Yesterday we introduced the new Dewalt FlexVolt system, which includes numerous tools and accessories centered around a brand new convertible battery pack.
We have more in-depth Dewalt FlexVolt coverage in the works, but I wanted to take the time to answer many of the questions you asked in the preview post’s comments section, and some of the ones I had come up with.
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How Does it Work?
Natively, FlexVolt batteries are 20V Max battery packs, with a 6Ah charge capacity. It’ll work as a higher capacity pack.
Here’s some info you might not read about anywhere else: Since there are 3 sets of cells run in parallel, these packs should be less heavily taxed in heavy duty applications, meaning they should run cooler. Because of this, under certain conditions, the same charge capacity in a 6Ah FlexVolt battery might provide for more runtime than combined 6Ah of capacity in smaller battery packs.
When connected to a Dewalt 60V Max tool, or as part of a pair inserted into a 120V Max tool, the battery pack configuration will change. There’s a mechanical switch that will connect the battery cells in series, leading to combined voltage of 60V Max (54V nominally), with a total charge capacity of 2.0Ah.
How Will 60V Max Tool Runtime Be with 2.0Ah?
With higher voltage motors, there is greater efficiency and lower losses, and so you should see decent tool runtime. Don’t get hung up on the numbers.
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What About 40V Max Outdoor Power Tools?
Dewalt will continue to develop the 40V Max lineup. That line will continue to be targeted towards landscapers and other frequent and heavy OPE (outdoor power equipment) users who might not be interested in the other power tool lineups.
FlexVolt will NOT be compatible with these tools.
40V Max battery packs are larger and packed with more cells, having been designed especially for outdoor power tools.
How Much Will it Cost?
My initial guestimate was off. I believe I was given a price target of $150 for a FlexVolt 6.0Ah battery pack, maybe less even. We’ll have pricing details soon.
How Good Are the 60V Max Brushless Power Tools?
Really, really good. I tested a couple of them, and the power was amazing.
How Big Are the 60V Max Brushless Power Tools?
This was a big question I had, and the answer is simple: I didn’t have 20V Max tools to compare them to, but there were some cordless tools and a competitor’s tools. I found that the 60V Max brushless circular saw and the reciprocating saw were quite manageable, and perhaps just a smidge larger than 20V Max tools.
This was a huge surprise for me. I had been anticipating larger tools, but found the size of the 60V Max tools to be quite welcoming.
20V Max and 60V Max Tool Compatibility
Dewalt FlexVolt battery packs will work in 20V Max, 60V Max, and 120V Max tools.
Dewalt 20V Max battery packs will NOT work in 60V Max or 120V Max tools.
Why Only 6.0Ah and not 9.0Ah?
Simple – the 3.0Ah cells presently available for 9.0Ah packs are not as capable as the 2.0Ah cells that make up the 6.0Ah pack.
A tool wouldn’t be able to draw the same power from a 9.0Ah pack that’s configured as a 60V Max 3.0Ah pack.
Dewalt IS coming out with a new 20V Max 6.0Ah pack, and a 9.0Ah FlexVolt pack, and they will feature a new battery form factor that can deliver high performance.
How Will 60V Max Tools Perform Against the Best Competitors’ 18/20V Tools
We’re going to have to do some more hands-on testing, as well as comparison testing, but I think they will compare very favorably in terms of power, and admirably in terms of runtime.
I tested the circular saw and recip saw, and liked the feel of unwavering power behind the cuts.
What About Brushless 20V Max Saws?
They’re on the roadmap! Dewalt’s plans might change, but right now, 20V Max saws are in development.
But, for those of you hoping for brushless saws for their power and greater cutting capacity, you’ll want to check out the FlexVolt tools. I imagine that 20V Max versions will focus more on size and runtime. In other words, I’m nearly convinced that any 20V Max brushless circular saw will be 6-1/2″, with 7-1/4″ reserved for the FlexVolt tool.
What About a 20V Max Corded Power Adapter?
The new FlexVolt 120V Max tools – 2 12-inch miter saws as of right now – can be run off of a pair of 60V Max batteries, but they will also ship with an AC adapter.
So will there be a comparable 20V Max corded power adapter that some users have been hopeful for?
No. I discussed the underlying technology with several Dewalt engineers, and there are too many challenges for such an adapter to be a reality right now. I was given the impression that it’s not an impossibility, but it’s not something they’re focusing on right now.
Milwaukee seems to have chosen better technology instead of more power.
Actually…
Both technologies are great. If I had to choose a better one, I would point towards Dewalt. More on this in a separate post.
Will I Need a New Charger?
No! You can charge FlexVolt batteries in your existing Dewalt 20V Max chargers. There will be a new fast charger coming out to help speed things up. I don’t have charge time specs right now, but will try to get them for you soon.
More Voltage is Just Marketing BS?
No. Some brands and critics might have you believe that 60V Max (54V nominally) is just Dewalt playing a numbers game. A FlexVolt battery has the same power potential at 20V Max and 6.0Ah as it is when configured to 60V Max and 2.0Ah. But 60V Max tools have different motors designed around the higher voltage.
At higher voltages, less current draw is needed to achieve the same power output, and this will mean greater efficiency and lower losses.
60V Max is about building more powerful and more capable tools.
Where can we find a list of all the new tools?
These are the new FlexVolt tools that will be launching in the USA:
60V Max:
- Brushless 7-1/4″ Circular Saw, DCS575
- 4-1/2″ – 6″ Grinder, DCG414 (Amazon Listing)
- Reciprocating Saw, DCS388
- 1/2″ VSR Stud and Joist Drill, DCD460 (Amazon Listing)
- 8-1/4″ Cordless Table Saw, DCS7485
120V Max:
- 12″ Fixed Head Compound Miter Saw, DHS716
- 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw, DHS790
What type of Lithium cell they are using?
The same 18650 sized cells are used in the FlexVolt 6.0Ah pack. There will also be a new 20V Max 6.0Ah pack, and a FlexVolt 9.0Ah pack that are built using 20700 form factor cells. 20700 sized cells are larger and capable of delivering more power than 18650 sized cells of the same charge capacity.
What’s the Downside?
Umm… none that I can think of yet.
Questions?
Please keep the great questions coming!
Travis
I saw Acme Tools had the FlexVolt batteries in a 2 pack for $199. That to me is a pretty decent deal.
I also read yesterday that the fast charger will charge a FlexVolt 2ah/6ah battery in 1 hour.
Jim D
and a 5ah 20v in only 30 MINUTES!
Mr. Creek
I saw a SDS still, alligator saw with multiple blade configurations, a chainsaw, string trimmer, blower, light, radio and battery bank. All 60v max, are none of these being launched / released in the USA?
Also, saw some new 20v tools like caulk gun any news there?
Mr. Creek
*** edit SDS drill
Adam
Given the battery bank has a US 110-120V outlet socket, I’m not sure where else they can sell it!
I want to see a version with 220-240V output!
Robbie
Great writeup and thanks for all the info! Only downside I can think of is not being able to use the 5 batteries I already have in the new 60/120v tools.
