliable, and the input itself must be made carefully and carefully insulated.

What external units can be used - an old computer or a laptop charger?

Available power supplies can be used as an external source:

• charger for car batteries;
• PSU from an old computer;
• laptop charging;
• homemade power supply.

You can buy an old charger inexpensively on the market. Nowadays, pulse chargers are mainly used, and old devices are often sold as unnecessary. This type of charger, with the ability to manually adjust voltage and current, is ideal for any screwdriver, regardless of its operating voltage. The whole modification consists of connecting a low-voltage cord to the output contacts of the charger.

The computer power supply is purchased from older models; it must have a power off button. It will not be needed, but this is exactly the version of the "AT" format that is needed. On the radio market, a unit with a power of 300–350 watts is selected, which will ensure reliable operation of low- and medium-power screwdrivers. All technical characteristics are indicated on the sticker on the case. The unit has a cooling fan and overload protection. To convert a computer power supply with your own hands to an external one for a screwdriver, we perform simple operations:

• disassemble the body;
• on the large square connector we find a green wire and any black one;
• We connect both wires to each other and insulate them;
• on the other smaller connector, remove all the wires, leaving yellow and black;
• We solder the cable cord to them.

To maintain polarity, you should know: yellow wire is positive, black wire is negative . The tool operates with a voltage of up to 14 Volts from a computer power supply.

Most laptop chargers have characteristics that allow them to be used as a power source for a screwdriver. Chargers with an output voltage of 12–19 Volts are suitable. The only changes that will need to be made are to the output plug. It should be cut off, strip the wires and solder a cable of the required length to them.

Persons who have an understanding of electrical engineering can make a homemade power supply. Its circuit is quite simple and includes a step-down transformer, a diode rectifier and two capacitors. All parts can be bought or taken from old radio equipment. A transformer from a tube TV with a 24–30 V output is suitable. A rectifying diode bridge is required. The capacitors used are not in short supply, from old technology: one is 0.1 µF and the other is electrolytic at 4700 µF.

Attention! The structure must be enclosed in a housing. To protect against short circuits, it is necessary to install fuses at the input and output.

How to place a power supply in a case - 3 different possibilities

The mains can be placed in the battery case or in the handle. Possible options:

• any power supply unit suitable in terms of characteristics and size;
• Chinese 24 V power supply;
• homemade.

A power supply with the required parameters is selected on the radio market. At home, you should carefully remove it from the case and place it in your screwdriver, securely fastening all the components. If the wires are short, lengthen them so that they do not touch metal parts. Place the transformer and the board separately. For better cooling, install additional radiators on microcircuits. It would also be a good idea to have holes in the housing to allow air to circulate and heat to be removed during operation.

In a radio parts store we buy a 24 V power supply, current 9 A. Screwdrivers operate on 12 or 18 Volts, so the task is to reduce the voltage to the required level. To perform such work, minimal knowledge of radio engineering is required. The output voltage is maintained by resistor R10 with a nominal value of 2320 Ohms. Instead, you should install a 10 kOhm trimmer resistor. How to configure the power supply is described below:

• remove the constant resistor;
• set the resistance of the trimming resistor to 2300 Ohms on the device;
• solder the tuning resistor in place of the constant one;
• With the power supply turned on, adjust the voltage.

The design of a homemade power supply will be based on an electronic transformer Feron or Taschibra at 60 W. You can buy them at an electrical supply store and they are designed for halogen lamps. They do not require any modification. By diverting the secondary winding from the midpoint, it was possible to use two Schottky diodes instead of the usual four. The operation of the power supply is controlled by the HL1 LED. The diagram shows all the necessary details.

Transformer T1 winds itself. A non-scarce ferrite ring NM2000 with dimensions 28×16×9 is used. Before winding, the corners are cleaned with a file, and the ring is wrapped with FUM tape. The completed unit is mounted on an aluminum plate 3 mm thick or more, placed in the battery housing. It also serves as a common wire.

How to carry out installation correctly - is a counterweight needed?

