Use of 18V batteries in 20V drill

[SteveP]

While on a recent trip to the US I bought a XR brushless drill with a 20V battery. What I forgot was that the charger runs on 110V, at least I forgot until I plugged it in and it started smoking. From looking online it seems that 20V chargers are not available in the UK.

So, I have the option of buying a new charger from the US and getting a 110 / 220 converter or alternatively I was wondering whether a 18V charger would work with my batteries, albeit with lower performance.

Can anybody give me any advice on the above?

Alternatively, does anyone know if / when 20V tools will come to the UK? If not too long, I can just wait.

Drill part no. - DCD 790

Charger part no. DCB101

[Mr. Yellow]

The tools are already available. In the US they call it 20V Max. In Europe it's called 18V XR.

You can just get an 18V XR charger from the UK (DCB105) to charge your 20V batteries.

The cordless tools and batteries are all the same, just different branding (ie. 20v Max / 18v XR)

[missiondan]

the other option would have been a 110 plug and just use a standard site transformer, my compressor is from the states and works on that basis which is ideal anyway for people working on uk sites

[SteveP]

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[sompse]

Just modified charger bought from US to work on EU 230V plug.  Only thing you need to change is one condensator 200v /220uF  to 400V 100uF or similar then change EU plug thats it.  I done it couple days ago and now DCB101  works like DCB105 .