People would end up purchasing new tools, rather than ordering older batteries from the factory. It was odd, even though each generation was a same voltage, NiCd battery, there would be a slight change to a a bump or ridge on its case, preventing interchange between versions. It was common that I'd bear the brunt of a shopper's frustration when they learned that each year's version of the store-brand tools had an battery configuration incompatible with the prior model. Years ago, I worked a second job, at a department store selling their popular exclusive brand of tools. They've outlasted and out performed any other brand of cordless tools I've owned by several years, leaving me a bit of a fan-boy. I've had my own set for about 8 years, and all the tools are still going strong. They're certainly the most common brand on the construction sites I've visited. It's been one of the most popular lines of professional-quality cordless tools, for a very long time. I believe DeWalt's 18 volt line of cordless tools has been in the market for about 20 years. I've run it through its paces for a month on a variety of my tools. When DeWalt gave me an early-bird chance to try out their new battery adapter and bring modern battery technology to my older tools, I couldn't wait to put it in action. The adapter also will not work with FlexVolt batteries.Regular readers of this blog know that I've been personally wielding DeWalt 18 volt cordless tools on my projects for years. They do, however, give an amply large list of exceptions-likely for some of the reasons stated above. It lets you use 20V Max batteries in most of their 18V tools. As an example, the DeWalt DCA1820 battery adapter ( $39.99) claims compatibility with most DeWalt 18V tools. Just to cover our bases-yes, we know some battery adapters work without any issues. While a manufacturer may not know whether or not you used third-party batteries with their product, you still risk voiding a warranty if or when they find out. It can even shorten the lifespan of the tool. That can present a problem and run the tool hotter than expected. If a tool cannot communicate properly to a battery pack, you can end up in a situation where it asks for too much power. Manufacturers don’t like when you bypass the safety communication protocols built into either their batteries and/or tools. Using a tool with third-party battery adapters can have a similar effect. Bounce that drill off a roof onto concrete and you’re unlikely to get it serviced under the warranty. 3 – Potentially Voiding the Manufacturer’s Warrantyīelieve it or not, manufacturers actually care about how you use their tools and batteries. Nobody enjoys either a dead battery or a burned-up tool. Now you’ve created a potential “brick” pack that can no longer take a charge. What’s more-if a lithium-ion battery is “dumb” because the tool is smart, then putting it on a “dumb” tool means you can now drain the pack down below its nominal level. In both cases, all of the built-in protection that keeps both the tool and the battery from going so far that it damages itself is gone.

Unfortunately, when you bypassed it with a battery adapter or voltage converter, you likely took away its ability to protect itself.

Your car is most likely going to shut itself down before permanent damage occurs, and your cordless tool does the same. Just like the battery adapter, you’ve bypassed the electronic communications to do so. You’re just telling the tool to push the gas pedal farther. The same thing goes for these voltage boosters. See how long it takes for your temperature gauge to rise and idiot lights to illuminate. Tool battery adapters largely ignore the lines that govern safe use of a tool. Yes, we can push the tool and battery beyond what they’re rated for, but not for long and not without consequences. Just like the car, there’s an optimal operating range. This comes from extreme heat production in the motor and/or pack. Driving the motor beyond what it is designed to maintain will most likely result in failure.

Dewalt lithium ion battery adapter