AntleredRuin

So I have an unsanctioned 'hack' for a USB phone charger from a Milwaukee M12 battery. An official M12 USB phone charger only costs around $30, comes with a warranty, etc, so this hack probably isn't worth it, but it's still fun. It's also a more customizable, albeit a bit ugly. This hack cost me all of $5, not including the battery. Basic disclaimer: I am not responsible for any injury, damage, etc, that may come from attempting this 'hack'. Take a 12v cigarette lighter socket, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Cigarette-Lighter-Adapter-Motorcycle-Scooter/dp/B07B4QBPPD/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1540492162&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=12v+outlet&psc=1 (I got mine for $5 from a local hobby shop with a bunch of change that was jangling around in my cupholder, so I'd consider it free) By absolute luck (or maybe Milwaukee designed it that way on purpose?) the 2 male spade terminals on the 12v socket fit perfectly into the battery's female terminals. Like they were made for each other. I can't guarantee that all sockets will fit, but the one I have linked will, based on the pictures (it matches mine perfectly). Then, plug a 12v car adapter phone charger into the socket, and voila, you have a portable power pack! Make sure you have the polarity of the spade terminals right (positive to positive and negative to negative). You won't hurt the socket if the polarity is backwards, but you will fry the phone charger (and possibly hurt the battery). The socket shows the polarity clearly, and the batteries show it in very tiny print under the female terminals. The 12v car adapter is designed to take 12v (+ or - 5%) and convert it to 5v USB. I know that some can withstand up to 24v input, but obviously, the M12 batteries are 12v, so there you go. You can also use a 12v USB adapter like this if you wanna be really fancy: https://www.amazon.com/Ginsco-Charger-Socket-Outlet-2-1A（4-2A）/dp/B01N6S2SNM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540493108&sr=8-3&keywords=USB+12v+outlet The 12v car adapter should still put out the appropriate amperage it's rated for (1.0, 2.1, 2.4, etc), but keep in mind that while higher amperage will charge faster, it will obviously drain the M12 battery faster, too. I have no idea if the 'smart charge' on the phone will sense when it's done and cut the voltage, so once it gets to 100%, I'd recommend unplugging it. The 3 'smart tabs' on the front of the battery are unused, and Milwaukee uses those to communicate with the tool to avoid over/under voltage scenarios, undercharging batteries, etc. So this is effectively a DUMB power pack, and doesn't know when to stop charging. I was able to charge my LG G4 from 30ish% to 100% twice on one 2ah M12 battery, so it works pretty well, especially in a bind. The LG G4 comes with a 3000mah battery. The math is not exact, obviously, but it's close enough. Any LEDs on the charger or socket will also sap the power, so keep that in mind as well. I keep 2 2ah, 1 4ah, and 1 6 ah batteries in my car at all times, and often can't sit near an outlet when I work, so this saves me a lot (though I still may buy an official adapter). The batteries don't come with a fuel gauge built in, as we know, so I'd suggest keeping an M12 tool nearby to check the battery every once in a while to not discharge it completely. There are also a bunch of USB powered devices, such as fans or lights, that this will work on as well!

I really want these, either the 3/8" or the 1/2". I was looking into the M12 Gen2 Fuel Impact driver, but I may just get one of these instead, and use a 3/8" or 1/8" drive to 1/4" hex adapter. The torque listed for the 3/8" and 1/2" is 250 ft/lbs (3000in/lbs) vs the Gen2 Impact Driver with 1300in/lbs. Far and away stronger than the strongest 18v impact driver out there. The list torque is breakaway, not sustained, but I'd assume sustained torque is pretty close to that, at least. I guess we'll see as Milwaukee releases more specs. Obviously, I'll have use the lower speed/torque option so as not to snap my fasteners, but then I'll have a very capable (maybe a bit slower) tiny impact driver and wrench in one tool.

Their 12v system. I was looking for a 12v drill/impact combo, and the Milwaukee brushed stood out. Not the absolute top (Ridgid has higher specs), but close. And definitely felt better in my hand than the Ridgid. I had actually initially gotten the Makita CXT Brushed set, but returned it after a day. Power was fine and i liked the aesthetics, but the batteries rattled a bit, the drill couldn't hold a bit as tight (and is plastic vs Milwaukee's metal), and the impact driver could only hold 1/4 hex bits with a short shank indentation, making like half my bits useless for that purpose. That HD had a nice kit on sale sealed the deal. M12 Drill and Impact driver, charger, nylon case, 2 2.0AH batteries, and a 'free' 6.0 AH battery, for about $130 out the door. Not bad at all. I love the size, but am definitely getting jealous of the Gen2 Fuel kit. Microscopic in comparison, I've since bought an M12 Fuel Hackzall and an offbrand 4.0AH battery from eBay for about $115 or so, and am loving it. Drywall, dismantling pallets and chopping up old furniture for ease of moving to the curb, basic demo, cutting down small trees, you name it. With the proper blade, that thing is like an extension of your arm. Powers through anything, and feels natural doing it. Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk