Very good and fair advice , bought two batteries for my cordless Angle Grinder and one of those Adapters for my older Cordless Drill and I have to say , I am quite satisfied cause what I paid for this stuff , if it last me a year , I am fine with that .
I am assuming that adapters purpose is when your old battery pack wears out. Instead of purchasing an expensive and bulky adapter, I crack open the used up pack and replace the rechargeable nicad batteries. A bit of assembly and soldering required. $12 for 9 volts, probably double that for 18 volts.
No, you've misunderstood a little bit. Since the newer 20v Dewalt batteries have a completely different physical connection to the tool the problem is having a transitional period where you have both older and newer style tools. The newer batteries can't work in the older tools without an adapter. Your point of installing new batteries in the battery pack is fine, but you can't use those in the newer style tools.
@@enduringcharm Yes I get completely what you've explained. Must be a "contractor problem" in transition and have a need to switch out packs frequently. Although I have accumulated several sets of battery operated tools until I learned those extremely costly battery pack replacement could be worked around with fixing the innards. Now I don't need new tools cause the battery won't charge. Good video as always.
Sooner or later, though, you'll find that the tool itself will fail. The switches go bad, the gearing wears out, etc. At that point you'll be faced with the purchase of the new style tool and battery, maybe just one tool maybe more. It's true, though, that a pro will face this problem sooner. I've gone through a lot of drills and drivers in my day!
Sometimes the plastic in a battery, a tool or in this adapter gets slightly distorted due to heat or abuse. That can cause difficulty with battery insertion. Or, bent pins can cause the same problem. Take a careful look at the adapter compared to a working battery and see if you notice anything amiss.
@@enduringcharm Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I have looked closely. The adapter looks fine in all aspects. As mentioned, the adapter functions fine with the screw gun. The work light seems to have a plastic tab by the connectors, that (I think), are preventing the connections. Bummer, because I never even used the work light. Thanks again.
Great help here. I have the old style DeWalt battery devices. This adapter may keep me in the DeWalt family with all my other DeWalt power tools as I purchase the new DeWalt devices & batteries.
That's how I used it too, although I did speed up that process. When you buy the new batteries, get the highest amp hour you can afford. I use the 5 amp hour size, and they can last a full day.
fyi if you charge the new batteries with the adapter the cells will pop and leak out. it just keeps charging them tried it with a cheap battery just to see its a fire hazard no fire with my one but it is a serious issue that will damage your battery or outright destroy it.
Adding real-world experiences for anyone considering using adapters on their 18v DeWalt tools: I'm using an adapter and newer batteries on my old saw. Play with the blade depth and battery size (3ah batteries are smaller than that 5ah brick you used in the video) to retain useability of the saw. Ultimately, I'm replacing the saw with the new 7 1/2" 20v. I've noticed a parasitic draw with the old saw that I never noticed with the 18v batteries. If I leave a 20v battery plugged in, it will die overnight. A characteristic of a brushed vs. brushless motor? Also, the new batteries with an adapter will not work with the old flex light. The incandescent bulb doesn't get along with the lithium ion battery and/or the logic board in the adapter. The reciprocating saw works just fine with the adapter. Hope this helps someone.
I use the new 20v system in the field now, and I only have a couple of the old 18v tools in the shop. The lower capacity batteries, like the 2ah you mention, not only don;t last as long on a charge but also don't provide as much power during use. I'm not sure why that is, but I surmise it has to do with the electronics inside the battery limiting power delivery. Anyway, I use the 5ah batteries exclusively, and they are very good. The 2ah battery is really just too underpowered for any serious use.
Where can I buy the batteries for the drill ? I wonder if they still make them I TURNED on the drill it works but the batteries need replacement badly .thanks again.
Some home improvement stores still carry batteries for older drills, but you can find a full selection online at Amazon and other places. Third party batteries can be found too, but those are hit or miss as far as quality.
I have 2 questions. Does this drain the battery if left connected? Does this have the over discharge shut off protection? The 20v tools have the protection built in, the 18 do not.
This is just a simple adapter to go from the 5 pins of the battery to the two pins of the 18v tool. It's just a way to get some more life out of your 18v tools until you switch over, that's all. I wouldn't look at it as a permanent solution. There are no electronics in the adapter so it shouldn't discharge a battery, but you shouldn't leave it connected to the tool for storage or use the adapter to try and charge the 20v battery, either. Whatever over-discharge circuitry Dewalt designed is likely in the battery itself, not the tool. I haven't explored that or taken one of the 20v batteries apart to look.
