This might be why I'm getting into HAM. To relive my childhood and the Radio Shack 1000 in 1 kits....that you could build things.
@AG7SM
4 жыл бұрын
Love the idea, love the execution. In my experience doing things like this, I end up spending WAY more time designing and redesigning the enclosure, and ending up with about 15 different variations printed out. When figuring out how the printer + the PLA was going to transform my design (translating designs into actual materials can be hard), I started printing out only the part of the design I was trying to dial in, like making sure holes in the case line up with the sockets on the board. Saved me a lot of time and PLA. Damn I need to get my printer going again.
@Liberty-Freedom-Outdoors
4 жыл бұрын
People always tend to forget that their is batteries all around us everywhere a basic understanding of electricity is always great to know !
@FlyingJay33
4 жыл бұрын
Consider adding a parallel battery connector that way you could "hot swap" batteries. But definitely add fuses to protect the rig. Also, if noise is an issue, add some foil or copper tape to the inside of the enclosure and chokes to the output.
@JustinShands
4 жыл бұрын
For the future, Tinkercad is a lot easier to "pick up and design" with. Fusion360 is by far a more powerful tool, but that also means it takes a lot longer to get comfortable using it. I went through all the tutorials and designed some stuff with it... and then didn't use it for 6 months and forgot everything I knew.
@JamesHannibalKH2SR
4 жыл бұрын
Very cool Josh! Looking forward to seeing you make more ham related 3D printed stuff.
@Stuff_happens
4 жыл бұрын
Totally did this. I made a device that takes Milwaukee 18v batteries and power 5v and a variable buck converter. I’ll post on thingy verse. Was almost done, maybe too many irons in the coals. Up side is the battery has management/ load protection built in for you.
@NICKGAR7
4 жыл бұрын
Funnily enough I was about to buy a cordless combo drill and might now pay more attention to battery spec to possibly lend themselves to ham. Great video Josh.
@suleskes
4 жыл бұрын
Nice! I’ve a similar project in the works based on Home Depot’s Ryobi 18v system. I have many of their 4AH and 6AH 18v batteries and a dead 6 port charger. I gutted the charger and inserted a 24v to 13.8v 30A buck converter that works great at 18v. Actually it’s more efficient. I’ve yet to load it up but it should be able to supply enough current to run a 100W rig with 6 batteries inserted. A single battery can power receive while the others are being recharged.
@Jason_DPMF
4 жыл бұрын
Josh safety concern ; you have to make sure those batteries disconnect when each one of the cells inside that pack get to 3 V each. (20 v pack = 5 cells x3v=15v) if you draw these cells lower than 3 V they could go critical. the battery may have it built-in but I haven’t tested you should see if this is so
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Good point. I’d be shocked if it didn’t have protection. But I will check that in the future.
@jermlac
4 жыл бұрын
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I've heard that the Dewalts do protection inside the tools not inside the battery case but Ryboi builds the protection circuits inside the battery case. Not sure about the Hercules.
@Jason_DPMF
4 жыл бұрын
I found a 20 amp disconnect XH-M609 on Amazon, or a 30 amp with high and low voltage discount Wal front Part Number Wal front6g1789nwid this is a change and low voltage protection device still looking for something more appropriate for 30 amps but this would work if needed
@Jason_DPMF
4 жыл бұрын
This type of protection should be used on all batteries like acid lithium it will help prolong the life of your batteries without having to keep both eyes on it
@jonathandebolster8089
4 жыл бұрын
@@HamRadioCrashCourse depending on the BMS in the battery pack, it might have an undervoltage protection. But they might indeed have left it out since most appliances or tools will give you a warning when the critical voltage has been reached. I've bought similar buck converters myself, and I'm more afraid of the buck converters not doing their job and blowing up my precious radio over time, so I'm considering implementing an overvoltage protection with a fuse and a zener diode. Very nice project though, and a nice 3D-build and print! 73 de ON5DAQ
@col.strayga1389
4 жыл бұрын
You have been reading my mind. I have been wanting to do this.