Labeda
Yes, But you can still use those 20V tools with the 60V batteries. So no real downside.
jtr165
Well personally, that is a downside. I have 3 2.0ah 20v’s, and 2 5.0ah 20v’s…the rumored price for the FV circ saw is ~$180 bare, but $300 with pack and (hopefully) the new quick charger. That puts bare tool prices not too much more than current XR options, and is only $60 more than the bare non-XR 6.5″ CS I bought (price has come down $15 since i think, though)
I understand the reasoning for it, and the tech appears to be worth it…but i’ve been quite happy being able to only worry about bare tools.
I guess what i wish the most was if they’d offer a no charger kit, as I don’t really care about quick charging. I also already have 5 chargers haha.
RAK
Chargers and batteries tend to accumulate, don’t they? I invested in some 12v/20v Max tools earlier this year and got a great deal on a few kits. Now I’ve got a couple DCB101s, a DCB102, two DCB112s and a DCB115; plus four 2Ah, three 4Ah, and two 5Ah batteries.
This new system looks great, though, and I’m kind of glad I’ve only gotten driving and yard tools so far (besides the 20v Max grinder I found for $60). Now I’m really tempted to get the circular saw kit and perhaps a reciprocating saw.
Farid
As Stuart has mentioned, higher voltage means higher efficiency, mainly due to copper losses. The power loss in the motor is I^2 x R (Current x Current x Resistance). We can see that at higher currents, the power loss to heat goes up exponentially. That’s why it is more efficient to transmit power long distances at very high voltages and then step the voltage down for local use. Even with the Step-up/step-down transformation losses, it still less than the transmission lone losses.
Stewart, is it really a mechanical switch is used to switch the packs? I would have thought solid-state FET switches would make more sens at the current levels involved. The size of the mechanical switch would be rather large at 60 and 120Vdc.
Stuart
My understanding is that the switch is in the form of switchable contacts that essentially rewire the batteries when attached to a 60V Max tool.
I asked about hot and cold stability (they said it should operate flawlessly regarding of environmental temperatures), and have a few more questions for the product manager.
Lance
Hey brother! I need a quick opinion/answer on something & figured your my best guess regardless of how old the post is! I’m running 2x FlexVolts 2.0ah(6ah) On my sliding miter, I’m burning through the batteries fast, like half a work day if that. Could I run 1x 3ah & 1x 2ah? Ie: a 6 & a 9? I plan on getting some 9s down the road so was thinking I can afford 1x right now so maybe that could help expand my runtime a little. In the mean time
Stuart
Generally, with a 2x battery configuration, your runtime and performance is going to be based on the lesser battery.
Thus, in theory, 1x 6Ah and 1x 9Ah won’t serve you any better than 2x 6Ah.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Excellent! I would add the basic step, that P = I x V, or Power equals Amperage times Voltage. So for the same power, you can increase amps and decrease volts, or vice versa.
Which way is better, high volts and low amps, or vice versa? As Farid says, higher voltage means lower losses from resistance. Greater efficiency for free! (kind of).
Why didn’t we do this from the beginning? I can only speculate, but one possible issue is that to make that high voltage from batteries, the cells have to be connected in series, which means that if one cell goes a little bad, the entire thing goes a little bad, or stops working. Perhaps lithium cells were not reliable or uniform enough before now to make that practical. It is even possible they test every single cell and assemble matching ones into batteries.
Dominic van Lievenoogen
Hello Farid !
I’ve seen that formula used before when talking about lithium battery packs. Do you have any idea what the nominal resistance in a pack might be?
I’ve seen people talk about a resistance factor of 0.1 used in that formula.
If that’ is about right, then the gains you are getting with the whole ‘higher voltage with lessers amps means less power loss’ is negligible.
I was personally abit let down by the runtime numbers dewalt posted on their tools. Although they weren’t bad by a long shot they weren’t impressive either.
Maybe we’ve been spoiled by runtime numbers of modern 18V brushless tools with 5 / 6 amp battery packs…..
Farid
If my memory serves me right, lithium batteries have around 2-5 milliohm (.002 – .005Ohm) per cell. For a 20V pack with 5 series batteries, that would be 5x the resistance. Then you have to add the wire and connection resistance on top of that, which can be higher than the internal resistance.
The internal resistance goes up with battery age,and eventually will becomes so high, the battery becomes useless. Batteries with lower internal resistance can be charged at higher rates and have a higher sustained current delivery capability.
Reading some of eh comments below, I am not sure that main goal of going to high voltage was to increase run time not it was a gimmick. If you have a new class of tool that require more power, then you have a couple of choices: increase voltage, or increase current. Each one has advantages and disadvantages and a at certain point, it makes sense to switch from strategy and go to the next. You can only go so far with current before the copper conductors size becomes too big and the heat generated by the motor and batteries becomes too large. So the next step is to go to a higher voltage.
They probably go have gotten away with 40 or 48 volts, but by going to 60, they can have a battery that can be switched over and used in legacy 20V devices. The whole lithium battery and brush-less motor technology is moving very fast now and new products are introduced and a very fast pace. By doing this, Dewalt won’t alienate existing customers while moving their tools to the next level.
Is it Marketing BS? There is a little, always. But, its mostly progress. Pretty clever… I think.
john
Will the new 60v max 9.ah be more powerful than the Milwaukee 18v 9ah..and which will run longer ?
Stuart
Possibly.
It depends.
Tyler
Can run my 18 volt tools with the 60 volt flex. Using my DCA1820 adaptor
David Onne
“This Adapter will not work with 20V/60V FLEXVOLT Batteries.”
http://www.dewalt.com/products/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/batteries/18v-to-20v-adapter/dca1820
Del
After reading the comments and looking up the facts it’s not clear to me that you cannot use the adapter and the flex volt battery obviously you can’t charge it with that but it’s not clear to me that you can’t use it or did I miss something
Stuart
Dewalt explicitly says:
Tyler
The adaptor don’t fit 60 volt battery for 20 volt to 18 volt tools is why
Del
If it’ll work in a 20 volt Max tool and you have an adapter that the 20 volt Max battery fits in for the 18 volt I just don’t understand why it wouldn’t work
Tyler
Just physically doesn’t fit I have 60 V batteries 20 V batteries 18 V batteries and tools and that adaptor don’t take the 60 v
Dave
Dewalt specifically designed this adapter to not work with the flexvolt batteries. I want the technical reason WHY it will not work and why they designed it that way.
Jim D
The simple fact to consider is the increase of power means the tool will be doing the same work with less power needed.
This would be like having a 4 cylinder truck that gets 35 miles per gallon, and saying that because the MPG(or runtime, amp hour) is better, then the truck is better for towing a large boat (working under force.) You might get 6 MPG.
But if you take a V8 truck that only gets 15 MPG, and then you put the same large boat on the back, you might get 13MPG.
So which is better? The real questions is how hard are you running your tools. If you pull the trigger of both tools under no load the 60V WILL DIE FIRST. But how often do you use a cordless saw and cut nothing but air with it?
Ed P
Will you becoming out with a 60v lawnmower soon.
Big Richard
Ed P, I think you need to send that message to DeWalt. DeWalt is not on this forum, we are all consumers.
If you do ask DeWalt directly, they will simply tell you they “cannot comment on upcoming products, please check http://www.dewalt. com for latest products and news”.
They are coming out with two new 2x20v mowers, probably in the spring, but that doesn’t mean that a 60v FlexVolt is out of the question.
