How To Connect A Screwdriver Without A Battery

How to choose a cordless screwdriver: 6 tips and a rating of 5 cool models
How to choose the right cordless screwdriver for your home? We study the characteristics, manufacturers and additional functionality. Read the detailed guide on MOYO.UA!

Everything about battery-powered screwdrivers: pros and cons

The main difference between the cordless screwdriver and the network model is the absence of a cord. Autonomy of work and non-attachment to an outlet are the main advantages of a tool with a battery inside.

The advantages of the device also include:

  • Mobility. The tool and the charging battery are in the same housing, no additional elements are needed for operation. It is enough to take the device in hand, and it is already ready to work. Can be transferred to any location.
  • Compactness. Typically, household autonomous screwdrivers are small in size. This makes the device especially convenient in hard-to-reach places.
  • Versatility. Technique replaces screwdriver and drill.

In practice, a cordless instrument is indispensable in objects without electricity, when it is necessary to frequently move or climb to a height. The device can be operated outdoors or indoors.

How To Connect A Screwdriver Without A Battery

The only drawback here is the need to periodically charge the battery. Manufacturers are trying in every possible way to solve this problem, for example, offering 2 batteries with the tool. While one is in the working process, the other restores energy.

Torque

The numbers in the characteristic show with what force the screwdriver twists the self-tapping screw or how much force is required to overcome the load during drilling. What is the practical use of knowing the parameter? The diameter and length of the bolt to be screwed in depends on the torque. The higher the indicator, the longer and thicker the screws can be used in work without fear of failures or breakdowns. For example, at 40 N / m, it will be possible to freely “drive” a self-tapping screw 10 cm long into the tree.

In small household models, the torque is from 10 to 30 N / m, but the indicator can be adjusted by adjusting to the nozzle. For adjustment, a limiter is provided on the screwdriver body. A ring that goes immediately after the chuck. The user can coordinate the effort for a specific screw by scrolling the limiter. Result: as soon as the self-tapping screw is tightened to the desired level, the chuck will stop, although the motor will still work.

Interesting: The stop not only helps to tighten the bolts, preventing excessive “sinking” into the material, but also protects the tool from wear.

Additional functionality

In branded models, the manufacturer, in addition to the standard features, also offers the user auxiliary functions. They greatly facilitate the work and can become a point above the “i”, dispelling doubts whether it is worth buying this or that model.

Most often found in tools:

  • Charge indicator. A small light that will tell you when to put the battery on recharge;
  • Reverse motion. And unscrew the screw, and the drill can be removed from the thick board;
  • Impact mechanism. Indispensable if you need to work with a stone surface or brick;
  • Illumination of the workplace. In some screwdrivers it is so powerful that there is no need for additional lighting.

There is also an impulse, various blockers, speed switches, etc. Each additional function is a plus to the price of the device, which means that you need to be 100% sure about its need in the device.

How to choose a cordless screwdriver: 6 tips and a rating of 5 cool models

A screwdriver is essentially an electrical substitute for a screwdriver. It performs the same functions as the younger “brother”, only makes the process of tightening / unscrewing screws and bolts much faster. Such a tool is especially effective if there are tens, or even hundreds of screws. The device can not only twist the screws. By installing a special drill, you can make holes in wood, plastic and thin metal with a screwdriver. Powerful devices even take bricks and concrete. In general, the tool is indispensable in everyday life and during repairs.

Tool chucks

Buyers often ask: “How to choose the right screwdriver for home, focusing on the type of chuck?” The answer is to remember the information and learn how to distinguish one type of cartridge from another. There are 3 of them:

  • The key is that the drill holds in it a device resembling “cams”. The two sides of the chuck are connected with the fastening side to the center and in this way clamp the tool. The chuck nut is tightened with a special key that comes with the kit. It takes some time to replace the rig, but the hold is strong and secure, ideal for working with hard material.
  • Keyless. One- and two-clutch. The main difference is that in single-cartridge cartridges, the nozzle changes with one hand. Press the cartridge, remove the rig, put the other. For two-clutch ones, you will have to use both hands, which is already inconvenient.
  • Hexagon. A special “socket” for bits, which are necessarily included in the tool kit with such a chuck.

Looking through the assortment of cordless screwdrivers with different cartridges, it is difficult to answer which one is better. Here, rather, you need to look at the diameter of the hole in the chuck, it depends on it what kind of equipment can be used when working. In household tools, nozzles no more than 1 cm thick are used.

