Dc18rd - 1st repair in new workshop

Dc18rd - 1st repair in new workshop
The DC18RD is Makitas' Dual 18v charger designed for use by professionals. This particular unit was suffering from a hard life and needed a very minor repair. I decided to do the first repair in my new shop for two reasons. The first is that I can't get to the normal workbench, the second is that this is one of the things that is being used to actually build the new worksop so I thought it very fitting! The internal design uses a common choke/ filter board with two identical charger boards, effectively using two single battery chargers in a larger case.
Because we are in the middle of winter, the temperature outside is causing things like power cords to go brittle and the insulation is cracking. Combined with being pushed and pulled around it got to the stage where the cord snapped and needed to be completely refixed to the circuit board. Again, because my normal bench was inaccessible, I had to resort to an alternative set of tools.. Pretty much some of the basic items I would take when using amateur radio equipment portable are what I used here. There is always a need for running repairs so carrying the basic items is pretty much essential. Butane powered soldering irons are cheap enough and they work even in extremely cold and windy environments. A good strong multitool is also something I always carry, my own preference being the US made Leatherman Supertool. Now obsolete, I have two, one slightly newer than the other. Both are more than 20 years old and have seen some real action.

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Sorry about the audio.. I'm using an on camera shotgun mic. And I'm outside... with no doors and windows... in an unfinished empty room!

[@YouAllKnowBob]

Nice sized shop! Let's see, 60 amps @ 240 volts, 14 kW. Yep, you should be able to run a couple radios with that! 73

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Maybe 1 or 2 Bob!!! I just have to not do it too often or my supplier meter will rub its hands together with glee!

[@old64goat]

It is going to be a great shop when it is finished.

[@GeorgeChristofi]

I'm hoping so Bill. The luxury of a centrally heated workshop with big windows!. Any of the electronics places I have worked have all been dark rooms with no ventilation and not so much cold as just sweaty...

[@TheOpenAirGarage]

Nice repair, The shop is coming along nicely. Can't wait to see it completed.

[@GeorgeChristofi]

The contractors say it will be finished in time for me to go on vacation... just over 2 weeks. Then when I come back it will be painting, carpet laying and getting it all set up! Lots of things to do!

[@jp-um2fr]

I'm very envious George. We have a 7' x 3' dining table in an extension we built years ago. I have half of it covered in cork floor tiles. I can sit and watch through to the TV and anyone who visits thinks my wife is a saint. She is. I won't mention the stores all around the place or the little pillar drill on the table and the 5 evolving bench power supples. I do try not to drop molten solder (lead) on the carpet or the dog. I'm sure your new workshop will soon take on that lived in look and of course you will now have even more room to store things you will never use. Why is it builders and farmers seem to have 'if it can break I'll break it' as part of their genes, I'm surprised Darwin never mentioned it in his book.

[@GeorgeChristofi]

It is the nature of the hobby. If it's electronic, it will be useful for something. I was eyeing up a microwave oven that my neighbour was throwing out but held back because of the lack of space!

[@jp-um2fr]

@@GeorgeChristofi My daughters went bang but after taking the covers off I could find no skid marks or anything. I didn't like the idea of messing with large volty things so I stripped it. I might have a go at rewinding the transformer for a car battery charger or something. Quite a nice little 240V fan about 150mm dia. I got 2 ring magnets out of the cyclotron ? thing, knob of the front and mains smoothing board. I saved the turntable motor and Pyrex plate. I would guess it's one of the badge engineered 700W microwaves. Pretty boring really so you didn't miss much.

[@docholliday3150]

Shop is coming along well!

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Windows and doors fitted later. First electrics thursday then floor on friday!!! coming along nicely!

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

Cool repair! Shops gonna be real nice, you'll outgrow it fast...shoulda went 2 stories! :) ~Jack, VEG

[@umajunkcollector]

go underground, make a man cave

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Going two stories involves a whole lot more paperwork and a whole lot of money!

[@GeorgeChristofi]

I could, but I just had the patio done!

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Great repair George. You really did go all out building your shop I like how it looks finished now . Thanks for sharing.

[@GeorgeChristofi]

No problem Larry. It wasn't cheap but it is my man cave so it is pretty much how I want it. As with everything, you can always think of something that would have been better if it was done slightly different but on the whole, it is perfect.

[@tonybegood111]

Nice repair George.....looks cold in there. ....

[@GeorgeChristofi]

It is a bit at the moment. We are currently sitting at around 0c (32f) in the evenings. Certainly its not as cold as it has been, daytime temps have been reaching the 50f mark. It will be ok when the doors and windows get fitted tomorrow.

[@tonybegood111]

Wrap up well till Spring George. .......:)

[@GeorgeChristofi]

I would love to Tony. I only have to wrap up till march and then I'm off to a sunnier place for a couple of weeks. By then, England will either be under 3 inches of snow or having blazing sunshine...

[@tectalabyss]

Hello Sir. great to see you in your new shop... Well kind of ; ) What type of block are you using ?. Makes it fire proof ,are you going to use dry wall/sheet rock ?. Not sure what you call it there. Thank you for the tour. It's going to be great ! Liked,Shared and added to Playlists. All my best. Bobby

[@GeorgeChristofi]

Those blocks are a lightweight concrete thermal block. The outside walls are red brick and the fibreglass goes in between the two. We call drywall plasterboard and yes, there will be a layer of that as well as a skim of plaster over the top to make it all smooth. Still waiting for the floor to be done, that layer is only the 4 inch concrete base. There will be another 4 inches of fine grade concrete on top of that. Windows are being fitted on wednesday, roof finished at the weekend. Plumber will continue the pipework in about 4 hours from now, electrician will run the cables in the next day or so... Lots still to do before I get to do my thing! Thanks for watching Bobby, tace care.

[@umajunkcollector]

yeppirs Bobby, all the bloody dodgy UK chit chat bloke rot, cheerio ol' chap.

[@umajunkcollector]

by George, I hope that they didn't cut the cord becuz all those circuits that sense voltage and make it trikle didn't fail? Cut cords can be a mystery indeed. I like the new addition. Are you going to spray the cinder blok, or insulate with studs and pnaels? Getting any floor power tools, drill press, saws, mill, lathes... lol I want a nice 15'x20' underground shop, but ain't gots the 20k$. We'd like a solarium a top of it too. I'd like poured concrete walls. It can double as a shelter, ten feet deep. someday... dream...

[@GeorgeChristofi]

No, it has a hard life, out in the cold, in and out of vans, all weathers. The cord got brittle and decided to break off. The walls are going to be studded, drywalled and then plaster skimmed. In the studding there will be more fireproof insulation for soundproofing and heat retention. I already have the compressor, drill press, sliding chop saw and other hand power tools. I'd like an engineering lathe and vertical mill but really can't justify them for the times i'd use them!! I thought about going underground too.. We live on the side of a hill so we could shift the dirt but the costs would be silly. If this only cost $20k I would be over the moon but unfortunately way off the mark!! It's more expensive than that over here!