Dacan
Good idea Stu to post a Q&A on this! Look forward to some comparison tests.
Andrew
Power loss efficiency is exponential, but it’s linearly related to distance. That’s why high voltage is good for power lines. Also why long extension cords are problematic. But in a power tool, we’re talking inches. There’s a reason the remote control car and airplane industry opts for 2-5 cell packs even outputting huge amps. 100-200.
Consider your car starter draws several thousand watts, but it’s running at under 10 volts.
Flexvolt is partially marketing BS, but there’s no denying that they are the only one among the main players using 15 low capacity high draw cells. Milwaukee still has the advantage of backwards/forwards compatibility. You can use your old packs on the high demand tools.
Stuart
They chose lower capacity higher performing cells for a reason. Higher capacity but lower performing cells wouldn’t have allowed for 20V Max backwards compatibility.
And who says they’re not coming out with high capacity high performing cells? *wink*
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-2016-media-event-5-hot-tools/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Farid
“There’s a reason the remote control car and airplane industry opts for 2-5 cell packs even outputting huge amps. 100-200.”
I fly planes and drones as well. The electric RC hobby industry is very dynamic and the moment is evolving rapidly, They opted for low voltage those because started out by replacing legacy Nicad cells packs, and due available accessories, such as chargers and connectors. In a way though, the electric flying hobby was developed by hobbyists first and then it was commercialized. I remember in the early days we used to take parts from electric R/C cars and retrofit to planes and helicopters.
They are now moving to high voltage as well for high power applications and the availability of arc-suppressing connectors.
I am sure you have seen the size of wires and motors (including large heat-sinks) on those 200A systems? Those are not small and would not fit some of smaller tools. They also run for short amounts of time (5 minutes typically) and have to be cooled before using again. The batteries require protective flameproof bags while charging due to the occasional tendency of bursting into flames.
The reliability of cells has increased as well. Hobby batteries are available with AMP delivery capability between 20C and 90 C for premium cells. The higher rated batteries have very low internal resistance (obtained mainly by selection) and very expensive. Using those in tools would drive coasts even higher. For example a 5S (20V) 5Ah battery is about $150 – $300. That’s sans molded housing, battery status monitor, or safety features.
The hobby battery manufacturing is not as refined as commercial batteries, so the consistency is not as good, and if you noticed, lack any kind of safety protection. Commercial batteries will get there but due to liability issues, they tend to move a little slower (also milking the market is another reason, I think). once the current battery research is commercialized, were going to see battery capacities double in the next few years.
Jay
Need to pickup a cordless circ saw but was still on the fence on which one to get. Seems procrastination was a good thing in this instance. Will wait for the FlexVolt DCS575 saw to hit the shelves before making a decision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3meoBW5JphQ
mizzourob
You missed the 60v max lawn tools. They announced a blower and trimmer for Spring 2017 release. I thought I saw a 60v trimmer in one of the videos but could not confirm it.
mizzourob
I forgot there will also be a 60v chainsaw too.
JC
I have to agree that Dewalt may have picked the better route over Milwaukee. Not good for me as I’m chest high in M18 gear. Milwaukee is still leaps and bounds ahead in the lighting department, but we’ll see about other areas. As better cells become available, dewalt can just keep adding runtime as all the power you would need is already there. With Milwaukee this unfortunately isn’t so.
I think flexvolt for me will be for benchtop tools. I happen to be in the market for a new miter saw and the 12 slider fits the bill perfectly.
Lance
“As better cells become available, dewalt can just keep adding runtime as all the power you would need is already there. With Milwaukee this unfortunately isn’t so.”
Why do you say that? A 15 cell pack is a 15 cell pack. If the cells have more capacity, the pack gets more capacity. It doesn’t matter how you wire them or what the output voltage is.
Power is voltage x current. 60V@10A is 600W, same as 20V@30A. Also, 600W from a 15 cell pack is 40W per cell, whether the pack is wired for 20V or 60V.
Steve
As an automotive guy I wish they would make a 60v buffer ,I love my old DeWalt corded one
Nathan
I bet it’s in the works – after seeing how the grinder does in market for say a year
JC
Do we have release dates for these tools yet?
Chance
Late August.
Greg
Just noticed, and I don’t think its been mentioned, the new Flexvolt 7 1/4 circular saw is actually blade-right. Nothing wrong with that but I prefer blade-left (right-handed) and haven’t used a right bladed circular saw since forever (except for a tracksaw which all have the blade on the right).
Stuart – Speaking of tracksaw, could you ask if an updated model is in the works? Thanks!
Jay
I’m right handed and to me a proper saw has the motor on the left and the blade on the right. That’s one reason I’ve been stalling on a cordless circ saw buy. To each his own I guess. Was about to pull the trigger on the Milwaukee 7 1/4 but with these new flexvolt tools coming soon I’ll wait. Might even wait to see what kind of deals will be available as the holidays approach. Hard to believe half the year is already gone.
HolyGrail
I learn as a kid, why corded saws are all on the right.
1. Most people are right handed, therefore when you using the saw right handed, there is no chance for the left hand to be next to the blade to be cut.
2. When the blade is on the left, sawdust is thrown all over you, compared to having it on the right, where it can be directed away more efficiently.
Dacan
So the corded adapter to run the tools of AC power is sold separately?
Chance
This has already been answered above under the “WHAT ABOUT A 20V MAX CORDED POWER ADAPTER?” subheading.
JC
It is included in certain kits but not in others. You have the option to not get one with the miter saw kits. You can also get a bare tool with just the AC adapter. The adapter is only $50 so not a big deal if you don’t get it right away.
http://www.cpopowertools.com/dewalt-flexvolt/dewalt-flexvolt%2Cdefault%2Csc.html
Chris
It is only meant to fit the miter saw and ships with it
Labeda
Will probably fit any other 120V tools in the future as well. So, if there is a 120V tool it can be ran off the wall outlet. The reason that there isn’t one (at least right now) on the table saw is because that’s 60V not 120V.
JC
Do we know what type of charger the 120V tools will ship with? I ask because they take two batteries to run and a dual port, simultaneous flexvolt charger would be nice to have shipped with it.
If Dewalt does that then the $799 asking price is very reasonable for 2 batteries, an awesome 12″ slider, AC adapter, and hopefully dual port charger.
Looks like team yellow is back in the fold, theres room for more than 1 platform in my garage if its the right 1.
JC
Over at CPO Dewalt they show a dual port charger with the miter saw. They have all of the 60V tools for pre order (bare tools and kits) with pricing.
PhilnTX
Flexvolt may be marketing BS, but it’s just a fancy way of saying Series-Parallel circuits. These types of circuits have been used by Mack Trucks way back (50’s-60’s, maybe later) – 24 volts for starting and 12 volts for the rest of the stuff. It’s simply seems that Stanley Black & Decker has invented an automatic way of switching back & forth between the 20 volt (series) and 60 volt (parallel/series) packs. Pretty cool actually. Too bad it makes some things not backwards compatible.
Mike
http://highdemand.milwaukeetool.com/
Check this out for specs.
