DeWalt 18V NiCad replacements

[PassnThru]

I've lost one of my three original XRP batteries so I'm looking for some replacements. Frankly, all three have been getting weaker over the years. I've probably had two of them for at least ten years.
I know I can rebuild the pack but looking around the batteries cost as much as just picking up a generic replacement. I see rebuild batteries on Amazon for one pack that cost as much as two generic ones without the labor.
Cheap batteries are obviously a **** shoot in terms of quality but I'm also concerned that even the DeWalt OEM batteries at this point are also. They stopped making the 18V tools a while ago - how fresh are the OEM batteries? How many years have they been sitting in a warehouse somewhere?
Anyone had any luck with this? Any generic battery that lasted? Any cheap batteries for a rebuild that held up?
I have enough tools in this platform that new batteries make more sense than new tools.

 

[JRC3]

Just buy a 20V adapter and start the 20V transition.

If you're deadset on keeping those old heavy 18V tools, I'd go this route for 120 bucks. https://www.lowes.com/pd/dewalt-2-p...v7lRnVD2SKdHzrXSgThHhkMk9PT4vQXhcIaAvTS8P8HAQ

Those little batteries have more runtime than those old nicads and way about 1/3 as much.

 

[PassnThru]

I've considered it but I don't want to buy multiple adapters. I do use more than one at a time occasionally. And those batteries have a lower amp hour rating than my XRP batteries.

 

[jboehm]

I’ve had good luck with the replacements from eBay and amazon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Handyfarmer]

I have 2 dewalt adaptors and some 20 volt batteries and I would not go back to the 18 volt nicad, when I need more batteries I will buy the 20 volt and another adaptor, I have a few of the smaller 20 volt and some larger ones as well, I prefer the lager 20 volts,

I have about 6 20 volt batteries and about the same 18 volt and a 5 gallon bucket of dead 18 volt batteries, I only have a few 20 volt tools so far, most are the older 18 volt tools,

I do find the 20 volt a bit picker on charging , cold or warm,

 

[Handyandy23]

+1 for the adapter and 20V batteries. You can buy the genuine DeWalt adapter on Amazon for $40, not a big deal if you want to buy more than one.

What amp hour are the XRP batteries? You can get 20V batteries that are 5ah. More if you want to venture to Flexvolt, but I can't see any of the 18V line of tools needing more than 5ah.

It just seems like a waste to me to invest in more old-tech batteries. The cost is almost the same on them. Lithium will last longer and hold charge longer when not in use.

Plus it opens the door to the 20V line and makes it easy to buy new bare tools if you find a need for something new.

 

[dmdc411]

On EBay theres a seller who parts out sets. He has the best deals on batteries I've found. Not priced terribly either!

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[JRC3]

Forgot I had this pic.

The difference in size and weight is staggering when comparing 18V to 20v.

 

[mike93lx]

+1 for the adapter and 20V batteries. You can buy the genuine DeWalt adapter on Amazon for $40, not a big deal if you want to buy more than one.

What amp hour are the XRP batteries? You can get 20V batteries that are 5ah. More if you want to venture to Flexvolt, but I can't see any of the 18V line of tools needing more than 5ah.

It just seems like a waste to me to invest in more old-tech batteries. The cost is almost the same on them. Lithium will last longer and hold charge longer when not in use.

Plus it opens the door to the 20V line and makes it easy to buy new bare tools if you find a need for something new.

This. No way i would buy 18v stuff at this point.

I run dewalt 20v and have batteries ranging from 1.5 to 5ah. Lots of choices. My go to are thr 2ah. Light and plenty of run time for most projects and tools

 

[95vette]

Hello, I have several dewalt in 18 and 20 volt, the 20 volt batterys are 10 times better than 18, the Biswaye adapters work great for 19.00 each, and the Tenmore dcb-206 batterys are two for 64.00 on Amazon work very well.

 

[finn]

I had one 18v battery rebuilt locally for something like $40, a few years ago, with good results.

Later I bought the adapter to use the 20v batteries.

At this point I would recommend that you just concede that the 18 v tools, though still functional, are obsolete, and move on to the 20v platform.

The new brushless tools are superior by any measure. Lighter, more ergonomic, more powerful, etc.

I never thought I would say that.

 

[JRC3]

I had one 18v battery rebuilt locally for something like $40, a few years ago, with good results.

Later I bought the adapter to use the 20v batteries.

At this point I would recommend that you just concede that the 18 v tools, though still functional, are obsolete, and move on to the 20v platform.

The new brushless tools are superior by any measure. Lighter, more ergonomic, more powerful, etc.

I never thought I would say that.

I bought my brushless drill and driver combo a few years back while Dewalt was dragging *** getting the promised 18 to 20 volt adapter out for sale...Turns out it was the best thing that ever happened. I didn't realize how bulky my 18 and even 14.4 stuff was.

In reality Dewalt probably delayed that adapter to get people to buy 20v products.

 

[PassnThru]

Well - so - OK - I hate to admit this publicly but I've decided to go the adapter route.

Take a victory lap if you must - but be gentle.

I did learn that my XRP batteries were only 2.4 amp hours - I thought they were more than that. I had a problem with the 2 amp hour batteries with the kit obviously but that was unfounded. I've learned that I can buy even higher capacity batteries for not that much more than a pair of 'real' DeWalt 18V batteries.

You made me take another deeper look and yes - you were right.

 

[Blstr88]

Ive been going through the same dilemma...I have x3 18v Dewalt tools I just dont want to let go, but only 1 functioning battery left and its on borrowed time as it is.

I've got a lot of Milwaukee M12 and M18 tools so swapping them to Milwaukee is the obvious choice but a Milwaukee drill, circular saw, and angle grinder (the three 18v Dewalt tools I have left) will cost significantly more than just getting some new 18v batteries.

I can do without the circular saw, I have a plug in one I use 95% of the time anyway but even just the drill + angle grinder will cost a lot more than some new Dewalt 18v batteries.

Seems wrong to replace expensive tools that are working just fine.

Ive considered just ordering these to try:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LCYRVRY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Heck even if they buy me a year it'd be worth the price.

 

[PassnThru]

Ive been going through the same dilemma...

I hear you. I started this thread to see if anyone had purchased the 'generic' batteries and how it went. The reviews on Amazon are mixed - it seems that you are tossing a coin - you win or you lose.
You can get two new batteries of dubious origin and quality for $40.
You can get a DeWalt adapter and a charger and two new advanced tech batteries for about $120.
It's an $80 difference spread out over what - 4 years at least? That's $20 a year.

 

[PassnThru]

I should also mention - I was going to rebuild my battery pack. No big deal - purchase some NiCad batteries and solder everything together and you are golden with minimal cost. Then I priced the batteries - how come the batteries that I need cost more than the cheap already assembled batteries on Amazon?
And are those batteries even worth a ****? Apparently not every battery is created equal even though the technology is fully mature.
Way too many ways to get burned these days.

 

[Blstr88]

Where did you get the adapter, charger and 2 batteries for $120?

 

[PassnThru]

Where did you get the adapter, charger and 2 batteries for $120?

I was at Lowes today - it's $119. Same price on Amazon.

 

[rsanter]

After a very long and reliable life....I have lost 3/4 of my 18v Dewalt batteries in the last couple years. One by one they have just died off and done was done.

After thinking about what I was going to do I finally jumped on a deal for a 20v drill kit with two batteries, charger, and a bag for $80.
Bought the adapter and so I now use both the 2 still working 18v batteries I have and the 4 20v batteries I have.
Along the way I also added a couple other 20v tools and one got me the 5AH battery free as a promo. That big battery is bulky but lasts well.

