Cheap cordless drills sold without 2nd batteries...can I use D-cells wired together?

[Sailingsaves]

Is there something inside a car's cigarette-lighter plug/supply which modifies the ampage? I've unintentionally blown 12v power-tools up by wiring them direct to a car battery.

No.

Some of the cigar plugs have a fuse in them, but that is good_certainly better than one without a fuse, but there is nothing in the plug that should have ended up blowing your tools.

I have a 15 year old cheapo drill still going NiCad _ i "zapped" it _ see youtube / google about zapping Nicads (and only Nicads). And I have made up the cigar fitting that Nigel and others have mentioned for when the battery flattens _ does not last as long as used to and the drill only came with one battery. Coiled lead is great.

 

[TQA]

When my 14v drill battery pack gave up, I took the batteries out and soldered a lead to the connections and on the other end put a standard cigarette lighter plug. I just plug it into a nearby accessory socket. Works fine for me. Thanks. Alan

Watch for the current draw if drill something tough or doing lots of screwing. A cig. socket is not really up to it and the plug certainly is not. The plastic will melt. Ask me how I know this. Just use some croc clips and go directly to the battery.

BTW even the cheapie 7.2 volt ones will run OK on 12 volts just give them a rest when they get hot.

 

[Nos4r2]

When my 14v drill battery pack gave up, I took the batteries out and soldered a lead to the connections and on the other end put a standard cigarette lighter plug. I just plug it into a nearby accessory socket. Works fine for me. Thanks. Alan

Mine's got Croc clips on it- but wired to an old spare dead battery pack with the cells removed so I can use it cordless or corded. No worries about blowing accessory plugs.