@rkaag99
4 жыл бұрын
I can see it now... Josh running around pedestrian mobile with 4 of these packs on a waist band (like a batman utility belt) running in parallel for a super-SOTA video!
@illiteratebeef
4 жыл бұрын
I recently did something similar to allow me to use a USB-PD powerbank and wall charger to charge my laptop. There are USB-PD boards that allow you to output 5v/9v/12v/20v from these and battery banks are usually better power density, mine is 20ah, 65w in a smaller package than the tool battery.
@WalterGreenIII
4 жыл бұрын
Buy extra chargers for the battery and use it as the base build a "box" the same size and shape as battery. More room for the buck converter and more aesthetically pleasing. Also if done right, no external wires from the battery to the buck converter. Otherwise buy another charger cut the cord use three barrel connectors. Male connector on the charger's wallwart, male connector on the box for the buck converter, female the the charger's battery clip. Unplug the charger from the clip, then plug the clip into the buck converter.
@Blackcloud_Garage
4 жыл бұрын
Awesome. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now. Please continue to refine the concept. Thanks for sharing 👍
@ERICtheLATE
2 жыл бұрын
The cordless drill manufacturers really should make a puck that pops right on a pack, with usb, anderson, springy hole clip taps like on a speaker box, and a cigarette power plug female port, with a voltage/battery condition monitor using two LED's at most. Could be massively handy for any use in hiking, biking, camping, or a cell charger hub at the jobsite, besides way cool obvious amateur radio utilization.
@johnrecords8747
4 жыл бұрын
Josh, thanks for this video. I realize that you are experimenting and feeling your way into this. I think that particular buck converter may not have enough amperage to run both your raspberry pi and your radio. I searched for dual voltage Buck converters and didn’t find any with a higher amperage than the one you have, which is 3 A max, and 2.5 continuous.
@bstrickler
4 жыл бұрын
I've been looking into this for a portable rig. I'm considering building a switch with an SWR meter in it as well, so I can run a quad band radio and antenna, and maintain the ability to tune it.
@ndoren
4 жыл бұрын
You are very well spoken and your videos are always informative. Outstanding job.
@blankreganon5395
4 жыл бұрын
Great video. You may need to put some resistors to the data leads of the USB to be able to charge your phone / devices faster. Some phones will only charge using 500 ma without the resistors. They look to see the voltage on the data leads to see how much current it can supply.
@echo-hotel
2 жыл бұрын
What kind of resistors would you use?
@blankreganon5395
2 жыл бұрын
That is not an easy answer. I just searched and found many pages with diagrams and resistor values. Most show a voltage divider from +5 to ground with the center point going to D+ with another voltage divider going to D-. One page used a 75K going to +5 and 51K to ground.
@bwdiver1
4 жыл бұрын
I agree with Mr Green. Use a battery charger base for holding your electronics. I will put this out there for anyone considering this. I just replaced all my battery power tools with Rigid brand tools. They are excellent and the best part they have lifetime warranty on tool and battery. Supposedly they use really hi grade batteries so there you go.
@BoHolbo
4 жыл бұрын
I like this idea! One thing that MUST be added to this power supply, is a low battery alarm, and possibly also a low voltage cut off circuit. Also, what is the maximum sustained current output of the buck converter? (We certainly cant trust the information on the ebay/Banggood listing. 😏) I’m also wandering about how much noise is on the output at different current loads, and how to deal with it if you use a radio that is susceptible to it. Cheers from OZ land! 73 de 5Q3M
@stephenwade8093
4 жыл бұрын
5Q3M???
@Stuff_happens
4 жыл бұрын
Yea, the battery has eprom for charge data, and monitors heat and over discharge. Milwaukee shuts down when the load is too much, or a high temp. ( because battery powered angle grinders suck, and shut off all the time.)
@BoHolbo
4 жыл бұрын
Stephen Wade Yes, that’s me! (Well, it’s my callsign.)