Most of the time I use the smaller batteries but the circ saw, grinder, cut saw, etc really need that big battery


Start the upgrade to the 20v and don’t look back

 

[mikebaker1129]

I had this same dilemma a few months ago at work.
My drill and impact were only about 2 years old with occasional use both batteries (nicad) crapped out at the same time.
I was wanting the adapter and 20v batteries,but he found a deal on Amazon for 3 or 4 batteries super cheap,but when the arrived they were NMH not nicad and the Dewalt charger would not work. He then had to purchase a charger for the NMH batteries.
Total cost ended up being about what the 20v conversion would have cost.
The batteries he purchased are holding up just fine and the charger he bought charges NMH and nicad batteries.

 

[woody 73]

This is me Today.. after reading this post sigh I am in the same boat bag full of dead 18Volt batteries what to do ?

Now I am crying, oh the pain.

 

[BukitCase]

The adapter looks klunky to me, + I have 2 drills, 1/2" impact, circular saw, jig saw, 3 lights, side grinder, recip saw - just spent 1/2 hour looking for more dewalt dc9182 li-ion batteries, (plugs directly into XRP tools) - it looks like everybody in the known universe is out of stock.

I'm so pissed at DeWalt for this thinly veiled attempt at forcing us to spend well over $1000 to replace perfectly good tools, I'm about ready to ****-can ALL DeWalt stuff when my existing batteries finally **** out and just buy MORE EXTENSION CORDS (and/or replace any DeWalt stuff with more Milwaukee (so far, no probs with the MW stuff (Bought 2 drills, 2 1/4" impacts, 1/2" hi torque impact same time as the DW, they already had Li-Ion at that time)

It's obvious to me that DeWalt's upper management has never actually USED a tool, or the assholes would understand what a slap in the face this policy is to those of us who DO... Steve

 

[gearhead1]

I bought generic ones on eBay years ago, just like the ones in the link in post 14. They seemed to last as long as the DeWalt ones.

BatteriesPlus will take it apart and put in a new battery pack (cells), but around here it cost almost as much as getting new battery packs.

I would consider buying some of the replacement packs (cells) and just replacing them myself. I have too many 18V tools to ditch it yet. Once an 18V tool breaks, I’ll upgrade to a 20V. It’s cheaper than just buying a bunch of 20V tools. My DeWalt vacuum takes 18 or 20V.

 

[gearhead1]

I bought generic ones on eBay years ago, just like the ones in the link in post 14. They seemed to last as long as the DeWalt ones.

BatteriesPlus will take it apart and put in a new battery pack (cells), but around here it cost almost as much as getting new battery packs.

I would consider buying some of the replacement packs (cells) and just replacing them myself. I have too many 18V tools to ditch it yet. Once an 18V tool breaks, I’ll upgrade to a 20V. It’s cheaper than just buying a bunch of 20V tools. My DeWalt vacuum takes 18 or 20V.

 

[BukitCase]

Were the ones you bought on Ebay also Ni-MH? I haven't had the best of luck with ANY Ni-MH batteries.
I did buy a couple of gray ones off Ebay a couple years ago, they wouldn't even fit in either the tools OR the charger. They were just close enough to FEEL like they'd go if you tried harder, but I spent my entire working life fixing things OTHER idiots forced; so today I tossed 'em in the recycle trash. Not worth messing up the tool's contacts so NONE of the batteries work ... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

btw, the one in post#14's link claims to be for DeWalt and looks like it; but in typical Amazon's fashion, all the QUESTIONS AND REVIEWS are "does it fit Craftsman 19.2volt", and all are answered "yes" - I've never owned any Craftsman cordless stuff, anybody know if they're actually compatible with DeWalt 18 volt, or is this just Amazon's idiotic lumping together of any and ALL battery questions/reviews??!? ... Steve

 

[gearhead1]

I don’t remember what they were. I’ll take a pic of one.

