Introduction: 12 Volt Emergency Roadside Worklight and Drill
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About: Master 12 Volt Electronics Technician...or "Car audio installer" by trade. I love to build, make, create, design. My job provides a great avenue to do all those things while getting paid. Electronics and audio…
This was my first cordless drill and light. Purchased for work as a mobile electronics installer. Overall it did a pretty good job for probably 2 years. The battery technology just wasn't there back then, so both packs eventually failed. Craftsman had stopped producing this model and I believe that was when the current 12V line up started. Either way the drill was shelved when I got a Snap-on replacement.
The fact that the optimal voltage from an automotive alternator while charging is 14.4 volts and this set is rated for just that, made this a perfect match to be run of any 12 volt source. More specifically any car battery or accessory outlet. I keep it in my daily driver just in case I have to change a tire and need light or whatever else may come up.
I also do work in the field frequently, and the drill has saved me a couple times when my newer 19.2V Craftsman has ran out of juice.
The fact that the optimal voltage from an automotive alternator while charging is 14.4 volts and this set is rated for just that, made this a perfect match to be run of any 12 volt source. More specifically any car battery or accessory outlet. I keep it in my daily driver just in case I have to change a tire and need light or whatever else may come up.
I also do work in the field frequently, and the drill has saved me a couple times when my newer 19.2V Craftsman has ran out of juice.
Step 1: 1.0
-When I originally tried this out, I just grabbed some 14 gauge power and ground wire and used male spade connectors. I butt connected a 12 volt accessory plug on the other end, which allows me to plug it into my jump box or any car's 12volt socket.
-The charger had positive and negative labeled so I just plugged them in accordingly inside the handle of the drill and light.
-I then drilled 2 holes so I could ziptie the wires to ensure I didn't yank out the connectors.
-These tools without the batteries are extremely light. They also no longer have a flat base on which to stand.
-I liked that they functioned but there was a better way...
-The charger had positive and negative labeled so I just plugged them in accordingly inside the handle of the drill and light.
-I then drilled 2 holes so I could ziptie the wires to ensure I didn't yank out the connectors.
-These tools without the batteries are extremely light. They also no longer have a flat base on which to stand.
-I liked that they functioned but there was a better way...
Step 2: Gut Battery Packs
-Popped 5 torx out and pulled the top off the packs.
-You can see on the top of the battery packs, the terminals are just male spade connectors.
-The battery pack then just lifts right out, I put them in plastic bag and took them to the recycling center.
-You can see on the top of the battery packs, the terminals are just male spade connectors.
-The battery pack then just lifts right out, I put them in plastic bag and took them to the recycling center.
Step 3: Wire It Up
-Used a unibit(step bit) to put 2 holes the size of my male spade connectors.
-Did a test fit to make sure it lined up.(It worked but the spades were a pain to get out, that was dumb)
-Crimped 6" or so of wire to the male spades and ran them through the holes.
-I then crimp connected it to a 2 conductor wire I stole from some other dvd player(see next step). The other end was crimp connected to the 12 volt accessory plug.
-Did a test fit to make sure it lined up.(It worked but the spades were a pain to get out, that was dumb)
-Crimped 6" or so of wire to the male spades and ran them through the holes.
-I then crimp connected it to a 2 conductor wire I stole from some other dvd player(see next step). The other end was crimp connected to the 12 volt accessory plug.
Step 4: Notch, Glue and Reassemble.
The reason I used the DVD player power cable, was the stopper on the cable sheath. I used a utility knife to notche the back of the battery pack so the stopped dropped right in. No worries about tugging on the wiring.
I used hot glue to hold the male spades in place.
Reassembly is just reinstalling the 5 Torx screws.
I used hot glue to hold the male spades in place.
Reassembly is just reinstalling the 5 Torx screws.
Step 5: Final Fit
Much better. I may add weights in the battery packs so they stand even better. Also a LED bulb for the light will be drastically better.
Thanks for checking it out!
Thanks for checking it out!