Bosch debuts wireless charging system for power tools

Updated Feb 10, 2015

2-4-BoschWireless Charging Station

Seemingly straight out of a science fiction movie, Robert Bosch Tool Corp. launched its Bosch Power Ready Wireless Charging system at World of Concrete in Las Vegas.

The system can power tools in a variety of places, such as a moving vehicle and between jobs or tasks, even with the battery on the tool or off.

“Now pros can easily charge their hand-held power tools in between tasks or jobs and not worry about dead batteries,” said Hagen Dost, Bosch product manager.

The system is based on inductive charging technology—contactless energy transfer. Bosch says when the charger is plugged in and a compatible battery is placed on it, the charger then starts wirelessly transmitting an alternating magnetic field. The battery is then essentially a receiver. Voltage is induced and charging current flows to the cells until the charge is full.

The chargers feature Foreign Object Detection, which senses when anything other than a compatible battery is on the charging pad. The charger won’t activate if a FOD is sensed.

The components for the system include:

  • WCBAT612 – SlimPack 18V 2.0 Ah battery
  • WC18C – Wireless Charger, charging the WCBAT612 to 80 percent in roughly 30 minutes and fully within 50 minutes from an zero charge.
  • WC18F – mountable frame
  • WC18H – mobile holster