Black and Decker Power To Go

[ltiu]

Black and Decker Power To Go

I got this on sale, 4 hour model for $14+.

I suspect they have low end NiCad or NiMH inside. I want to open it and replace with higher capacity NiMH.

I see they use non-standard screws to keep the thing together. How do I open it? Where can I find an online store that sells non-standard screw drivers? How about Brick and Mortars that can open this up for me?

 

[Bones]

Black and Decker Power To Go

I got this on sale, 4 hour model for $14+.

I suspect they have low end NiCad or NiMH inside. I want to open it and replace with higher capacity NiMH.

I see they use non-standard screws to keep the thing together. How do I open it? Where can I find an online store that sells non-standard screw drivers? How about Brick and Mortars that can open this up for me?

They are likely Torx screws with security post in the center as described in the Torx Wikipedia:

TORX head sizes are described using the capital letter "T", followed by a number. A smaller number corresponds to a smaller point-to-point dimension of the screw head. Common sizes include T10, T15 and T25, although they reach as high as T100. A sample chart is available here. Only the proper driver can drive a specific head size without risk of ruining the driver or screw. The same series of TORX drivers is used to drive SAE, metric and other thread system fasteners, reducing the number of bit sizes required.

A version known as Security TORX, Tamper-Resistant TORX (often shortened to Torx TR), or pin-in-Torx contains a post in the center of the head that prevents a standard TORX driver (or a straight screwdriver) from being inserted.

Drivers for the tamper resistent Torx screws are available, but they're not common. Numbers T10 and smaller can be especially hard to find, so I would just start by calling venders who specialize in hand tools at the outset.

 

[VegasF6]

Depending on what they are a "security bit set" can be had quite cheap at Harbor Freight.

 

[Mr Happy]

I have the 9 hour model that I picked up cheaply on sale once.

I have opened it up to look inside. It is not so easy to replace the cells as they are tightly welded and glued together into a custom pack that fits exactly into the space available.

The cells themselves are high current 2000 mAh NiMH arranged in an 8s2p configuration. The peak output is 15 A, which is about 7.5 A per cell. I think you would have to search hard to find better quality replacement cells at a reasonable price.

 

[ltiu]

Mission accomplished!

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1160/dscn1711fs4.jpg

Replaced the 7 stock NiMH (green battery pack) with battery holders from Radio Shack. I had to use a 4 cell plus a 3 cell battery holder to get 7 cells to match the stock 7 cell setup.

Now I can put any AA cell (higher capacity NiMH, Eneloops, Alkaline, Lithium) in it and power anything (items in picture used to test, 110v night light and 5v USB iPod Mini).

Requires soldering skillz to solder the terminals of the battery holders to the contact points on the PCB.

I used a T6 torx screwdriver to remove the triangular security screws (triangular recessed - TP6?) of the PowerToGo to be able to open it and get at the batteries inside.

 

[ltiu]

The cells themselves are high current 2000 mAh NiMH arranged in an 8s2p configuration. The peak output is 15 A, which is about 7.5 A per cell.

Hey Mr Happy,

How do you know these are 2000mAh?

How do you know these are NiMH and not NiCad

How do you measure the 15amps/7.5amps peak output?

I think you would have to search hard to find better quality replacement cells at a reasonable price.

I figured out the ultimate setup

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1160/dscn1711fs4.jpg

Except, the guts of the thing is hanging out and not a single portable unit no more

 

[Black Rose]

Except, the guts of the thing is hanging out and not a single portable unit no more

So now it's a Black and Decker Power To Stay

 

[ltiu]

So now it's a Black and Decker Power To Stay

Whahahahah!!!

I could have used this setup with hurricane Ike and the power outage. I could have used this to power the fridge and the ac

Now I have to wait for the next hurricane.

 

[ltiu]

Now what do I do with the stock batteries I pulled out of the PowerToGo?

Any suggestions?

 

[Mr Happy]

Now what do I do with the stock batteries I pulled out of the PowerToGo?

Any suggestions?

Put them in the MH-C9000 and verify that they are 2000 mAh cells :nana:

 

[ltiu]

Crazy idea:

I go get a 9 hour PowerToGo.

Hook up 2 parallel banks of 8 D cells in series (total of 16 D cells).

I wonder how long that will power a laptop and the DSL modem.

Just wondering how it could have been if I had these setup before Ike. I could have stayed online (provided internet did not go down).

I could even have powered a TV and stayed informed.

 

[Bones]

...

I figured out the ultimate setup

Except, the guts of the thing is hanging out and not a single portable unit no more

If you drill or slot the cover to accomodate the wires, you could replace it and use something like double-sided carpet tape to attach the cell holders.

You still couldn't call it 'power to go' again, but it would less awkward to move around...

 

[Turbo DV8]

Crazy idea:

I go get a 9 hour PowerToGo.

Hook up 2 parallel banks of 8 D cells in series (total of 16 D cells).

I wonder how long that will power a laptop and the DSL modem.

Just wondering how it could have been if I had these setup before Ike. I could have stayed online (provided internet did not go down).

I could even have powered a TV and stayed informed.

I am sorry, but I have owned an anemic B&D PTG, and you would be light years ahead to just buy a small inverter and small lead acid or gel cell.

 

[Radiophile]

Thanks for the picture! I just bought one of these and was curious about what's inside. Now I don't have to open mine up.