This
is a really cool project. First of all you will need to have a 12 volt dc or
higher system, such
as a Solar Panel setup with a 12 volt battery. You will also need at least
one VersaPak Cordless Tool with charger from Black & Decker. It must be the
kind that has a charger cradle with the power pack (transformer) wired separate
from the charger. I've noticed that a lot of the new VersaPak Tools come with
a new style charger that just plugs into the wall, we want the old style that
has a cord. Like in the picture .Note:It
must say VersaPak on the tool, Black & Decker also makes another line of cordless
tools, we don't want those!
|  Now
you need to go to Radio Shack and get an 7808 voltage regulator. They sell
an assorted pack, so you will need to shake the package around and make sure
there is one in it. Each run has different types, so make sure you see the
7808. If you don't see one, then you will need to get their1
Amp Adjustable Voltage Regulatorand
a few components to make it work (the instructions are on the package) . You
can order these chips from other suppliers, they cost less than a dollar.Note:Keep
the package the chip came in, specs are on the back! |
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Now
get your VersaPak Charger and splice the wires, then strip some insulation
off both wires on the cord. You need to find out which wire is Positiveand
which wire isNegative,
mark both wires with a piece of tape. Cut the transformer off the cord and
leave some cord to work with. The
transformer puts out 7.6 volts dc. Our 7808 regulator puts out 8 volts dc,
we want it to be a little higher than the battery voltage so that we get a
full charge. Now look at the back of the package that the 7808 came in for
wiring instructions. Take the cord from the VersaPak charger and solder it
to the 7808 with the negative wire to ground. Solder the positive wire to the
7808 output. From the car battery, take a negative wire and solder it to the
ground on the 7808 (you will already have one lead from the VersaPak cord
soldered to the same spot). Take a positive wire from the car battery and
solder it to the input lead of the 7808. You can put up to 36 volts dc into
the 7808 and it will always put out 8 volts dc. Look at the diagram below,
it is easier then it sounds! You
are done! | | Below
you will find a link with all the Solar Powered Handtools you can use! |
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