Cordless Tool Power Supply

Bluefoam · 30-03-2023 12:31PM #1

I got a new drill from amazon.de (good value BTW, even after shipping) & it came with a 2 pin plug for the charger. Is it okay to cut the 2 pin off & replace with a 3 pin?

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/DC18RC

RobertFoster · 30-03-2023 12:52PM

I've read before that from a safety aspect you're better off using an adapter rather than rewiring.

Bluefoam · 30-03-2023 12:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120419141#Comment_120419141

In fairness, yeh... I've got one in the amazon basket.

10-10-20 · 30-03-2023 03:53PM

For low current devices it's sufficient to use a converter, but for anything beyond about 3A I'd be rewiring it to a BS standard plug, especially if it's being used outdoors.

magicbastarder · 30-03-2023 03:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120419141#Comment_120419141

any reason given for that?

The Continental Op · 30-03-2023 04:46PM

I have a few adapters similar to this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/POWERCONNECTIONS-Schuko-Non-Earthed-Converter-Black/dp/B09BZQMS1W/

Just one screw to undo and once the 2 pin plug is in and the unit is closed back up the 2 pin plug is captive and can't be pulled back out. Job done. Also fused.

RobertFoster · 30-03-2023 04:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120420000#Comment_120420000

I can't remember exactly what I was looking to rewire, but safety was the reason given not to on some UK forum.

Would changing the plug affect the warranty?

magicbastarder · 30-03-2023 04:52PM

i guess if you botched the job, it could be less safe. harder to get it wrong with one of those adapters.

Lumen · 31-03-2023 03:06AM

I believe that non-rewirable (moulded) plugs are designed as such in order that the plug isn't reused, rather than the cable. The reason being that a moulded plug can have a plastic earth pin if the device is designed without need for an earth - reusing that plug on an earthed device would be dangerous, so the plug is moulded on to prevent reuse.

That's my theory anyway.

Del2005 · 31-03-2023 05:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058290400/cordless-tool-power-supply

That's no good for here as its 120V only not 120V- 240V. You'll need a voltage dropper.

The adapter plug posted where banned in my company on safety grounds. A properly wired plug with the correctly rated fuse is always the safest.

The Continental Op · 31-03-2023 11:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120421962#Comment_120421962

Why or are you jumping to conclusions?

Firstly despite the OP's link its not a link to their purchase on Amazon.de. Secondly Germany afaik uses 220-240V so good chance that is what the OP bought. Then if what the OP bought really was "good value BTW, even after shipping" it could have been a chinese knock off and they all seem to be dual voltage.

Just to be sure the OP needs to turn the charger over and check to see if the rating plate states 240 Volts on it. As a small note of caution the 120V version of the DC18RC states its 240W, thats Watts and not voltage so might be mixed up with 240V? It should say something like 240V ~ 50-60Hz.

magicbastarder · 31-03-2023 11:04AM

when the OP mentioned a 2-pin plug i would assume they meant european 2-pin rather than american 2-pin.

10-10-20 · 31-03-2023 11:10AM

If it's one of these "two pin plugs", then you definitely do not be using it with a Dublin airport converter job.

monseiur · 31-03-2023 03:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120419975#Comment_120419975

If I'm reading it correctly the OP has bought a cordless drill, it's the plug on the charger he wants to change to a standard 3 pin plug, so no issues with using it outdoors.

monseiur · 31-03-2023 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058290400/cordless-tool-power-supply

You're overthinking it OP, just snip off 2 pin plug and fit a standard 3 pin - Job done

Del2005 · 31-03-2023 03:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120422690#Comment_120422690

The OPs link is to https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/DC18RC and the data sheet from that link has 120V as the input voltage. Just because they used the German site doesn't mean it can't have been bought from a supplier in the USA, every Amazon site charges Irish VAT/duties if the item will ship here, I've often seen items on sale on UK or other European sites shipping from China and other countries.

greasepalm · 31-03-2023 03:30PM

I reread the specs and it does say its 120v and do not use it but send it back as its not 240v.

Opera Snapshot_2023-03-31_152657_cdn.makitatools.com.png

Explosive_Cornflake · 31-03-2023 03:40PM

Just chop off the plug and throw a 3 pin on there.

Or do what I'd do stick a screwdriver in the earth socket and jam the plug in anyway

greasepalm · 31-03-2023 04:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424185#Comment_120424185

It says its 120v not 240v

Bluefoam · 31-03-2023 04:09PM

Thanks everyone for the comments, I think you're all a bit more animated about it than I am.

... so, I did contact amazon cheekily to see if they'd send the adapter. They said no & emailed me a return lable. I told them I was very happy with the purchase and didn't want to return it & that i'd just buy an adapter on amazon :)

then... they said don't be silly, we'll send you a full refund for the drill set including shipping for the trouble and you can keep the product... Happy days. I've got a plug on the way and a new drill & set of batteries.

greasepalm · 31-03-2023 04:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424316#Comment_120424316

But is it not a 120v unit ??

Bluefoam · 31-03-2023 04:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424326#Comment_120424326

No, it's a DC18RC, but I just picked that link up off the internet... It's the exact same spec as my other battery charger which does in fact have a 3 pin plug on it...

greasepalm · 31-03-2023 04:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424340#Comment_120424340

Double check the sticker on unit says 220-240v then your okay .

Once the charger says 240v we be happy and you be alive another day.

I have a laptop here with a strange plug going into an adapter 13 amp plug and does not bother me as its in a fixed position.

magicbastarder · 31-03-2023 04:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424316#Comment_120424316

Result!

The Continental Op · 31-03-2023 05:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424360#Comment_120424360

Its really annoying DeWalt do exactly the same thing. They'll have a charger for say the US that only runs at 120V and one for the UK that runs on 240V and other for Germany that runs on 240V but all with different plugs. Yet they all have the same model number.

Why they don't use a switched power supply that runs on 100V all the way up to 240V like most laptop power supplies I don't know? Must be cheaper to do it the way they do? If you check youtube you'll see its often only a matter of changing two components to make a 120V charger 240V compatible.

One of the easiest ways of checking if you have a chinese knock off charger (DeWalt/Makita) is that it will be dual voltage and take 120V or 240V if the chinese knock off merchants can do that why can't the OEM's?

Bluefoam · 31-03-2023 06:05PM

Just checked, it's 220-240v

10-10-20 · 31-03-2023 09:18PM

I still think you need to chop off the cable and give us a bit of return for our over-enthusiastic efforts. Live-stream it. 😜

magicbastarder · 31-03-2023 10:45PM

You'll get a better idea of what voltage it's dealing with it you lick the bare cables.

10-10-20 · 01-04-2023 01:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120425777#Comment_120425777

There has never been a situation where a bit of salt hasn't improved the cable-licking experience, especially on AC mains. Pepper; not so much.

Cordless Tool Power Supply

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