 

[taumac]

I’m in same boat. While at HD and Lowe’s looking at new combo kits. I saw 2 Dewalt nicad battery replacement where $169 while the 20v kit where $119. I’m probably going to buy the $119 kit because I love using 1/4 impact driver so much. It’s just too bad they didn’t do route Ryobi did where the old nicad tools can use new batteries without a adapter.

 

[PassnThru]

So I redecked the trailer today. I went out this morning and bought the kit with two batteries, an adapter, and a charger. Charged both batteries. Overall I predrilled for and sunk about 22 one quarter by 20 screws. I used one of my NiCads in the drill to drill the 7/32 holes through the wood and then through the 1/8 inch steel. It never missed a beat - that battery is still good. I sunk the screws with my impact driver with the adapter and new battery. It held up fine also. I did appreciate the fact that it was lighter than usual though. Drilling the holes though - I appreciated that the drill had additional heft with the older nicad. Actually it has heft anyway since it's the hammerdrill model.
Having used the adapter and the 2.0 amp hour batteries today it's not kludgy. If you don't look at it you won't even notice beyond the fact that it's lighter.

 

[mike93lx]

I’m in same boat. While at HD and Lowe’s looking at new combo kits. I saw 2 Dewalt nicad battery replacement where $169 while the 20v kit where $119. I’m probably going to buy the $119 kit because I love using 1/4 impact driver so much. It’s just too bad they didn’t do route Ryobi did where the old nicad tools can use new batteries without a adapter.

As a 20v dewalt user, i'm very glad they changed the form factor. A major reason for me to get dewalt was size. The 20v stuff is a lot more compact than the old stuff

 

[taumac]

As a 20v dewalt user, i'm very glad they changed the form factor. A major reason for me to get dewalt was size. The 20v stuff is a lot more compact than the old stuff

I see your point there. The old stuff was big in comparison to new 20v stuff.

 

[Bacon!]

btw, the one in post#14's link claims to be for DeWalt and looks like it; but in typical Amazon's fashion, all the QUESTIONS AND REVIEWS are "does it fit Craftsman 19.2volt", and all are answered "yes" - I've never owned any Craftsman cordless stuff, anybody know if they're actually compatible with DeWalt 18 volt, or is this just Amazon's idiotic lumping together of any and ALL battery questions/reviews??!? ... Steve

CM's 19.2V is not compatible, it's an amazon lumping error.

 

[Handyandy23]

Ive been going through the same dilemma...I have x3 18v Dewalt tools I just dont want to let go, but only 1 functioning battery left and its on borrowed time as it is.

I've got a lot of Milwaukee M12 and M18 tools so swapping them to Milwaukee is the obvious choice but a Milwaukee drill, circular saw, and angle grinder (the three 18v Dewalt tools I have left) will cost significantly more than just getting some new 18v batteries.

I can do without the circular saw, I have a plug in one I use 95% of the time anyway but even just the drill + angle grinder will cost a lot more than some new Dewalt 18v batteries.

Seems wrong to replace expensive tools that are working just fine.

Ive considered just ordering these to try:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LCYRVRY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Heck even if they buy me a year it'd be worth the price.

They look a little rough, but there are 3D printed battery adapters for pretty much every type battery to every type tool, if you wanted to consider going that route.

For example here is an adapter to use Milwaukee M18 batteries on your DeWalt 18V NiCd tools:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dewalt-battery-adapter-FOR-USE-WITH-Milwaukee-M18-RED-BATTERY-/252541617592

Just another idea how you can use what you already have.

 

[Bacon!]

I should also mention - I was going to rebuild my battery pack. No big deal - purchase some NiCad batteries and solder everything together and you are golden with minimal cost. Then I priced the batteries - how come the batteries that I need cost more than the cheap already assembled batteries on Amazon?
And are those batteries even worth a ****? Apparently not every battery is created equal even though the technology is fully mature.
Way too many ways to get burned these days.

1) Amazon pricing does not always follow logical commodity value.