I completely agree; Dewalt’s version is too expensive, however, I did purchase the Dewalt adapter with the two battery kit for $50.00 at Home Depot, which was on sale. All that to say, shop around.
That's a good price, for sure. The kits I've seen come with a 2 amp hour battery, which is next to useless for my type of work. Might be fine for some, though.
I'm just having mine rebuilt by MTO batteries.. I don't want to be draining down to nothing and using funky adapter / getting I to the 20v dewalt is something I'm not going to do either. MTO is very well recommended
I doubt it. It's more than just a physical adapter, there are electronic differences too. I'm not familiar enough with the old 14 volt system to know, but DeWalt certainly doesn't mention it.
That is the trade-off. These third party adapters and batteries tend to be less accurate in design and manufacturing, and the plastic they use seems more likely to warp. So you may find adapters or batteries difficult to remove.
Great video but I have one complaint/suggestion. Could you possibly change the text color from white to black or other color? I think this would make it easier for old guys like me to read.
It doesn't exist because the voltage differences between the 14.4V system and 18-20V are a problem. If you are trying to get more life out of your old drill the only thing I can suggest is to source inexpensive third party batteries on Amazon or other retailers. They won't last as long as your original DeWalt batteries, but they are cheap in comparison.
The 18V versus 20V thing is just a marketing gimmick. The voltages of the batteries are actually the same, because they work in a range of power when fully charged. So, the 18V was being marketed conservatively and the 20V is being marketed aggressively but both battery systems work under the same range of power. That said, the newer 20V battery systems may offer other advantages, such as run time (look for the "amp-hour" rating), and faster recharging. But, that is due to technology changes not voltage.
Hi, In your video at 24 seconds ( near the beginning) you say that the 20v batteries are actually 18 volts but that you cover that in another video. I cannot see the other video or a link to it. I have tested the lithium battery terminals with my DMM and it shows 20, 4, 16, 8, 20 V with two negatives but not 18Volts Jon :)
Obviously the batteries between the 18v and 20v systems are physically different. My point is that the old 18 volt batteries actually operated at about the same voltage as the new 20 volt system. If you took an 18v battery right off the charger it would actually measure 20 or 21 volts on your meter. As you used the battery the voltage would drop. The RANGE of voltage in normal use was 18-20 volts. So, my point is that the new 20 volt system is marketed as something more powerful than the old. From a voltage standpoint it really isn't. The batteries may hold up better and be more compact and efficient, but the working voltage is about the same.
I have the actual dewalt adapter. The batteries that came with it are a lot thinner and slimmer. The issue i have is the adapter last one cut with the skilsaw. Its just a ploy to get you to upgrade your stock
I have 12 volt nicad tools with lots of life left. Why can't I buy a good battery for them? No one will make a Li ion adapter with low battery protection. Every time I research new replacement batteries or cells to rebuild my own I come up with everyone is trying to rip us off with poor batteries. You can't trust any reviews. Is it legal for Dewalt to leave us high and dry? Why won't they make a 12 volt adapter like the 18 volt one they sell?
You may be able to purchase third party batteries for your older 12 volt tools. I've had mixed luck with that route. Some did not last long or had poor fit, a few were reasonably good.
@@enduringcharm It's just not right for your tools you paid good money for to be useless because you can't buy OEM batteries for them. Or a 12 volt adapter.
I just took advantage of some holiday sales upgraded to the Makita LXT brushless system, mostly because I have some future tool plans I want to purchase and I just finally need to get all my tools on the same battery platform. I swap drills out about every 5 years that way you can garage sale them and still get a couple of dollars out of them before they are worth nothing. So all my stuff was early liton batteries but for what ever reason I had some stuff that was makita, than some stuff that was dewalt because makita was hard to find for awhile there. Plus for awhile Makita had 2 liton battery platforms going on which was a pain too. Now I am on one platform and all feels right in the world. lolol
I only get about two years out of drills and drivers and by then they are worn out or broken. It is such a pain when these manufacturers change formats just for marketing purposes. The new Dewalt batteries are double the cost of the old, which is highway robbery. Makita is long known for good quality cordless tools, so I hope it works out well for you.
