Converting the RYOBI Dethatcher Scarifier Aerator to use a 40v battery! | 2022/06

Last year I purchased the Ryobi 18V One+ Lawn Dethatcher/Scarifier/Aerator from Amazon UK. This tool will be available in the US soon, after many delays due to pandemic, supply, chain, and seasonal release timelines.
I am told it comes with two 4ah 18V batteries. The UK version did not include any accessories or batteries. When I ran mine with 3ah batteries, it felt under-powered, and had a short runtime. I ran it with 6ah batteries and had much better results. I was able to complete almost by entire front yard with this setup.
Like I said, this tool comes with TWO 18V batteries, and requires both of them to run, making it a 36V tool. This is verified in the user manual, as well, as I disassembled my unit, and put a multi-meter on the motor.
So, almost all of Ryobi's larger lawn care tools, come on the 40v platform, including the Expand-It Power Heads, Edgers, Lawn Mowers, and blowers, why not this one? I figured because 40V is not popular in the UK, and why redesign the unit, to sell in the USA.
Well, I set out to built a 40v adapter, after running some battery tests, to verified voltages, I cannibalized two dead batteries and an old 40V single battery charger, and built a prototype 40v adapter that will take the place of the two 18v batteries.
Even though I am pretty familiar with the circuitry of this unit, my first attempt did not work, but it was an easy fix, I duplicated a jumper wire that was unnecessary. after a simple switch, I plugged the adapter and a fully charged 40v 2.6ah battery into the unit, and was off to the races!
I was able to complete the entire front yard on the 2.6ah battery. looking forward to seeing what the 40v 6ah battery can do! It worked! and I am pleased with the results. I am going to take the next step, and 3D print a prototype adapter and go from there!
Thanks for watching Dad It Yourself DIY!
*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.*
Helpful/Affiliate Links:
RYOBI (UK) RY18SFX35A-0 18V ONE+ Cordless 35cm Brushless Dethatcher/Scarifier (Aerator): amzn.to/3sZ00BP
RYOBI (USA) P2740 18V ONE+ Cordless 13" Brushless Dethatcher/Scarifier (Aerator): homedepot.sjv.io/doPrgy
Tools I use in my yard: www.dadityourselfdiy.com/2019...
Support Dad It Yourself by shopping on Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/dadityour...
Support Dad It Yourself by shopping at Home Depot: homedepot.sjv.io/LENzO
Check out Ryobi Freaks on Facebook: / 484670709828325
#Ryobi #HomeDepot #LawnCare

[@StandAgainstTyran100]

Love the ingenuity, hate the 40v batteries. Lot of great info on the technical side of things. Thank you.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@EdHazardd]

Great job on the upgrade.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Thanks!

[@wolfwoodworkingcreations4321]

This will be your biggest video I feel. If I had a yard I really cared about I'd think about getting one. Sure could have used this in Tennessee. Well explained video for the novice so they can repeat it.👍

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

You think so? Here is a toast 🍻 to AL Go Rythme and his water valve..

[@dchh2872]

totally Awesome I need a neighbour like you

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

They all want to be like me.. :)

[@Fluffywings84]

Love the video. The main issue with the Ryobi 18V are the cells are lower cost and therefore are more prone to overheat during high current loads. I have been using Ryobi to Milwaukee adapters for Ryobi tools and it has shown Ryobi tools are great and their batteries are the weak link. This shows exactly why Ryobi came out with a 40V (36V) line as it helps avoid the issues with the 18V line by having less voltage sag and lower thermals.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

An intrresting thought. Id be interested to see what cells (18650) are in each tool. Especially knowing that both companies are owned by TTI. Final assembly of most tooks are in Indiana for Ryobi or Mississippi for Milwaukee. Most 18650 batteries are made by Sanyo, but there are dozens of other no name manufacturers are well.

[@Fluffywings84]

@@DadItYourselfDIY Milwaukee uses mostly Samsung 25 or 35 which have have output current. Ryobi uses a huge mix including Sanyo, Eve, Sony etc. I had a list I found on Reddit a while back.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Very cool, I knew the info was out their somewhere.

[@luisdeleon39]

This should have been a 40v tool.from the beginning

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

In Australia it is!!

[@stevebabiak6997]

The battery voltage is determined by the number of cells and whether the cells are arranged in series or parallel. Both 18V and 20V batteries use 5 cells in series to achieve their voltage - so fully charged they have the same voltage. The Kobalt brand 24V batteries have 6 cells in series, so those definitely have a different voltage. Higher Ah is achieved by adding an extra set of cells in parallel, so a battery might be called 5s2p or 5s3p.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Agreed.

[@enockyoon2590]

so two 20v 2ah batteries are equal to one 40v 2ah?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Yes

[@stevebabiak6997]

@@enockyoon2590 - basically that is correct - there are some underlying assumptions. Assumed that the cells in each are the same. As a result of that assumption, the same quantity of cells is assumed to be in each. Also assumed is that the cells are all in good condition, no weak cells. Also assumed is that the batteries are charged to the same level of charge. So in conclusion well matched batteries can be stacked to produce a higher voltage.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Great summary!

