Upgrading From the Dewalt 18V Platform

[walnutman]

Been running Makita 18v. Went through probably 4 batteries in prob 10 or 12 years. My current pair are marked 2016 and are holding up. Makita came up with new 18v batteries. Same as the old except they go higher AH and have charge indicator and protection against overdischarging. The slide in part has a tab that won't allow them to be used on older tools but you can use the older batteries on the newer tools. My drill has been working for me for prob 10 years. Not all day contractor work but there are times where I'm running it all day. I bought the Makita 18v weedwacker.... it's weak. No longer use it. Just picked up the sawzall from them. It was relatively cheap as I bought the one that is tool only. Was like $129. It's a workhorse.
Where I used to work (retired) we had Milwaukee and Dewalt. I didn't really like either much... maybe the milwaukee better but didn't seem to have long run times and weak chucks.

 

[EddieWalker]

... I bought the Makita 18v weedwacker.... it's weak. No longer use it. ...

Does your weedwacker use two batteries? Mine has 2 batteries and I'm amazed at how good it is. I'll never buy a gas powered weed eater again. Now I want the leaf blower that uses two batteries!!!

 

[Chaingang]

Here's the test platform:

Dewalt DCA1820 adapter and DCB207 1.3ah battery

and the tools:

DC011 radio/charger - untested so far

DC970 drill - seems to work fine with the test platform listed above. Dewalt states not to use premium batteries with this tool. assume that's the higher output batteries only?

DW908 light - seems to work fine

DCS370 band saw - adapter will not fit tool. I saw this note on the link below and assumed it was a battery / adapter clearance issue, but it is a design issue. the adapter has some lugs on the post that will not allow the tool electrical contacts to make contact with the battery contacts.

DC390 circular saw - seems to work fine, but will not quite cut full depth with the 1.3ah battery, however it appears that you can cut 1-1/2" framing lumber with batteries up to 5ah or maybe even larger? I have nothing that large to do a definitive test with at current time.

DC385 reciprocating saw (have 2) - seems to work fine

DCD970 hammer drill - seems to work fine

DW919 light - seems to work fine

DC825 1/4" impact driver - seems to work fine

DC410 cut-off tool - untested so far. tool stopped working previously - need to determine whether it is armature or brushes or other.

DW059H 1/2" impact - seems to work fine


I will post my results with each tool as I go.

here's the link to the Dewalt FAQ with more of what does and does not work:

https://support.dewalt.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014537137-Is-the-DEWALT-18V-to-20V-MAX-Adapter-DCA1820-compatible-with-all-18V-tools-

I switched to the adapter too but prior to that I had the the local Interstate Battery rebuild my old 18v's. It was cheaper than buying new Dewalt and I got the same life. Some may want to check into this option.

 

[RichNJKubota]

I had DeWalt Nicad battery powered tools. Still have a couple of them. But I used them until the tools wore out. So it was time to buy new. These tools were like a part of my family - so thinking about replacing them was tough to do
I decided on makita lithium powered. They have been fine.
But I found on the Dewalt batteries, that I could replace the nicad batteries in the pack with NiMh batteries. It takes time to assemble and solder together the batteries into a pack.
Of the Dewalt chargers I have all but one were compatible with both Nicad and NiMh battery packs. Some of the chargers I had to call Dewalt to confirm the compatibility with both battery chemistries.
Have not checked recently but I also bought NiMh Dewalt aftermarket battery packs on ebay. I found that NiMh batteries lasted longer on a charge vs NiCad and seem to last longer before going bad over time.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Maybe this is common, but do any of the companies offer a Lithium battery pack to directly replace the older Ni battery pack?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GFFW4GX/ref=syn_sd_onsite_desktop_229?psc=1&pd_rd_plhdr=t&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMThTVlFaN0ZJSTJWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODMyMDYyU1pMRklMWFdQMzhLJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNzQ1NTYzNkJUU1ZaUjE1VjdMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c2Rfb25zaXRlX2Rlc2t0b3AmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

[Randy Gann]

As someone else mentioned you can purchase no name batteries on Amazon to fit name brand existing tools. I have a 12 volt Dewalt drill and impact driver original batteries died. Replaced with much cheaper no name batteries and still going strong. I also use Ryobi One+ platform. If I need additional batteries I will certainly look for no name batteries on Amazon.

