18v battery into a 14.4v drill

[anto]

I have a Makita 18v drill with 2 batteries and I am looking to buy a Makita 14.4v impact driver (body only).

Will my spare 18v battery work in the 14.4v body? They physically fit but will they work without burning something out?

Thanks,
Anton

 

[Jim Davey]

Nope.

 

[rikrobson]

The internal resistance of the motor will be lower resulting in more current than expected. The speed controller however may complain by letting the magic smoke out.
It may work for a short while.
However saying that if they were catasrophically incompatible they would have made them not fit or but a big label on. you could have both with the 14v and 18v batteries then by accident you might intercange them, then they could be liable.
its the reason ladders have warnings on them to cover the makers bahookies

 

[anto]

They make them with the same fitting because people wanted 'one charger for all batteries' imo...

Maybe they rely on the user being able to match two sets of numbers and that would be their defence if you killed a unit by overvolting it?

Yes, the charger I noticed in my search was the exact same, same part nr. So your theory would be correct.
Think il just bite the bullet and buy the driver with the batteries. For the sake of £50 it would be better than having a £60 paperweight at the end of the day if I tried the 18v in it.

 

[500e]

Run 2 Hitachi 7.2 volt drills on 12 volt extension lead for 3 years batteries so expensive it was either throw away or run till I burnt them out so far

not heavy use but steady

 

[Kram]

Motor will almost certainly be fine, speed control might overheat.. Ive got several 6S lipo batteries I might try in one in a drill.

 

[BrokenBiker]

the motor wont care, the extra V will be within the tolerance of the motor probably...the electronic pixies might kick up a fuss and try to gas you though

 

[anto]

Got sorted.
Bought a second hand Makita 18v with 3 batteries and a charger for £70.