⟐ Answer edited June 19, 2025 at 12:36 MST

⟐ Commented May 12, 2020 at 14:15 MST

⟐ Answer deleted June 22, 2021 at 15:39 MST

Despite having the higher end tools, I still want to keep this one around for jobs I do not want to run my good XR drill on. I have the DCA1820 and 4x 5Ah packs (18650-based) and 2 PowerStacks (5Ah/1.7Ah), so I am wondering what the sweet spot for the older 18V tools is. I did look into a brushless 20V entry level drill on sale for the batteries, but I looked into that years ago before I got 6 20V batteries. I don't think that plan makes as much sense now unless I get some insane deal on a 20V Brushless with 2 2Ah batteries.

⟐ Answer accepted March 08, 2026 at 0:54 MST

I am looking at either the DCA2203C 20V kit (~$100) or buying a set of knockoff NiMh batteries (much cheaper) since both of them are pretty much shot. My charger can handle it since I have the 116 and not the 115. My concern is how long will they last compared to the NiCd packs becuase there are almost no vendors making clone NiCd batteries - not that you’d want them.

Has anyone worked with these knockoff batteries and are they worth the money? The high cost of the lithium kit makes it harder to justify piecemeal, but what does make sense is a new drill (~$100) and a DCA1820 ($35) - which will keep the DC970 in service with good batteries. The cheapest set I found that’s 3600mAh for $28 ($14/battery).

⟐ Commented June 11, 2024 at 2:25 MST

As it stands the battery went down from 16.54V (respectable amps left) to 13.43V (1A left) with one charge. I opened the pack to inspect the individual cells so I know the cause of death and I noticed 4 cells are now dead (formerly 3) and 2 of the cells dropped to 1.2V (out of 15). I didn’t see this as an issue because I knew it was dying and I’d eventually lose it. The problem is the DC970 starts to slow down (but doesn’t get crippled) at 13V, which is something I overlooked until I ran it to see what it’s going to run like from now on with that pack. This battery is effectively dead because of the massive voltage cut I took. This is a problem for most of my projects I use a drill for like drilling through thicker materials :(. I still have one more battery in descent shape (16.53V/1.08A from 18V/1.2Ah) but it’s dangerously close to death as it stands but has not been rebuilt nor considered for it (but it will probably need one sooner rather then later).

Is there a way I can get it rebuilt with NiMh or Lithium cells economically? Seeing as it’s a 8 year old drill with a chuck that has been oiled, I (understandably) want to keep my costs down. NiCd is horrible and I don’t want to use it again. I know Dewalt still sells XR OEM batteries but the issue is they are still NiCd. The 18V Lithium battery appears to be discontinued and I’d need a new charger which would negate the cost savings and put me into new drill territory anyway. It uses 4/3 Sub C cells from what I can tell, so that’s what I’m dealing with.

⟐ Commented December 04, 2018 at 15:23 MST

So I opened up the case on my DeWalt DC970 18V drill and of course, wasn't careful enough and stuff spilled out when I separated the two halves. I caught the motor assembly in time, but I could hear at least a couple parts hit the ground, never to be found again. One of these days I'll retain what I learn....

Anyways, I'm trying to reassemble and I'm stuck on a mystery part

Based on the next image, I'm thinking it's a part of the speed shifter. You can see the bend of something metal holding up the shifter with the motor out that looks very close to the mystery part. Unfortunately though, any image I can find of the shifter online is a picture of just the top of the shifter, nothing of the bottom. Every parts diagram I can find does the same thing; it's sold as a single part.

In the image above, it looks like the part attaches to the motor assembly farther down than the shifter does. But I can't find anywhere for it to attach to anything.

The hole in the center of the part does fit snuggly into the shifter bottom, but of course I don't know which direction it's supposed to go.

Am I missing another part that helps this attach to the motor?

Is this mystery part just a random doohickey I found on my floor and has nothing to do with the drill?

Answers and advice greatly appreciated.

-Art

⟐ Commented February 02, 2026 at 12:25 MST

⟐ Commented December 14, 2022 at 11:49 MST

⟐ Answer accepted December 07, 2018 at 5:52 MST

⟐ Answer accepted December 05, 2018 at 6:06 MST

⟐ Answer accepted December 05, 2018 at 6:06 MST