Comments on: How-To: Hack a Black & Decker Versa Pack Into Solar Power http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:27:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Adam http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/#comment-37348 Adam Wed, 21 Mar 2007 02:25:35 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/#comment-37348 Man, those are still around? I have a set of tools that use those cylinder-style battery packs... I bought the set in '97 and i've replaced the batteries a couple of times so far. I keep meaning to get a new set of cordless tools, but, well- these just seem to work okay. Plus, putting the batteries into the drill feels like lock-and-load time from a sci-fi movie (Anyone who has owned one of these knows what i mean!). Man, those are still around? I have a set of tools that use those cylinder-style battery packs… I bought the set in ‘97 and i’ve replaced the batteries a couple of times so far. I keep meaning to get a new set of cordless tools, but, well- these just seem to work okay.

Plus, putting the batteries into the drill feels like lock-and-load time from a sci-fi movie (Anyone who has owned one of these knows what i mean!).

]]> By: Kurt Schwind http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/#comment-37153 Kurt Schwind Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:27:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/#comment-37153 A few years back I bought a 'suite' of cordless tools. When that happened, I pitched my under-powered versa-pack tools. Now I kind of wish I hadn't. It's a bit gimicky, but still the bragging rights to walk around with a solar-powered drill-driver is pretty cool. A few years back I bought a ’suite’ of cordless tools. When that happened, I pitched my under-powered versa-pack tools. Now I kind of wish I hadn’t. It’s a bit gimicky, but still the bragging rights to walk around with a solar-powered drill-driver is pretty cool.

]]> By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/#comment-37030 Nate Bezanson Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:02:21 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/19/how-to-hack-a-black-decker-versa-pack-into-solar-power/#comment-37030 Good concept, shoddy execution. The use of a linear (78xx series) voltage regulator will burn off a lot of the power as heat, which is even sadder considering that the 8v is then *further* regulated by the VersaPak charger. This is after the ~16v coming off the panel was already regulated down to 13.8 by the charge controller. Considering that large PV panels go for about $5/watt and smaller ones lose the economy of scale, it'd be beneficial to use a switch-mode regulator here. Fans of the prebuilt approach should look at Dimension Engineering's "AnyVolt" line, the "Mini" version of which hooks up exactly like a 78xx. It could be hooked straight to the panel's output, too. Also, the Versapak system tends to be tragically underpowered. Go with regular NiMH AA's for your low-end stuff: flashlights, dremel, screwdriver. For anything more, get a real battery architecture and use the car charger. Since the 18v packs require a step-up from 12v nominal, the car chargers are built with a pretty smart switching power converter, and the efficiency isn't bad. *note: "switching" in reference to a power converter doesn't mean turning the output on and off. It's an electronics term that refers to the internal mode of operation that makes it more efficient than a "linear" regulator. Good concept, shoddy execution. The use of a linear (78xx series) voltage regulator will burn off a lot of the power as heat, which is even sadder considering that the 8v is then *further* regulated by the VersaPak charger. This is after the ~16v coming off the panel was already regulated down to 13.8 by the charge controller.

Considering that large PV panels go for about $5/watt and smaller ones lose the economy of scale, it’d be beneficial to use a switch-mode regulator here. Fans of the prebuilt approach should look at Dimension Engineering’s “AnyVolt” line, the “Mini” version of which hooks up exactly like a 78xx. It could be hooked straight to the panel’s output, too.

Also, the Versapak system tends to be tragically underpowered. Go with regular NiMH AA’s for your low-end stuff: flashlights, dremel, screwdriver. For anything more, get a real battery architecture and use the car charger. Since the 18v packs require a step-up from 12v nominal, the car chargers are built with a pretty smart switching power converter, and the efficiency isn’t bad.

*note: “switching” in reference to a power converter doesn’t mean turning the output on and off. It’s an electronics term that refers to the internal mode of operation that makes it more efficient than a “linear” regulator.

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