Operational reliability and safety depend on the reliability of the installation of the electrical part. A soft multi-core cable is used as a network and low-voltage cable. If the device is external, the ends of the cable should be connected to its terminals. We treat copper wiring and brass contacts with soldering acid, after which they are easily soldered. In practice, special clamps called “crocodiles” are often used. In the screwdriver itself, you cannot do without soldering; the “crocodiles” do not hold so tightly that the contacts do not separate during operation.

The ideal option is to use an old battery case. It is disassembled and the entire internal part is removed. This releases harmful substances; care should be taken to protect the respiratory tract and skin. The body is washed with soda solution, running water and dried. On the inside of the contacts, solder the ends of the cable, observing polarity. In order not to guess, we temporarily connect the cable, turn on the screwdriver and see in which direction the spindle rotates, mark the wires. We make a hole in the bottom of the case and pass the wires through. Inside the housing, the cord should be securely fixed by wrapping insulating tape around it. This thickening will prevent the wiring from stretching and breaking. Then we solder the ends to the contacts.

We place a counterweight inside the body. The best material would be compressed rubber. It has the necessary characteristics: high density, insulating properties. To prevent the rubber from dangling inside, we cut it out with a slight overlap. To place the counterweight in the housing, we bend the material slightly and place it so that it will not oscillate and will serve as additional insulation. Perhaps the counterweight may seem unnecessary to some, but it is not. The design of the screwdriver ensures that the center of gravity is in the handle. This loads the arm, but relieves the hand. When batteries are removed from the case, the center of gravity shifts, increasing the load on the hand. Work becomes uncomfortable and difficult. A homemade counterweight restores the center of gravity close to the factory one.

How to use a corded screwdriver - simple rules

You have seen how easy it is to convert a cordless screwdriver into a corded one. The practice of craftsmen suggested simple and useful tips for operation:

• after 20 minutes of work, you should give the screwdriver a five-minute rest;
• fix the electrical cable on your hand so that it does not interfere with your work;
• The power supply should be regularly cleaned of dust;
• do not use extension cords to connect the power supply to the network;
• The power supply must be grounded;
• It is prohibited to use corded screwdrivers when working at heights.

Compliance with these rules will extend the life of the updated instrument. Mobility has been lost a little, but the unit does not require recharging and works smoothly and confidently.

Those who have used a cordless screwdriver appreciate its convenience. At any time, without getting tangled in wires, you can crawl into hard-to-reach niches. Until it runs out.

This is the first drawback - it needs regular recharging. Sooner or later recharge cycles.

This is the second drawback. This moment will come sooner, the cheaper your instrument is. To save money when purchasing, we most often purchase inexpensive Chinese “no-name” devices.

There is nothing wrong with this, but you should be aware: the manufacturer saves as much as you do. Consequently, the most expensive unit (and this is the battery) will be the cheapest when completed. As a result, we get an excellent tool with a working engine and a non-worn gearbox, which does not work due to a low-quality battery.

There is an option to purchase a new set of batteries, or replace the faulty ones in the unit. However, this is a budget event. The cost is comparable to the purchase.

The second option is to use a spare or old car battery (if you have one). But the starter battery is heavy, and using such a tandem is not very comfortable.

IMPORTANT! Many screwdrivers have an operating voltage of 16-19 volts. Even a fully charged car battery will not provide such voltage. And we mean using a used battery, where there can be a maximum of 10.5-11.5 volts at the terminals.

There is a solution - converting the screwdriver into a network one

Yes, this loses one of the advantages of a cordless tool – mobility. But for work in rooms with access to a 220-volt network, this is an excellent solution. Moreover, you are giving new life to a broken instrument.

There are two concepts on how to turn a cordless screwdriver into a corded one:

• External power supply. The idea is not as absurd as it might seem. Even a large and heavy step-down rectifier can simply sit near the outlet. You are equally tied to the power supply and to the plugged-in power plug. And the low-voltage cord can be made of any length;

IMPORTANT! Ohm's law states that for the same power, by decreasing the voltage, we increase the current!

