Dewalt 18v cordless: Li-Ion/NiMh cross compatibility question

[Brian Tymchak]

Morning all,

Well, the old Dewalt 18v drill seems to be on its last legs. (sometimes won't run now when pointed downward... Odd..) So, I'm starting my shopping for a new one. Would be nice to leverage my existing NiMh batteries as they are fairly new. Rockler has a Drill/Impact kit on sale: DCK265L (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=24506&filter=dewalt%20cordless) that has caught my eye. The write up mentions something interesting.

"Also included are two compact Lithium-Ion batteries that charge in thirty minutes on the included battery charger and are compatible with Dewalt 18V tools produced since 1996."
So that text is pretty specific in saying that I could use the new LI-Ion batteries in older tools. But, here's my question: can I use the older batteries in the new tools? Physically, they would have to fit if the new batteries can be used in the old tools (wouldn't they?).

I tried doing some research on the Dewalt site, but their site is pretty disappointing in the amount of info provided, and hard to use.. Maybe it's my old browser (IE6).

If anyone has any insight on this I would sure appreciate hearing your thoughts. Also, if anyone has practical experience with these particular Dewalt tools, sure would like to hear pros and cons.

Thanks, Brian

[Greg Portland]

I'm looking at the battery packs and something is strange. The Li-on batteries have a "hole", the NiMh batteries have a "post". I'm not sure how an older tool that is expecting a post-style battery is going to function on the new 'hole' style (no electric connection at all!). If someone does not already own these and chimes in then I would call Dewalt.

[Jim Rimmer]

I searched the Dewalt sites and couldn't find anything. Ryobi 18V LiIon batteries are compatible with older tools but not the other way around. Don't know about DeWalt.

[Van Huskey]

Can't say about the compatibility, but if you have good chargers and batteries you might just buy a bare tool, they tend to be on eBay and other outlets all the time.

[Brian Tymchak]

Van, that's a good point. Had not thought about that. Kinda got tunnel vision seeing the new impact driver bundled together with the drill.

Thanks, Brian

[Brian Tymchak]

Greg, that's interesting. I did not look that closely at the batteries themselves. I wonder if there is some sort of an adapter.

Thanks, Brian

[Brian Tymchak]

So, taking Van's advice, on a lark, I just took a look at the Woodcraft website and they have a bare 18v compact Li-Ion Hammerdrill (http://www.woodcraft.com/Catalog/ProductPage.aspx?prodid=31096&ss=9df4ae91-2248-4016-a15b-7cf7dc6f2ba7) and they say right there on the information page:

Make your battery go further with DeWalt's bare tool options. Simply purchase the tool without battery and utilize any DeWalt 18V battery you already own!

Think I'll stop by Woodcraft on the way home and see if they have one on display. I always prefer to pick up a tool like that anyway to see how it feels before plunking down the $$.

[Brian Tymchak]

Greg, I'm looking at the battery packs on the Woodcraft website. They look similar to me. Not sure what you mean by the Li-Ion having a "hole" vs post.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081327/31091/DeWalt-18V-XRP-Battery-Pack-Model-DC9096.aspx (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081327/31091/DeWalt-18V-XRP-Battery-Pack-Model-DC9096.aspx)

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081345/31110/DeWalt-18V-XRP-LiIon-Battery-Pack-Model-DC9181.aspx (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081345/31110/DeWalt-18V-XRP-LiIon-Battery-Pack-Model-DC9181.aspx)

Thanks, Brian

[Jerome Hanby]

I'm looking at the battery packs and something is strange. The Li-on batteries have a "hole", the NiMh batteries have a "post". I'm not sure how an older tool that is expecting a post-style battery is going to function on the new 'hole' style (no electric connection at all!). If someone does not already own these and chimes in then I would call Dewalt.

I wonder if this is a "second generation" 18 volt lithium? Could be that backwards compatibility was a major selling feature for Ryobi and Hitachi...

[Greg Portland]

Brian, I think I had a brain-fart and was looking at the charger. On my Panasonic Li-on the battery is flat and slides into place (versus the Dewalt style with a post that gets pushed into the tool) so I saw a "battery" in the picture.

[Philip Rodriquez]

They will both work. However, the chargers will not. Have fun

[Van Huskey]

They will both work. However, the chargers will not. Have fun


To clear it up the "new" charger will charge both types of 18v batteries, the old version will not charge LI batteries.

[Brian Tymchak]

Thanks for the info guys! Really appreciate the input.

I didn't make it to the local Woodcraft as I said I would. Been working late these last few weeks. I just called them and they do not have it in stock. They did mention that Home Depot might have it on display and there is a local Dewalt service center that might have one in for repair/refurb. Now in my book, that's really trying to help out the customer. A+ for customer service!

Brian