That's a good idea about garage sales for your old tools. I have quite a few 18v DeWalt tools and only a couple batteries left so I'm trying to decide if I should get an adapter and switch to 20v or just sell them and get new tools, maybe on a different platform. All brands seem to have batteries that are ridiculously expensive...
i am a bit confused here. i have the old 18V tool that comes with 18V batteries and charger. i recently bought a new 20V tool only. I do not want to reinvest 20V batteries and charger system. I want to use the old 18V battery on the 20V tool. What do i need to make this work?
You are a bit confused! So, Dewalt, as well as other manufacturers in the same position, made certain that you have no choice but to upgrade your batteries as well. The 20 volt tools use a different physical and electronic connection with the battery which is designed quite purposefully to prevent you from using older 18 volt batteries with the a new 20 volt tool. Although the voltage from the old batteries is enough to run the new tools, the older batteries do not have the electronic interface that is required. Therefore, no adapter is possible. By contrast, an adapter to use the new 20 volt batteries in the older 18 volt tools can work by stripping away the electronic interface and just supplying the needed voltage. Bottom line: you need to pony up for 20 volt batteries in your new 20 volt tools. But, you can use the adapter to keep your older 18 volt tools going for awhile longer.
@@enduringcharm so, you are saying there is no way i can use the 18v batteries on my 20v tool? another video seems to suggest otherwise. see ua-cam.com/video/thZTuklcdqo/v-deo.html your reply suggests i have to buy NEW charger and batteries for 20V separately to use the new 20V tool? i made a mistake buying the 18v drill driver from amazon germany, not aware of the difference.
Oh, okay, now I see what the confusion is about. This is an interesting point you've brought up. So, in the US market the 18 volt battery refers to the previous generation of tools, and that battery system has a physically different mount. I was not aware, but apparently in some international markets the new style mount with electronic interface has been marketed as both 18 volt and 20 volt! So the important difference to understand is the mount style and the electronic interface as part of that mount. In the states, when you say "18 volt" you are also referring to the older style mount because that's the only 18 volt battery which was ever sold here. In some other countries apparently Dewalt marketed the new style mount as either 18 or 20 volt, so you have to be more careful with the terms there. The old style mount had a stem on the battery which was pushed vertically into the tool. The new style mount has a shoe which slides horizontally into the tool. My previous comments about the electronic interface stand. So, the old style mount 18 volt batteries can never work in the new style mount tools. However, it appears that if you have new style 18 volt mount batteries available in your country then they will probably work with a tool labeled "20 volt", which uses the same mount. Clear?
@@enduringcharm fantastic explanation. i have the NEW "shoe" mount style of the 18V European Dewalt battery. And this should work on the USA Dewalt 20V battery. Thank you for your very detailed explanation. You are the only one who explained in this most detailed manner. Many just gave short and NO answer and that is why I go confused.
I have the larger base on the 18v tools, and I'm reading everywhere that the adapter can be hard to remove after plugging it in, and everyone agrees the adapter drains the battery if left plugged in. I've had my DeWalt kit for about 11 years, and unfortunately this poor and clunky design is causing me to swap brands and not look back. I'm looking hard at the Kobalt 24v right now.
I bought the dewalt kit. I have the older oval base tools. Plug the adapter in no prob. Getting the sucker out is a drag. I wouldnt recomend this adapter to the older 18 volts. Just trust me.
I bought the kit, big mistake. Batteries only hold a charge for a few minutes, not kidding. AND getting the batteries off is a major hassle. I've been trying to remove the adapter now for 15 minutes and ended up here. I'm never buying another cordless.
I'd need some more information to help you. Are you using DeWalt batteries or a third party battery? Do these 20 volt batteries work properly in a 20 volt tool, or did you buy them only to use in an 18 volt tool with the adapter? What tool are you trying to use with the adapter?
Hi! @@enduringcharm I Bought the Dewalt kit that includes 20V adapter (DCA1820), for 18V tool (DC720) 1/2" cordless drill, 2 batteries that won't hold a charge (DCB203) 2.0Ah, Type 2 20v max, 40Wh and a charger (DCB115) 12v/20v max. Thanks for your interest. PS: It's been about a year but I think I paid about $120 for the kit.
Hm. I've never seen a complete kit like this sold by DeWalt, which makes me wonder if a third party put the pieces together to sell as a kit. Anyway, several issues come to mind. First, it's possible the batteries are not genuine DeWalt and that they are poorly made or defective. There is no way a full charged battery can drain in a matter of a couple minutes, whether they are used through the adapter or not. That leads to another question. Are the batteries actually charged? This style of battery really has to be snapped hard into the charger so it is fully seated. It's possible you have not fully seated the batteries and they are not really charging. Pay close attention when you insert the batteries into the charger that they have really bottomed out. Then watch the lights to make sure they are charging. The 2Ah batteries are the smallest capacity, and they are not going to last as long as the larger ones, but you should get more work out of them than you are describing. Also keep in mind that the adapter is meant to be a stop-gap kind of thing, not an ideal solution. Ideally you'll have a tool designed for this style of battery. The adapter is a way to get more life out of an older tool you already own.
