Converting a cordless drill to LiFePo4 batteries
Modern cordless power tools use Lithium batteries, but they are quite expensive. This article shows how to convert an old cordless drill to use modern batteries. The solution covered here requries soldering skills, knowledge of Lithium batteries, how to connect batteries for balanced charging, how to connect batteries in series and of course basic electrical knowledge. You might also need an assortment of small wires, connectors, shrink tubes, small tools (and small fingers!) and fabrication skills. I will not cover these details in this article. You also need charger that can handle Lithium batteries (and also the correct type). You can't use the original drill charger. The particular drill used 10 NiCd (nickel-cadmium) batteries in series for 12 V total output. It is a modest 1200 mAh battery pack and has to be charged quite often. The picture shows the drill with disassembled battery pack. The original charger was just a 12 V DC adapter without any charging circuitry.