@MikeKow80
4 жыл бұрын
Definitely need a low voltage cut off! An alarm is good too as I learned the hard way that while the low voltage cutoff will protect the battery from the load discharging it too low, they will keep drawing power beyond the cut off destroying the battery. Maybe someone knows of a good cutoff that won't do that.
@stephenwade8093
4 жыл бұрын
Denmark? vk3hjw
@1177Pointman
4 жыл бұрын
for those of us without a 3D printer, you could make a killing off this....I have a ton of DeWalt batteries around that ive been wondering if this was even possible for my ft818. Well you sir just proved it is!
@rogiervanlierop
4 жыл бұрын
Great experiment. I have 2 Parkside X20V 4A (Lidl) batteries, these are rather cheap. Printing a bracket now found on same website as yours. Ordered a bigger step-down converter on Ebay. Now thinking about low voltage cut off protection. Looking foreward to your next video!
@d.b.cooper
4 жыл бұрын
Hey Josh thanks for another great video! You really helped me get into ham radio almost 4 years ago now and well I had an unfortunate 3 1/2 year hiatus, I’ve recently gotten back into it. I just purchased a Yaesu FT2DR on your recommendation last week and I absolutely love it! And I just ordered a couple hundred dollars worth of goodies from Amazon using your affiliate page. Thanks again!
@davidsradioroom9678
4 жыл бұрын
Wow, I would never thought of something like this! Great idea. 👍
@wesr.e.3909
4 жыл бұрын
I built a similar converter using the Ryobi One+ 18-volt battery. The Ryobi battery (and likely all power-tool batteries) have internal circuitry to cut off the output before the battery is damaged (the tool simply stops working). A low voltage alarm/fuel gauge would be a good idea to simply avoid the surprise of a battery that cuts off. Then, again, many of the newer high amp batteries have a LED battery level indicator built in.
@aussiedazvk4djh889
4 жыл бұрын
G'day Josh. After seeing the video it has given me thoughts so I built one. 👍
@justinhamilton9
4 жыл бұрын
Yes! I was just researching this!
@stephenwilliams5201
4 жыл бұрын
It works. I baught two drills. And scarfed a charging coupler. Then cut it's head off. Now I took. The output line to a heat sinked box. Set up desired voltage. And it puts out voltage desired. Now the extra charger works for charging both batts. And thrugh a veritable voltage regulator chip. I change the restor. to suit. My needs. 3.7-4.8- 6-7.8-9-12.0 vdc. And I have 2 hobby drills tks
@BoboAthanassion
4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video! Thank you for taking the time in making this video. There are so many, cheap batteries out there where this option can make our hobby much more fun and affordable. With that plastic box, I'd probably wouldn't change a thing except, maybe put that circuit board in a longer box by a few inches so you would have better access to adjusting the power levels of the outlets. Maybe drill some holes above those power adjustments and put some type of a gasket in those holes to keep dust and moisture out of the box. This way you can adjust power on the spot while in the field. Maybe with using it in the field or carrying it around, vibrations may occur and the power levels may get misaligned. So power level adjustment would be better. Again, great job and great project for many of us. Thanks again for this video. Be safe out there and have a great Fourth of July!
@chopperboi89
3 жыл бұрын
The only suggestion I can think of would be to add some length to the box you made. If you have enough clearance with the plain where the box and battery meet, there's no need to keep the box so small that the board just barely fits. That would make access a little easier for the set screw and any other work. That said, it was easy to mitigate, but just a thought.
@temporarilyoffline
4 жыл бұрын
Pretty Slick!
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@michaeln9905
4 жыл бұрын
I really like this very cool these battery's are every where
@trailwalker76
4 жыл бұрын
Cool stuff Josh!! But I have to admit you’re a brave dude for risking your KX2 on a $10 power converter. I’d rather play it safe and just use a 12v battery.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
I forgot to mentioned. Fused power leads to the radio. 👍
@trailwalker76
4 жыл бұрын
Ham Radio Crash Course Thank Goodness!! Lol
@stridermt2k
4 жыл бұрын
Very cool! I love the idea
@AgelessStranger1
4 жыл бұрын
Very cool! Thanks Josh.
