NiCad and Li-ion batteries interchangeable?

[jussi]

Will the new Li-ion batteries work on my older Dewalt drill that takes NiCad?

[Daryl]

I don't know, but I do know the chargers aren't interchangeable and the batteries won't be the same physical size.

[conwaygolfer]

Not to be rude - but that is why I am now using Ridgid. The charger accepts both batteries as well as the tool. I got tired of buying DeWalt batteries and changed to Ridgid. There have been some decent sales on them lately.

Conwaygolfer

[Russianwolf]

I have the Ryobi Li's

The Li charger will work on both type batteries, the tools accept either, but the Nicad charger will not charge the Li batteries.


If Dewalt didn't make theirs reverse compatible like Ryobi then they just want more of your money.

[justaguy]

Many of the Dewalt 18V tools are comaptible with the Lithium batteries some are not. I am not sure but I think if you search the model # at the Dewalt web site it will tell you if it is not compatible.

For the chargers - I'm pretty sure that the yellow top chargers are Lithium or Nicad and all black chargers are Nicad only.

Regarding Ridgid vs Dewalt.. YMMV.

I bought a new Dewalt 18v Lithium combo set and a new Ridgid 12v Lithium drill/flashlight kit on the same day and both sets get about the same amount of use and are charged the same. After 18 months the Ridgid set is on it's 2nd set of 2 replacement batteries (4 dead waiting for batteries 5 and 6 to arrive).

Each time I've had to replace the Ridgid batteries it's been a 5-6 week wait. The local shop tells me "it seems that all of work on Ridgid tools is replacing Li batteries". Mine is going for sale on Craigslist as soon as the new set of batteries arrive. The tool has spent more time in the repair shop than in my shop. If you look up the Ridgid 12v Lithium tools on the BORG website the reviews document many others having battery failures as well.

[LCHIEN]

interchangeability depends.

For powering tools and or electronics or lights they are interchangeable, the cell voltage being very close.

They take a different charge technique. If you have a universal or so-called multichemistry charger (not that common and extra cost) then you will be OK (you may have to select a switch on the charger, some may be automatic). Otherwise most chargers are specific to one chemistry only and will damage other types of batteries or not charge them fully.

The battery packs may be a different size, but then again, its possible for batteries of a common chemistry to come in different sizes and capacities also.

Obviously to work they must have a compatible connector.

[aggrex]

The 18v Dewalt nano Li batteries are backward compatible with nearly all 18v Dewalt Nicad power tools. The nano Li batteries click on securely but the Nicad power tools will have a bit of overhang because the nano Li batteries are somewhat smaller. Put the old Nicad charger away and use the lithium charger to charge both Li and Nicad batteries