Dewalt 18v battery converter dca1820

DublinDilbert

Hi all,

Have quite a few 18v dewalt battery tools, with most of the Nimh battery's on the way out.

Has anyone managed to source the battery converter to use the newer lithium batteries? Dca1820?

In the US they are readily available at the likes of Home Depot. EBAY seems to have a lot of fake ones.

anonanymore

Available on Amazon UK.

CGI_3

I'm in the same boat as DublinDilbert.

I don't think there's any point buying a genuine DCA1820 for a few reasons:

They're not cheap, at about 70 GBP, and one on it's own is just not practical when you have alot of tools. Fake ones on ebay will probably just break your heart.

The added height/bulk is actually a problem. Check Amazon uk. official Black and Decker shop, there's a picture of the circular saw with the adaptor, and you can clearly see that the added section pushes the battery below the frame of the saw reducing the depth of cut!

I'd really like to be able to import the still being sold 18 volt twin pack's from homedepot. 99 dollars plus say state tax of 10%, they're a reasonable proposition

Anyone know how to do this? And if it'll be worth it with all the additional costs... duty, shipping...


Or anyone found good aftermarket batteries out there?

CGI_3

Looks like I can get twinpack 2.4 Ah NiCad's from Amazon US delivered and duty paid for €135. Might be useful info for someone. Screenshot attached.

DublinDilbert

I ordered a genuine one from the US. Including shipping it was €60, picked up a new drill with li battery in b&q for €90.

Adapter works really well. Will get another li battery when I get a chance.

CGI_3

Where did you buy the adaptor, I might look into that.

Is the battery with the B and Q drill a low capacity thing, perhaps 1.5Ah?

I'm still undecided as to what to do.

If I just buy new batteries, I'd probably have to buy 2 twin packs at a cost of €270. That's alot of money that could be put towards a new 6 piece kit with 3 x 5.0Ah Lithium batteries. Kits are typically €950 delivered from the UK. I've my eye on one that has a cordless planer...

Wonder if there's much of a market for the older 18V stuff...

johncal2009

I bought a de Walt wheel wrench from America and as you know, in the states they run on 110 volts, I got a converter from amazon uk. 230 down to 110 volts I have only used it to charge up my wrench battery once and it has worked perfectly!
          
Step Down Voltage Converter 230v - 110v Use US Electrical Equipment in the UK (150W)
Sold by: In21 Direct Product question? Ask Seller

£19.99

johncal2009

I bought a de Walt wheel wrench from America and as you know, in the states they run on 110 volts, I got a converter from amazon uk. 230 down to 110 volts I have only used it to charge up my wrench battery once and it has worked perfectly!
          
Step Down Voltage Converter 230v - 110v Use US Electrical Equipment in the UK (150W)
Sold by: In21 Direct Product question? Ask Seller

£19.99

DublinDilbert

CGI_3 wrote: »

Where did you buy the adaptor, I might look into that.

Is the battery with the B and Q drill a low capacity thing, perhaps 1.5Ah?

I'm still undecided as to what to do.

If I just buy new batteries, I'd probably have to buy 2 twin packs at a cost of €270. That's alot of money that could be put towards a new 6 piece kit with 3 x 5.0Ah Lithium batteries. Kits are typically €950 delivered from the UK. I've my eye on one that has a cordless planer...

Wonder if there's much of a market for the older 18V stuff...

I bought it from an ebay seller in the US but made sure it was the genuine part as there's lots of clones out there.

Yes the drill i got in B&Q was a 1.5aHr battery, but my original nicad batteries were only this rating too.

If you know someone based in the US the best value is the dca adapter and 2 batteries + charger in the likes of home depot.

CGI_3

I went ahead and ordered the nicad twin pack from the states earlier today. We'll see how long it takes, and if there will be any refund on the upfront duty amazon collects....

Couldn't justify spending the best part of a thousand to get what; shinier versions of what I've already got...!

There was no advantage ordering 2 x twin packs at the same time so I'll see how the first one works out.

Previous batteries I brought back myself were the finest.

johncal2009

If you click on to the link at the bottom of my reply it will show the item I bought from Amazon uk, it will give you all the info, I wouldn't buy new battery's at this point as they are very expensive, if you can test your battery  with a multimeter to see if it will take a charge. if you go down the new battery path you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a new item, but I would only buy one at a time as they are very expensive, and the converter is £19.99. If you need any more help, don't hesitate to ask! My battery's are 12 v

johncal2009

If you click on to the link at the bottom of my reply it will show the item I bought from Amazon uk, it will give you all the info, I wouldn't buy new battery's at this point as they are very expensive, if you can test your battery  with a multimeter to see if it will take a charge. if you go down the new battery path you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a new item, but I would only buy one at a time as they are very expensive, and the converter is £19.99. If you need any more help, don't hesitate to ask! My battery's are 12 v

...__...

http://batteriesplus.co.uk/acatalog/Sub_C_2400mAh_NiCd_Tagged_battery.html

here the solution already tagged and ready to solder.

The beauty of dewalt batteries is the NIMH are not sealed just some torx screws

CGI_3

Thanks for the link on the rebuilds. I might try. Looks like about 35 euro plus shipping (if any) per 18V battery.

I have at least 5 old batteries that could be rebuilt at this stage.

I went ahead and ordered from amazon for the twinpack. Works out about 67 euro a battery.

Expecting to have them early June.

CGI_3

Batteries arrived this morning.

No evidence of molestation by customs.

Does this mean Amazon may return my prepayment of duty?

You'd imagine there'd be some kind of customs sticker or something if there was a transaction between the carrier and customs...?

my3cents

I've now got old DeWalt tools with 18V NiCads and newer tools with 18V XR Lithium batteries so was looking at similar solutions to the OP. In my search I also found this 18V XR Lithium adapter that provides two 5V USB charge ports USB Charger For XR Battery Packs

There's a lot of power stored in the 4Amp XR batteries so while expensive that adapter and a XR battery would make one hell of a USB Power Bank.

dodzy

my3cents wrote: »

I've now got old DeWalt tools with 18V NiCads and newer tools with 18V XR Lithium batteries so was looking at similar solutions to the OP. In my search I also found this 18V XR Lithium adapter that provides two 5V USB charge ports USB Charger For XR Battery Packs

There's a lot of power stored in the 4Amp XR batteries so while expensive that adapter and a XR battery would make one hell of a USB Power Bank.

The most expensive power bank in history though !

my3cents

dodzy wrote: »

The most expensive power bank in history though !

If you already have the batteries then its just another way of making use of them.

Noticed the DCA 1820 adpator (Amazons spelling not mine) isn't mentioned on either the dot ie or dot co.uk DeWalt sites?