Can I convert an 18 volt battery miter saw to an AC piece of equipment and if so how?
Question:I have an 18 volt, 8.25" Ryobi miter saw. I would like to eliminate the battery and be able to run the saw from a continous power source. The batteries wear out to quickly, but the saw is perfect.
Answers:
it is possible to do this ...all you would need is a transformer to lower the voltage from 110 volts to 18 volts and a bridge rectifier to change the ac to dc.a bridge rectifier only costs about 30 bucks and a transformer could cost anywhere from 10 to 50 bucks depending on the va of the transformer.to figure the va of the transformer you would multiply the volts 18 times the max amps listed on the data plate of the drill...for example if the drills max amps was 10 amps at 18 volts that would be 180 va(volt amps).you could mount all of this in a box with a cord to plug into a wall outlet and a cord to go from the drill back to the transformer box.the total cost for something like this plus paying an electrician to wire it all up for you would probably be in the 150 dolllar range.i could build this myself...but it would just be cheaper to buy a standard 110 volt miter saw to begin with..but on the other hand if you have a lot of 18 volt tools then this could be the way to go as you could adapt the battery itself by removing the battery and using the shell to allow you to change it from one tool to another as long as they all used the same type battery...this would last indefinitely as long as it was built to withstand the max amp load of your most powerful tool .
incert the 18 volt battery in the AC piece of equipment !!!
With no offense meant at all, I'm always confused by those who buy and use a cordless anything, better suited in use as a plug in. Probably why I don't buy KITS offering multiples, liek flashlights and radios. I've never cut or drilled wood in the dark.
Obviously, beyond the fact that you'd have to use a converter that would take 110 down to 18, you'd have to dissassemble the saw, access the wiring, and fabricate a connection appliance. In any case, for any heavy work 18V can't possibly be sufficient.
Again, and with all due respect, a Plug in Miter saw, even a Ryobi, would pretty much equal the cost of the same tool in cordless, and the major call for cordless, especially originally, was for site work where power and cords were an issue. The "Issue" primarily being that a SAW, battery operated or not, uses/needs more energy certainly than a Drill.
Obviously the convenience factor has created an exponential market, but in your case, and not knowing at all WHY you want to alter a tool that may have little on site use, why not leave it as is, and find a sale at HD or Lowes. I picked up a perfectly good Ryobi, 10 inch chop saw, for use both on and off site, for $99.
I have that same problem. They're not really in the business of making a long lasting battery it seems. If someone were to invent a 110 to 18 V transformer that fits all these battery tools they would be rich. Of course then I'll need to buy about $300 worth in extension cords when I need to use my circular saw somewhere on my property.
I've looked for awhile to find a transformer like this and can't find one. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong spot. There has to be one out there somewhere.
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