Dewalt 18v to Ridgid adapter

[fourjeepin]

So I have been thinking about this for a while due to a couple of other threads from folks that have built adapters. Just before Christmas I committed to building it. I sold off two of my Dewalt 18v batteries and all chargers. Also sold most of my tools, but kept my angle grinder and mini circular saw.

Enough background, on to the build. The battery used here was a cheap knockoff that always gave me issues. First step was to pop the top off the battery case. Then knock the posts off the underside of the battery top. I used a belt sander for this. See pictures for a before and after.

 

[fourjeepin]

Now on to the Ridgid portion. I started with an LED light. I cut the light portion off the base with my Ridgid recip saw. In hindsight, I would recommend taking it apart - Torx 27mm. I then ground the base down smooth, again using the belt sander.

Then I drilled a couple of holes into the base to allow the wires to extend straight up into the vertical piece of the Dewalt battery post.

 

[fourjeepin]

Here are the two pieces mocked up together. I need to make the electrical connections, glue the two pieces together, then time for testing!

Here is where I need some help. I didn't check which post of the Dewalt battery is positive before taking everything apart. Can someone with one of these batteries check it and let me know?

Oh, and yes there is a drawback to this adapter - the Dewalt clips are removed. I am thinking of using Velcro to hold the adapter to the tool. I do not want to permanently attach the adapter as I still have two Dewalt tools. That and I may want to sell one the Dewalt tools at some point. If anyone has a better idea, please chime in.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

Nice, now you can enjoy the lifetime warranty of every ridgid battery you can get

 

[geologist]

Nice.

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

Nice, now you can enjoy the lifetime warranty of every ridgid battery you can get

Yep! That was one of the primary reasons behind going with Ridgid. I didn't really plan to switch, but couldn't pass up the reconditioned impact set when it was a hot deal. Then the hammer drill set that was a hot deal. Now I am hoping the BF saw kit will have another price drop soon.

Can someone check a Dewalt battery with a voltmeter to help me determine polarity?

 

[rslaback]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

Can someone check a Dewalt battery with a voltmeter to help me determine polarity?

Front terminal is positive.

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

Front terminal is positive.

Thanks rslaback! I hope to get back to this little project over the weekend.

 

[fourjeepin]

If anyone is interested, I finished up the wiring (sorry, no pics). I slapped it into my Dewalt circ saw and it spun up no problem! I then slathered it with adhesive and have it clamped up drying. In a few days I will do some more extensive testing and post up final pictures.

 

[fourjeepin]

I finished this up and did a bit more testing. The height of the adapter with Ridgid battery is about the same as the Dewalt 18v. Not sure if there are power gains to the Ridgid, but the warranty is far better so this was a win in my world. YMMV.

Oh, and the Ridgid circuitry did protect itself, stopping the saw at just under 17 volts. 16.97 according to my voltmeter.

The last photo shows the adapter after I sanded down the Dewalt piece, making it closer to the size of the Ridgid.

The Velcro strap works well for holding the battery in, but I will probably pursue something that doesn't have to be adjusted at each battery change. I am thinking either Velcro or less likely,a snap between the Dewalt tool and the top of the adapter.

 

[fourjeepin]

To make it look a little more professional, I ran some black caulk around the edges, covering up the adhesive used to marry the two pieces of plastic. Other than a new attachment to replace the Velcro, this project is done and works great. That said, I will probably sell off the last of my Dewalt tools as soon as Ridgid comes out with a brushless grinder.

I hope you enjoyed this thread. I was 100% inspired to do this by the threads on the Dewalt sled to adapt 18v tools to the new 20 volt batteries.

 

[stage20]

i havent payed any attention to how the clips are held in on the dewalt, could you glue them on the sides of the adapter so it holds like a factory dewalt battery?

 

[mrvm]

Not sure if there are power gains to the Ridgid, but the warranty is far better so this was a win in my world. YMMV

Nice adapter job! When I ran new 18V 2.0 Ah Ridgid Hyper lithium batteries in the older 18V Ridgid power tools there was a significant difference in sound, smoothness and speed. Either my 18V 3.0 Ah Ridgid lithium batteries are due for LSA replacement or the Hyper lithium batteries provided some boost in performance. I noticed the same effect (significant difference in sound, speed) when comparing the big Ryobi 4.0 Ah versus older Ryobi 2.4 Ah in Ryobi power tools (yard).

 

[fourjeepin]

i havent payed any attention to how the clips are held in on the dewalt, could you glue them on the sides of the adapter so it holds like a factory dewalt battery?

That is an interesting idea and would be super slick if it can be pulled off. I didn't try that because the Dewalt battery I sacrificed had issues with the clips. I would imagine that some of the smart folks on this forum could come up with something better. I hacked this out in a few hours (two nap cycles of my 2-1/2 year old).

 

[bonneyman]

Shoot yeah, nice conversion!

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I hope you enjoyed this thread. I was 100% inspired to do this by the threads on the Dewalt sled to adapt 18v tools to the new 20 volt batteries.

Well done! I would consider going this route if the Ridgid 18V product line was broader and included some consumer-ish tools such as weed-whackers and pole saws. That's the thing that's leading me towards building a Dewalt 18V to B&D 20V Max adapter.

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

Well done! I would consider going this route if the Ridgid 18V product line was broader and included some consumer-ish tools such as weed-whackers and pole saws. That's the thing that's leading me towards building a Dewalt 18V to B&D 20V Max adapter.

Thanks! I agree with you on the limitations of the product line. With my adapter, I get the lifetime battery warranty and can use either Ridgid or Dewalt 18v tools. Since this adapter worked out so well, I have considered building others and probably will if I run into a bare tool that I really want. Ryobi might be my next attempt as their product line is deep and I follow the HD clearances them on occasion.