I have burnt up 3 of the actual Dewalt adaptors. My 18 Volt tools are fairly new but I did not want to buy 2 different batteries. Within a day I burnt up the 1st adaptor (I know it was the Adaptor as it smelled like burnt electronics. I tore the 1st one apart and yes it was melted inside) So being someone who figures I got the 1 bad one so the next day I bought another one at $159.99 at home Depot Yes it came with the 2AH batteries. I actually charged those 2 batteries and within 10 minutes in a different drill and again it burnt up exactly the same as the 1st one. I tried to contact Dewalt and received no contact back. Yes I purchased another one that I used for about 3 minutes and stopped my project just to see how it was holding up. Already I could smell burnt electronics so instead of completely burning the 3rd one up I put it away so if dewalt wanted to investigate this issue I would have it. I will not purchase another Dewalt tool #1 because of their customer service (I was nin Quality Management for 35 years now I am the customer and I believe as A USMC 10 year Vet. and a customer I deserve some type of contact. I will throw these tools in the trash and will not sell them and have someone else purchase more Dewalt crap. I have 2 hammer drills, a Drill Driver 1/2" chuck, a small Circular saw, several impact drivers for putting screws in small boards from time to time I am not someone that uses these tools professionally they are my personal tools. And I have spent very close to $500.00 on adaptors. I have already started purchasing the 18 Volt Milwaukee tools and they are at least 10 times better than Dewalt. Faster, lower battery consumption.
Semper fi. You know, it is possible that the adapters were being damaged for another reason, such as a battery issue or the tools themselves. I can't say without doing some testing in person. Another option for you would have been to purchase third party 18 volt batteries for your older tools rather than the adapter. By and large I've had good experience with the DeWalt 18 volt system. I've been through three or four drills, and the same number of drivers, as well as other tools. The only trouble I've encountered are triggers wearing out, but that's after many years of professional use. My newer 20 volt tools are holding up okay, though some of the ergonomics are not as nice. The 20 volt batteries themselves are excellent. I'm afraid every tool manufacturer has issues these days, since quality is a secondary concern to profit and market share.
The guy that invented this never tried taking the battery out takes longer to change battery than to do the job ! You need 4 hands to get it out !! 😣😣😣😣😣😣
Yeah, it's definitely not a permanent solution. It's some thing you can use during a transition from one system to another but not something you can live with forever.
Many people ease into buying the next generation of tools because they are so expensive. As I pro I use these every day, but I also have other expenses to balance. Six 20 volt 5AH batteries are $1000. Replacing the 18 volt tools and chargers is another $800-1000.
The old 18v xrp batteries just jumped to $109 EACH. A few years ago, you could get two for $99. Should've grabbed them then. Crazy expensive.
Very good and fair advice , bought two batteries for my cordless Angle Grinder and one of those Adapters for my older Cordless Drill and I have to say , I am quite satisfied cause what I paid for this stuff , if it last me a year , I am fine with that .
I am assuming that adapters purpose is when your old battery pack wears out. Instead of purchasing an expensive and bulky adapter, I crack open the used up pack and replace the rechargeable nicad batteries. A bit of assembly and soldering required. $12 for 9 volts, probably double that for 18 volts.
No, you've misunderstood a little bit. Since the newer 20v Dewalt batteries have a completely different physical connection to the tool the problem is having a transitional period where you have both older and newer style tools. The newer batteries can't work in the older tools without an adapter. Your point of installing new batteries in the battery pack is fine, but you can't use those in the newer style tools.
@@enduringcharm Yes I get completely what you've explained. Must be a "contractor problem" in transition and have a need to switch out packs frequently.
Although I have accumulated several sets of battery operated tools until I learned those extremely costly battery pack replacement could be worked around with fixing the innards. Now I don't need new tools cause the battery won't charge.
Good video as always.
Sooner or later, though, you'll find that the tool itself will fail. The switches go bad, the gearing wears out, etc. At that point you'll be faced with the purchase of the new style tool and battery, maybe just one tool maybe more. It's true, though, that a pro will face this problem sooner. I've gone through a lot of drills and drivers in my day!