[@leighclark969]

That's a pretty interesting cool work around. But they sell a 36v(40v) version of this tool. I wish they would bring out adapters so for most of the hand yard tools you could plug in two batteries or a backpack/ belt clip thing

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not in the US. Europe and North America have the two battery 36v unit. Australia has the single battery 36V (40v) unit.

[@leighclark969]

@@DadItYourselfDIY interesting, I swear Australia gets everything last, upwards of a year later, some tools we don't even get. I'm waiting for the newer 18v inverter that also works as a charger but who knows when/if it will come out here or if I just get the current one

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

There is no rhyme nor reason to it.

[@richardportelli1983]

In Australia they already sell a 36 volt version of this machine.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not sure why they didn't import that option here.

[@robertb6276]

I would buy one of the adapters.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I haven't modeled it all the way down yet. Soon!

[@djmelchz]

I wonder if it might be easier to 3d print a taller lid to fit the larger 40v batteries.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

That would be an option!! It would be the smoked translucent color though, I'm sure black with a 40v Logo would work.

[@g.efaber482]

It’s funny but I was thinking of asking you the other day, if you had any inside knowledge as to the US release date for this product? I’ve been anxiously waiting going online every week for answers. I currently have an electric Sun Joe but I HATE hauling the cord around. Thank you for your 40V work-around. I may try this after my initial run. I have several 4Ah batteries that need some run time.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Well Ryobi told me the same thing in January. We will see!

[@sslnight]

Just got released today. It’s already sold out. Went for $399 and now it’s $429. Comes with basic 4ah batteries. Fully disappointed. Awesome video! Thanks for actually doing this! Great job!

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Thanks!!

[@badtolz2122]

Backordered today. Claims delivery around May 1st. I ordered one. I'll never hand thatch again. Once was enough.

[@Arctic5fox]

That's amazing! I bought their self-propelled lawn mower and it came with two 6AH batteries for $299 . This looks like a toy compared to the lawn mower

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

It's an accessory to a lawn mower for sure. My next big lawn purchase is the wheeled lawn edger.

[@mattnis2893]

So I got the dethatcher with the included batteries. 1. The battery life is abysmal :) I can do 1/3 of a normal size front yard until I have to recharge. I had to borrow a friend's battery set to be able to finish within a reasonable time and never bothered with the back yard. 2. It spins way too fast, being very aggressive with the grass. I was really hoping that it being battery based, it would actually spin slower. I would actually prefer it spin slower to tear out less grass and save on battery.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Did you try raising the tines height to be less aggressive? Are you using the power rake or the scarifier blade?

[@waldrobfarms3946]

Can you just rewire the circuitry in the machine to convert the 2 18v batteries to 40v instead when both are attached? Sound a lot easier route to take to me. Thanks.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

It's the same.

[@ChrisGovert]

This is great. But the real question is: why are you having to do this? Why didn't Ryobi do this? I have about a 1/2 acre of yard. Is getting this pointless (in the default setup)? I am in the Ryobi ecosystem, so I have some batteries.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Mostly to see if it could be done. I have a bunch of new HP 6ah 18v and they work fine in this unit as well!

[@ChrisGovert]

@@DadItYourselfDIY how many square feet of yard do you estimate it scarifies per 4ah x2? And then with the 6ah x2?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I easily can do 1500 with two 18v 6ah. I can probably do more ..

[@MakerMike-bx5ms]

Any chance you have the adapter available yet? I would really appreciate it! Thanks for video.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not yet. I'll link it and pin a comment when it is!

[@MakerMike-bx5ms]

@@DadItYourselfDIY That would be greatly appreciated! I just received my Ryobi detacher in the mail today. Anxious to try it out with a 40v battery. Thanks again!

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Good luck, let me know what you think!

[@Stig007]

How much voltage can a 40 V tool handle I have a ego battery but no ego tools and I don't want to buy any Was wondering if I fashion an adapter will it burn up the tool or could handle the extra voltage .

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

You need to match the voltage.. this is a 40v tool that uses two standard batteries. So effectively its the same voltage in a different configuration.

[@billwolff6582]

Any closer to a 40v adapter? Mine arrives in 3 days and would love to go 40 v

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not yet, working on some stuff for the leaf vacuum right now..

[@steffen707-]

I thought you had a 18v Dethatcher? So it really used two 18v to drive the 36v motor?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Yes. But because it uses 18v batteries, they consider it part of the One+ family.

[@steffen707-]

@@DadItYourselfDIY omg, I've got 4+four 12ah batteries. Milwaukee to ryobi adapters are already on order!

[@mrwilliams3134]

When if the video of the prototype converter coming out and when it does come out can I pay you to make me one

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Soon...

[@antonbdp]

do you have the completed 40V prototype and as a side Hussle do you sell them, I would be interested.@@DadItYourselfDIY

[@ShaunSommer]

You ever come up with a 3D model for this? I would be interested in a converter to use a 40v on my de-thatcher ;)

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not yet.