Labeda
Still wondering what “specs” everyone is referring too on this website. Because they are comparing their 9.0ah pack (yet to be launched) verse the 6.0ah pack. Can we compare apples to apples please. Kinda seems insulting to their customers if you ask me. Pay no attention to the man (battery) behind the curtain!!
Diplomatic Immunity
So if Dewalt is going to continue making 40v outdoor equipment like you say, then why are they making 60v outdoor equipment as well? I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Just trying to figure out that if the 40v outdoor lineup debuted last year then why didn’t Dewalt just wait a year for this Flexvolt system to come out and then just bring those outdoor tools as 60v or 120v.
Chance
If you read all the info that has been provided you will see that you cannot get the run time out of the 60V batteries. Professionals don’t want to be swapping out batteries every half hour. The 40V line is up to 7.5 AH already, while the 60V is currently at 2 AH. That’s a huge difference.
Diplomatic Immunity
So make a 60v 7.5Ah battery. Seems like the rushed out the 40v lineup instead of waiting for this.
Chance
Well heck, if it’s that easy, make it a 20ah battery. It’s so easy to be an armchair engineer isn’t it. I’m willing to bet that somebody, somewhere at DeWalt has thought these things through, maybe even a couple people.
Diplomatic Immunity
Well they would have had an extra year+ to work it out.
I mean why else push forth a 40v lineup that it seems as though they don’t really want. What are they going to have 12v, 20v, 40v, 60v, and 120v tools? I’m sure one of those has got to give.
Go Milwaukee!!!
Dewalt yet again made a confusing platform, and lied about it “voltage” output. End users like simplicity, not having to learn what batteries go with what tools. Milwaukee did it right with their M18 line, multiple tools one battery platform.
Lenny
Not sure how you know Dewalt “lied” about the voltages when the product isn’t even on the market yet. I’m a little confused about the whole 40v platform but that seems to be for outdoor only. Maybe it’s a line dedicated to certain retailers. Regardless, Flexvolt is the most exciting thing I’ve seen in a long time for cordless tools. Not impressed at all with Milwaukee. They compete by flooding the market with tons of tools with questionable “features”. Lost all respect for them when they sold out to the Chinese. Now they’ve been trumped and are grasping at anything they can to discredit their some really impressive inmovation.
Chris
Awesome, now we got Milwaukee reps coming over to discredit Dewalt’s innovations lol Milwaukee is really grasping at straws here to try and keep thier head up and all the fan boys and Milwaukee looks pathetic
Larry
Chris, you mean like how you’ve commented continually about DeWalt’s products and somehow act as if you’re not part of the company? Come on.
Chris
Larry and Go Milwaukee as far as my comments go, I’m just trying to give information on the new products that others either don’t want to look for or just don’t want to believe.
Milwaukee is grasping at straws and feels threatened by this line up. I personally can’t remember the last time a company put up a new website 30 mins after dewalt unveils thier new battery and tool line up to tout how thier 9ah battery has now AWH then the Dewalt 6ah battery. Like already mentioned, Milwaukee can talk about AH to high heaven but If the tool can’t perform the task and the Dewalt can but with more runtime who wins? I don’t think I need to tell to the winner… Milwaukee has runtime but are limited to what 20v tools can do, and Dewalt beat them to the punch… I like Dewalt tools sure, but would find it pathetic for any company to come out in less then an hour to try and discredit the other when. They could of at least compared equal batteries but then they would have nothing to go on ha-ha
I can read perfectly fine and if you guys could to you’d notice they are their best to convince everyone thier platform is still better when they have been clearly one upped
You also need to get over the fact of this supposed “lying” and trying to fool customers with the whole 20v Max thing… Just about everyone knows it’s really an 18 volt tool… what about the other brands saying 20v when they are all just 18v.
All the 12v line of tools out there only run at 10.8 but say 12v… Everyone does so just give the whole thing a rest…
Larry
So you’re not denying you work for DeWalt…or are you?
Chance
DeWalt has not lied about their voltage output at all. Maximum voltage of the battery is 20 V, 60 V, or two 60 V batteries together 120 V. Grab a meter and test it for yourself. Does the voltage drop during use? Sure, just as it does when you flip on a tool at home, are you going to go complain to your utility company and tell them they’re lying to you?
And if a person has a herd time figuring out what battery goes with what tool, or more descriptively, matching numbers, than they probably shouldn’t be operating power tools. I mean, where else do we have multiple battery platforms, sizes, and voltages? Oh yeah, in every device throughout our homes, AA, AAA, C, D, 9 V, CR 2032, etc. We seem to have gotten along alright figuring those out, I think we should be ok with a few different voltages from DeWalt.
BTW, Milwaukee does have a 12v line, but I don’t want to confuse you.
Diplomatic Immunity
I think you meant to reply to the other guy. Lol.
Chance
I did lol, but there is no reply button for Go Milwaukee’s comment. He should be able to figure out that I’m talking to him, but then again. . . . . Lol.
Go Milwaukee!!!
I couldn’t tell you were talking about me, Dewalt has to sound big by saying 20v Max* —-You see the little ( * ) there, well if you can read on the box of any 20v Max* that’s the what the voltage meter will read BEFORE any load is applied, so its truly just a 18v battery. Same with their new FLEX VOLT. It might read 20v or 60v or 120v but true output is different, so false advertising or lying, whatever you want to call it. As far as the “Fan Boy” comment, aren’t you doing the same thing with dewalt?! I have tested both the Dewalt XR Line against the Milwaukee Fuel line in runtime and performance and Milwaukee came out on top. So for Fan Boy I like to buy what performs not what Daddy used and grew up with.
Here I found some info if you know how to look at specs and read
http://highdemand.milwaukeetool.com/
Labeda
Citing Milwaukee’s website does not give those specs any credibility…. Considering they are comparing a battery pack that they have not had a chance to test or compare their pack too. They are making some pretty bold statements that they better back up or it will make them look pretty stupid. Oh, and they are comparing their 9ah pack to a 6ah pack when Dewalt will have a 9ah pack as well. So, What’s the benefit to their pack? Nothing… What’s the benefit to Dewalts. Expanded power potential. More capability. Runtime isn’t the end all be all like Milwaukee is trying to say. If I have an application that my tool can’t do because it’s underpowered. And Dewalt has a tool that can because it’s higher voltage. Who wins?
Andrew
Dewalt DOES lie about the watt-hour capacity of packs, because they multiply the Ah by either 20 or 60.
Eric
While I agree that the 40v OPE will serve a different niche than the new 60v line (at least initially), I think there may have been a disservice done to those who bought the 20v max line of OPE they just pushed hard this spring.
I own most of the 40v units so that does not affect me but I am very interested to see the specs on the new OPE gear ASAP. I am a residential user of this equipment and went with the 40v line purely for the performance gains over the 20v. Now it appears that I can get similar (or better?) performance from the new line and only sacrifice run-time, which again, does not affect me as a residential user. I hope I see theses specs soon so I can make a decision while I am still in my return window.
Go Milwaukee!!!
For everyone, its funny that one person can put up a few things from Milwaukee or dewalt and people lose their minds over it, both companies make great tools. Both have feature that benefit different types of work. If one was truly better than the other only one company would be here. Happy Blog battling.
mizzourob
Has anyone confirmed that a flexvolt battery will work ok on the 18volt tool adapter for “legacy” tools?