Its also a 20v (MAX) UPGRADE.
FULLY CHARGED ITS 20V
BY THE TIME IT DIES OTS 18
The adapter fits the older screwdriver, BUT-Will Not fit in the work light? It won’t go all the way in. Any thoughts?
Sometimes the plastic in a battery, a tool or in this adapter gets slightly distorted due to heat or abuse. That can cause difficulty with battery insertion. Or, bent pins can cause the same problem. Take a careful look at the adapter compared to a working battery and see if you notice anything amiss.
@@enduringcharm Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I have looked closely. The adapter looks fine in all aspects. As mentioned, the adapter functions fine with the screw gun. The work light seems to have a plastic tab by the connectors, that (I think), are preventing the connections. Bummer, because I never even used the work light. Thanks again.
Great help here. I have the old style DeWalt battery devices. This adapter may keep me in the DeWalt family with all my other DeWalt power tools as I purchase the new DeWalt devices & batteries.
That's how I used it too, although I did speed up that process. When you buy the new batteries, get the highest amp hour you can afford. I use the 5 amp hour size, and they can last a full day.
fyi if you charge the new batteries with the adapter the cells will pop and leak out. it just keeps charging them tried it with a cheap battery just to see its a fire hazard no fire with my one but it is a serious issue that will damage your battery or outright destroy it.
Adding real-world experiences for anyone considering using adapters on their 18v DeWalt tools:
I'm using an adapter and newer batteries on my old saw. Play with the blade depth and battery size (3ah batteries are smaller than that 5ah brick you used in the video) to retain useability of the saw. Ultimately, I'm replacing the saw with the new 7 1/2" 20v. I've noticed a parasitic draw with the old saw that I never noticed with the 18v batteries. If I leave a 20v battery plugged in, it will die overnight. A characteristic of a brushed vs. brushless motor? Also, the new batteries with an adapter will not work with the old flex light. The incandescent bulb doesn't get along with the lithium ion battery and/or the logic board in the adapter. The reciprocating saw works just fine with the adapter.
Hope this helps someone.
Maybe try the 2ah battery in the circular saw. It's a lot smaller?
I use the new 20v system in the field now, and I only have a couple of the old 18v tools in the shop. The lower capacity batteries, like the 2ah you mention, not only don;t last as long on a charge but also don't provide as much power during use. I'm not sure why that is, but I surmise it has to do with the electronics inside the battery limiting power delivery. Anyway, I use the 5ah batteries exclusively, and they are very good. The 2ah battery is really just too underpowered for any serious use.
Where can I buy the batteries for the drill ? I wonder if they still make them I TURNED on the drill it works but the batteries need replacement badly .thanks again.
Some home improvement stores still carry batteries for older drills, but you can find a full selection online at Amazon and other places. Third party batteries can be found too, but those are hit or miss as far as quality.
Can it work the other way around? Using the 18v battery on the 20v tool?
No, the newer batteries have a microprocessor built in for communication with the tool.
I have 2 questions. Does this drain the battery if left connected? Does this have the over discharge shut off protection? The 20v tools have the protection built in, the 18 do not.
This is just a simple adapter to go from the 5 pins of the battery to the two pins of the 18v tool. It's just a way to get some more life out of your 18v tools until you switch over, that's all. I wouldn't look at it as a permanent solution. There are no electronics in the adapter so it shouldn't discharge a battery, but you shouldn't leave it connected to the tool for storage or use the adapter to try and charge the 20v battery, either. Whatever over-discharge circuitry Dewalt designed is likely in the battery itself, not the tool. I haven't explored that or taken one of the 20v batteries apart to look.
I completely agree; Dewalt’s version is too expensive, however, I did purchase the Dewalt adapter with the two battery kit for $50.00 at Home Depot, which was on sale. All that to say, shop around.
That's a good price, for sure. The kits I've seen come with a 2 amp hour battery, which is next to useless for my type of work. Might be fine for some, though.
What is the model # for the impact driver?
Are you looking for the 18 volt impact driver model? That's an old DC825.
I'm just having mine rebuilt by MTO batteries.. I don't want to be draining down to nothing and using funky adapter / getting I to the 20v dewalt is something I'm not going to do either. MTO is very well recommended
Can I use this adapter to use a new Li-Ion 14v battery to power a 14v Ni-Cad tool? If is just an adapter a new battery to a old tool will work, right?
