I own a bunch of DeWalt 20V tools and am curious about using some 24V batteries I have lying around. My main interest is in using these with a chainsaw and a blower to see if I can get a little extra power. I am aware that using a higher voltage might decrease the tool's lifespan and could potentially lead to overheating. Are there components in these tools, like control boards or capacitors, that might be affected by this voltage increase?
4 Answers
Short answer: Yes, I've used Flex 24V batteries with my DeWalt tools without much trouble. Just keep in mind that doing this could void your warranty and might be hard on the tools in the long run. I’ve had mixed results; while they work well with my DCF 845, 860, and 1007, my DeWalt cutoff tool didn’t perform as well. So, try it at your own risk!
It's important to note that DeWalt tools are now heavily digitally controlled. They might handle a small voltage range, but do you really want to risk damaging your tools just to see? If you're looking for more power, I’d recommend checking out the Powerstacks or Powerpacks instead.
Honestly, with how pricey these tools are, I wouldn’t want to risk damaging them by using a 24V battery. It might be smarter to just invest in higher capacity batteries like the PowerStack, Powerpack, or Flexvolt which are designed to handle the extra load.
You can definitely opt for PowerPack and PowerStack batteries for a voltage boost, but remember that the limiters are in the tools themselves, not the batteries. With DeWalt's FlexVolt advantage, they do make good use of the extra voltage!