Over on ToolGuyd’s Instagram channel, I asked everyone a question about the new Dewalt cordless fan, model DCE512.
It seems that the new Dewalt DCE512 20V Max cordless fan features more airflow – 650 CFM vs. 500 CFM – than its predecessor, model DCE511, but it lacks one important feature – an AC power option.
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With the older model, you could use a 20V Max battery or standard 3-prong extension cord to power the fan, and a lot of people did take advantage of this feature. It is unclear why Dewalt removed this feature from the new model.
I found it interesting that the poll results so far are 2:1 in favor of the cordless plus AC power option, vs. more airflow. I expected the margin to be a bit steeper.
Personally, I like the idea of being able to plug a cordless fan into AC power for longer runtime, but greater airflow sounds good too. I couldn’t tell you why we can’t have both with the new model, but I’m sure Dewalt has their reasons.
Which way would you have voted?
Both fans are available at most retailers for $99.
Street Price: $99
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Jim
Definitely cordless plus AC for me.
I don’t own the Dewalt, but I have a Ryobi fan that I use for summer long term tent camping.
Sometimes there is AC available at certain sites I use and I want to be able to take advantage of that luxury.
Tim
Can dewalt add an LED light and a phone charger port on the fan to make a 3in 1 tool.
Stuart
In theory, yes, but I don’t think they will. Maybe we’ll see something like that from Craftsman.
Albert
I’m accustomed to not using the laptop-style AC adapter that was included with my Milwaukee fan. Dewalt has a much better design being able to use an ordinary extension cord. I’d take that over increased air flow.
teicher
Cordless+AC for sure. I’ve used my 24V Kobalt fan to dry out wood after a plumbing leak and the AC option was invaluable. It took days and days to fully dry out, and being able to just plug it in and let it go vs worrying about batteries made a huge difference. I value that flexibility.
Canyondust
The ability to have one design that can meet local geographical requirements for certification e.g. FCC, CE.
So one model to be remarketed globally.
The power cord, its internal transformer, rectifier and EMC filters are only suitable for the areas that have the intended power system (120v/60Hz plus its spectral requirements).
The new fan has a new powertrain not just motor.
That would be my best guess – ability to have a global product not just North American.
Wayne R.
Most power supply bricks these days are 100-240V, 50-60Hz. All you need is a cable with a locally-compatible AC connector.
I don’t know what the AC/battery fan takes as input, but that’s what I’d suspect either is in there, or should be.
Canyondust
It requires a 120V @60Hz supply with spectral power requirements based on North American standards. It only has FCC compliance. This could not be used and sold in Europe for example which would require a different voltage converter inside, have a way to identify it by model number or type, and go through the CE process. By removing this supply inside they can create a single, generic device which can be shown to be complaint to standards across the regions.
MM
If they wanted a single fan to be sold everywhere they’d still have to make sure it met FCC, CE, and all the other relevant standards. But I don’t believe there is any technical reason why this would be challenging. I use off-the-shelf power supplies in the lab hardware I build. The preferred brand I use is Cosel. They accept anywhere from 90 to 300-some-odd volts, any frequency, and have UL, FCC, CE, and TuV approvals, probably others as well. This makes it very easy for me since I know the equipment will work pretty much anywhere worldwide. From 100v in Japan to 240 in Europe it’s covered. 50hz, 60hz, doesn’t matter. There’s no reason they couldn’t have a universal power supply that works everywhere except cost, which frankly wouldn’t be very high for a unit with this low of a power demand.
Canyondust
The single fan to be sold everywhere has already occurred.
We are linked to homologation for these products in to Europe (or western Europe for some devices). The FCC EMC test plan can be (and has) created so that to homologate for other geographic member states can be done via a technical file and does not require retest. The logos/stamps are done separately. Manuals are also geographic.
TuV would not be part of this kind of product.
Removing the power supply simplifies the EMC test plan, global homologation and reduces overall costs and complexity. This is the point of having one product.
Garth Queen
This all sounds very “Bob Wilson”…
Tim
AC, I have that dewalt and use it the most corded. It’s a good fan and powerful enough.
