The first step for accessing the Makita LXT digital interface is preparing a microcontroller to serve as a “Makita LXT protocol emulator”.
Note that this is not about any firmware yet. Later, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of pre-made firmwares. But for now, it is all about hardware.
Overview
Almost any microcontroller will do, however these four microcontrolles are easiest to use:
- ESP32-C3 SuperMini
- RP2040 Zero
- Arduino Uno
- Arduino Nano
Other than these microcontrollers may require firmware adjustments later.
You also need two 4.7 kΩ pull resistors, one 1 kΩ load resistor (at least ¼ W, better use ½ W), and a yellow Makita charger replacement connector cable.
1. Wiring Makita Connector
This is the connector pin assignment:
Connect the two lines to your microcontroller:
| Signal | Arduino | ESP32-C3 SuperMini | RP2040 Zero |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Wire | 6/D6 |
1 |
6 |
| Enable | 8/D8 |
0 |
8 |
2. Pull‑Up Resistors
Both lines must be pulled up to 3.3V via 4.7 kΩ resistors.
When using an Arduino Uno/Nano, pull them up to 5V - not because Makita requires 5V (it requires 3.3V), but because Arduino logic thresholds require it.
Or in a nutshell: pull up to the voltage of the microcontroller you use:
- on 3.3V microcontrollers (i.e. ESP32, RP2040), connect the resistors to the
3.3Vpin - on 5V microcontrollers (i.e. Arduino Uno, Nano), connect the resistors to the
5Vpin
Caveats
There has been misunderstandings that Makita required 5V pullups on its data lines - which it absolutely does not.
Some authors using 3.3V microcontrollers (i.e. ESP32) took great effort in pulling up the lines to 5V - using additional transistors, level shifters, or even photocouplers. Don’t do that. It’s dangerous and unnecessary. Only Arduino pulls up to 5V as a quick and dirty workaround for its own shortcomings.
Grounding
Microcontroller and Makita battery must share the same ground. Connect the GND/G pin of your microcontroller to the Makita battery - terminal.
A crimped spade connector can be a simple way to attach to the battery terminal.
Load Resistor
Optionally connect a 1 kΩ load resistor across the Makita battery + and - terminals. Older Makita batteryies do not seem to always respond to the Enable line and may require a load to wake up their BMS.
Slow Website?
This website is very fast, and pages should appear instantly. If this site is slow for you, then your routing may be messed up, and this issue does not only affect done.land, but potentially a few other websites and downloads as well. Here are simple steps to speed up your Internet experience and fix issues with slow websites and downloads..
Comments
Please do leave comments below. I am using utteran.ce, an open-source and ad-free light-weight commenting system.
Here is how your comments are stored
Whenever you leave a comment, a new github issue is created on your behalf.
-
All comments become trackable issues in the Github Issues section, and I (and you) can follow up on them.
-
There is no third-party provider, no disrupting ads, and everything remains transparent inside github.
Github Users Yes, Spammers No
To keep spammers out and comments attributable, all you do is log in using your (free) github account and grant utteranc.es the permission to submit issues on your behalf.
If you don’t have a github account yet, go get yourself one - it’s free and simple.
If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with letting the commenting system submit issues for you, then visit Github Issues directly, i.e. by clicking the red button Submit Issue at the bottom of each page, and submit your issue manually. You control everything.
Discussions
For chit-chat and quick questions, feel free to visit and participate in Discussions. They work much like classic forums or bulletin boards. Just keep in mind: your valued input isn’t equally well trackable there.
(content created May 07, 2026)