Rotation frequency

To choose the ideal device for specific purposes, you should pay attention to the number of revolutions. The manufacturer calls this parameter speed or rotational speed. It is adjusted by pressing the “trigger”. The harder you press, the greater the speed. In addition, the frequency shows whether the tool will be able to drive a screw into a dense material and what is the approximate diameter of the hole if the screwdriver replaces the drill.

If the customer is confident that the device will only be used for tightening screws and bolts, 500 rpm is more than enough. Screwdrivers, which act as drills, operate at 1200 rpm.

Nuance: there are models with 1, 2 and 3 speeds on the market, where one is for self-tapping screws, the second is for drilling small holes, the third is for working with metal or other durable raw materials.

Battery Storage Tips

In order for the battery to serve for a long time, it is necessary to store it correctly:

  • Do not leave the battery in the instrument.
  • The place must be dry. Dampness will negatively affect battery components.
  • Avoid sudden temperature changes.

These were general requirements, details are in the table.

Tester

A device that allows you to diagnose a malfunction of elements on your own.

The main types of such devices:

  • Control lamp (dial tone). Equipped with two wires and makes it possible to determine the breaks in the electrical wiring.
  • Pointer. A device with a digital scale and an arrow. Such models are not very convenient to use. So that the numbers are clearly visible, the measurement scale should be half a page in size. In addition, such testers are often distinguished by confusing graduations and can only be operated in a horizontal position.

Advice: If you need an inexpensive multimeter, 94W101 will do.

  • Digital. With LCD display. The scale shows only absolute values. The switch, as in the previous case, is manual. The tester is not suitable for AC.
  • Automatic. As the name suggests, this type of testers does not require manual adjustments of the regulator position. It is enough to indicate the required value using a special button.

How long does it take to charge the screwdriver

The indicator is individual. It varies from 30 minutes to 7 hours and depends on the capacity. Usually times are written in the manuals for use.

Most chargers are equipped with an indication, so you can see how many percent are left until the end of the charge.

Screwdriver battery device

The main components of power tool batteries:

  • The case on which the contacts are located;
  • Thermistor, which is needed to protect against overheating (not all models have);
  • Battery.

The main types of batteries and their features:

  1. Nickel-cadmium. Are cheaper than others, differ in ease. The downside is the memory effect. They need to be discharged to zero and charged to the end. If this is not done, the capacity will decrease.
  2. Nickel metal hydride. This type has a less pronounced memory effect, therefore, such devices are more expensive. If the Ni-MH battery is idle for more than 30 days, a full recharge is required.
  3. Lithium ion. One of the most popular types. They do not work well in the cold: they discharge faster, and with regular use and storage at subzero temperatures, their service life is reduced. But otherwise, such batteries are better than others. The high cost of Li-Ion is fully justified by the speed of charging and impressive capacity, as well as the absence of the aforementioned memory effect.

Car charger

It is not necessary to use this method all the time due to the mismatch of the parameters. A car charger is suitable if it is equipped with voltage and voltage regulation elements. You just need to set the indicators correctly: the current is set as 0.5-0.1 of the total capacity of the battery.

General rules for charging the battery

If done properly, the battery will last a long time. Here are the basic principles for properly charging a screwdriver:

1. If the battery is being charged for the first time, it must be fully discharged and then fully charged before use.

2. The temperature in the room should be between 10 and 40 °.

3. To prevent the unit from overheating, it is necessary to disconnect the storage battery from the charger as soon as it is charged.

4. If the screwdriver is not used for a long time, it is necessary to recharge it once a month for preventive purposes.

On their own

For users with special knowledge and skills, there will be no difficult problem “is it possible to power a screwdriver from a charger without special means”, because assembly of the feeding block is possible with your own hands. Instead of damaged elements, a power module assembled according to the scheme is inserted into the case. Outgoing voltage is monitored, the wires are powered, the case is locked.

Tip: the circuit may require additional load, it can be provided by the inclusion of a 15W light bulb in the system, which will also provide backlighting.

Other ways to supply power

In search of a solution to the question “is it possible to connect a screwdriver to a charger”, you can stop at charging with a car AK-block. Modules with manually adjustable current and voltage are applicable. The connection is absolutely not complicated. It is enough to connect the input channels of the tool motor to the contacts of the car charger.

How to connect to the charging station

Before deciding whether it is possible to charge the battery of a screwdriver with a charger, you need to remember that the charging unit of the screwdriver supplies a low voltage, with a long wire length, the voltage is lost, so it would be rational to connect through a meter cord with a cross section of 2.5 mm2 or more.

  1. Wires are attached to the contacts of the charging unit of the screwdriver. Spoiled nutrients are removed from the nest.
  2. A groove is made in the case, a cable is passed through it. It is proposed to seal the entry point with elastic material so that there is no play and the wire is held securely in place.
  3. Since the nest has lost its weight after the removal of unusable elements, it is recommended to restore the balance by inserting some kind of load into the vacated space, otherwise the hand will become very tired during work, eventually harming the health of the joints and ligaments.
  4. The cable and previously attached wires are connected together, the body is assembled.

Block inside

The solution to the problem “is it possible to connect the screwdriver through the charger” can be an alternative option for powering the screwdriver. Installing the power supply into the empty case of the power supply unit of the tool.

Before starting the action, it is necessary to prevent overheating of the unit, for which holes are arranged in the case in advance, which will provide air movement, heat removal. It is advisable to reduce the time of continuous work with a screwdriver with such an improvement to 15 minutes.

A ready-made block is purchased, it is selected according to the size of the case, technical indicators. The most suitable for use is the pulse version of the module, it is small in size, lightweight. It is not recommended to use modules of domestic production since the last century. They have large volumes with low efficiency.

Unsuitable batteries are removed from the bed, the power supply is placed in their place. The contacts are energized, the case is closed. The assembled hybrid gadget is ready to work from the network.

  • The wires can be extended for convenience.
  • It is necessary to monitor the quality of the assembly: the structure should not be able to touch the metal elements, otherwise the circuit cannot be avoided. It is best to leave some space between the transformer and the board, which will have a positive effect on cooling.
  • If any parts of the structure are very hot, it is possible to install modules that remove excess heat, or to arrange ventilation slots.

Is it possible to connect the screwdriver directly to the charger

The screwdriver is convenient for its ubiquity. Independence from limiting wires makes it possible to wade into hard-to-reach areas. A set of two power modules allows you to power one of them while working with the other. However, each battery pack has a finite number of charge / discharge periods, failing once they are used up. In low-cost tools, blocks break faster, and the user gets a gadget with a working motor, but no power. Then the dilemma arises “is it possible to connect the screwdriver directly to the charger.”

You can feed such a screwdriver by connecting it to the network through a power supply unit, because its motor operates at 220 volts.

Is it possible to connect the screwdriver directly to the charger

The screwdriver is convenient for its ubiquity. Independence from limiting wires makes it possible to wade into hard-to-reach areas. A set of two power modules allows you to power one of them while working with the other. However, each battery pack has a finite number of charge / discharge periods, failing once they are used up. In inexpensive tools, blocks break faster, and the user gets a gadget with a working motor, but no power. Then the dilemma arises “is it possible to connect the screwdriver directly to the charger.”

You can feed such a screwdriver by connecting it to the network through a power supply unit, because its motor operates at 220 volts.

How to connect to the charging station

Before deciding whether it is possible to charge the battery of a screwdriver with a charger, you need to remember that the charging unit of the screwdriver supplies a low voltage, with a long wire length, the voltage is lost, so it would be rational to connect through a meter cord with a cross section of 2.5 mm2 or more.

  1. Wires are attached to the contacts of the charging unit of the screwdriver. Spoiled nutrients are removed from the nest.
  2. A groove is made in the case, a cable is passed through it. It is proposed to seal the entry point with elastic material so that there is no play and the wire is held securely in place.
  3. Since the nest has lost its weight after the removal of unusable elements, it is recommended to restore the balance by inserting some kind of load into the vacated space, otherwise the hand will become very tired during work, eventually harming the health of the joints and ligaments.
  4. The cable and previously attached wires are connected together, the body is assembled.

Other ways to supply power

In search of a solution to the question “is it possible to connect a screwdriver to a charger”, you can stop at charging with a car AK-block. Modules with manually adjustable current and voltage are applicable. The connection is absolutely not complicated. It is enough to connect the input channels of the tool motor to the contacts of the car charger.

