Ryobi 18vdc Flashlight With Ipod or Cell Phone Charger Output

Here's a quick hack that will multiply the uses of your 18vdc Ryobi flashlight. I've added a 12vdc output for charging my ipod or cell phone in a pinch. It took about a hour and wasn't too difficult. Check it out.

Parts list:
1-Ryobi 18vdc Flashlight model P700 (Home Depot approx. $13)
1-7812 12vdc Regulator (Radio Shack approx. $2.00)
1-Bell 12vdc Power Clip Adapter (Advanced Auto approx. $6.00)
6" of red and black wire (you can use the extra wire from the power clip or some old speaker wire)
3- 1/2" lengths of heat shrink tubing (Radio Shack)
1-Zip Tie
1-18vdc Ryobi Rechargeable Battery (you should already have this)
1-5vdc Power Adapter for Ipod or cell phone (you should already have this)

Tool List:
1- Drill and 1/4" bit
1-Soldering Iron
1-Roll of solder
1-Heat Gun (to shrink the heat shrink tubing, or you can use a match-be careful!!)

Step 1: 2 Uses in 1

Here's the finished hack. The handle is tall enough to add the 12vdc socket and still use the flashlight. It will help in a pinch to charge low powered devices like my ipod and cell phone.

IMPORTANT: The regulator used has a 1 amp limit so pay attention to how many amps you device requires.

IMPORTANT: You need to use a 12vdc to 5 vdc adapter to charge the smaller devices, you probably already have these in you car anyway!

Comments

[sensoryhouse]

epic, I will do this for sure.

[deathwish2]

Love the idea and I'm thinking of doing this . . . would be great for camping . . . any reason not to run two (or more) 7812's in parallel to give yourself more capacity overall/less thermal load per regulator?

[omega23JP]

i like it   ,  those lithium batterys rock .   i did a led mod on a battery pack light like that and published it just before i found this site  ,  sites.google.com/site/jpsprojects/

[omega23JP]

you must have a better radio shack than mine