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Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: Skillet on April 21, 2023, 12:08:04 PM

Title: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: Skillet on April 21, 2023, 12:08:04 PM: I'm pretty deep into the DeWalt 20V system, but the 2 batteries I have are pretty old and one is basically worthless. I'm curious is anybody in here had personal experience with the 20v Powerstack batt's vs the regular 20v Max batt's. It's a fair price jump up to the Powerstack batt's. Most of my use is probably what pro's would consider light duty, but when I need a good battery to make a long cut on steel or something similar, I want it.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: baker5150 on April 21, 2023, 01:26:14 PM: We run power stacks on 1 of our vans. They talked me into buying them instead of Makita due to charge life. Every other van in our fleet we run Makita.
This crew works on roofs a lot where packing extra batteries and chargers is a PIA.
They need their batteries to last all day and charge at night.

At the end of the day, they are still just a 5ah battery. No different than any other 5ah IMO.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: CamoDup on April 21, 2023, 03:02:23 PM: I was in search of a new circular saw and while I was in Lowes and they had a deal going on that if you buy a 2 pack of the Powerstack batteries for $199 you can get a free tool. Well come to find out the saw that I wanted to get was included with that deal and it was $219 for the saw only. I thought it was a steal so I went with the batteries and got the saw free. Well come to find out the batteries are 1.7ah. They work great for the drill and 1/4 impact but I can only make 10 or so cuts on a 2x4 with the circ saw using those before I have to charge batteries or switch to my 5ah. I wanted to stick with DeWalt only because I already have extra batteries, chargers and other tools that use the same battery.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: follow maggie on April 21, 2023, 03:21:02 PM: Wow. No wonder they don’t advertise the amp hours of those things. 1.7 isn’t worth the plastic used to make it.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: baker5150 on April 21, 2023, 03:44:00 PM: Quote from: follow maggie on April 21, 2023, 03:21:02 PM
Wow. No wonder they don’t advertise the amp hours of those things. 1.7 isn’t worth the plastic used to make it.

They come in 5ah as well.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: CP on April 21, 2023, 03:47:52 PM: I believe the “power stack” uses lithium polymer pouches. The “old” style battery pack uses standard 18650 cells. I have no idea which is “better”.

I don’t think either is worth what DeWalt charges for them. I have a 3rd party pack that fits my DeWalt tools, just as good as the original and I think it was less than half the price.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: Skillet on April 21, 2023, 04:00:28 PM: Quote from: CP on April 21, 2023, 03:47:52 PM
I believe the “power stack” uses lithium polymer pouches. The “old” style battery pack uses standard 18650 cells. I have no idea which is “better”.

I don’t think either is worth what DeWalt charges for them. I have a 3rd party pack that fits my DeWalt tools, just as good as the original and I think it was less than half the price.

Oh ya?? I hadn't even considered off-brand batt's. You have a suggestion?
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: Rainier10 on April 21, 2023, 04:03:32 PM: Quote from: Skillet on April 21, 2023, 04:00:28 PM
Quote from: CP on April 21, 2023, 03:47:52 PM
I believe the “power stack” uses lithium polymer pouches. The “old” style battery pack uses standard 18650 cells. I have no idea which is “better”.

I don’t think either is worth what DeWalt charges for them. I have a 3rd party pack that fits my DeWalt tools, just as good as the original and I think it was less than half the price.

Oh ya?? I hadn't even considered off-brand batt's. You have a suggestion?

:yeah:
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: Stein on April 21, 2023, 04:10:38 PM: I sent some in to some shop on the interweb and they rebuilt them using new cells. It's not a huge deal but you need a fancy welder/solder thing to get the tabs on. That was for ni-cad though, probably similar for lithium although you have to be careful with lithium as they have a tendency to have runaway thermal events. I wouldn't go with no-name lithium cells.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: CP on April 21, 2023, 04:15:09 PM: Quote from: Skillet on April 21, 2023, 04:00:28 PM
Quote from: CP on April 21, 2023, 03:47:52 PM
I believe the “power stack” uses lithium polymer pouches. The “old” style battery pack uses standard 18650 cells. I have no idea which is “better”.

I don’t think either is worth what DeWalt charges for them. I have a 3rd party pack that fits my DeWalt tools, just as good as the original and I think it was less than half the price.

Oh ya?? I hadn't even considered off-brand batt's. You have a suggestion?

I have a Waitley 6.0 ah. Bought it off Amazon a few years ago. My guess is they all pretty much the same.

