Battery charging station ideas

[JAWS4038]

In this world of cordless this and cordless that, I have a need to create a charging station in my workshop. I am looking for ideas, pics, plans, anything to get them all together in one location. Not so much about the tool themselves, but something to layout all the charges in a row......any thoughts?

Would love to see how others handle this problem.

[Cochese]

How many brands, how many chargers and how many batteries?

[JAWS4038]

Batteries and chargers

Off the top of my head:

Chargers: probably close to 4 to 6 major ones, 3 or 4 that i use once in a while, and 4 others that get used periodically. Dewalt several but use the dual one mostly so thats a double charger, makita, ryobi, milwaukee, porter cable, and a couple others.
Batteries: don't even get me started.

[leehljp]

This has been going through my mind also. It seems like this came up 2 or 3 years ago and there may be some thread on this subject, but the search function is not working at the moment due to a database error.

I need two voltages - 100 and 110. I have a sweet little drill driver from Japan that does not charge with 110. I have a variac that I can set on 100V and the charger works then. I had a set of US Ryobi drill drivers and impact drivers 18V with me in Japan and also a set for my home in the US. Now I have both sets plus two of those lights. I use them all the time. SO, it is time for a charging station if for nothing else to get those chargers in one place and organized.

[JAWS4038]

Lee

So Lee you feel my pain, lol. Someone out here has some cool ideas and some pics. Come on guys!

[Cochese]

I can't even wrap my mind around that many different brands. Brain would have a seizure from the colors.

Some great ideas on Google Image, where I get most of my inspiration.

[JAWS4038]

images

but they are all pretty colors, like my green hitachi's. Got any links to share for those images?

[Pappy]

This is one of only 2 that came up under 'shop made charging station'. The other one was a workbench. most of the images were charging stations for IPOD/cell phone type electronics or for electric cars.

http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/100-03...ource=activity

[Cochese]

A few decent ideas here. Drills, but you can extrapolate.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...DY_UgAfVh6SOBg

Can look here, too. Just click on the projects tab. Some interesting ideas that didn't come up in Google.

http://lumberjocks.com/search_result...&sa.x=0&sa.y=0

[LCHIEN]

usually a project should have some goals, objectives.
For a battery charging station, my considerations would be the follwoing (you have to fill in the blanks)

small Footprint - fits in some defined space (size______)
handles ____ chargers (make more than you need, we'll be adding more devices for certain as time goes on, not less) - consider cell phones, tools, blue-tooth, Ipod, AA and AAA chargers, cameras, lights, as well as power tool packs
Timers (0-24 hrs) on one or more outlets so that batteries won't be overcharged if left on (for non smart chargers)
Cord organization - need pegs or racetracks to wrap up excess cords to improve appearance.
Plug outlet organization, internal to the charger so the Wall warts won't be seen (altho think about the indicators for charge state you might want to see)
ventilation some chargers run hot
place on the charger to set the items being charged, with cord end in convenient reach.

[Stytooner]

I would consider using metal on one of these. At least something like those insulated cookie sheets. That should bear any heat well.

I have ran through my Dewalts and a bunch of Firestorms now. I only buy Hitachi lately. Only 14.4 volts in those, but I did buy the lighter one once, so that is another charger.
In all I have 5 for the cordless tools. One in the house, and two in the old shop. One in the new shop and a spare. Started buying these from Reconditioned tools about 3 years ago. Not had any battery trouble yet. One was DOA and was quickly replaced.
They are called Big Sky Tools now.
If looking for some reliable cheap cordless tools to go with the ones you have, these guys are a great choice. Wait for sales. Build the charging station larger.