@n3jw34
4 жыл бұрын
Wow! Very creative. Practical, too. Thank you.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@Scaliad
4 жыл бұрын
I recently bought a Dewalt 20v USB adapter... Cheaper versions are available, but Ham power would be nice!
@seanwieland9763
4 жыл бұрын
Gary Lankford I learned about that from Adam Savage. I wish there was an equivalent for Milwaukee batteries.
@engineerncook6138
4 жыл бұрын
I have USB adapters for Makita 18V batteries.
@peterdambier
4 жыл бұрын
I got myself an Active Energy 20V 2Ah battery. Mostly the same. If you dont need it for a power tool, might be easier to open the thing and solder directly to the mini circuit board.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Then you’d need another charging option.
@ammarfahmi5744
4 жыл бұрын
You really have a great video. Hi from Malaysia. I'm hoping I can get my license for ham radio
@g00glian0
4 жыл бұрын
Great idea!
@sethirwin1610
4 жыл бұрын
Interesting. I saw an article about the Amish and their buggies. Turns out that for safety many have added LED lights and are using tool batteries to power them.
@childfree83
4 жыл бұрын
I just use a harbor freight jumper pack they have 2 cig lighters jacks and a 5v usb charging jack.
@raydzek
2 жыл бұрын
I'm surprised the buck converter does not throw birdies all over the HF bands.
@hemitj
4 жыл бұрын
I love it. Awesome
@sciencedude4003
4 жыл бұрын
Awesome video and that’s a cool idea but if you want to charge a iPhone or some other smart devices you need to have a certain resistance presence I think. Cool vid
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Version one here was just radio and raspberry pi.
@KE5KWE
4 жыл бұрын
AG5SK, Here Josh. Very impressed with the build and the concept. Is there a work around for those of us that do not have access to 3D printers? Perhaps you can include it in a supplemental video when you get that better enclosure.
@maartenvanachte2512
4 жыл бұрын
put a small digital DC voltage meter on the input of your buck converter so you can see when the battery is almost to low
@W4BIN
4 жыл бұрын
Those aren't "automotive spade" connectors" they are "male faston" connectors. The set screw is under the socket not the plug. This occurred to me the day I bought my first pair of DeWalt 20 Volt batteries. I set mine for and output of 120. Volts, I operate my FT450D at 50% power from the picnic table. (FT450D set to "generator power") Ron W4BIN
@W4BIN
4 жыл бұрын
Typo! I set mine for and output of 12.0 Volts
@ralphmills7322
4 жыл бұрын
Nice, No 3D printer in my future so I have to do it the old fashioned way. Scour yard sales for old battery pack equipment that the connector can be cheaply scavenged and go from there. I just got to do as AvE says "Keep the angry pixes going down the right paths."
@andrewfisher1051
4 жыл бұрын
Cool Project 😎
@timbellenfant5611
4 жыл бұрын
I have several battery powered tools with several batteries of different amp hr. I have been thinking how I could adapt batteries for radio power. I believe this video just solved all the thoughts Thanks Josh KN6AAH
@thork0tjt515
4 жыл бұрын
Great idea! Great video! 👍🏻
@Stuff_happens
4 жыл бұрын
Also Fusion 360 is awesome!! Even I can use it. AC9FX
@ChrisN8PEM
4 жыл бұрын
awesome awesome idea.
@bluebailey4884
4 жыл бұрын
USB voltage should be 5.5vdc, under load it becomes closer to the needed 5vdc. Some finicky USB powered items may not work.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Cool I’ll try that too.
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
Take a look at using 36v hoverboard batteries. Slightly larger, but less impactful on the cells, and you won't hit the LV cutoff as quickly.
@rather46131
3 жыл бұрын
Great build!
@GateKommand
4 жыл бұрын
Well interesting mate, thank you!
@southjersey10
4 жыл бұрын
Nice work. Very innovative.