Accordingly, a 12-19 volt power cord should have a larger cross-section than a 220 volt one.

• Power supply in the case from the battery. Mobility is maintained, you are limited only by the length of the network cable. The only problem is how to squeeze a sufficiently powerful transformer into a small housing. You don’t have to ask questions about how a store-bought compact screwdriver works from the mains. A 220 volt motor was initially installed there. Let's remember Ohm's law again and understand that a powerful 220-volt electric motor can be compact.

Cordless screwdrivers are used everywhere in workshops and households. Such a tool is valued for its lack of connection to a 220 V household network. It is compact, does not take up much space and can replace a drill in simple jobs that are sometimes found around the house.
In construction stores and on the market, such equipment can be found in a wide range. Its cost sometimes makes you think, and sometimes even makes you want to save money. What if you make it yourself? Today we will reinforce this quite reasonable idea with a master class from one of the tinkering enthusiasts.

Required resources for DIY

Old electrical appliances tend to break down or not fully perform their functional duties over the years. In order not to throw away the old screwdriver, its parts can be used when assembling or making new and useful products for everyday life.

When assembling a chopper using a screwdriver, such a device will work on the principle of a food processor.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• A hole is made in the bottom of the cone-shaped container into which the shaft will be mounted.
• The container is placed on a wooden or metal stand.
• Knives or blades are attached to a shaft inserted into the bottom.
• Connect the power switch.
• A hole is cut out on the side of the container and tubes are inserted into it to eject the already crushed processed products.

Such a device will be a good helper in a country house or garden.

To assemble the trimmer yourself you need:

• Remove the motor from the screwdriver and attach it to the plug.
• Pripyat the wires and stretch them through a pipe about 2 meters long.
• Make a hole in the pipe and install the trimmer switch button into it.
• Knives made from blades are attached to an electric motor.
• The bottom of a plastic bucket is suitable as a protective visor.

Note! To create a well-functioning trimmer, you need to take a motor with a power of at least 0.5 kW.

A lawn mower, which is not cheap these days, can be obtained by removing the motor from a screwdriver and attaching it to a body with wheels using a method similar to the previous one.

It’s easy to get a wind generator:

• After disassembling a screwdriver with a power of at least 18 W, remove the electronic board from it.
• Install a diode bridge.

Note! The diode bridge makes it possible to rotate the wind generator blades in different directions.

• A nozzle with blades is connected to the cartridge.

This device makes it possible to charge batteries with a power of no more than 12 W.

To get an angle grinder from an electric screwdriver, disassemble it, take out the gearbox and mount a special attachment using bolts and nuts.

Such a device is much more functional than a factory angle grinder, but the rotation speed of the disk is several times lower than that of a professional one.

Such a machine can be obtained if you fix a screwdriver with a drill in a vertical position on a moving bar. Install this structure on a horizontal stand or metal frame. The machine can be powered from electricity or a battery.

By installing a screwdriver on a stand and attaching a grinding disc to it, you get an excellent homemade grinding machine.

Lathe

A lathe can be obtained if the screwdriver is fixed in a wooden stand and placed on a horizontal surface.

Note! Such devices are suitable for amateur work, but not for professional needs.

A hand generator is a device similar to a wind generator. The procedure for its manufacture is identical to the assembly of a wind generator. At the last stage of work, instead of an attachment with blades, a handle is attached to the screwdriver.

Making an electric bike is easy:

• Remove the motor from the screwdriver.
• By connecting it to a bicycle sprocket.
• Install the mechanism into the bicycle.

Such a device for a child can be made from plastic pipes, fastened together with plastic ties, and a motor from a screwdriver can be used as a motor for a catamaran.

This device is quite easy to assemble. To transform an old tool into a new one, you need to attach a metal cutting disk to a screwdriver instead of a drill.

Instead of the motor, you need to install LEDs, observing the current strength, the flashlight is ready.