One of the best cordless power tool accessories I could recommend is any brand’s 18V or 20V Max USB charging adapter.
Two years ago, Hurricane Sandy knocked out our power for a week. We eventually hightailed it to my parents’ house, but we endured the blackout for a couple of days.
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My flashlights got a good workout during the blackout, and I also heavily relied on Milwaukee’s M18 heated jacket and USB power adapter. Milwaukee’s power adapter has USB charging functionality, and so it helped keep my smartphone and iPad charged and operational.
Dewalt has something similar – the DCB090. The DCB090 is similar to the power adapter that comes with Dewalt heated jackets and workwear, but lacks the barrel connector that provides power to the clothes for heating.
It works with Dewalt’s 12V Max and 20V Max battery packs, and features a built-in fuel gauge. There are (2) separate USB charging ports that can deliver up to 1.5A of current, combined.
If you attach two devices at once, the maximum charging rate is halved. Still, it’s nice to have the option – connect 1 device for fastest charging, or 2 devices for greater convenience.
Now that a monstrous snowstorm of “historic proportions” is bearing down on the east coast, I’ve got a couple of Dewalt 20V Max 5.0Ah battery packs charged and at the ready, and one of these DCB090 USB adapters. Just in case.
I wish that the DCB090 adapter was a little boxier – more like Milwaukee’s – and that it had a positive locking mechanism. When attached to a 20V Max battery pack, it’s not exactly locked on. While this hasn’t proved to be an issue in use, it’s something to be aware of. I suppose this is necessary in order for the adapter to compatible with 20V Max and 12V Max batteries.
Milwaukee’s adapter has an on/off switch for the USB charging port. Dewalt’s has a built-in battery fuel gauge. I find that both adapters have their pros and cons, but also that both are extremely convenient cordless tool accessories to have around.
Milwaukee and Bosch both have M12 and 12V Max USB power adapters, but I find that 18V/20V Max adapters are a little more useful due to their higher power storage potential. On the other hand, adapters like Bosch’s 12V BHB120 power port ($44 via Amazon) are more compact and convenient to carry about. The Bosch adapter even has a belt clip.
Dewalt’s adapter is priced at $26-30. If you a couple of Dewalt 12V or 20V Max Li-ion battery packs lying around, the DCB090 is a very handy accessory to keep around.
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mp says
1.5a combined? What is this, 2010?
Scott says
I own the Dewalt DCB 090 and find it extremely useful on and off the job site. It’s saved me several times when driving commercial trucks with a faulty cigarette lighter socket preventing me from charging my GPS. I just plugged into the dcb090 and GPS and phone were back charging. You can also use it to check the battery level on dewalt battery packs that don’t have a battery life display. My only complaint is that the 12v max batteries are a little tricky to remove because of their smaller size sinking deeper into the device. All my 20v batteries lock in and out with no problems. Guys have asked to borrow this on the job site more times than I can remember. Overall a very great addition for anyone using the dewalt 12v or 20v line!!!
Blair says
I hope you don’t have to use it Stuart, but your post does shed new light on an accessory that I hadn’t really given consideration. Keep everyone safe my friend
Steven says
What I would like to see is an 18v to 12v adapter. Does anyone know if such a thing exists?
Tom says
Craftsman made something similar for the Nextec line a few years back. It seemed like it came and went within months. I would love to snag one someday, but I think that I lost out on my window of opportunity!
Jay k. says
Ebay tends to have them every now and then under -Nextec craftsman…
Pete says
Make a battery bank. All the info is on battery1234.com
To make a long topic short here’s the skinny.
Buy an extra car battery or two or three to leave in a closet. Connect them in parallel(retains 12v but increases capacity) Buy a 12v smart charger to leave plug in. The batteries are always charges and remain topped off. Then buy a inverter, 1200 watts and higher is nice. if the power goes out just flick a switch and blam instant power.
This system is nice to have in conjunction with a generator for during the day. The generator is used during the day WHILE being used to charge you battery bank. Then at night the generator is pulled inside and the battery bank is used at night.
If you can’t afford a generator or don’t have room you can use another inverter(400 watt would be good) to hook to your car, run a regular extension cord inside to charge your battery bank while idling you car.
Good luck
Chad says
I lost power for a few days a couple years ago. I kept my cell phone charged by using alligator clip jumpers from my dewalt 18v batteries tied into my car charger. It did the job as the cell phone was the only way to access the web for storm updates and power line repairs.
Last year when I first saw this new USB adapter I bought one right away.
Chris says
Will Bosch come out with an 18v version? I just bought into this system.
Dale says
It’s suprising that every brand doesn’t have one. I’d really like a ryobi version.
Tj says
This works great even with the small 12v batteries.(which DeWalt needs to upgrade) I have both 12 and 20v batteries and they work great, and it is so tough I dropped mine off 30″ ladders and it still works.
Would defiantly recommend this to anyone invested in the 12 or 20 volt lines.