De Walt 14.4v drill, current demand?

[jerrytug]

I'm planning to use a 14.4v drill ( thanks @Ruffian ) connected to my boat electrics with a wire, without the battery. The boat voltage is normally 13 upwards, or well over 14 with the engine on, or solar panel working.
Could I get away with the fag lighter socket (nominal 10 amps max) or just use croc clips on the battery?
I never had cause to ponder this question before..

 

[Ruffian]

Well most rechargeable battery in 14.4 are 2-2.5ah.

So 10amps it will only take what it needs and in my opinion worth a try.
If really worried put an online fuse in the jumper wires.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Rough maths but.. 10amps at 13v is only 130w
I would be guessing but I would expect that drill to have at least a 250w motor?
Bosch are claiming something like 1000w for the newest tools.
Either put a 7.5a fuse in line and try it (unless the socket has a 10a fuse that's easy to replace) or just go for the croc clips.
I'm sure you know about sparks in a battery compartment on a boat so maybe even one of the small anderson connectors rather than croc clips if you are planning to use it regularly

 

[hotponyshoes]

I put a 12v lighter type socket in my boat, I think it's called power pole or something, the plugs have a red collar on and twist to lock when inserted.
Direct replacement for the standard socket (and backwards compatible with normal plugs)
I'm sure they were rated for 20a.

 

[jerrytug]

I put a 12v lighter type socket in my boat, I think it's called power pole or something, the plugs have a red collar on and twist to lock when inserted.
Direct replacement for the standard socket (and backwards compatible with normal plugs)
I'm sure they were rated for 20a.

Sounds good

 

[Screwdriver]

I would be wary of connecting a power tool to a chunky boat battery until you have established the wiring will be happy to carry 10-20amps plus. Some seriously chunky wires will be needed for longer runs. Those tools can easily draw many times the rated power (the battery pack can dump 20-30 amps quite happily) and you might end up melting wires and setting fire to stuff... At the very least, fit a dedicated fuse and start at low capacity until you're sure the wiring is up to the job.

 

[Kram]

Bosch are claiming something like 1000w for the newest tools.

Marketing bull poo Im afraid. While it is very possible the numbers just dont add up with the size of batteries, it will be peak power or there will be small print somewhere to say equivalent to universal motor mains version of the tool. That said much of the power limit will be due to cell sag and the voltage dripping under load.
Id have no problem using a lighter socket if the wiring to it is decent.
If the boat has a decent size battery/power, be careful of overheating the drill as its not going to go flat or sag with continious use.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Marketing bull poo Im afraid. While it is very possible the numbers just dont add up with the size of batteries, it will be peak power or there will be small print somewhere to say equivalent to universal motor mains version of the tool. That said much of the power limit will be due to cell sag and the voltage dripping under load.
Id have no problem using a lighter socket if the wiring to it is decent.
If the boat has a decent size battery/power, be careful of overheating the drill as its not going to go flat or sag with continious use.

I think you are right, its "equivalent performance to 1500w corded machines"

Although the current bosch packs are 21700 cells and they can provide 1440w so that's something like 80amps.

One problem for the OP might be if the low voltage cut-off is built into the tool rather than the battery pack. Might not work at all without the engine running?

 

[Barking Mat]

Croc clips, cigarette sockets do like to melt.

 

[Agroshield]

Run some heavy wires from the genuine DeWilt battery to the tool and use it hard on something with a current clamp meter on one of the wires. Then you will know what it draws.

Some of the really professional 36v stuff (Hilti maybe) and Makita have backpack or remote or umbilical battery packs so you could try to find out what cable size these use and use some educated guesses about current rating.

 

[KemppiFrog]

1mm cross section is good for around 5amps

 

[8ob]

I am not sure about the 14v dewalt gear but on the 18v stuff the batteries when charged are over 20v, they are virtually useless when the get down to 18v. Not sure if a 12v or 14v supply will do the job on a 14v drill. Just saying.

Bob

 

[8ob]

19.7v is where the 18v batteries are when they have been charged and left in the draw for a week or two.

 

[jerrytug]

I am not sure about the 14v dewalt gear but on the 18v stuff the batteries when charged are over 20v, they are virtually useless when the get down to 18v. Not sure if a 12v or 14v supply will do the job on a 14v drill. Just saying.

Bob

Yes I don't know for certain if it will work..as long as it can drill holes it will be fine really. If there are any low voltage cutoffs inside the drill, I will bypass them. And if all else fails, it will be back on here in the freeby section!

 

[jerrytug]

19.7v is where the 18v batteries are when they have been charged and left in the draw for a week or two.

View attachment 252656

Those big liquid-crystal displays are handy.. to tell you how much juice they are wasting

 

[Ruffian]

Yes I don't know for certain if it will work..as long as it can drill holes it will be fine really. If there are any low voltage cutoffs inside the drill, I will bypass them. And if all else fails, it will be back on here in the freeby section!

Pretty sure the cuttoffs on dewalt are in the tops of the batteries.

 

[8ob]

Those big liquid-crystal displays are handy.. to tell you how much juice they are wasting

Tiz just a gadget I made to test voltage rather than charge them unnecessarily

Bob

 

[Kram]

Lithium cells generally 3.6-4.2v, so tool is designed 14.4-16.8. it'll have no problem over a wider range, I have 14v nicd drills running from 12v and 24v lipo packs - requires a new switch and awareness not to cook it.

..Unless its a brushless. I suspect most will only work on the original battery pack.

 

[eddie49]

If there are any low voltage cutoffs inside the drill, I will bypass them.

With the description "DeWalt 14.4v", I am sure that it was originally NiCad-powered, and so there will be no voltage protection circuitry anywhere.
At full load on 12v, just before stalling, I reckon the motor will pull about 20 Amps.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Pretty sure the cuttoffs on dewalt are in the tops of the batteries.

Makita.

Dewalt li-on is onboard afaik