Lenny
I’m guessing no. I picked up the adapter shortly after it came out. There are two odd looking plastic “fingers” where the battery slides in. These were not shown in the original picture I saw of the adapter. Looks like some physical feature to block a wider battery which I think the Flexvolts are. Just my guess though.
Shrini
Will the 60V flexvolt battery pack work with the DCA1820 adapter? If so, will it work with my 18v nailer? I have tried it with the 20v packs and it does not work.
David Onne
“This Adapter will not work with 20V/60V FLEXVOLT Batteries.”
http://www.dewalt.com/products/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/batteries/18v-to-20v-adapter/dca1820
Jim D
The price of the batteries in a 2 pack is only $199, same as Milwaukee 5AH two pack.
Jim D
The charge time on the 60v battery on the fast charger is 1 hour and a 5ah 20v battery on the same charger will only be 1/2 HOUR!
BikerDad
Twice, you say that there are higher capacity packs coming with a different form factor. Different as in using the 2700 form factor cells rather than 18650s, and/or different as in these new packs won’t connect with the existing 20Max tools?
If it’s only different cells meaning the battery pack itself may be a bit wider/longer, no big deal. Sure, the balance on a drill built for 18650 packs may be off, but that’s minor. If it means that the new packs can’t be used on the existing tools, that’s a misstep of epic proportions.
Can you get clarification on this?
Chance
Yes, the new “form factor” batteries will work with existing 20V Max tools. Do you think DeWalt would make 20V Max batteries that don’t work with 20V Max tools???
Nathan
He’s referring to the internal cell structure.
it will have the same slide top and latch mechanism – it will work in the same tools – but inside the cells will be different and the case over all will be larger (as needed).
Nathan
So I love them dewalt idea and it’s really novel in the world of power tools. I like the potential that can be hand. Pun fully intended.
to grab on to the upper conversation one the nice things about upping the line voltage in the tool – is the massive increase in direct energy. For those that don’t do electricty but do plumbing or mechanics – thing like a hydraulic/pneumatic system
voltage is the same as line pressure, amperage is flow rate. There are things you just can’t do if you don’t have the pressure just like some things also need constant flow rate. So increasing the line voltage for the larger demand tools means it will have the ability to run harder and tolerate that sudden spikes in torque. LIke when cutting a board and hitting a knot, or cutting out a door frame with a recip saw and hitting a screw. etc etc
It’s why your electric cars run on a higher voltage power system than the automotive standard of 12V. It has to have more potential to do more work when needed.
Nathan
Now all that said – I have one complaint on the tools side.
the table saw either needs to be smaller over all than the other job site saws (and it sort of is)
OR
It needs to be a 2 battery 120V setup and be a full 10 inch like the other corded saws. That would be a win win in my book. IE make it just like that miter saw with the corded ability too. there is plenty of space in the box.
Brian
Meh, not impressed. There’s no downside to having to buy new batteries if you want to use the 60V/120v tools? Really? Just because you can use those batteries in your 20V tools doesn’t negate having to buy new batteries. If you have two batteries and were in the market, not a big deal but what about the guys that have several batteries already? That’s a downside.
Makita’s idea of using two batteries is better. I don’t think it will sell well, it’s a limited market when you can buy corded. Not everyone needs to cut the cord for a tool that needs a table. Is it really going to be worth it to invest in 6 of these battery packs to use one saw all day AND waste the time rotating batteries all the time? You will still need to plug the battery charger into an outlet.
Robert
I really don’t see that as much of a problem, though it does depend on what if any price premium the flex volts have compared to other high capacity batteries.
For myself, and most heavy users I know, backwards compatibility matters a lot more than forward compatibility when it comes to batteries. This is because batteries are essentially consumables. They last a couple of years at most and I buy a new two pack at least once a year. Basically, I’m invested in a tool system, not a battery system. As long as my tools are all supported with the same batteries and chargers, I am happy.
As a Dewalt user, so long as there isn’t a big premium, I will be buying Flex volts from here on just to give me the flexibility to expand into the 60v/120v if the need arises.
As for the hobbyist who will likely never need more than the two batteries that came with their kit? I don’t see very many of them ever needing any of the 60v/120v tools and I don’t see many of the ones who want them being especially held back by being unable to go bare tool.
john
I’ve been following dewalts new platform and I’m invested in the 20v max platform,heavily. The new dcd791 drill is incredible. The new dcf887 is amazing. I’m a framer and build decks every weekend….usually no power anywhere. ..two dcn692 and the dcn660,also the dcn693..and the dcf899..means 100percent cordless…..ALMOST….cutting ? Well the cordless 20v max saw ,using 5ah batteries needs 4 to cut a 12×20 deck…or i use the generator and a corded saw……QUESTION…will the new 60v max 71/4 circular saw with one 60v 6ah battery replace the 4 batterys (5ah) that i use now ? ?
Chris
Well the saw will cut about 300 linear feet of 3/4 osb… Not sure how many cuts your saw can do with 4 batteries but I imagine it’s good…. It might be close
Jon
Two things – first there is no 60v-6ah battery – its a 60v-2ah battery which can also operate at 20v-6ah. So no you likely wont replace four 20v-5ah batteries with it.
Second – if you are using four 5ah batteries to make the cuts for a 20×12 deck you are doing something wrong or your saw is broken.
john
Saw is new..its good..but as you know its not brushless..and ripping pressure treated wood drains batteries. Also cutting stair stringers drains batteries ..o you just never framed anything and cant layout stairs…..if you dont know an answer just keep it inside your head
Jon
Maybe try a new blade then because even if you’re adding a 17 step staircase from the second story to the ground that’s going to get you up to two batteries instead of one. What are the other two batteries for?
john
Always new blades every job. .that saw has 120 cuts in 2×4 kd spruce…im cutting 2×10 pt…ripping 2×12 pt ….cutting 6×6 pt posts….4×4 pt posts….i understand your not a builder nor have the knowledge of framing practices, material densities. ..i was hoping one could answer if …..
A new flexvolt battery ,having more power and runtime ..and the new saw being brushless ..WOULD increase cut capacity significantly. .
phil
I don’t know… but would be better or stuff harder to cut. Most promotions include a second battery. Also maybe they will have a table saw and charger with o a 9 amp h.
Bob
Who cares I love my Milwaukee.
john
Thats because your a plumber. Not a framer.
Bob
Who?me?haha
Andrew
I gotta say I do like that Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita all have a different approach. Too often every company is essentially exactly the same.
taras
So Dewalt seemed as if they were asleep at the wheel for the last couple of years and they come out with this. They missed one thing in my opinion. The ability for a TOOL to switch from High Voltage to Lower Voltage (ie: 60V and 20V). Power when you need it, run time for when you need to last all day.
Stuart
Designing a tool to handle widely different voltages, at the power levels it consumes, would be crazy complex and inefficient.
Designing a tool for 14.4V and 18V is one thing. 18V nominal and multiples of that is completely different.
