Vehicle-Based Battery OPE Charger

by Izaac Piper

Project Description

This product is a battery charger/power bank for professional battery garden power equipment, e.g., lawnmowers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers. It is designed to be mounted in commercial utility vehicles used for garden maintenance contracting, and allows operators to fully charge four of their Stihl batteries in 40 minutes, five times over in one day. An integrated Lithium-ion battery pack is what makes this possible; it is recharged overnight via a 240V inlet. 12V inputs from the vehicle’s motor and a roof top solar panel can be connected to extend the battery life; however, the integrated batteries will hold enough charge to last the majority of contractors a full eight- hour day. The top charger is removable and has a 240v outlet for accessible charging at hard-to-reach worksites and powering corded tools for short periods of time. 

The need for this product was realized after working for a Stihl dealership and being repeatedly asked “how do I charge these batteries if I’m driving around all day?” For professional garden contractors, battery equipment hasn’t yet taken off because of such limited charging options. There is currently no product that makes vehicle charging easy and efficient, and while many battery products are marketed as “professional grade” they are not accessible to professionals. Currently, the most practical solution is petrol equipment which has damaging long term effects on people and the environment. This product changes that and makes battery-powered equipment commercially viable.

Bio

Izaac Piper is a product design student and power equipment technician with a passion for making and repairing and a deep curiosity about how things work and how they are made. These elements are translated into his work and studies to build knowledge of manufacturing techniques, material properties, mechanical logic and aesthetic design. As well as a broad range of industrial knowledge, Izaac has a variety of practical skills, many self-taught. His passion for making and constructing has leaned his focus towards designing products that fit within a workshop or tool-based setting. Izaac is an advocate for quality, repairable design and manufacturing and considers single use and limited lifetime products harmful to society and the natural environment. Outside of his work and study, Izaac spends most of his spare time in his own workshop, building on his skills and working on unique projects.

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