Reddit reviews DEWALT 18v to 20v Adapter - Bare (DCA1820),Yellow/Black
We found 15 Reddit comments about DEWALT 18v to 20v Adapter - Bare (DCA1820),Yellow/Black. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Compatible with most DEWALT 18Volt tools and allows for use of 20Volt MAX compact batteriesRequires use of DEWALT 20Volt MAX chargerUse with DCB201, DCB203, DCB203BT compact batteriesDo not use with premium DEWALT batteries in DC970 or DC759 tools. This Adapter will not work with 20V/60V FLEXVOLT Batteries.
Looks like they hacked the 18v to 20v adapter, but I don't know if they hard wired into the vacuum or what after that. https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-18v-20v-Adapter-DCA1820/dp/B016K1UD0E/
Another trick to keep in mind if the batteries are dead is that they sell adapters to use the newer 20v batteries in the older 18v tools like this. They seem to hold a charge better and longer.
18v to 20v adapter:
DEWALT 18v to 20v Adapter - Bare (DCA1820) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K1UD0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mNF2CbWH0QPS3
One thing you have going for you is that they're nicads and older tech with less actual tech built in to the battery. Newer LiIon ones the battery itself is pretty smart and I wouldn't trust 3rd party.
One thing you have going against you is that's an obsolete battery platform, so any money you throw towards it feels wasted.
If it's just the one drill, I'd shop for a new drill. Get something current-gen. Even a current-gen lithium-ion 12v drill will likely be as powerful as your older nicad 18v--and much smaller/cheaper.
If you had a lot of tools that were still useful, you could look in to a battery adapter to let you buy new LiIon batteries that you could eventually use in new tools.
If money is tight, though, I'm sure the 3rd party nicad will work just fine--they're really not that complicated compared to the new smart ones.
Something to consider is their 18V to 20V battery adapter. Let's you buy into the new system and batteries for the lawn mower, but you can continue using your old 18v tools until they die.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCA1820-Dewalt-Battery-Adapter/dp/B016K1UD0E
This will depend on how often you use the tools though. If it's a daily thing the added bulk of the adapter could get annoying quick.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCA1820-Dewalt-Battery-Adapter/dp/B016K1UD0E
This is what you want.
got you fam.
In your situation, I'd definitely look hard at the DCA1820 adapter.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCA1820-Dewalt-Battery-Adapter/dp/B016K1UD0E
Lets you use the new XR Li-ion batteries in your existing XRP tools.
There are also some knock-off clones of the DCA1820 on ebay and amazon for half the price or less, which are getting decent reviews and seem to work OK.
This will allow you to get much better batteries, and then start phasing in new tools as you need them.
Lowes has the kit in Stock for $149 which includes an adapter, 2 batteries and charger.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-20V-Max-Battery-Adapter-Kit-for-18V-Tools/999981802
Amazon also carries just the adapter for $37
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K1UD0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lmUDybW194P5R
They make a 18v to 20V battery adapter, Dewalt doesn't advertise it but in works great and will make the 18V tools last another 10 plus years
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016K1UD0E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCA1820-Dewalt-Battery-Adapter/dp/B016K1UD0E
in case you didnt know this exists... dewalt makes an adapter that allows you to run their newer cells in old nicad tools.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCA1820-Dewalt-Battery-Adapter/dp/B016K1UD0E
of course this would be more expensive than creating something yourself.
I'm not sure. I think what I used was a retrofit-type battery - the batteries that you started seeing on the market 5 - 7 years ago that were designed to fit in existing 18-volt NiCad tools (center battery). Those seem to be getting somewhat scarce, too. I imagine it's cheaper to build a cell pack with just the cells and no charging circuit, thus having more contacts between the pack and charger.
For what it's worth, Dewalt now sells a lithium pack to NiCad tool adapter, but it seems kinda bulky.
I'll be at Lowes later, and I'll see if I can match up what I used. For some reason, I didn't leave myself a note in the charger. I usually do that, reminding myself what I used and the date I built the device, but I really didn't expect the motor to handle the increased voltage more than a few months. I did notice, however, that the donor charger has only one LED (flashing = charging, steady = charged) and that most newer chargers have several indicators. That could help figure out which charger I butchered.
Get an adapter. Then buy the wiggly saw with a battery, they usually come with one free.
Just a quick skim on Amazon and the 60v (as shown in the clip)... around 100usd for the 6ah, 200 for the 9ah and for whatever reason the 12ah is going for the same price as well. Just the battery, no charger.
I did get a few 18-20v adapters not too long ago and I'm super impressed what a new battery can do for the older tools. Not the most ergonomic, but def extends the life of the tool.