Craftsman 20V Tool to DeWalt 20V Battery Adapter

Version 4 now has a battery latch plate that also locks the adapter once assembled. The adapter height has be adjusted after testing with a Craftsman hammer drill. The Craftsman rails need to be rounded at the front edge so it lets the battery sit as far back as possible, see photos for where to cut.

This is a compact battery adapter for Craftsman 20V tools to use DeWalt 20V MAX batteries. The battery lock does align with the tool but the height difference makes it a very light lock, doesn't really go "click". I saw other commercial adapters that are much bulkier but designed this because I realized the physical rails already matched, just needed to adapt the power pins.

The power pins are fashioned from a picture hood that I had on hand and was just right at 8 mm wide. Any material from brass, copper or tin should work as long as it is ~1 mm thick and can be formed with a tab that bridges gap between the battery and tool.

Another feature is the temperature sensor bypass. Use a 10kOhm leaded 1/4 watt resistor that is no more than 8 mm wide. Bend the leads and cut to about 8 mm long. The adapter has channels for the leads to fit into and will push them to make contact with the tool. avoid large power resistors with leads thicker than 0.6 mm. Everything can be assembled without glue but a dab of hot glue or double sided tape to hold the resistor in place can help make assembly easier.

This adapter is assumed to be permanently installed in the tool. The latest version is designed to be a snug fit that might require a wide jaw wrench (i.e. plummer's adjustable wrench) to force the adapter in place.