I have a DC970 drill, a DC385B reciprocating saw, and a DC330B jig saw, but my 18V batteries have stopped working. To fix this, I bought the DCA1820 20V MAX to 18V adapter along with DCB203 battery packs. Unfortunately, none of my tools seem to work with the new setup. Did I make a mistake in my purchases, or are these tools destined for the trash now?
3 Answers
All of my Dewalt 18V tools operate without issue using that adapter. Just keep in mind that you might need to give them a firm push to seat properly. They've been good to me for a couple of years now!
It sounds like your adapter might be faulty. I've been using the same DCA1820 with all my 18V tools, and they have all worked fine. You could try getting another adapter, and if you're worried about wasting money, buy it from Home Depot. They usually have a good return policy if it doesn’t work out. I totally get the frustration of wanting to use your trusted tools again!
You're right; I'm more motivated now to try another adapter. I really don't want to toss these tools away, so fingers crossed that a new adapter does the trick!
Just a heads up: the DCA1820 adapter allows lithium batteries to work with your older tools, but you can't charge them using that adapter. You'll need a separate charger for the lithium batteries. Also, it's worth noting that the adapter may cause a slow battery drain if batteries are left attached, so take them off when not in use!
Thanks for the tip! I do keep my batteries charged separately, so hopefully, it won’t be a problem. I've read about that drain issue before.
Good to know! I’ve had to wiggle mine into place sometimes, but once they’re in, they run smoothly.