@WHNorthcote
4 жыл бұрын
How many battery packs will you be needing for a full weekend? Also charging ports for the packs. Is it feasible to power them without any reduced cost?
@thefamilyinthewoods
4 жыл бұрын
I was totally working on this my self lol
@Subgunman
4 жыл бұрын
Great video! Wonder if one can use two batteries in parallel for more power if you were to use low loss diodes to isolate the batteries from back feeding into each other. The prices of the batteries seems to be coming down as more tools dependent on this power system hit the market. 73!
@HUGH_JHANIS
6 ай бұрын
Milwaukee top off that's what I use..
@DominicMazoch
2 жыл бұрын
The volt meter is from HFT, also?
@oc7414
Жыл бұрын
These exist these days to buy at around $15-20 USD. Search up USB 12V connector for (Brand name) tool battery
@HamRadioCrashCourse
Жыл бұрын
Sure. But this is for making one yourself.
@user-mt2qn4yp8w
4 жыл бұрын
Wow Josh you should patent this, sit back and have the money roll in. This can be used for more the just ham radio. If you want at least sell it. I see another Callum here.😁 73 Clark KG7LOI.
@applejacks971
4 жыл бұрын
I played with Lego's growing up.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Me too!
@Stuff_happens
4 жыл бұрын
Have you gone over the raspberry pi and the pad? That is neat. If you have any leads.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Yep. I have a few raspberry pi videos.
@RevGunn-jq3cq
4 жыл бұрын
Kickbutt idea!
@AlphaCharlieFour
4 жыл бұрын
I built something like that for Ryobi 18v
@neonboy22
4 жыл бұрын
I would have expected to see 500kHz switching noise on the DC. Do you need a choke or is the DC clean ?? Typically bucks add less noise than boost IIRC.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
It’s not a boost and buck. Just a buck.
@jarredjones8476
4 жыл бұрын
alot of tool brand batterys already have 5v usb adaptors. HART Dewalt and a few others i have seen. The radio for the bauer line has a usb outlet, as well as a few others..
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Yes... but not 12v for ham radio
@jarredjones8476
4 жыл бұрын
@@HamRadioCrashCourse understand what your saying, my comment was more directed towards people not good with soldering etc, and would like to buy a "pre made" unit to run a pi or something. :) hope your field day was good!
@ny9h
4 жыл бұрын
fantastic idea.... my big concern is rf noise from the buck converter to HF spectrum, did you do any testing???? tnx bill
@fruitcup01
3 ай бұрын
I think a 20v battery will give more time of use before a needed recharge than a 12v battery would of the same Ah rating. Does anyone know if the single chip regulators such as the LM317 are more or less efficient (ie. waste less power) than a step-down buck converter?
@fruitcup01
3 ай бұрын
Update, I looked up the efficiency question and the converters with transformers are more efficient - waste less power. They can also boost the current during a voltage stepdown. The question is now about any noise and what to do about that.
@stevea2151
4 жыл бұрын
Great idea. Thanks for another great video. 73, AB1JM
@KM4ACK
4 жыл бұрын
Nice!!
@Michael-mj8ix
3 жыл бұрын
Great but wish you would have used the cheapest 5hr from Bauer just because its cheaper than Hercules thumbs up
@HamRadioCrashCourse
3 жыл бұрын
Do what you want bro. The converter will take what you type at it.
@Michael-mj8ix
3 жыл бұрын
@@HamRadioCrashCourse sorry if I affected you. You will not get a nother comment from me. You just like all of the rest of those other's on HAM RAIDO BLESS YOU
@HamRadioCrashCourse
3 жыл бұрын
Not affected. Just pointing out which battery you use is up to you. The buck converter is adjustable for that battery output. 🤷🏼♀️
@GotMountains
4 жыл бұрын
I'd you wanted to be picky about amperage waste, any idea how much the buck/boost wastes in heat? Is it significant?
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
Typically can run 95% efficiency, sometimes 96%
@neubert500
4 жыл бұрын
Love this!
