Charger Required for GMC 18V Cordless Drill

[bazman]

Hi

Does anyone have the Transformer Plug/Power Pack which plugs into the battery cradle for my GMC 18V Cordless Drill.

Details on existing Plug:-

DC Adpator Q01537
Model: HD-DC 24-400
Input: 230V-240V - 50Hz
Output: 24V-400mA

I've tried a couple of battery suppliers but no joy. Also GMC have gone bust so no joy there either.

I've been to Jaycar but they've explained that the Power Pack they could supply would only last 2 hours as it's different to an actual charger!!

Thanks in Advance

Bazman

[echnidna]

I've got an 18v Supercheap Autos cordless drill and I used to charge GMC batteries with it.
They do sell some chargers separate to the tools.

Worth having a sticky at them

[Rossluck]

In my shed Bazman, I have a 18v GMC accessory kit including charger. I don't have batteries though. So, if it's a match with your batteries, you can have it all for the cost of postage. I'll check and let you know by 5 PM.

[Rossluck]

The charger with the kit that I've got is made by Ozito and plugs into the GMC cradle. But it can't be the right one because it has this on the label:

AC-DC charger
Model AD-1550-SA
Input 240v and so on
Output 15V 500mA

I don't know how they charge an 18v battery with 15 v's, but if you want to give it a go you can have it.

[bazman]

thanks rossluck - that does seem a bit weird and not entirly sure how that works myself!
i'm keeping my eye on ebay at the momement on an identical system to mine - so will let u know how i go.
i'll give ur 15V charger a miss for now but thats for looking anyway.

[Rossluck]

thanks rossluck - that does seem a bit weird and not entirly sure how that works myself!
i'm keeping my eye on ebay at the momement on an identical system to mine - so will let u know how i go.
i'll give ur 15V charger a miss for now but thats for looking anyway.

No worries. Good luck with it.

By the way, the difference between el cheapo cordless tools and the more expensive ones is exponential. If you use a Makita, Metabo, Panasonic, Hitachi or DeWalt for five minutes you won't bother tracking down a charger for the GMC. Seriously, try one. They're worth the extra cost. :2tsup:

[Pagie]

I just bought a 24v GMC drill with fast charger and 2 batteries from a Bairnsdale mob at Farm world at Warrigal for $69 a few weeks ago. Bairnsdale Electrics Sales and Service. They seem to have all the GMC stock. I also got a water wheel sharpening system, like the real ones for $ $59. Both work well
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[stevepay]

Not sure that this will help but I have an old GMC battery charger for a 18 volt drill which I am not using anymore as the batteries are not holding a charge for very long.

Charger is GMC model CD-018 QO2539 - output 20.5V

Also I am in Perth....

Steve

[Master Splinter]

Altronics have: 24V DC 500mA Plugpack - $18.95.

http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=M9391

Done!

[robtan163]

Hi
I have been looking for an adaptor to charge my 18V GMC Battery for a while. Do you still have your charger and if so how much to send to Adelaide.
Thanks

[dmaher]

I've been to Jaycar but they've explained that the Power Pack they could supply would only last 2 hours as it's different to an actual charger!!


They're obviously not familiar with GMC...

If it's anything like mine, which is just a little plastic dock thing that clips onto the top with a small red led, the 'charger' is just a dumb charger. It will send a steady but low current to the battery to trickle charge it, which takes excruciatingly long and can damage the batteries in the long run. If you read the manual I recall it specifically stated this, think the charge time was something like 8 hours and it stated not to leave it charging for long periods... more or less because the 'charger' doesn't sense that the battery is charged and is still trying to trickle charge it, rather than just keeping it from discharging with a float charge, as a better quality charger would do.

My guess is the jaycar guys assumed you were trying to use a plugpack to directly charge your batteries or some other nonsense.

This problem arises because the general public often call the power supplies for mobile phones, laptops etc. chargers... when in reality the charger is actually in the device or battery pack themselves. Which can lead to a bit of confusion at times.

As an example I believe my metabo's li-on battery is actually where the charge controller is, due to the data contacts on the battery. I'm guessing there is a little circuit board in there monitoring temperature, voltage, maybe current as well, the battery led gauge is also a giveaway of this. When you plug it into the charger it is actually controlling the charger, which is a sophisticated power supply in a nutshell. The controller in the battery will monitor the battery cell and charge according to the correct procedure for that battery chemistry and there usually is some sort of logic in the chip that is followed. ie. if voltage is over 18v switch to boost charge at 20v for 5 minutes then switch to float charge, if during this time temperature rises more than 5C switch to float charge (That's just a rough hypothetical example from what I've seen from some datasheets.) This allows the battery to be charged very quickly with no ill effects.

The other reason I believe this to be the case is the battery will refuse to work at very low charge, over temp etc. conditions. I highly doubt they would put that circuitry in the drill as then it would need to be in both the charger, the drill or any other device... much cheaper and easier to have it in the battery.

I don't believe that is the case with Nicad or NiMH batteries as there are not quite as voltatile and fussy with their charging as li-on.

Now don't take all that I've said as 100% exact as I'm not a battery expert, but I think it's pretty close to the mark.

Anyway in summary, you can use pretty much any 24v DC power supply that will suppply 400mA or more, for that sort of GMC 'charger' at least.

[prescot50]

came to this forum looking for a charger for my 23/24 volt GMC drill this is what i found
I have been searching for sometime now to get a charger for my GMC drill then i found ELECTUS DISTRIBUTION phone 1300738555 the charger that i was recommended for my 23/24volt drill was part no MP3494 ask for Chris very knowledgeable

[Anodyne]

I have a charger for 18v GMC drill batteries, marked 3-5 hr the Drill no is GTX1850 hammer drill. The plug pack is 001537 and has 24V 400ma output. It is common to have a higher input voltage - this is the "pressure" , the ma is the "flow"
You can have the plugpack, 2 flat batts approx 5 years old and the drill for the postage costs. The drill works but I've moved on to a Makita.
Let me know what you want (PM is good)

[ClintO]

then i found ELECTUS DISTRIBUTION phone 1300738555 the charger that i was recommended for my 23/24volt drill was part no MP3494 ask for Chris very knowledgeable

Electus is the wholesale arm of Jaycar and you need to have an account and there is $100 minimum