I want to turn all my power tools and batteries a universal connector like USB-C. I have a 3d printerand skills so getting the manual interface is easy enough, but I don’t a lot about ports and tech. I’m learning fast, but I’m not quite there yet.

From what I understand, I’d need to put a female port on the battery which isn’t difficult and has been done plenty for charging.

I’d need to put a male plug on the tools to interface with it, and my initial research says I can’t just solder the power pins to the cables in the tool, I’ll need a circuit board that requests the 20v from the usb source? Is that doable? It looks like I can pick them up on AliExpress. But I need a qualified adult to verify that’s what I need to do.

From there, would I be able to cord them with this method or would I need to build a better usb charger port?

Is there a better port to use? Usb-C is nice and small so I can fit it in wherever I like, but can it handle tool use? Would it be better to do usb or something else?

  • Ludrol@szmer.info
    51·
    12 days ago

    usbc will break and it can’t deliver required amperage. use xt30/xt60/xt90 connector instead if you must.

    You didn’t list what tools you already have.

    One good thing about proprietary connectors is that they have decent clip and they won’t fall of from the rail.

    The market is set up so that you choose one battery standard and all the tools go with that standard. Check if that standard is reverse engineered and does it have non-brand clones.

    If you really need something universal then AC mains plug is your only option with DIY powerbank.

    • Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.worldOP
      3·
      12 days ago

      Circular, sawzaw, drill, impact, vacuum, flashlight, mini chainsaw. They’re all Hart brand as either gifts or discount. They’re not bad for what they are.

      I’m not at all worried about the clips and rails, powertools are relatively recent to me but I’ve been doing 3d printing long enough that if I can’t make it work with the current hardware I’ll just make and harden whole new shells for all the tools.

      • Ludrol@szmer.info
        1·
        11 days ago

        I’ll just make and harden whole new shells for all the tools.

        That’s just asking for it to break at the worst possible moment and for your flesh to meet the spinny bit. The biggest load is when they are working.

        You don’t even have two separate battery systems. Most pragmatic thing to do is to leave it as is. Just as we accept proprietary CPU microcode, it’s easier to accept the batteries than to modify them.

        Also battery systems come at different voltages (12V 18V 20V) so different connectors enshure that you won’t mix them up.

        • Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          11 days ago

          The reasons provided are the thin veneer of validity to excuse modifying it for my own fun and preference. If I needed a reason not to do it, the knowledge that it will take any amount of time out of my day is enough. I can’t choose to use a different cpu microcode, I can’t choose to live in a nation that isn’t a shithole, I can’t choose to not participate in consumerism, but I can choose to cut open shitty Walmart tools and replace the shitty proprietary metal prongs with something I choose to put there. Just because I can’t choose most things doesn’t means I shouldn’t use and enjoy the choices I can have.