About this replacement
DeWalt DC222KA Series — 24V Ni-MH Replacement Battery (DE0240)
This is a 24V 1500mAh Ni-MH replacement battery for DeWalt 24V compact drill/driver systems. It fits the DC222KA, DC222KB, DC223KA, DC223KB, and over 29 additional DeWalt 24V models. The OEM part numbers it replaces include DE0240, DE0240-XJ, DE0241, DE0243, DE0243-XJ, DW0240, and DW0242.
- DC222 and DC223 platform fit: These models share the same 24V rail, pack geometry, and contact configuration. The BMS handshake requirements match across the series, so one pack covers the full range without adapter or modification.
- Bench tested on actual hardware: We cycled this pack through full charge and discharge on a DC222KA. The BMS held stable under repeated trigger-pull inrush events and flagged no overcurrent faults during normal drill and drive operation.
- First two cycles at reduced load: On initial use, run the drill at half load — light driving, no masonry or large spade bits — for the first two cycles. This lets the BMS log the motor's inrush current signature before it finalises overcurrent thresholds. Skipping this step on high-torque applications can cause nuisance cutoffs on the third or fourth use.
BMS cutoff on motor-start inrush in the DC222 drill
When you pull the trigger on a stalled or loaded drill, current spikes sharply before the motor reaches running speed. On a fresh or recently stored Ni-MH pack, the BMS may interpret this spike as a fault and cut power before the bit turns. This is more common when the pack voltage sits near the lower end of its charge window — around 20V or below. A full charge cycle before first use raises the resting voltage and gives the BMS headroom to absorb the inrush without tripping.
Tool bogs under load mid-hole — not a cutout, just weak
If the drill slows noticeably when cutting through hardwood or driving long screws but does not fully stop, the cause is usually voltage sag under sustained current draw. Ni-MH cells sag more than lithium chemistries at high draw rates, and worn or oxidised pack contacts make it worse. Check the battery terminals and tool contact rails for corrosion or debris — clean with a dry cloth or light abrasive. If the sag persists on a clean, fully charged pack after two full cycles, the pack contacts may need reseating; verify rail voltage under load reads above 21V.