[@jesseearley2019]

@@DadItYourselfDIY maybe soon? 😊

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Maybe.

[@JDMJAMES]

Maybe now?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not yet.

[@MattNis1]

This really should NOT give you more power or runtime since its simply a battery with 2x the cells in one package unless you are using a bigger 40v than combination of 18v. Maybe two 18v would be using two separate controllers and balanced differently than all being under same controller?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not sure, but the 40v 2ah gave more more run time than two 3ah.. but, it's more about the "can it be done."

[@1975oldschool]

@@DadItYourselfDIY Matt is correct. Watts law is P (watts) = V (voltage) x I (amps). The 18 volt packs say they measure 20 volt each. Thats 40 volts since they are in series. 40V times 3 amps (battery pack you referenced) = 120 watts. Now take the 40 volt pack (as you said, 10 cells). 40v times 2.5 amps is 100 watts. Everything/cell being equal, the 2 18 volt 3 amp packs will give more run time then a 40V 2.5 amp pack. The original setup is 2 18v batteries in series, So the voltage is actually 36 (40 basically), they just chose to power it with 2 18v packs instead of 1 40v pack. If you got longer run time, could be the cells in the 18v batteries are weaker than the 40v pack. Still enjoyed your video though 😉

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Correct. People just wanted to see it run on a 40v battery.

[@dominiquerichardson]

let me know when I can buy this! wallet is ready

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I have not perfected the final product yet.

[@waldrobfarms3946]

Isn't the aerator the same as a verticutter?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Vericutter is a scarifier. A Dethatcher does power raking or scarifying. So people consider this a form of aeration. Most people are familiar with plug aerators, which this is not.

[@jrmccarthyv]

3d printer adapter coming for us?!?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not yet. Maybe by the spring.

[@cai42069]

Will Ryobi ever be releasing a 40V version of this?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Not sure why it wasn't. The lawn equipment is usually 30v.

[@richardportelli1983]

They have in Australia, only a matter of time before it gets to US, unfortunately EGo and greenworks etc are more popular in America.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Probably will never be offered here.

[@yycguy8722]

Ryobi probably has concerns it’s equipment would be used for commercial work if they had the upgraded machine available to the public. Concerns arise when the machines overheat with a much higher electric draw thus creating a potential fire hazard.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

The draw using a 40v battery is the same as using two 18v. Also, the Australian version is 40v. Which makes no sense. I assume they went with the European version here in the states as a lower cost of entry point in that more people have more 18v batteries than 40v.

[@SerendipitySue]

If you don't want to rip apart other tools and you have access to a 3D printer... I've designed/made 40V battery adapters ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnzGZ3ypn9l7jpY ) and 18V plugs ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3q0emNpnZaGrMU )

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I've already progressed to that step as well. The advantage to cannibalizing during prototyping is that I know everything was already wired correctly. I'll check your stuff out..

[@fudhater8592]

For the life of me I can't understand why they went with the 18 volt on this

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

They had a 50/50. The Aussie is 40v, the Euro is "36v". They went Euro.

[@fudhater8592]

@@DadItYourselfDIY Looks like you can get both in Australia

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Interesting.

[@badtolz2122]

Make an adapter yet? Sell them?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I'm still toying with the 3D printed version now.

[@badtolz2122]

@@DadItYourselfDIY I just ordered one and have 40v n plenty of 18 v. Let me know. 40v makes so much more sense.

[@907thpeterson]

Can I buy one from you?

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I have not developed the final version yet.

[@stevebabiak6997]

You don’t have to cannibalize other tools / chargers / batteries to build this. Go to KZbin channel Serendipity Sue where you will find Ryobi adapters he has made. He makes his using a 3D printer, and makes the model files available for free - in the various video descriptions he supplies links.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I've been talking to him. Looking forward to building Adapter 2.0

[@thebigdoghimself]

I don't understand why you used the 2 battery tops? Just run the wires from the part that you scavenged from the charger directly to the machine, then just hot melt glue that part in place. Sure, you can't go back-and-forth between battery types, but I'm guessing your goal is to stick with the 40 V.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I'd like to leave option open. Trying not to modify the actual machine too much.

[@steffen707-]

How can this thing run that much longer? Two 6ah 18v batteries have 216whatt hours of power, a 2.6ah 40v battery only has 104 watt hours. I'm not calling you a liar, I just don't understand how it's possible.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

It's not, just seemed that way. I run it with a 40v 6ah, or two 18v 6ah, and get the same run time. All things equal. But my batteries are all different ages and give varied performance.

[@steffen707-]

@@DadItYourselfDIY so my dual 12ah batteries should be 3-4 times the runtime. Excellent. Curious what the lid situation will be like.

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

I think the 9ah and 12ah are too tall.

[@steffen707-]

@@DadItYourselfDIY I'll just tear the lid off,lol

[@DadItYourselfDIY]

Always an option.