Nathan
To be fair I was thinking about this last night some – I’m odd I admit it.
with only the 20 vs 60 question on the table. And a brushless motor system.
you could – could work out a controller circuit that would allow for operation of the motor on a 20V feed – with slightly reduced capability. IE take that grinder. 60V – 4000 RPM motor speed – use with any wheel up to 6 inch . . . . Slap in a 20V and 3200RPM motor speed – use with only 4in wheels . . . . . .
the mitre saws the table saw probably not. that big right angle drill – maybe – same thing 60 – ___________ and 20V equals ______x 80% RPM and reduced bit size allowance.
Would that be all that useful – I don’t know – but maybe. While feasible it’s probably not all that marketable. Any pro is going to just keep the 60V batteries and any home owner that buys one of those tools is going to get a battery.
Personally I see me only buying bare tool 20V devices and keeping my slim 20V batteries – but getting 60V big batteries and that power station charger.
Stuart
That would require greater complexity and greater cost. Plus, it would lead to a lot of users opting to power 60V Max tools with 20V Max batteries, resulting in lower performance and perhaps disappointing results.
The way they switch the voltage in a FlexVolt pack is the BEST way they could have done things. Yes, there’s some added complexity in the battery pack, but that means the tools can be designed for 60V Max, and the batteries are fully backwards compatible with 20V Max tools.
They way they did things, performance with 20V Max and 60V Max tools will be both consistent and reliable. That would no longer be the case if the 60V Max were engineered to also accommodate 20V Max battery cells.
Megaman
Theres videos on you tube under flexvolt 54v ( which is the uk and everywhere else market) which are advertising 54 volt sds max, sds plus, 216mm 54v sliding mitre saw and an aligator saw( other than the reciprocating saw. Is the U.S getting these tools?
REPLY
alex
the charger thing is massive for me. I was a bit disappointed that I would have had to get a new charger or they weren’t available to me and I probably never would have upgraded and eventually gone to Hilti as although I really like my Dewalt tools hiliti has amazing customer service and quality (they pick up and drop off any broken tools and fix them cheaply of for free). But knowing I can charge them off my current charger is huge for me and will cause me to stay on the platform
Aaron
Any idea on a release date for the batteries?
If they truely are $150.00 that’s a really good deal IMO. Wondering when they come out though.
Chance
Late August.
Megaman
Theres videos on you tube under flexvolt 54v ( which is the uk and everywhere else market) which are advertising 54 volt sds max, sds plus, 216mm 54v sliding mitre saw and an aligator saw( other than the reciprocating saw. Is the U.S getting these tools?
Matt
What’s the Canadian time line? I see them in the US available now but they’re not even on the Canadian Dewalt site. They’re mentioned in several Canadian sites but nothing is said about when we will see actual product. I’m needing a string trimmer but not wanting something that’s already obsolete.
Ray
Will these flexvolt batteries work in the adapter for the 18v Dewalt tools that allows them to use 20v batteries? I have a few perfectly good Dewalt 18’s , specifically the circular saw, that could benefit from a big Flexvolt battery.
Jason
Theoretically they should as the Flexvolt will work with 20v tools, but you never know there might be some weird incompatibility we don’t know about. It’s already know some 18xrp tools wont work with the 20v adapter, but that’s not a Flexvolt issue.
Altan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U6haPWBCz8
If you watch this video, you will see new 20v shears and adhesive dispenser (caulking gun) on the left hand side hanging on the wall and new cable cutter, why dont they provide any information about them? What are the model numbers?!!!
Bob
Nothing new they just backup 40v and same 20v usage.
Paul
I can already tell you that this FlexVolt 2.0Ah 60V battery will be outdone by 18V 9.0Ah batteries. The runtime will be much more superior and the rest is really based on the tool’s performance. I guarantee (2) 18V 5.0Ah batteries on a Makita X2 will run circles.
Admin Note (7/22/2017): We have learned that Paul is affiliated with Makita USA.
jmc
Compare the same battery bro…and your wrong
Paul
Let’s do the math “bro”
60V (really 54V) X 2.0Ah = 108 Watt Hours
18V X 6.0Ah = 108 Watt Hours
18V X 9.0 Ah = 162 Watt Hours
18V X 5.0Ah = 90 Watt Hours X 2 (Makita X2 System 36V) = 180Watt Hours
Watt Hours is the amount of work done. The real test is in the pudding though. Wait until this hype launches and perform the tests for yourself. I know I will.
Admin Note (7/22/2017): We have learned that Paul is affiliated with Makita USA.
Stuart
I get what you’re saying, but would you would rather have more watt-hours and a weaker motor, than fewer watt-hours and a more powerful motor?
Watt hours is not the amount of work done. It’s the total amount of power available.
When it comes down to power, a FlexVolt battery can deliver greater wattage than M18 High Demand battery.
In a few months, when there are 9Ah FlexVolt and 9Ah M18 batteries both available, and watt hours are apples to apples, instantaneous power output will still be relevant.
Paul
I want both. Watt Hours and Motor which is now possible with Brushless advancements. Receptively you are incorrect about the Watt Hours. Its power consumption under an hour time or amount of work done.
Just remember, FlexVol 9.0 Ah is only 9.0Ah under 20V. Under their 60V platform, its 3.0 Ah.
Admin Note (7/22/2017): We have learned that Paul is affiliated with Makita USA.
jmc
I understand your point. Yet the potential for dewalt to grow in this platform is huge…not to mention as a framer,the framing nailers,metal connector nailer is something only dewalt has,besides padlode cartridge nailers……whether one tool is a tiny bit better or not is not too relevant as long as its a close comparison.
I love Milwaukee tools also yet they dont have framing nailers,so they’re line up is more for plumbers…..makita to me is not pro…but for serious weekend warriors. .
…..dewalt isnt everything great,but outstanding tools,long lasting in harsh environments…and a promising future.
Stuart
Physically, yes, wattage = the rate at which work is being done.
A higher watt-hour battery pack can do more work between charges.
But practically, it’s more appropriate to consider watt-hours as work capacity.
But the FlexVolt pack can run at higher wattage, thus doing more instantaneous work.
Until the 9Ah version comes out, and possibly even when users have options, here’s the choice:
It’ll come down to this: do you want your tool to do more work, or work faster?
jmc
Well. …bra….dewalt has a 9ah not just a 6ah…same watts as Milwaukee. ..and what simpleton wants to use that heavy makita battery (s)…when i can use a much lighter dewalt flexvolt 60v 9ah at162watt h…and change the battery when its dead….
Factor in fatigue and cost ..dewalt will always win,over any other brand.
How do i know that ? Ive been framing 25yrs and have tried every major brand.in real daily testing. Noone i see in the trades uses makita….its dewalt,Milwaukee or under performing, bosch…bra
Megaman
Lol its not that simple, 100 watt hours running at 18 volts is never gonna run as efficiently as 100 watt hours running at 54 volts. There’s alot more to it than you think.
Paul
Bra…you may be a Framer but not an engineer. The only way that battery is 6.0Ah or 9.0Ah is when its on their 20V tool. If its under a 60V tool, the Ah switches to 2.0 or 3.0 (on their 9.0) respectively. Of coarse they will not tell you that but the information is already out there.
Also, Dewalt does not have a 9.0 out yet. Tjhey say they will but next year.
Admin Note (7/22/2017): We have learned that Paul is affiliated with Makita USA.
Steve Austin
You really need to know the wattage of all the different the motors.
The 120v motors will be more powerful.
