DIY Convert Car Vacuum Cleaner into Cordless Vacuum

If you happen to have a car vacuum cleaner that is powered through the cigarette lighter socket and also comes with an air pump function, and you also have several 18650 batteries available, you may suddenly get the idea of modifying it into a cordless vacuum cleaner.

First, remove the built-in air pump. The pump looks quite sturdy, so you can keep it. It may come in handy for another project in the future.

Modification plan: Use four batteries with a 2-series 2-parallel configuration to directly power the vacuum cleaner. Add a boat-style self-resetting switch, allowing the vacuum cleaner to run only when the button is pressed and stop immediately when released.

The charging board is a dedicated 2-series battery charging board.

Since the charging input voltage needs to be 9V, you also need a 5V-to-9V boost converter module, as well as a 2-series battery level display module.

Then, find suitable positions and drill holes to install the MICRO input port, battery level display module, and boost converter board.

After connecting everything, you find that a small LED indicator on the boost converter board stays constantly lit whenever the board is powered on. If you are worried about unnecessary power consumption, considering that the charging current is relatively high (around 3A), you can install a toggle switch and turn it on only when charging is required.

The modification is complete. You have successfully converted the car vacuum cleaner into a cordless vacuum cleaner. The suction power is acceptable, and the operating current can reach up to 4A.

This is the original three-position switch.

Cigarette lighter plug

Vacuum filter mesh

Internal structure

Air pressure gauge

Air pump

Air pump

The air pump has been removed.

The battery position fits perfectly.

Finished.