On Board Electric Drill

[SteveIOW]

I keep a hand drill and bits on board for odd jobs but would like to have the convenience of a electric drill which gives you a spare hand to hold the workpiece. I take a rechargeable out to the mooring when I have specific jobs to do in the winter but have no means of recharge it when away for any period of time in the summer. Would it be feasible to purchase a cheapish 12 volt rechargeable drill and recharge it from the on board 12 volt batteries. Alternatively could I remove the battery pack and connect the pick up connections on the drill to the boat batteries with heavy flex long enough to get the drill to where it may be required on board. (I prefer the first option)
I'm not concerned with the drain on the boat batteries.

PS I avoid marinas etc where 240 volt shore supply would be available.

 

[ffiill]

I use a 500 watt inverter which happily powers up an old BandD power drill.

 

[duncan99210]

I use a 500 watt inverter which happily powers up an old BandD power drill.

+1 except that I use a 150 watt inverter which is more than enough for the charger on my drill. Takes 15 minutes to recharge.

 

[BobnLesley]

...could I remove the battery pack and connect the pick up connections on the drill to the boat batteries with heavy flex...

Very easily and the flex doesn't even need to be too heavy.
We have what was originally an 18-volt rechargeable until the battery died and have powered it from the house batteries ever since. The reduction in voltage doesn't appear to have effected its 'grunt', but it does rotate slower on 12-volts, which we've found to be a positive boon when drilling stainless steel.

 

[Hydrozoan]

I'm not aware of a charger for a 12V rechargeable drill which works off a 12V supply - but there may be such.

Regarding your second, and less preferred, option there are lots of descriptions on the web of people using modified 12V rechargeable drills directly off a 12V car/boat battery - and some of people using 18V rechargeable drills using a 12V 'universal' laptop adapter set to output 18V. (DYOR on safety etc.)

 

[Falling Star]

Alternatively could I remove the battery pack and connect the pick up connections on the drill to the boat batteries

I've done this after buying an old De Walt drill on ebay very cheaply. It was sold as "battery not holding charge" Just removed the old battery innards and re-wired it with a long lead.

Works well.

 

[Kwik Decision]

Alternatively, use a 150 W inverter to charge an 18v drill battery. I thought about wiring a 12v drill to the boat batteries, but was bought an 18v Mikita drill with 2 batteries a few years ago for Christmas. It is excellent, with the batteries lasting ages so it is very rare I need to charge them on the boat. My only criticism of it is the case it came in is huge, and a challenge to stow on a small boat.

 

[prv]

When I bought a new Makita cordless, I put the old one on the boat and just bought a 12v charger for it (presumably intended for a tradesman's van).

Pete

 

[jimmcgee]

I've done this after buying an old De Walt drill on ebay very cheaply. It was sold as "battery not holding charge" Just removed the old battery innards and re-wired it with a long lead.

Works well.

+1 , and the one have also clips into a jigsaw , and sander

 

[William_H]

As said the best bet is just connecting 12v from the boat into the drill. Be it 18v ,12v or even lower voltage. You might cook a lower voltage drill but then if batteries are cream crackered no great loss.
No it is not easy to charge a 12v drill battery from the ships 12v unless you can do it with ships batteries under charge ie voltage near 14v. Simply you need more volts than the drill battery to push current in. A boost converter could be used.
The inverter option running a (small) 240v drill has merit in that it could also run an angle grinder,sander or similar small tool. Most small tools run a motor with brushes so will work on any crude inverter or suitable power rating. Vacuum cleaners tend to be quite high powered ie 1000w so not practical although a brush type motor. However more sophisticated tools like drill press or saw bench have a brushless induction motor that needs a sine wave inverter. good luck olewill

 

[Oldhairy]

I have found that any 240V 'variable speed' tool needs a true sine wave inverter.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I use a cheap 550 watts 240 volt drill via a standard inverter. Also a 12volt good quality rechargeable drill and a hand drill in case all fails.

 

[rogerthebodger]

As said the best bet is just connecting 12v from the boat into the drill. Be it 18v ,12v or even lower voltage. You might cook a lower voltage drill but then if batteries are cream crackered no great loss.
No it is not easy to charge a 12v drill battery from the ships 12v unless you can do it with ships batteries under charge ie voltage near 14v. Simply you need more volts than the drill battery to push current in. A boost converter could be used.
The inverter option running a (small) 240v drill has merit in that it could also run an angle grinder,sander or similar small tool. Most small tools run a motor with brushes so will work on any crude inverter or suitable power rating. Vacuum cleaners tend to be quite high powered ie 1000w so not practical although a brush type motor. However more sophisticated tools like drill press or saw bench have a brushless induction motor that needs a sine wave inverter. good luck olewill

I use one of the cheap DC to DC converters from E-Bay converting 12DC to 20VDC to charge my 18Volt rechargeable drill battery through a high power low resistance resistor as a current control.

I also have wired old 9.3VDC and 12VDC battery drills to connect direct to my house battery,

I also used on old 12VDC drill to power an electric outboard and a screw jack to lift my heavy front engine cover.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Brilliant... should be articles in PBO..

 

[DanTribe]

Another vote for the 18v Makita.
I also have a 12 volt "battery expired" Ferm drill wired to the ships supply, but the Makita + spare battery beats it hands down.
An unexpected problem is that wifey has found it makes a good food mixer, so now we use a lot more gas as she bakes cakes!

 

[lw395]

I have found that any 240V 'variable speed' tool needs a true sine wave inverter.

Good point!

 

[Hydrozoan]

... An unexpected problem is that wifey has found it makes a good food mixer, so now we use a lot more gas as she bakes cakes!

What item from your toolbox does she use as a beater/dough hook?

 

[DanTribe]

What item from your toolbox does she use as a beater/dough hook?

First attempt was with a table fork. Disaster, it flew out, narrowly missed me but spattered cake mix everywhere. She then used a sawn off handle from one of those mini paint rollers. Now she uses parts from an old Kenwood Chef.

 

[Hydrozoan]

First attempt was with a table fork. Disaster, it flew out, narrowly missed me but spattered cake mix everywhere. She then used a sawn off handle from one of those mini paint rollers. Now she uses parts from an old Kenwood Chef.

Sounds like a very sensible progression.

 

[nemodreams]

I use a cheapo 12v cordless ( real cheap - ugh - I'm used to professional Makitas ) anyway -
it goes round and holds a drill bit ! Just wired through the split plastic case.

They tend to blow a 10 amp fuse - just briefly when starting up. So you need to fit 15amp - which I don't like doing really. The wiring is fine - just that some 12 v ( marine quality ! ) sockets, even when rated at 10 amp often melt with five !

I have a dedicated 12v socket for high amp stuff - wired directly from the battery with its own switch and 25 amp fuse - a 'good' quality 12v cigar socket. Use it for the laptop etc. I do have an inverter - and yes I could charge a cordless - but them I would have to carry charger, battery and drill !

To be honest - for most stuff you want to drill when away from base, a small hand brace does the job. Look out at the boot sales !