I doubt it. It's more than just a physical adapter, there are electronic differences too. I'm not familiar enough with the old 14 volt system to know, but DeWalt certainly doesn't mention it.
Problem I have is the adapter getting stuck in the older devices.
That is the trade-off. These third party adapters and batteries tend to be less accurate in design and manufacturing, and the plastic they use seems more likely to warp. So you may find adapters or batteries difficult to remove.
old 18v dewalt angle grinder did not work; surges and stops with 20v lithium ion battery.
You may have a problem with the adapter itself, poor connections, or a faulty 20v battery.
Does this fit portable dc012 charger/radio ?
No, the radios have a flap to close behind the battery, so the adapter would prevent that flap from closing.
Thanks for the review. Was thinking of getting this mainly for my skill saw. Looks like thats a no go.
I was about to buy the link for the old saw, so thank you for the alert. Greetings to you from Saudi Arabia👍🏽
Great video but I have one complaint/suggestion. Could you possibly change the text color from white to black or other color? I think this would make it easier for old guys like me to read.
I do try and put text up against a plain background, but it isn't always possible. It's a bitch getting old isn't it??
@@enduringcharm It certainly is, but we endure. Anyway, thanks for all you do. I just discovered your channel.
I have been trying to find an battery adapter for my old Dewalt 14.4v drill. Does anybody know of one?
It doesn't exist because the voltage differences between the 14.4V system and 18-20V are a problem. If you are trying to get more life out of your old drill the only thing I can suggest is to source inexpensive third party batteries on Amazon or other retailers. They won't last as long as your original DeWalt batteries, but they are cheap in comparison.
i thought 20v delivers little more power compare to 19v, am I wrong ?
The 18V versus 20V thing is just a marketing gimmick. The voltages of the batteries are actually the same, because they work in a range of power when fully charged. So, the 18V was being marketed conservatively and the 20V is being marketed aggressively but both battery systems work under the same range of power. That said, the newer 20V battery systems may offer other advantages, such as run time (look for the "amp-hour" rating), and faster recharging. But, that is due to technology changes not voltage.
Hi, In your video at 24 seconds ( near the beginning) you say that the 20v batteries are actually 18 volts but that you cover that in another video. I cannot see the other video or a link to it. I have tested the lithium battery terminals with my DMM and it shows 20, 4, 16, 8, 20 V with two negatives but not 18Volts
Jon :)
Obviously the batteries between the 18v and 20v systems are physically different. My point is that the old 18 volt batteries actually operated at about the same voltage as the new 20 volt system. If you took an 18v battery right off the charger it would actually measure 20 or 21 volts on your meter. As you used the battery the voltage would drop. The RANGE of voltage in normal use was 18-20 volts. So, my point is that the new 20 volt system is marketed as something more powerful than the old. From a voltage standpoint it really isn't. The batteries may hold up better and be more compact and efficient, but the working voltage is about the same.
Great review. I did get the kit for $153. Dewalt.
I have the actual dewalt adapter. The batteries that came with it are a lot thinner and slimmer. The issue i have is the adapter last one cut with the skilsaw. Its just a ploy to get you to upgrade your stock
The battery size increases with power, so a 5 amp hour battery will be thicker than a 3 amp hour, for example.
In addition new 18v batteries cost nearly the same for a new tool on Amazon the batteries are $119 new skill saw $129
Is there a adapter that you use your old batteries in your newer dewalt tools?
No, sorry, it doesn't work that direction. Your old batteries are useless for the new tools, which is how the manufacturer's like it!
I have 12 volt nicad tools with lots of life left. Why can't I buy a good battery for them? No one will make a Li ion adapter with low battery protection.
Every time I research new replacement batteries or cells to rebuild my own I come up with everyone is trying to rip us off with poor batteries. You can't trust any reviews. Is it legal for Dewalt to leave us high and dry? Why won't they make a 12 volt adapter like the 18 volt one they sell?
You may be able to purchase third party batteries for your older 12 volt tools. I've had mixed luck with that route. Some did not last long or had poor fit, a few were reasonably good.
@@enduringcharm It's just not right for your tools you paid good money for to be useless because you can't buy OEM batteries for them. Or a 12 volt adapter.
This was very helpful. Thank you.
