Overvolting 12 V Power Tools to 18 V?

[YoshiMoshi]

Has anyone tried overvolting 12 V power tools, technically 12.6 V MAX with 3 lithium ion cells, with either:

• 4 lithium ion cells, 16.8 V MAX
• 5 lithium ion cells, 21 V MAX

Lots of power tool companies make 12 V and 18 V tools, powered by 3 lithium ion cells and 5 lithium ion cells respectively. I'm thinking lots of the electronics might get reused between the two lines to save money in manufacturing.

Looking into my 12 V Milwaukee tool:

• The BLDC controller has a maximum operating voltage of 22 V, the current limitation requires reading values within registers so who knows
• The MOSFETs have a maximum operating voltage of 40 V and 209 A
• The wires have custom insulation without any temperature markings, so not able to get voltage or current ratings
• The BLDC motor is a custom motor, whose datasheet I cannot find, unknown maximum voltage and current

I don't know if anyone has tried to overvolt 12 V tools, and what the results where. I don't see anything, at least at the moment that would result in problems.

 

[lnanek]

Torque test channel did that. Feeding 20V to most M12 tools destroyed them, but the M12 impact driver survived and managed 6k RPM instead of the normal 4k RPM:

 

[fill]

I would imagine it has more to do with if your tools are built up to a high specification or built down to a low build cost.
so probably not that good of an idea.. or perhaps ive seen too many AvE utubes..

 

[YoshiMoshi]

Torque test channel did that. Feeding 20V to most M12 tools destroyed them, but the M12 impact driver survived and managed 6k RPM instead of the normal 4k RPM:
View attachment 367615

I think they used the cheap M18 to M12 adapter that limits it to very low current, and actually steps down the voltage to 12 V to the tool with a buck converter. I'm more thinking of sending 16.8 V max or 21 V max into a 12 V tool, without any buck converter, to see if it's possible.

 

[YoshiMoshi]

I would imagine it has more to do with if your tools are built up to a high specification or built down to a low build cost.
so probably not that good of an idea.. or perhaps ive seen too many AvE utubes..

What's AvE?

 

[lnanek]

I think they used the cheap M18 to M12 adapter that limits it to very low current, and actually steps down the voltage to 12 V to the tool with a buck converter. I'm more thinking of sending 16.8 V max or 21 V max into a 12 V tool, without any buck converter, to see if it's possible.

You didn't watch the video. He removes the step down voltage converter from the adapter.

 

[YoshiMoshi]

You didn't watch the video. He removes the step down voltage converter from the adapter.

Ah thanks. Seems like the impact driver didn't mind overvolting.

 

[fill]

What's AvE?

Arduino V's Evil

Edit..check out older Tool Review vids b4 the 'whacky personality' and inventive spoonerisms tool over...
iirc he coined the term BOLTR (Bored of Lame Tool Reviews)..
and repeats the catch phrase ' Keep yer dick in a vice'

 

[YoshiMoshi]

I mean I guess we could use that adapter thing and remove the buck converter like they did, then buy a 15 cell 21700 M18 case, but get rid of the BMS. Wire it up in a 3S5P pack and then attach the plastic case thingy that had the converter in it and wire it up to the M12 board within it, then we have a 3S5P 21700 M12 battery pack, can get up to 25 Ah for the battery lol.

 

[YoshiMoshi]

Also another thing to note, is that some M12 tools require 3 connections to the battery to function, or you get that characteristic two LED flash, the adapter only has power, likely why the first tool wouldn't work.