I've got a dead 18-volt, 2-amp battery here, and I've also got a 20-volt, 2-amp battery that's fully charged. Is it safe for me to use the 20-volt battery to jumpstart the dead 18-volt one? I'm concerned about whether the different voltage could harm either battery.
3 Answers
You should be fine to jumpstart that 18V battery with your 20V. The key thing to remember is that the 20V battery is just a higher max voltage but operates within the same range. Just keep an eye on the connections and make sure everything is clean to avoid any sparks!
Actually, there's some confusion around battery voltages. Many 18V batteries, like those from Dewalt, are marketed as such because of regulations in different regions, but they can also reach a maximum of 20V. So, technically you can jumpstart it, but just make sure to do it carefully to avoid potential issues.
It’s perfectly acceptable to jumpstart the battery normally. Just to clarify, while there might be slight differences in labeling, a properly functioning 20V battery will not damage your 18V battery during a jump. However, avoid letting the batteries stay connected for too long.