I just took advantage of some holiday sales upgraded to the Makita LXT brushless system, mostly because I have some future tool plans I want to purchase and I just finally need to get all my tools on the same battery platform. I swap drills out about every 5 years that way you can garage sale them and still get a couple of dollars out of them before they are worth nothing. So all my stuff was early liton batteries but for what ever reason I had some stuff that was makita, than some stuff that was dewalt because makita was hard to find for awhile there. Plus for awhile Makita had 2 liton battery platforms going on which was a pain too. Now I am on one platform and all feels right in the world. lolol
I only get about two years out of drills and drivers and by then they are worn out or broken. It is such a pain when these manufacturers change formats just for marketing purposes. The new Dewalt batteries are double the cost of the old, which is highway robbery. Makita is long known for good quality cordless tools, so I hope it works out well for you.
That's a good idea about garage sales for your old tools. I have quite a few 18v DeWalt tools and only a couple batteries left so I'm trying to decide if I should get an adapter and switch to 20v or just sell them and get new tools, maybe on a different platform. All brands seem to have batteries that are ridiculously expensive...
i am a bit confused here. i have the old 18V tool that comes with 18V batteries and charger. i recently bought a new 20V tool only.
I do not want to reinvest 20V batteries and charger system. I want to use the old 18V battery on the 20V tool. What do i need to make this work?
You are a bit confused! So, Dewalt, as well as other manufacturers in the same position, made certain that you have no choice but to upgrade your batteries as well. The 20 volt tools use a different physical and electronic connection with the battery which is designed quite purposefully to prevent you from using older 18 volt batteries with the a new 20 volt tool. Although the voltage from the old batteries is enough to run the new tools, the older batteries do not have the electronic interface that is required. Therefore, no adapter is possible. By contrast, an adapter to use the new 20 volt batteries in the older 18 volt tools can work by stripping away the electronic interface and just supplying the needed voltage. Bottom line: you need to pony up for 20 volt batteries in your new 20 volt tools. But, you can use the adapter to keep your older 18 volt tools going for awhile longer.
@@enduringcharm so, you are saying there is no way i can use the 18v batteries on my 20v tool? another video seems to suggest otherwise. see ua-cam.com/video/thZTuklcdqo/v-deo.html
your reply suggests i have to buy NEW charger and batteries for 20V separately to use the new 20V tool? i made a mistake buying the 18v drill driver from amazon germany, not aware of the difference.
Oh, okay, now I see what the confusion is about. This is an interesting point you've brought up. So, in the US market the 18 volt battery refers to the previous generation of tools, and that battery system has a physically different mount. I was not aware, but apparently in some international markets the new style mount with electronic interface has been marketed as both 18 volt and 20 volt! So the important difference to understand is the mount style and the electronic interface as part of that mount. In the states, when you say "18 volt" you are also referring to the older style mount because that's the only 18 volt battery which was ever sold here. In some other countries apparently Dewalt marketed the new style mount as either 18 or 20 volt, so you have to be more careful with the terms there. The old style mount had a stem on the battery which was pushed vertically into the tool. The new style mount has a shoe which slides horizontally into the tool. My previous comments about the electronic interface stand. So, the old style mount 18 volt batteries can never work in the new style mount tools. However, it appears that if you have new style 18 volt mount batteries available in your country then they will probably work with a tool labeled "20 volt", which uses the same mount. Clear?
@@enduringcharm fantastic explanation. i have the NEW "shoe" mount style of the 18V European Dewalt battery. And this should work on the USA Dewalt 20V battery.
Thank you for your very detailed explanation. You are the only one who explained in this most detailed manner. Many just gave short and NO answer and that is why I go confused.
Thank you too--I learned something new myself!
WOW WOW WOW GREAT VIDEO PLEASE CAN YOU TELL ME IF THE ADAPTER WILL WORK ON MY DEWALT 989 DRILL ? THANK YOU VERY MUCH ITS FROM 2004
I looked up that model, it looks like an 18V XRP model. So, yes, this adapter should work with a new 20V battery.
I have the larger base on the 18v tools, and I'm reading everywhere that the adapter can be hard to remove after plugging it in, and everyone agrees the adapter drains the battery if left plugged in.
I've had my DeWalt kit for about 11 years, and unfortunately this poor and clunky design is causing me to swap brands and not look back. I'm looking hard at the Kobalt 24v right now.
Glad I saw this, the saw was the only one I cared to convert.
I bought the dewalt kit. I have the older oval base tools. Plug the adapter in no prob. Getting the sucker out is a drag. I wouldnt recomend this adapter to the older 18 volts. Just trust me.
