Power Tools
DeWalt DCB112 vs DCB115
If you’re in the market for a multi-volt battery pack charger, you’re bound to run into the DeWalt DCB112 vs. DCB115 debate. On paper, these drill battery chargers are almost identical, with the exception of price tags. Which of the two should you buy?
These DeWalt MAX chargers are made for the 20V MAX line of DeWalt hammer drills. They share most of the basic features. Both can serve as a decent charger for your DCD996/DCD997 cordless drills. The question is, which one has more bang for your buck?
DeWalt DCB112 Overview
The DCB112 is about 17.5cm by 17cm long, and looking at its cross-section, roughly 6cm thick. That’s a standard-size battery charger that fits into your toolbox easily. It weighs less than a pound (about 388 grams), so it doesn’t add much weight to your equipment pack.
The charger is compatible with 110v – 115v power outlets and will charge most DeWalt batteries, including the standard 20V (5-amp) battery and the FlexVolt 60V MAX (6-amp) lithium-ion battery.
This is a durable charger that cuts downtime by charging batteries in an hour or less. How quickly your specific battery pack charges will depend on factors like its age and current temperature. Thanks to the indicators, this charger allows professionals to monitor the condition of their battery packs.
It is compatible with DeWalt slide-style batteries. Ensure your slide until you hear a click to make sure that the battery is connected correctly.
It features a durable build that can survive in industrial job sites for years, making it as stable as your DeWalt tools. That’s the advantage of buying genuine DeWalt products.
Summary:
The DCB112 charges 12V – 20V DeWalt lithium batteries. An on-board diagnostic panel lights up to indicate various charging statuses and battery levels.
The indicators show when the battery pack is charging (“Pack Charging”) , when it is fully charged (“Pack Charged”), and when there’s a temperature delay (“Hot Cold Delay”).
The temp delay indicator tells you when the battery pack is too hot or too cold to charge.
Key Features:
overall
Quality
Compatibility
On-board LED
Cost
DeWalt DCB115
The DCB115 is slightly bigger than the DCB112, but then again, it’s also more powerful. At 7.6 by 3.8 by 1.3 inches, however, you’ll hardly notice the difference. It does weigh 1.3 lbs, which is significantly more than the 13.7oz weight of the DCB112.
Like its sibling, the DCB115 is built from heavy-duty plastic that withstands abuse. It comes with a 6FT long power cord, so it has plenty of reach when you need it. The charger suits any 12V – 20V DeWalt MAX battery packs, but with a single-phase step-down transformer; you can use 120V input power instead of the 220V it is rated at. That makes it versatile enough to work with 50Hz grids too.
As for output power, it gives up to 40amps, charging your battery packs in about 90 minutes or less. Of course, you have to allow for variations brought on by battery age and temperature.
Like the DCB112, this charger also has an LED indicator to show charging status, fully charged status, and hot/cold delay status. It works with any compatible slide-style DeWalt 20V MAX Lithium-Ion batteries. It also has a remarkably low power draw (around 250uA) when it’s not charging. Therefore, you can leave it plugged in occasionally without worrying about your power bills.
Summary:
As far as charging efficiency goes, the DCB115 has an 85% rating, meaning that most of the power it draws goes to the battery pack, and very little energy is lost to heat. To top it all off, it comes with a 3-year DeWalt warranty, making it worth its slightly higher price tag.
Key Features:
overall
Quality
Power Efficiency
On-board LED
Cost
DeWalt DCB112 vs DCB115 Comparison
Features | DCB112 | DCB115 |
Weight | 13oz | 20.8oz |
Input Power | 120V | 220V (120V w/step down transformer) |
Battery pack type | DeWalt 12V – 20V slide-style Lithium ion | DeWalt 12V – 20V slide - style Lithium ion |
Charging time | 60 minutes | 90 minutes |
LED Indicator | Yes | Yes |
Charging Efficiency | _ | 85% |
Accessories | _ | 6FT long cord |
Warranty | _ | 3 Year DeWalt warranty |
The DCB112 is lighter and smaller than the DCB115. That might make a difference if you carry your toolkit around often, but it won’t be too significant.
The DCB115 works with both 120V and 220V outlets, but you’ll need a step-down transformer. The DCB112 will suit you if you’re on a 50Hz grid. Both have two-prong North American plugs.
Charging time is significantly shorter with the DCB112, but it comes without the super efficiency of the DCB115, which only loses a negligible amount of power to heat.
The most significant difference is the price, and although the DCB112 is a few dollars cheaper, the DCB115 comes with a practical accessory and a 3-year warranty. It also has superior power efficiency and can handle different power inputs. That makes it slightly better than the DCB112.
Winner: DeWalt DCB115 for Max Quality and Efficiency
The clear winner is the DeWalt DCB115, which offers better features where it counts, such as the power efficiency and minimum idle power draw. It also has a 3-year warranty.
Quality
Efficiency
Cost
Which One Should You Buy?
The DCB112 has a better charging time and is cheaper, so if you need a quick replacement charger, it will do in a cinch. However, I’d put my money on the tool with the better power rating and manufacturer’s warranty.
So, if you’re interested in a replacement DeWalt charger for your 20V MAX hammer drills, go with the DCB115 if you want better quality and the DCB112 if you’re on a budget.