On their own

For users with special knowledge and skills, there will be no difficult problem “is it possible to power a screwdriver from a charger without special means”, because assembly of the feeding block is possible with your own hands. Instead of damaged elements, a power module assembled according to the scheme is inserted into the case. Outgoing voltage is monitored, the wires are powered, the case is locked.

Tip: the circuit may require additional load, it can be provided by the inclusion of a 15W light bulb in the system, which will also provide backlighting.

Block inside

The solution to the problem “is it possible to connect the screwdriver through the charger” can be an alternative option for powering the screwdriver. Installing the power supply into the empty case of the power supply unit of the tool.

Before starting the action, it is necessary to prevent overheating of the unit, for which holes are arranged in the case in advance, which will provide air movement, heat removal. It is advisable to reduce the time of continuous work with a screwdriver with such an improvement to 15 minutes.

A ready-made block is purchased, it is selected according to the size of the case, technical indicators. The most suitable for use is the pulse version of the module, it is small in size, lightweight. It is not recommended to use modules of domestic production since the last century. They have large volumes with low efficiency.

Unsuitable batteries are removed from the bed, and the power supply is placed in their place. The contacts are energized, the case is closed. The assembled hybrid gadget is ready to work from the network.

  • The wires can be extended for convenience.
  • It is necessary to monitor the quality of the assembly: the structure should not be able to touch the metal elements, otherwise the circuit cannot be avoided. It is best to leave some space between the transformer and the board, which will have a positive effect on cooling.
  • If any parts of the structure are very hot, it is possible to install modules that remove excess heat, or to arrange ventilation slots.

Using a power supply from a personal computer

On the radio market for a small cost, you can purchase an old power supply from a personal computer. We need a variant of the AT format, which had to be turned off by pressing the key after exiting the operating system.

Experienced users remember such system blocks. The advantage of such a power supply is also that it indicates an honest power. If it says 300W, it means you can safely remove 15-16 amperes from the 12-volt output (again referring to Ohm’s law). This is enough to power an average screwdriver.

Such blocks have a power button in the kit. Another advantage is the presence of a cooling fan and an advanced overload protection system.

If you are hiding the power supply in a beautiful case, do not forget to leave a hole for ventilation.

The connection is very simple. Black wire (-), yellow wire (12V).

Limitations. A screwdriver with a supply voltage higher than 14 volts will not work.

AC adapter for screwdriver in battery housing

If your tool is not too powerful, you can place the power supply in a handle or case from damaged batteries.

We build in a ready-made power supply

To do this, you need to purchase a ready-made block with suitable characteristics and dimensions. There is enough of this kind of stuff on the radio markets.

Take the body with you and go to the fitting. When the required power source is purchased, we carefully separate it from the case.

We place the screwdriver in the battery box. All components must be securely fastened.

If necessary, extend the wires between the control board and the transformer. If the circuit touches the metal parts of the transformer during operation, a short circuit will occur.

Since the space in the case allows. Separate the board and the transformer for better cooling. Whichever quality power supply you choose, the load will be high and overheating is possible.

It will not be superfluous to fix additional radiators on the power control microcircuits. Operate the screwdriver for a long time, disconnect it from the mains and touch the radio components on the control board.

You yourself will understand which elements need heat dissipation. Holes for air circulation can be made in the housing.

Redesigning the power supply unit with your own hands will not take much time, and the cost of the purchased module is incomparable with restoring the battery’s performance.

Using a car battery charger

The principle is the same as using a computer power supply. It is necessary to purchase an old charger for the starter batteries. The modern fashion for compact impulse chargers has left analog linear devices with manual control of voltage and charge current behind. Therefore, such a device can be purchased on the automotive market for a symbolic cost.

Charger MAX INTER

It’s good if the voltage can be adjusted smoothly. In this case, your makeshift power supply will fit any screwdriver.

Converting it to a power tool is reduced to connecting the input of the electric motor to the power terminals of the charger.

DIY screwdriver alteration

Consider the option with an external power supply.

Battery Disadvantages

  1. Needs regular recharging. Sooner or later, batteries will use up their cycle life.
  2. The cheaper the tool, the faster the rework time will come.

There is nothing wrong with that, but you should be aware that the manufacturer saves as much as you do. Consequently, the most expensive unit (namely the battery) will be the cheapest when bundled.

As a result, we get an excellent tool with a serviceable motor and not a worn gearbox, which does not work due to a poor-quality battery.

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

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