Hi folks! I'm new here and hope you can help with a bit of a DIY dilemma. I've got a couple of Parkside tools, like my high-pressure washer and drill, and I'm curious if there's a way to power them directly from a wall socket. Ideally, I'd still like to keep the option to use batteries for portability. Is there an adapter or something similar that would work for Parkside products? Any tips or insights would be super helpful!
3 Answers
You can definitely power corded tools with batteries, but it's a lot simpler than the reverse! Just keep in mind that corded tools are usually less efficient than cordless ones, so it's usually not worth it unless you're just testing things out for a short while.
This is a pretty common question! To hack your tools for direct wall power, you’d need a hefty power supply unit (PSU) along with some capacitors and an inrush limiter. For instance, if your tool draws 800W (about 20A at 20V), you’d want a 24V 800W PSU, but you'd have to derate it to around 20V. The cost and complexity of this setup might even exceed the price of two 8Ah batteries or just getting the corded version of the tool. Plus, keep in mind that the motor designs for battery versus mains tools differ significantly. It's tricky but feasible!
It's definitely doable if you have a background in electronics and don’t mind experimenting! However, I wouldn’t recommend it as it can get expensive and cumbersome. Plus, being tied to a wall with a cord might limit the tool's usefulness. Honestly, for the kind of power you need, like for a circular saw or an angle grinder, having a dedicated corded version is much more effective. The only situation where this hack might make sense is if you’re working with a small, weak 12V drill—especially if you have an old PSU lying around. Just be careful; you might fry the PSU!
I was considering grabbing a cheap tool from AliExpress for around 20€, lol!
Totally! But keep in mind that with battery tools, I’ve found they often only last about 20 minutes—definitely not ideal for tasks like washing a car.