WaveTalkers Amazon Shop: Emergency and Off-Grid Power Essentials
In this project, I will show you how to tap Power Tool powerpack batteries for other uses.
Why do this? Powertool batteires come with quality built-in protection, good quality chargers, parts are readily available (i.e. more batteries or chargers), and are meant for high amperage peak usage.
Like most people we all have power tools in garage and have a collection of batteries for the those tools, It would be a huge advantage to be able to use these batteries as portable power with our amateur radio equipment. The biggest problem is these batteries have an output voltage of 18 to 20 volts but our radios work on 13.8 volts.
So with a little searching and talking to other people I came up with a solution for theses extra batteries. The solution I came up with was a DC to DC converter that takes in 8 to 40V and outputs anywhere from 12.11 to 13.8 volts depending on which DC to DC converter you use. The other issue was how to package the unit to make it functional in a field setting.
A DC-to-DC converter converts direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another. There are two main types of DC-to-DC converters: linear and switched-mode.
Linear-Uses a resistive voltage drop to create and regulate the output voltage
Switched-mode – Stores input energy temporarily and releases it to the output at a different voltage
Most DC-DC converters available on Amazon are switching converters rather than linear converters. The other nice benefit to these converters they are encased in epoxy so, it makes them water resistant.
Project Box of Amazon – Plastic Project Box ABS IP65 Electronic Enclosure Waterproof Junction Box with Fixed Ear 6.2″ x 3.55″ x 2.3″
Just after the Dc to Dc converter is mounted in the box on 1/4″ spacers to allow air flow.
Inside the project box showing the wires going to 3d printed Powerpole panel mounts.
Outside view of the Powerpole Panel mount
Everything mounted and labeled to ensure correct hook-up
Powered up and showing 12.11 Volts
Craftsman battery adapter
Running my ICOM-IC-705
All said and total I have about 2 hours of build time and a cost of about $30.00.
