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| Multi-function Makita Center completed |
After moving for years the same multiple electrical devices on home sites, and up and down ladders, I decided to combine the ones recurrently used no matter the job type, to simplify carrying and setting up all that stuff. Enter the DIY multi-function Center. Specs:
- Radio, dual powered AC / 18V battery with automatic switching
- Flood light, dual powered AC / 18V battery with automatic switching
- Integrated Makita LXT charger (Note: since then Makita released a radio w integrated charger)
- AC outlet (pass through from AC-IN cord, so as not to lose a site outlet when plugged in)
This blog is a high level description of this simple DIY project. It is not meant to be a step by step list of instructions, but rather to explain the principles used. Anybody interested in a similar all-in-one electrical center should be able to duplicate the approach with the brand / type of similar devices you own. Just for reference, the following devices were used:
- Makita XRM06 radio
- Makita DC18RC LXT charger
- Milwaukee M18 Rover mounting flood light
- 110V AC to 19V DC laptop adapter
- DROK DC/DC step down buck converter 5V-30V to 0.8-29V, 5A
The project consisted mostly in these main modifications:
- Mount charger to radio chassis with L aluminum bracket
- Disassemble the flood light, mount LED pivot head, and electronics, to radio's battery lid
- Note that this mounting does not interfere with the 18V LXT battery location, but may interfere with some of the other battery slots (12V and such)
- Replace the LED light's 2 surface mount push buttons (Mode & On/Off) on the electronic module, by momentary push buttons relocated to the radio's battery lid
- Install the laptop adapter inside the radio case
- Mount a 110V AC outlet on radio case's side
- Connect an AC power cord to 19V DC adapter, AC outlet, charger
- Disconnect battery from radio electronics
- Connect 2 diodes in parallel (SR540 schottky 5A 0.55V 40V), 1 powered by 19V adapter, 1 by battery
- Connect the diodes to the 12V adapter's input, and to the flood light
And that's it. No more lugging around all these devices. 1 handle carries it all. Boop !
The most problematic task in this build ? Opening the radio... Had to source a 12" torx driver bit, if memory serves. The rest was pretty straightforward, as illustrated in the following pics.
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| Flood light (left: electronic module) |
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| L bracket on charger (note the electric tape) |
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| 12V output to power board, hijacking an existing connector (USB?) Note the 12V output's + polarity on the white wire, and GND on red (yes, unusual, to say the least) 110V outlet seen on top left (blue) AC/DC 19V adapter on the right (black) and tied down All electricals installed, secured with zip ties, ready to close the chassis |
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| Grounding the L bracket (lower risks of radio interferences) |
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| Flood light's electronic module & buttons install Their mounting was such that it does not interfere with installing an 18V LXT battery (upper left) |
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| Flood light mounting and buttons |
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