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[Aprelia]

Wartex used to be a member on this site. He was a great source for all things batteries. He sorta fell of the planet the last year.

Nope, I'm still here

BTW new 36v batteries are 10s2p Samsung IFR18650-11Q (LiFePO4 but very shitty one). I'm officially done with Dewalt batteries. I will continue buying tools but will make my own packs and rebuild old ones. My next project is 5s3p 3.3Ah pack for 18v tools with 18650 A123's and a 4.5 Ah pack with Sanyos. Those will be for new slide packs because I don't have the tools (and patience to mess with tiny SMD component soldering) to build a balancer that will fit the stem. I found a cheap plastics supplier and planning to make a "fatpack" that will be the king of all cordless packs

Also, I will soon post my Dewalt shopvac mod - I'm taking DC500 and replacing it's 120v power supply with a charger - finally a vac that charges batteries in standby.

I also had a go at a 120v AC bandsaw that was running off 3x 36v packs in series, but scapped it because 120 VDC is not a joke when the hands are sweaty. I will also post a vid of a 120v Ridgid shopvac running off DC batteries. Gotta love universal AC motors. 

[DEWALTDUDE]

I was thinking of doing a similar mod several weeks ago when I saw the DC500 on clearance at my local big box. I imagined it would not be all that hard to do. Can't wait to see your mod.

[framer]

Also, I will soon post my Dewalt shopvac mod - I'm taking DC500 and replacing it's 120v power supply with a charger - finally a vac that charges batteries in standby.

i really want to hear about this.  i was throwing the idea around of converting one of these vacs to a 36v battery use.

[Aprelia]

I was thinking of doing a similar mod several weeks ago when I saw the DC500 on clearance at my local big box. I imagined it would not be all that hard to do. Can't wait to see your mod.

The biggest problem is adding a 3rd terminal in the battery socket. Vacuum comes with 2-terminal, you need the center pin for charger to work. Also, charger PCB has no holes for mounting, I had to resort to plastic pieces with grroves to hold the board. I also added a 12v cig lighter socket 

[mazdaman]

Does DeWalt make a 14.4 v Li-Ion battery?  I'm looking for a 14.4 v drill, but so far all I see are Ni-Cads.  I am a weekend DIY'er.  I may use the drill a few times a month.  Will Ni-Cads suffice for me?  When I hear the name Ni-Cad, I think of my old camcorder battery, and having to discharge it fully before recharging (because of the memory effect) and then not having enough battery left when I needed it because it was partially discharged before I started using it.  I think you know what I mean.  I just don't want the hassle of having to worry about how much charge is left in the battery.

I will have to shop around, but does anybody have an opinion as to whether to 18V drills are much heavier than the 14.4?

[kjones]

Does DeWalt make a 14.4 v Li-Ion battery?  I'm looking for a 14.4 v drill, but so far all I see are Ni-Cads.  I am a weekend DIY'er.  I may use the drill a few times a month.  Will Ni-Cads suffice for me?  When I hear the name Ni-Cad, I think of my old camcorder battery, and having to discharge it fully before recharging (because of the memory effect) and then not having enough battery left when I needed it because it was partially discharged before I started using it.  I think you know what I mean.  I just don't want the hassle of having to worry about how much charge is left in the battery.

I will have to shop around, but does anybody have an opinion as to whether to 18V drills are much heavier than the 14.4?

Yes, but it is sold as an aftermarket option.  There are not any 14.4v kits packaged with lithium batteries.

[DEWALTDUDE]

Does DeWalt make a 14.4 v Li-Ion battery?  I'm looking for a 14.4 v drill, but so far all I see are Ni-Cads.  I am a weekend DIY'er.  I may use the drill a few times a month.  Will Ni-Cads suffice for me?  When I hear the name Ni-Cad, I think of my old camcorder battery, and having to discharge it fully before recharging (because of the memory effect) and then not having enough battery left when I needed it because it was partially discharged before I started using it.  I think you know what I mean.  I just don't want the hassle of having to worry about how much charge is left in the battery.

I will have to shop around, but does anybody have an opinion as to whether to 18V drills are much heavier than the 14.4?

14.4v has been posted on here as a "squeezed out" voltage line. I would look into either the new 20v max line, or the 12v max line depending on your overall needs?

Yes, but it is sold as an aftermarket option.  There are not any 14.4v kits packaged with lithium batteries.