William
I have numerous 18 volt tools. Will the 20 volt to 18 volt adapter work with the 20 volt/60 volt battery ???
Stuart
I don’t believe so, but I’ll double check.
Bobajob
Would it be possible to link 4 of these batteries up and have a portable mains socket?
It might be a stupid question but just out of intrigue I’m wondering if its possible.
Stuart
Dewalt’s Portable Power Station does just that. It takes 4 20V Max or FlexVolt batteries, in any combination, although the higher capacity and not the compact 20V batteries are recommended,and outputs a modified sine wave AC voltage.
Bry
Any word on if they are going to make a 60v framing nailer ?
Stuart
Do they need a FlexVolt framing nailer? They already have a decent 20V Max model.
But no, there’s no word on any FlexVolt nailers.
jmc
Hi..you seem to be in the loop . Does dewalt have plans for a 20v max 5″ orbital sander ? Or trim router ? A fan ? ..im all in with dewalt but its aggravating that other companies have their line up fully expanded….before moving up to new platform…i have a few flexvolt tools (saw,tablesaw,grinder,) the are powerfull but do need that new 9ah that dewalt is coming out with…
Stuart
I haven’t heard anything about a Dewalt cordless sander or trim router.
Dewalt has been greatly expanding their cordless lineup, and I’m actually very pleased to see their momentum.
A sander is usually a continuous-duty tool that most brands haven’t went cordless with yet. The same with trim routers.
I’m sure it’s on their roadmap, or was at least strongly considered.
I think that their strategy takes them towards high demand categories, such as nailers, and also more specialty tools such as their recent releases of cordless shears. (I’ll be posting about them soon.)
jmc
Perhaps im not talking to stuart..because i follow his post . Most company’s dont have a 5″ orbital sander ! ? ….Milwaukee, Makita, Ryobi,Ridgid,portacable all have them…I love dewalt tools im in deep..but dont sell propaganda to me……..I have every dewalt nailer and cordless tool made…..im a framer and own a deck company. …sanders are very much needed and trim routers to round over all material…..
..I was hoping you had an inside scoop as to dewalt expanding the 20v max tool line up…..i buy most of my tools at acme ,great deals and service…….HD does not honor free promo flexvolt batteries with tool kits ….acme actually has dcb606-2 at 179$ plus dewalt promo dew2016 for 25$ off 100 maki g that deal $154 ….insane price for 2 flexvolt batteries. ..
Stuart
Milwaukee: No
Bosch: No (But they do have a cordless 1/4 sheet sander in Europe)
Ridgid: Yes (relatively new)
Ryobi: Yes
Porter Cable: No
Hitachi: No
Makita: Yes (2012)
Of the top pro-grade brands, only Makita has a cordless sander. Milwaukee, Bosch, and Dewalt don’t. Most value pro brands don’t have cordless sanders either.
I’m sorry that I didn’t explain why I said that most companies don’t offer cordless random orbital sanders.
A 20V Max sander would be welcome by a lot of users, myself included, but for heavier use I’ll still go to a corded sander and corded dust extractor.
Maybe that’s part of the reason they haven’t come out with a cordless sander yet?
So far the strategy for Dewalt and other cordless tool brands is to market corded tool replacements.
I have no official info about a Dewalt cordless sander, nor have I seen anything through my usual sleuthing methods.
As for the 2 FlexVolt batteries for $154? That’s a fantastic price! I’ll have to keep that in mind for next year, when the 9.0Ah batteries are out.
Don’t worry, I’m me. =)
Julie
Can 60v batteries be charged on regular (not fan assisted) 20v chargers? Would it just be a longer charge time?
Stuart
Yes.
Jeff
Can I use a 20v battery in a 60v tool? I understand I can use a 60v battery in a 20v tool.
Stuart
No.
tommyt
60v Sounds great. BUT these are having very low customer acceptance in the market place. $200 each for 9 ah battery Many tools need 2 and 2 for spare when recharging. Are the cost/benefit enough to justify purchase vs a Milwaukee 18t system? Or Bosch, MiItika? Customer support for this line is minimal at best. All reviews show landscapers have settled on the 40v tool lines. I predict these will go the way of the 35v line.
Stuart
Is it your opinion that there’s low customer acceptance? Because that’s surely not what I’m seeing.
And “most tools need 2 batteries and 2 spares” is incorrect. Only the 12″ miter saws are powered by 2 batteries.
Travis g
I bought this was last summer. The power is great and cuts better than other battery saws I have been around. The only problem I have had is mine doesn’t work well if at all in the cold. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem or if it’s just mine and need to take it in for warranty?
Sue Ellen
I have a dewalt string trimmer with a 40 volt battery. I’m interested in getting a light, but that uses a 20 volt battery. Can I recharge my 20 volt battery on the 40 volt recharger?
Stuart
Unfortunately, no.
nathan
does anyone know if the 60v flexvolt batteries from USA work in AUS as our flexvolt tools are 54V?
Stuart
They should. 60V Max and 54V are the same.
Chris
I bought the DCBL770X1 FLEXVOLT™ 60V MAX* HANDHELD BLOWER which is advertised as having the 3.0 aH battery but the battery has printed on the side says 9.0 aH. Does the 3x difference have something to do with 60V and 20V?
I was about to buy a 9.0 aH battery for my new blower to improve the runtime (a little disappointing) but was surprised that I already had one.
Stuart
That battery has 9.0Ah charge capacity at 20V Max, or 3.0Ah at 60V Max.
The total power must be conserved, since the battery has the same number of battery cells at 20V max as it does at 60V Max. Watt-hours = Voltage x Charge capacity. The way these battery packs are designed, there are 3 rows of battery cells. The configuration is determined by whether the battery is connected to a 20V Max tool, or a FlexVolt (60V Max) tool.
The 3 rows of batteries when connected in series gives you 60V Max (20V Max x 3) with 3.0Ah charge capacity. Connected in parallel, you get 20V Max at 9.0Ah charge capacity (3.0Ah x 3).
I hope this helps!
Chris
You helped, but still a little confused…..
The reason I was asking is because the battery that came with it (advertised as a 3.0Ah battery but printed on the battery as a 9.0Ah battery doesn’t last as long as I had hoped. I was hoping that BUYING a spare that was advertised as 9.0Ah battery would significantly improve my runtime.
I am guessing that by buying a 9.0Ah battery, I would be buying the same battery that was advertised as a 3.0??
brian
i have a customer wondering if the 36v batteries will work with the 60v flexvolt tools
Stuart
They will not.
Laridae
I’d like to use the Dewalt Flexvolt in 60v mode to power an ebike. I understand that the tool somehow instructs the battery to deliver 60v rather than 20v. Does anyone know how this works and how I get access to the full 60v coming from the cells configured as 15s?
Are there different pinouts? a mechanical switch? special relays?
Ben
I was considering using them for the same application! How did they turn out or what other batteries did you use?
Viresh
Very nice review of the Flexvolt Batteries. Keep up the great work! 😀 I would like to know if the DEWALT DCA1820 adapter can work on the flexvolt batteries. I have some 18volt DeWalt tools and I was considering the 5ah batteries but if the Flexvolt can work I’ll buy those instead. Could you assist me? Thank you!
Stuart
The DCA1820 adapter will not work with FlexVolt batteries.