I bought the kit, big mistake. Batteries only hold a charge for a few minutes, not kidding. AND getting the batteries off is a major hassle. I've been trying to remove the adapter now for 15 minutes and ended up here. I'm never buying another cordless.
I'd need some more information to help you. Are you using DeWalt batteries or a third party battery? Do these 20 volt batteries work properly in a 20 volt tool, or did you buy them only to use in an 18 volt tool with the adapter? What tool are you trying to use with the adapter?
Hi! @@enduringcharm I Bought the Dewalt kit that includes 20V adapter (DCA1820), for 18V tool (DC720) 1/2" cordless drill, 2 batteries that won't hold a charge (DCB203) 2.0Ah, Type 2 20v max, 40Wh and a charger (DCB115) 12v/20v max. Thanks for your interest.
PS: It's been about a year but I think I paid about $120 for the kit.
Hm. I've never seen a complete kit like this sold by DeWalt, which makes me wonder if a third party put the pieces together to sell as a kit. Anyway, several issues come to mind. First, it's possible the batteries are not genuine DeWalt and that they are poorly made or defective. There is no way a full charged battery can drain in a matter of a couple minutes, whether they are used through the adapter or not. That leads to another question. Are the batteries actually charged? This style of battery really has to be snapped hard into the charger so it is fully seated. It's possible you have not fully seated the batteries and they are not really charging. Pay close attention when you insert the batteries into the charger that they have really bottomed out. Then watch the lights to make sure they are charging. The 2Ah batteries are the smallest capacity, and they are not going to last as long as the larger ones, but you should get more work out of them than you are describing. Also keep in mind that the adapter is meant to be a stop-gap kind of thing, not an ideal solution. Ideally you'll have a tool designed for this style of battery. The adapter is a way to get more life out of an older tool you already own.
I have burnt up 3 of the actual Dewalt adaptors. My 18 Volt tools are fairly new but I did not want to buy 2 different batteries. Within a day I burnt up the 1st adaptor (I know it was the Adaptor as it smelled like burnt electronics. I tore the 1st one apart and yes it was melted inside) So being someone who figures I got the 1 bad one so the next day I bought another one at $159.99 at home Depot Yes it came with the 2AH batteries. I actually charged those 2 batteries and within 10 minutes in a different drill and again it burnt up exactly the same as the 1st one. I tried to contact Dewalt and received no contact back. Yes I purchased another one that I used for about 3 minutes and stopped my project just to see how it was holding up. Already I could smell burnt electronics so instead of completely burning the 3rd one up I put it away so if dewalt wanted to investigate this issue I would have it. I will not purchase another Dewalt tool #1 because of their customer service (I was nin Quality Management for 35 years now I am the customer and I believe as A USMC 10 year Vet. and a customer I deserve some type of contact. I will throw these tools in the trash and will not sell them and have someone else purchase more Dewalt crap. I have 2 hammer drills, a Drill Driver 1/2" chuck, a small Circular saw, several impact drivers for putting screws in small boards from time to time I am not someone that uses these tools professionally they are my personal tools. And I have spent very close to $500.00 on adaptors. I have already started purchasing the 18 Volt Milwaukee tools and they are at least 10 times better than Dewalt. Faster, lower battery consumption.
Semper fi. You know, it is possible that the adapters were being damaged for another reason, such as a battery issue or the tools themselves. I can't say without doing some testing in person. Another option for you would have been to purchase third party 18 volt batteries for your older tools rather than the adapter. By and large I've had good experience with the DeWalt 18 volt system. I've been through three or four drills, and the same number of drivers, as well as other tools. The only trouble I've encountered are triggers wearing out, but that's after many years of professional use. My newer 20 volt tools are holding up okay, though some of the ergonomics are not as nice. The 20 volt batteries themselves are excellent. I'm afraid every tool manufacturer has issues these days, since quality is a secondary concern to profit and market share.
Semper Fi my Brother
they suck, I just bought mine and it stuck in there!
The guy that invented this never tried taking the battery out takes longer to change battery than to do the job ! You need 4 hands to get it out !! 😣😣😣😣😣😣
Yeah, it's definitely not a permanent solution. It's some thing you can use during a transition from one system to another but not something you can live with forever.
Just buy new tools
Many people ease into buying the next generation of tools because they are so expensive. As I pro I use these every day, but I also have other expenses to balance. Six 20 volt 5AH batteries are $1000. Replacing the 18 volt tools and chargers is another $800-1000.
@@enduringcharm charge more lol