Dave P
I have the 18v Milwaukee and use it mostly on 110v, I actually bought it for construction use where there’s a lack of adequate power but most of those applications Are dirty and dusty enough that we’d rather be hot than eat the dirt it moves.
I wouldn’t give any consideration at all to one w/o the 110v option.
MoogleMan3
Cordless+AC all day. I have two of the milwaukee M18 fans and both are connected via wall power most of the time.
Battery usage is for when I use them on the go (very infrequently).
Jared
Am I reading an AC clean sweep in the comments?
Add me to that group too. I have the AC/DC Ridgid and use both options. I would not want to give that up.
MFC
I mainly use batteries with mine. That’s why I bought it and not a $20 box fan that has waaaay better airflow.
However, I’m a “fan” of every stationary tool having an A/C port on it.
Koko The Talking Ape
I’m Team AC all the way.
Matt the Hoople
Definitely AC. Can you really tell the difference between 500 and 650 cmm in most situations?
Roger
They better bring down the price way down. Even Ryobi has DC/AC for under $50.
MT
AC for sure
Dhcrocks
Ok I’ll be the lone wolf. I’ll take more airflow over the ac option. I have the original Dewalt fan and I have never even just one plugged it in. I did wish however on more then a few occasions that fit was stronger.
Steve
Both options are good. For me it would be whichever I could get a good deal on first, since I already got a good deal on the one with AC I’m not in the market for one at this time.
MM
For my personal needs I’d rather have it be more powerful and give up the AC connection, given the choice. Only reason I ever use a fan of this size is because of how portable it is. If I have AC power on site I’m going to take advantage of that and use a much bigger fan.
Now what would be REALLY sweet is if the fan had AC input (with a retractable cord that stores inside the fan’s base), and if you plugged it into AC power with a battery installed it would double as a charger.
Wayne R.
I’d take the AC model too. And I’d hope an option would be to have it function as a charger for the battery in it, too.
Nathan
I have to go with the better motor runtime. and sort of like soneone posted – if I have ac available I’m using a bigger fan. This is a battery fan to get me though something and I’ve got bigger batteries now.
I imagine there are few people out there that don’t have a 5 ah or larger battery for their kit by now. I only have 2 but still anything I use it on other than my circular saw goes about a full day or more.
So I think it’s a fair marketing move.
James Gorman
I have the ridgid battery plus AC one and it’s great. Use the AC often. I would absolutely go for AC over more airflow.
DC
Cordless + AC. I use AC whenever I can.
AngryDrumGuy
Not only is the AC option a big deal, the ability to only use an extension cord is equally important. I have an M18 radio with an adapter I never use because it’s one more thing to worry about, so I lose a battery to the radio when I work. Sure, the adapter tech has to be built into the fan, but I will gladly pay for it and if I need more airflow than 500cfm in a space, I’m using much bigger corded fans anyway.
Jeff
I like having the option although I’ve never used a cord on my 511. There is a very simple reason Dewalt omitted the AC option. They are cheaper to produce. Even a few pennies add up when they produce 10s of thousands.
MichaelT
The Milwaukee AC option is a wall wart, not a cord. I never plug mine in. The lights that have AC as an option, I utilize that about 50% of the time. Probably would plug the fan in if it used a standard cord. Definitely if I were on the yellow platform I would stick with the AC option. While 150 cfm seems like a big boost (30%, right?) at any real distance from the fan, I don’t see 500 vs 650 meaning a whole lot.
Roy
Funny thing is I have the old style fan and completely forgot about the AC option – will definitely be using that more now!
OldDominionDIYer
I need the A/C option, no good reason not to include it IMHO.
Rx9
Not having the AC power option is a dealbreaker for me. Battery swapping is no problem for tools intermittently used, like a drill or saw. A fan or pump on the other hand, should have an AC adapter.
Bob
AC option for sure.
Eddie
For at home the AC option but for at work more airflow. I never even feel like bothering with a cord at work got plenty of batteries and only need 1 for all day. May pick this new 1 up some day but only on a good deal for at work.