 

[kyryder]

I didn't want to bury this in the recent "cordless tools vs." post, so I'm creating this separately. I'm assuming I'm not the only person still limping along with this ni-cad dinosaur platform, so maybe any others out there can either help with my questions or learn a few details along the way as I make a move to upgrade.

I've got a reasonable amount of these tools: 10-12 total, with 9 batteries: 6 xrp & 3 regular. Some of this stuff I paid retail price for, and some I got at ridiculous deals over the years both new & used. for example, i paid $18 for a 2-pack of xrp batteries still sealed in the clamshell. but i digress... i recently had two of my xrp batteries fail - won't charge on any of the several chargers i have. they're all getting pretty well aged, and some of the others don't seem to hold charge well, so i know i'm on borrowed time. around here everyone is buying the milwaukee fuel 18v stuff like there is no other alternative. my question is, do i cut bait and jump too, or do i stay with the Dewalt brand and move the 20v max platform, hopefully gradually.

I've tried to do research online, but I can't find any large definitive lists of what works and what does not work when using the 20v max batteries in the 18v tools. the dewalt faq has one partial list (I will link it here in a bit) but it only has 2 of the tools i have and the information was unclear. Because of this, i'm going to post all of my tools with a list of what works and does not work for everyone's benefit, and also pose any questions I have about why something does or does not work, and hopefully someone can provide an answer.

I didn't want to bury this in the recent "cordless tools vs." post, so I'm creating this separately. I'm assuming I'm not the only person still limping along with this ni-cad dinosaur platform, so maybe any others out there can either help with my questions or learn a few details along the way as I make a move to upgrade.

I've got a reasonable amount of these tools: 10-12 total, with 9 batteries: 6 xrp & 3 regular. Some of this stuff I paid retail price for, and some I got at ridiculous deals over the years both new & used. for example, i paid $18 for a 2-pack of xrp batteries still sealed in the clamshell. but i digress... i recently had two of my xrp batteries fail - won't charge on any of the several chargers i have. they're all getting pretty well aged, and some of the others don't seem to hold charge well, so i know i'm on borrowed time. around here everyone is buying the milwaukee fuel 18v stuff like there is no other alternative. my question is, do i cut bait and jump too, or do i stay with the Dewalt brand and move the 20v max platform, hopefully gradually.

I've tried to do research online, but I can't find any large definitive lists of what works and what does not work when using the 20v max batteries in the 18v tools. the dewalt faq has one partial list (I will link it here in a bit) but it only has 2 of the tools i have and the information was unclear. Because of this, i'm going to post all of my tools with a list of what works and does not work for everyone's benefit, and also pose any questions I have about why something does or does not work, and hopefully someone can provide an answer.

You don't have to make the switch all at once. Watch the chain stores for a sale on multi tool pack with charger and batteries (20v). Pick up an inexpensive 20 to 18 adapter for the really expensive tools you own in 18 (ie large impact driver). Once you have gradually switched completely to 20 collect all 18s and sell as a lot, or better give to an upcoming apprentice.
Watch ebay, craigslist,and facebook marketplace for nib tools. A lot of people are pallet buying and selling.
Youtube shows how to revive old 18v batteries I've revived several batteries but some are just a loss.

 

[dragoneggs]

I started out a long time ago with Makita 7.2v/9.6v nicads. When those batteries started dying I moved to 20v Dewalt because I was gifted a nice drill/driver set. Could have just as easily gotten stuck on Milwaukee but I have no complaints. My SIL is loaded up with Milwaukee 18v line. I don't see any performance difference, just color.

 

[5030]

Milwaukee, like Honda is overpriced.

 

[dragoneggs]

Milwaukee, like Honda is overpriced.

I won't disagree.