Dewalt has launched their new 20V Max “XR” DCB204 lithium ion battery pack, which offers a 4.0Ah charge capacity. The new battery packs provide up to 33% more runtime compared to Dewalt’s standard 3.0Ah batteries, and according to sales sheets the batteries recharge in about 70 minutes.
33% more runtime with a 17% longer charge time (70 mins vs. 60 mins) sounds like a good deal. As a reminder, Dewalt also just came out with a new compact XR battery (DCB203) as well.
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The new XR 4.0Ah battery packs feature built-in fuel gauges and can be used with any Dewalt 20V Max tool or charger.
A number of new tool kits will also be coming out, bundling some of Dewalt’s heavy duty power-thirsty cordless tools with the new high capacity battery. These kits have all been given Dewalt’s new “XR” designation, which is said to stand for extended runtime, with corresponding model numbers ending in M2 instead of L2.
Here’s how to tell which batteries any Dewalt 20V Max li-ion cordless kit comes with. XXXXC2 kits come with 1.5Ah batteries, XXXXD2 kits come with 2.0Ah batteries, XXXXL2 kits come with 3.0Ah batteries, and XXXXM2 kits come with these new 4.0Ah batteries.
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Javier
Thats great that its only about 10 more minutes to charge but its got me thinking how makita charges their batteries in half the time. I know they use fans to cool them but my moms hitachi tools I believe employ something similar yet they dont charge as fast as makitas. It would be amazing if someone could make 2.0 & 4.0 batteries charge at makita speeds.
Stuart
Yep, Makita’s chargers have active cooling to prevent overheating, but the batteries were designed for quicker charging as well. Fan-blown air actually flows through Makita 18V batteries as they charge. With the Hitachi, the fans might be cooling the charger’s heatsinks and not battery itself.
Jason Offret
Crap, I just ordered a DCF889L2 🙁
Stuart
Just remind yourself that newly launched products occasionally have bugs that need working out. If that doesn’t work, just think about the money you saved in going with the L2 vs. the M2.
Jason Offret
True, I’d be hard pressed to find the DCF889M2 for the same $136.48 I got the L2 for 🙂
Stuart
$136.48? Nice! That’s a hard price to say no to.
Ken
M2 kits will be the same price as the L2 kits
Terrance McGee
More confusion from Black and Decker.. Small packs that say XR, but dont get the runtime of 3Ah packs? Yet there are 4ah packs now that look like 3ah packs? And they say 20v but they are really 18v? too much confusion…
Stuart
“20V Max” battery packs run at 18V nominally, similar to how 12V Max batteries are branded as 10.8V in many countries outside the USA.
One potential reason why there is no amp-hour rating on the batteries is so that Dewalt can quietly upgrade the individual cells inside in the future without having to change the model number. They did this with their 12V Max DCB120 batteries. The original DCB120 batteries had lower capacities (1.1 Ah and then 1.3Ah) and did not have amp-hour specs printed on the sides. Now they are rated at 1.5Ah.
Palakiko
If I buy a DEWALT DCK280C2 20-Volt Max Li-Ion 1.5 Ah Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit; will I be able to swap and use the new 20V /4.0-ah battery for this drill set?
Matt Doyle
I have the same question as Palakiko! I purchased the XR brushless compact drill and impact 20 volt lithium ion 1.5 ah and was wondering if the 4 ah cordless batteries will work in the drills I have bought.
Stuart
Yes, Dewalt’s 20V Max 4.0Ah Li-ion batteries should work with all of their 20V Max tools.
James
Does anyone know how many charges the 20v 4.0Ah will take in its life time?
Thx!
Stuart
I cannot find this info anywhere. After a certain number of cycles, capacity will be reduced, but that number doesn’t seem to be published anywhere. I’ll see what I can find out.
T
I recharged mine daily and it lasted a little less than 3 months
Stuart
Sounds like it could be defective. Did you contact Dewalt?
Mike Sims
After charged and not in use, can I leave my battery connected to my drill? Will it prolong longevity of battery to disconnected battery from drill when not in use?
Stuart
To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve never had a problem leaving batteries attached to tools. If you’re storing the batteries for a long period of time, they should be partially charged (unless the manual says otherwise) and it cannot hurt to leave the separate from a tool.
Lewis
Can any dewalt charger charge diffrent ah rating batteries?
Stuart
I believe so. I have never seen any indication otherwise.
Termi
Any problem if I leave my battery charging all night… It will overheat or affect the lifetime?
Justin
Can you use regular 20 volt lithium ion batteries in any 20 volt xr model tool?
Stuart
Yes, you should be able to use Dewalt 20V Max Li-ion batteries on their 20V Max XR tools. I never heard of any kind of issue.
Chien Dam
Can I use DCB113 DeWalt charger with output 3A to charge DCB205 which is 5AH? As checked the battery is only 2 lights are on, But when I plugged in the DCB113 charger, the light on the charger was on – meaning fully charged?
Stuart
Yes, I believe so.
You can use any Dewalt 20V Max or 18V XR Li-ion charger.
Chien Dam
Thanks, but I plugged the DCB205 5.00 Ah in for charging about 4 hours. But when I check by pressing the checking button it shown only 2 lights on (if the battery is full it should be 3 lights on)!
Stuart
Some people have been experiencing an issue with the fuel gauge on these batteries.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-20v-max-battery-fuel-gauge-problem-question/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
You could/should contact Dewalt to see if they’ll replace the battery pack under warranty, if you’re seeing shortened runtime.
Jason
I cannot charge my 4.0ah battery with a 101 charger. Why?
Richard Stein
I have a dewalt weedeater that has a dcb115 battery what 20 volt xr battery is compatible
Stuart
If it’s 20V Max, all of them.