Charging cordless batteries

There are inverters and inverters.. My Inverter is a Prosine 2.0. That is a TRUE SINE WAVE inverter and it is just fine for re-charging batteires.

MSW's... Well it depends on the battery charger so your millage may vary, all the way from failure to charge to letting magic smoke out and even catching fire.

But with a True Sine,, The charger thinks "Shore power is looking real clean today".

I would look for a charger that uses 12 volts just like the people that make a living working on new construction that have no power installed yet.

Well, I found the In Vehicle Ryobi charger at Home Depot for $40 so I got one. Didn't even know they made a 12v charger but solved the problem for now.
Think I'll still look at getting a good brand small PSW inverter to replace the little 400w MSW that I use for my tv/dvd/dish setup. That way I'll always have the option if I need it.

Thanks again everyone for the replies.
Keith

Don't forget plan C:

I've hardwired many cordless drills whose batteries, or battery chargers, or both, became worthless.

I have a Craftsman 9.6v drill that I run on 12 volts through an SAE connector. Lots of torque.

It will blow a 30 amp fuse if I try and stop it spinning.

But this requires 10awg wiring. Using 18 awg and the thing has little torque.

Such a shame that buying new batteries or a new charger is little less expensive than buying a new drill with 2 new batteries.
Criminal really.

HONORABLE RULE

Make every brand, every model battery incompatible for docking. Make all connections inaccessible to force customer to purchase honorable ripoff priced honorable proprietary charger from US.

Beware of major (top-o-the-line) manufacturers dumping NiCad and NiMH powered portable tool inventory at seeming bargain prices. The type of battery they use is usually difficult to snipe out or missing altogether.

Ripple in a Heitz Cellars bottle IOW.

Such a shame that buying new batteries or a new charger is little less expensive than buying a new drill with 2 new batteries.

Yep, Ryobi drill, driver and two batteries: $99.
Two batteries: $129.
Mind you, the batteries with the tools have less energy capacity.

I would reserve the word "criminal" for making all the battery brands incompatible.

We are so lucky that all the brands of cars can use the same fuel. And nobody holds a patent on the steering wheel.

A 300 watt PSW like the Morningstar SureSine that goes to a dedicated outlet for wall wart chargers is probably the best way to go. AFIAK, it provides cleaner power than what comes from the utility company.

i tried to rechaqrge a harbor frieght drill but burnt out the charger . had scrs . so re built with 20 volt plug in charger ( black hucky puck ) batteries are 18 volt. works well but gets hot after a half hour so i limit the time i chage , this works well booncocking. i now charge off inverter .

my 12v volt batteries i just plug in to 12 volt outlet.works for me.

I got one of these probably 5 years ago.

http://www.pricefalls.com/product/Ryobi-P131-18v-In-Vehicle-Dual-Chemistry-One-Battery-Charger-number-140126001/6813241?utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=PLA-SC&utm_content=73605900511&utm_campaign=

Charges back up my batteries when no elect at house, (which was Maybe 2 times in last 10 years). Charges in my 01 Dodge alright and pretty quick. Less than an hour to work at time. Charge one going to work and one coming home.


I do like that flashlight that uses those batteries and have a had a hard time buying it separate.

Was thinking about "jerry rigging" so LED could fit in. Would last long time. Regular flashlight lamp last about 2 3/4 hours wonder how long LED would last?

We don't take it camping with us but what do you folks use it for camping?