Craftsman has a new V20 cordless power inverter, CMCB1150B, that delivers up to 150W of AC power. It also features USB-C and USB-A ports for charging or powering electronic devices.
The Craftsman cordless power adapter features an LED worklight, rubber overmold, and is Versatrack-compatible for convenient storage.
From the application product image, there are multiple devices attached to the inverter, suggesting it can deliver power to its different ports at the same time.
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There’s an LED activation button on the top of the adapter, and a power button on the front.
Craftsman V20 Inverter Max Output Specs
- 120V AC: 150W (~1.25A)
- USB-A: 5V at 2.4A
- USB-C: 5V at 3.0A
Price: $49 (tool-only)
Franck B.
I bought this a couple weeks ago, mostly because we were discussing the new Dewalt charger with USB-C PD. This one is very basic, only supporting the 5V profile on USB-C. If you use Apple products, it will let you use the USB-C to Lightning cable for faster charging.
I found it amusing that they specifically call out the “Versatrack compatibility” which amounts to a screw hole backed by a nut. The same one for mounting the belt hook, which allows attachment of a (not included in mine) Versatrack hook. Then, the product picture proceeds to show the device in use in front of a pegboard.
I mainly bought it because I was placing my order for a Kobalt CaseStack to try them out, I didn’t want to wait for them to be on clearance, or to see what was on sale for Memorial Day (nothing interesting).
Nathan
Interesting device – similar but not the same as the Dewalt
MM
I got a chuckle out of that second photo. Why on earth would anyone run an adapter off a cordless inverter *at a workbench* which presumably has some electrical outlets on the wall right behind it? They should have used a worksite that obviously lacked power for their photo backdrop…a house at the framing stage, the back of a work truck…
Stuart
Many residential garages and basements are sorely lacking in AC outlet coverage.
MM
Sure, but if you were setting up a workbench complete with pegboard or modular racks or whatever behind to hold your tools ready to go, wouldn’t you locate that near an outlet, or if there were no outlets nearby wouldn’t you add an outlet of some kind? If not proper wall outlet(s) then surely some kind of power strip? Heck, many workbenches and toolboxes these days have those built-in.
Joellikestools
My house has one outlet in the garage and it runs a freezer. So I am the minority that this photo applies to.
Rog
My garage has only two outlets, both located in the worst possible locations ever. I could be the same as this user.
Dave
Yep my 1977 built home only has one 15 amp outlet in the garage. What a joke
Chris
I thought you were bringing up the absurdity of a DC-AC-DC connection. It’s annoying that they didn’t come up with a better example for use cases.
MM
Oh, there’s that too, but I just find it strange that someone would set up a workbench somewhere where there is no AC power. Running an extension cord, using a power strip, etc, makes a lot more sense than messing with rechargeable batteries IMHO, for a location where one expects to do work.
Some random corner of the basement? Sure, battery makes sense. But where you have a designated work area?
Stuart
You’re not wrong, but many/most garages are not setup as work spaces, and a lot of people are stuck with what they have.
Jim Felt
Perhaps I’m being a little off base but if one is interested enough to be on Toolguyd why wouldn’t they perhaps try to learn just about enough line voltage wiring to safely add outlet boxes etc.?
Just curious.
MM
I wasn’t talking about a general case, I was specifically referring to the photograph here. Now granted we can’t see an outlet in the picture, but if someone went through the effort of not only setting up a workbench but also went through the trouble of hanging up a modular tool rack behind it I’d think some kind of nearby power source would be a given. Even if I had no clue how to wire an outlet I’d certainly run an extension cord over there with a power strip on it (assuming there wasn’t already one in the workbench).
I agree with Jim Felt that it makes sense to learn how to do basic wiring but even if someone were uncomfortable with doing that they can still easily plug in a power strip.
Big Richard
I think you posted about them earlier in the year, but the V20 rotary tool and soldering iron also have been available for a few weeks now. Same $49 price tag as this power supply.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-V20-Rotary-Tool-Bare/5013068599
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN/5013090773
Jerry
I have a Ryobi one that seems similar. Worked to run a heat lamp to keep some baby chicks warm during a power outage. Amazing how fast a 100W heat lamp will drain the battery.
Super great cor charging cell phones and the like while traveling, though.
Franck B.
I think it would have been a lot more useful if it had a method of charging the V20 battery as well… even slowly. Then it would reduce the need to lug a charger when traveling e.g. for use with a heated jacket. My plan when winter rolls around is to travel with the Dewalt batteries and the new USB-C charger/adapter. So I will use the Dewalt jacket adapter with a Craftsman jacket, it has nicer styling and my Dewalt jacket is dirty.
Kingsley
It’s a bit large!
Franck B.
It’s also a 150W inverter. Those tend to be around the size of this item, allowing for a battery attachment.
Bob
Why doesn’t DeWalt have one!!!!! Don’t get me wrong there USB-c charger that came out is sweet (minus no 12v port) is pretty cool, probably gonna pick one up. But if DeWalt is SBD’s flagship brand why don’t they have something like this in yellow first?
Sure dewalt has the 4 battery dc to ac power pack but that’s big and overkill for a lot of stuff.
I guess with the proliferation of the USB type C charging on a lot of electronic devices AC charging is less and less needed but sometimes it’s just nice to have the convenience of having a AC plug you can use at home or mobile
Stuart
There’s a limit as to what you can do tool-wise with just 150W.
Ben
Totally agree where the heck is a dewalt one.
Corey Moore
Electrical gimmick marketing is easily top 5 most hated parts of being an electrician.
Terry
Every Lowe’s I’ve checked says they have one in stock; however, I’ve placed three online orders for this item and all were cancelled. Now calling around and being told it’s unavailable even though the website says it’s in stock. Frustrating.
Stuart
That has happened to me before. Usually it means that certain inventory is dedicated for holiday promotional displays but stores haven’t or couldn’t put them out yet.