2) Lower demand for bare NiCd cells. You'd think that reduces cost but it made the major brand manufacturers drop out of making them, especially after the EU banned (new) tools with NiCd a few years back.

3) The generic packs may use inferior cells that either don't have the true capacity stated or cannot deliver the same current (different cell construction).

4) The generic packs may use USED OLD cells reclaimed from a landfill.

Unfortunately it's difficult to find major brand NiCd cells, unless they are very old new stock. Even back in 2008, when I last rebuilt my Dewalt 14.4V packs this was the case and I settled on Tenergy, one of the more popular 2nd tier brands. Back then they were $47 delivered for 30 sub-c cells.

What post #14 linked was NiMH, I would have went that route but my ancient charger can only do NiCd. Granted I hardly use those batteries today due to getting Li-Ion powered tools a few years back but I still find my Dewalt Snakelight very useful, even more so after I modded it to use LEDs for much greater brightness and runtime.

In that case the light doesn't need much current but it benefits from the heavy NiCd battery, keeping it planted on the ground while the head is articulated to point at work.

One mistake I made was the LED driver I stuffed in the base, was just a bare unshielded board and if I'm running the light it plays havoc with FM radios.

Example pic of a Dewalt Snakelight, not mine.

 

[Luked]

I too just went through this, I purchased a full 18v kit 12 years ago. Impact, Drill, hammer drill, cerc saw, sawzall, 1/2" impact, grinder, jig saw, and spot light.

Last year I bought the 20v adapter kit at Lowes and ran the tools like this for a while. However, the hammer drill didn't like the 20v adapter, it would freeze up. And of course you can't leave the 20v battery in the adapter/tool or it slowly discharges and tools the don't stand up on the battery very well.

Last week I bit the bullet, lowes had a bare tool special with free battery and charger so I bought the mulit tool and cerc saw. I then found a DCK299M2 XR impact/hammer drill kit on craigslist for $160, basically half off new. I then sold my 18v impact, drill, hammer drill, and circ saw, (2) 18v batteries and 2 chargers on craigslist for $120. I kept the 18v sawzall, jigsaw, grinder, and 1/2" impact that I will continue to use with the 20v adapter.

After selling my tools I am in about $400 for 4 new tools, 4 batteries, and 2 chargers.

Overall it was a worthwhile upgrade. The multi-tool is a something I never knew I needed until I bought it and just used it for 4 hours last weekend trimming bender board stakes. And the DCS391 20v circ saw was a night and day upgrade over the 18v circular I had. The XR impact and hammer drill are also significant upgrades over my 18v

I am expecting to get at least another 12+ years out of these new tools

 

[jd_1138]

+1 for the adapter and 20V batteries. You can buy the genuine DeWalt adapter on Amazon for $40, not a big deal if you want to buy more than one.

What amp hour are the XRP batteries? You can get 20V batteries that are 5ah. More if you want to venture to Flexvolt, but I can't see any of the 18V line of tools needing more than 5ah.

It just seems like a waste to me to invest in more old-tech batteries. The cost is almost the same on them. Lithium will last longer and hold charge longer when not in use.

Plus it opens the door to the 20V line and makes it easy to buy new bare tools if you find a need for something new.

Yep, the adapter is a great idea. Then he's not throwing money away. As he can use the new batteries/charger with the newer DeWalt tools.

DeWalt makes great tools, and unlike Milwaukee it's a USA owned co. with at least some production in the USA.

 

[thesilverone]

get the adapter and move on

 

[JRC3]

get the adapter and move on

...but I've decided to go the adapter route..

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7940541&postcount=13

 

[decableguy2000]

If you can find them, Dewalt had 18 volt lithium batteries for awhile. The weight difference is significant. I got rid of most of my 18v stuff except for a jigsaw and impact driver, and use these batteries. You do have to have different charger but, yellow ones do all, 3 kinds of 18v batteries.

https://www.dewalt.com/products/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/batteries/18v-xrp-liion-battery/dc9182