@MartinJDavidson
4 жыл бұрын
20200630-Tu., Excellent video! Look into the _other_ lithium cells -- LiFePO4 -- promising 2000 deep-cycle service. (I am planing to upgrade my APC-350 with such -- indeed, probably want to update the circuitry also.)
@billryland6199
4 жыл бұрын
Most buck converters generate a lot of RF hash.
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
A metal case and toroids should help
@mumi009
4 жыл бұрын
How do you recharge the battery?
@Falcon-ug5sk
4 жыл бұрын
🤔 Very creative 💭Excellent Video...😎
@raykiii
4 жыл бұрын
Hey Josh! You asked us to tell you what we think. I think this has some real life use with QRP and POTA, SOTA and any other *OTA operation. What I'd like to see is a RMS Station ( 50 watts on 2m) or a 100 watts HF station running phone or RTTY or a weak signal operation like JT65. What kind of battery life do you think that would get?
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
How many hours do you want to run?
@raykiii
4 жыл бұрын
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Well, POTA 3 to 4 hours, for Winter Field Day 24 hours.
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
@@raykiii LiFePo4... need those.
@raykiii
4 жыл бұрын
@@Trancifiedx So this would not be 50 watt friendly?
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
@@raykiii not with a single tool battery. A few in parallel could do it, but will need a fair number to last for the time I think you are looking for. I use a 36v hover board battery for my g90 with a buck converter. That lasts for about 6-8 hours, using 20W.
@michaelcallahan7592
Жыл бұрын
Not sure if you'll see this, I'm studying to get my technician license. Can this be used to power a mobile rig in a box?
@HamRadioCrashCourse
Жыл бұрын
Yes it should be able to.
@VK2YK
4 жыл бұрын
Josh, have you come across interference coming through on the KX2 with the buck converter as I have used one for powering a handheld via 12v with my portable battery box? Adam VK2YK
@bstrickler
4 жыл бұрын
My question is: How noisy is the radio, with using the buck converter? Is it quiet, or a little noisy?
@ExtremeSquared
4 жыл бұрын
I'm curious too. Mobiles usually have a solid amount of filtering because car power systems are not very clean either. Check schematics.
@chronobot2001
4 жыл бұрын
Good question. I hope he will give us an update later and answer that.
@DainUnicorn
4 жыл бұрын
Why don’t you rotate the buck converter 90 degrees to preserve access to all adjustment screws?
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
That is likely version two. 👍
@kg4hlz
4 жыл бұрын
I'm a little worried about the box not being vented for the heat sinks.
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
... Yes, I said this in the video. Its verison 1. I can make a new top and mount a fan in the future.
@kg4hlz
4 жыл бұрын
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Must have missed it. Sorry. 73s
@sk1pp3r65
3 жыл бұрын
Any update on the testing?
@HamRadioCrashCourse
3 жыл бұрын
Www.hamstudy.org/sessions
@ronjones6889
4 жыл бұрын
Noise from buck converter. use an LM chip
@pobutscrackerbox
4 жыл бұрын
To overcome the 3A limit, could one build 2 or 3 of these and wire the output in parallel?
@matthewyoung4877
4 жыл бұрын
I have done that with similar buck converters and it worked well.
@christophercobb4317
3 жыл бұрын
Where's the link to the raspberry pi thank you
@christophercobb4317
3 жыл бұрын
Can t tell me where can I buy the raspberry pie
@MrC-Hacking
4 жыл бұрын
I see the HRP ads!
@stumbras2000
4 жыл бұрын
what about those 56v EGO lawnmower batteries?
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
Yup, and they will go a long time with the buck converter. Just have to understand how the cells are setup to know what the LV cutoff should be.
@mrgajeep
4 жыл бұрын
Really like this kind of video. Best Wishes 2 u, de WB0RSZ
@HamRadioCrashCourse
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@mattm5941
4 жыл бұрын
Wait could u just connect the radio right to the battery or is it to much power?
@Trancifiedx
4 жыл бұрын
20V would damage it. 16v is really the extreme upper limit, and even then you are stressing the components
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