If you are handy with a soldering iron and don’t mind the fuss, you can change the cells in the bad pack. Check YouTube for how-to videos.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: Special T on April 21, 2023, 04:55:22 PM: My neighbor says his 60 volt battery works on his 20volt tools. No more power just lasts forever you mileage may vary.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: follow maggie on April 21, 2023, 08:02:54 PM: The 60v batteries have the pin out for both 20v & 60v. So if you have both tools, it’s definitely the battery to get.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: ctwiggs1 on May 17, 2023, 12:29:26 PM: I bought the powerstacks because two of them was the same price as the 5ah I wanted when I went to the store.

No real noticeable difference from my 1.7ah batteries that came with my set.

At this point I'm so invested in the lower ah batteries that I'll probably get one of those larger charging units and just go with it.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: goldenhtr on May 17, 2023, 02:30:31 PM: You can now get adpt. to convert your batteries to other brands.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Adapter-Lithium-ion-Milwaukee-Converter/dp/B09GVLJCNC/ref=sr_1_40?crid=2CS697Y9LALR5&keywords=makita+battery+adpt&qid=1684358890&sprefix=makita+battery+adpt%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-40
https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Milwaukee-Battery-Batteries-Cordless/dp/B0BG4TCK1K/ref=sr_1_45?crid=2CS697Y9LALR5&keywords=makita+battery+adpt&qid=1684358998&sprefix=makita+battery+adpt%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-45
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: HntnFsh on May 17, 2023, 06:26:30 PM: Wow. Thats cheap too!
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: goldenhtr on May 18, 2023, 01:49:54 PM: Lots of cool adpt. now.
My son uses this to run all his electrics on his bass boat.
fish finder and one for his live scope.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1G88W4R/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B0B1G88W4R&pd_rd_w=yzBUD&content-id=amzn1.sym.7b21e0c7-2d6d-4279-a40b-74d2b0593b5a&pf_rd_p=7b21e0c7-2d6d-4279-a40b-74d2b0593b5a&pf_rd_r=Z4MYWTCQE3RCKCCCJKVZ&pd_rd_wg=ARcT0&pd_rd_r=4d10638f-4ece-4f3b-af50-aa3bcf4c8863&s=electronics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE4T0NWUkZaWFJDQjYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwMjQ4NzczR080OFU0TEdITU1OJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MTkxNzVTVktSWTFTTjFWNDcmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWMmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: CP on May 18, 2023, 03:04:21 PM: Quote from: goldenhtr on May 18, 2023, 01:49:54 PM
Lots of cool adpt. now.
My son uses this to run all his electrics on his bass boat.
fish finder and one for his live scope.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1G88W4R/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B0B1G88W4R&pd_rd_w=yzBUD&content-id=amzn1.sym.7b21e0c7-2d6d-4279-a40b-74d2b0593b5a&pf_rd_p=7b21e0c7-2d6d-4279-a40b-74d2b0593b5a&pf_rd_r=Z4MYWTCQE3RCKCCCJKVZ&pd_rd_wg=ARcT0&pd_rd_r=4d10638f-4ece-4f3b-af50-aa3bcf4c8863&s=electronics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE4T0NWUkZaWFJDQjYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwMjQ4NzczR080OFU0TEdITU1OJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MTkxNzVTVktSWTFTTjFWNDcmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWMmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

Cool. Did he Serip the wires? :chuckle:

Seriously, what does he use to step down the voltage to 12Vdc?
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: goldenhtr on May 21, 2023, 08:17:22 AM: Most Garmins can run 10-32v, picture is way cleaner when you give them proper voltage too.
But you should check your specs on your unit. If less ie:12-18v you may need a voltage regulator.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: CP on May 21, 2023, 09:08:58 AM: Quote from: goldenhtr on May 21, 2023, 08:17:22 AM
Most Garmins can run 10-32v, picture is way cleaner when you give them proper voltage too.
But you should check your specs on your unit. If less ie:12-18v you may need a voltage regulator.

Thanks for idea. I’m considering adapting one to run a downrigger, if I can get enough amps from it. Would be a game changer to ditch the power cord on a downrigger.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: spin05 on June 06, 2023, 01:23:12 AM: just rebuild yours.
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: Stein on June 06, 2023, 06:23:04 AM: Quote from: spin05 on June 06, 2023, 01:23:12 AM
just rebuild yours.

The video is a sales presentation on why not to rebuild your battery and buy their new battery. :chuckle:
Title: Re: DeWalt 20v batteries - are the Powerstack models worth it?
Post by: spin05 on June 07, 2023, 03:25:19 AM: Quote from: Stein on June 06, 2023, 06:23:04 AM
Quote from: spin05 on June 06, 2023, 01:23:12 AM
just rebuild yours.

The video is a sales presentation on why not to rebuild your battery and buy their new battery. :chuckle:

That figures. i just grabbed the first video i saw. try this one