Rex
My concern is, how do the 60v outdoor tool options (chainsaw, blower, etc) compare to their 40v counterparts? Also, why does DeWalt not have an edger for either platform or at least attachments to make an edger out of the line trimmer?
Alex
Can I use the 60v flex battery on a 20v Nail Gun?
Dave
What is the current draw of the 60v max flex chargers? I work remote and use solar at my cabin. I need to run an inverter for AC items. For example what would the power requirements to run a single unit 60v charger?
Stuart
You can use the regular 20V Max chargers.
The DCB118 fan-cooled fast charger designed for the FlexVolt batteries has a charge rate of 8A for premium batteries and 4A for compact batteries. The back of the charger says it draws 3A at 120V.
ronald
I’m still wondering the lifetime of a cell ?, with a casual use will I need to by new batteries in maybe 2 years? less or longer? will they ever go bad?
Stuart
There are lots of things that affect cell and battery pack life.
With casual use, and if you store batteries at mid-level “maintenance charges” or as instructed in the manual, they should last for a very long time.
I don’t have datasheets in front of me at the moment, but individual cells are usually rated for hundreds of cycles.
Charge capacity will decrease over time. I don’t replace battery packs until it becomes really noticeable. I also tend to pair my higher performing tools with my more recent battery packs, and less demanding tools with my older or lower capacity packs.
LarryS
Dewalt must provide a bare tool option for everyone of these flex volt tools, or there is no point to it. The idea is to have one or two battaries and charger and many tools, 20 or 60 volt. But they are not selling bare tool options with exceptions. Marketing is deveating the engineered objective.
Stuart
I believe that’s the goal.
dan
i am thinking of buying a 60 volt flex grinder because it has a 4and 6inch grinding blade . i like a 20 volt being lighter battery . does any one know if you can use a 20 volt battery in a flex volt tools? or does it need to be a flex volt batery? thanks
Stuart
FlexVolt tools require FlexVolt battery packs.
dan
i have 60 volt flex baterys will the 60 volt work in my 18 volt tools with the 20 to 18 volt adpter?
Stuart
No.
Eric Fundenberger
Mine worked that way.
18v dewalt hammer drill with the 18v to 20v adapter. Plugged in a 60v flex battery and it works just fine!
Eric Fundenberger
Thanks for this write up.
I’ve got the 60v flex miter saw with the corded adapter (the main reason I got into the dewalt cordless market: power of corded, freedom of cordless, right?). The adapter is genius!!!
So, how about more adapters? Let’s break all the barriers shall we? I made an adapter to use 20v dewalt batts in my 18v black and Decker weed whacker, hedge trimmer etc. Works great!
So here’s what I’m really hoping for, what I’m desperate to find out:
I’d like to see an adapter that converts two 60v batteries to a 120v outlet that any 120v household item could be plugged directly into.
Anybody have thoughts on this? If you’re reading this and you have a direct answer, feel free to email me direct: [email protected]
Jeni Hall
Great write up! We have a 36 volt Dewalt tool set. Will the Flexvolt max 60v batteries work with that set? Thank you.
Stuart
They will not. FlexVolt batteries are compatible with Dewalt 20V Max, 60V Max, and 120V Max tools.
Shay
Hey all,
Can anyone tell me if 54v and 60v are the same thing?
I want to charge my 60v battery pack on a 18v/54v fast charger…
Stuart
Yes, FlexVolt 60V Max in North America is for all practical purposes the same as FlexVolt 54V in Europe. It should charge on a Dewalt 18V/54V charger.
David
I plan to buy a Dewalt power station. Are there any battery considerations other than the more I spend the more power I’ll get? Will the FlexVolt batteries work better than the Max batteries? How much power can I expect with each?
Stuart
You’ll get more runtime, not more power. As long as you use higher capacity batteries (as opposed to the compact ones), at the least, runtime should be the only variable.
Performance with 5Ah batteries, for example, or FlexVolt should be the same.
Gerardo Lopez
Hey do you know if its normal that it makes a weird start up noise when plugged with power cor da ed supply ???…it doeswnt make that noise when the batteries are on instead
Stuart
I don’t think so, that doesn’t sound normal. What kind of weird noise?
Skyler Holman
When will they release a battery with 2170 cells?
Ken Petrie
I purchased the leaf blower and chain saw. Very impressed with the chain saw. The leaf blower is good, but since it runs constantly the battery does drain faster. I have used the 60 volt batteries in my 20 volt tools and love them.
Shermam
when will the flex 60 volt battery chargers come out I bought a new skill saw the new flex 2060 volt 7 and 1/4 inch and I don’t have a charger for it so it does me no good
Stuart
You can use any Dewalt 20V Max charger.
Here’s a FlexVolt-focused fast charger that works with Dewalt 20V Max and FlexVolt batteries: DCB118 via Amazon.
Sherman
Thanks for the heads up that charger works fine.
Stuart
You’re welcome, and I’m glad to hear it worked out well for you!
Travis Veenhuis
I’ve have a 60v grinder and love it but a week ago I pull the trigger and it try’s to start but won’t. When I spin the wheel by hand to get it moving then pull the trigger it starts every time. Any suggestions as what to look at to fix it. Bought a new one to use but would like to hang onto this one as a spare. Thanks.
Steve
Does the 20volt/60 6ah battery work with the dca1820 adapter?
Stuart
It does not.
Dave
Q. What is the peak current of the 9Ah flexvolt batteries?
Has anyone tested this?
David Goodwin
I recently purchased a 20vmax/60v angle grinder. It quit working after only maybe 3 hours of total run time on it. I thought the motor had burned up because the battery was showing full charge and would run my brothers 20v tools, so I sent the grinder to repair shop, got it back and it still wont run. The grinder is a 60v. could the battery be shorted out and not supplying the 60v necessary but will supply the 20v necessary for the smaller tools?
Jay Brown
Two questions:
1. How does the XR 20V 10AH battery compare to the Flex Volt batteries? It’s more expensive than the Flex Volt 6AH battery, and the same price as the Flex Volt 9AH battery.
2. I’m new to the game, and was wondering whether it’s safe to say that Milwaukee makes stronger tools because they cater mainly to contractors, versus Dewalt who cater to a wider range of groups and people.
Thanks,
Jay
Stuart
1) I don’t know yet – they are only bundled with the mower, although it does look like they’ll be available separately shortly. I’ll have to give this some thought.
2) No. Here’s the latest closest brand comparison: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/bosch-dewalt-makita-metabo-hpt-milwaukee-cordless-power-tool-systems/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
When you compare tool and tech, apples to apples, across Milwaukee and Dewalt brands, they’re pretty evenly matched overall.
Jay Brown
Revisiting my previous question on XR 10AH batteries versus Flex Volt batteries. So recently they began selling the 10AH batteries separately, but you’re right it used to only come with the lawnmowers. Anyway, I’ll await your response at a later date.
Cheers!
Jay
Stuart
Here you go:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-20v-10ah-flexvolt-9ah-batteries-comparison/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
In theory, 9Ah is much better. In practice, the 20V Max 10Ah battery should have been engineered to meet any 20V Max power delivery requirements. In 20V Max applications, the 10Ah *should* deliver a little longer runtime and in a smaller package.