Craftsman 19.2V Car Charger for C3 XCP Lithium and NiCad Tools

Description

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There’s nothing worse than being on a service call in a customer’s driveway, reaching for your trusty Craftsman C3 impact driver to finish installing a condenser unit, and finding your battery completely dead. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. That’s when I started keeping a vehicle charger in my truck – specifically, this Craftsman 19.2V C3 vehicle charger that’s designed to work with both lithium-ion XCP and NiCad batteries in the 9.2V-19.2V range.

As HVAC techs, we live out of our vehicles. Between job sites, our trucks become mobile workshops, and the ability to charge batteries on the go isn’t just convenient – it’s essential for productivity. After testing this aftermarket vehicle charger for the past four months across hundreds of miles and dozens of service calls, I wanted to share my real-world experience to help you decide if it’s the right addition to your truck.

The bottom line up front: This charger has saved me from at least a dozen trips back to the shop for fresh batteries, and at its price point, it’s paid for itself several times over in time savings alone. But there are some important considerations about compatibility and charging speed that every Craftsman tool user should understand before buying.

Why This Craftsman 19.2V C3 Vehicle Charger Stands Out

What immediately caught my attention was the voltage range versatility. Unlike some vehicle chargers that only work with specific battery chemistries, this one handles both the older NiCad batteries I still have floating around and the newer lithium-ion XCP packs I’ve been transitioning to. During testing, I threw everything at it – old 19.2V NiCad packs from 2015, newer C3 lithium batteries, even a 14.4V pack – and it recognized and charged each one appropriately.

The build quality surprised me for an aftermarket accessory. The 12V DC plug feels solid and hasn’t worked loose even after countless insertions into my truck’s power outlet. The cable length is generous at roughly 6 feet, which means I can toss batteries on the passenger seat to charge while keeping the charger plugged in near the center console. I’ve tested several vehicle chargers over the years that had frustratingly short cables that forced awkward positioning.

Temperature management is where this charger really shines. Working in Arizona summers and Michigan winters, I’ve seen this charger operate flawlessly in truck interiors ranging from 15°F to over 110°F. The built-in safety circuitry prevents overcharging and overheating, which matters when you’re charging batteries in a hot truck cab between calls. I’ve never had a battery come off this charger uncomfortably hot to the touch.

Compared to the OEM Craftsman vehicle charger I used previously (which died after 18 months), this aftermarket version costs significantly less while delivering identical performance. I’ve used both side-by-side before my original failed, and honestly couldn’t detect any difference in charging speed or battery longevity.

Key Features & Specifications

• Input Voltage: 12V DC (standard vehicle power outlet) – works in cars, trucks, vans, and even boats or RVs with 12V systems
• Compatible Battery Range: 9.2V to 19.2V Craftsman batteries – covers virtually all C3 platform tools including XCP lithium-ion and older NiCad packs
• Output Current: Approximately 1.5A charging rate – not the fastest, but safe for battery longevity (fully charges a depleted 19.2V XCP battery in roughly 90-120 minutes depending on capacity)
• LED Indicator: Simple red/green status light – red while charging, green when complete
• Safety Features: Over-current protection, over-temperature shutoff, reverse polarity protection, and automatic charge completion to prevent battery damage
• Cable Length: Approximately 6 feet from DC plug to charging cradle – provides flexible positioning in vehicle
• Weight: 12 ounces – light enough to toss in a glove box or door pocket when not in use

The 1.5A charging rate deserves some explanation. This isn’t a rapid charger – it’s designed for “drive time” charging between jobs. If you’ve got a 30-45 minute drive to your next service call, a depleted battery will gain enough charge to be usable again. For a full charge from completely dead, expect 90-120 minutes depending on whether you’re charging a compact 2.0Ah battery or a larger 4.0Ah XCP pack. This slower charging is actually gentler on batteries and can extend their overall lifespan compared to rapid charging systems.

Hands-On Performance Testing

My real-world testing started on a particularly frustrating Tuesday morning. I had burned through two 19.2V batteries installing a new air handler and realized my third battery was also depleted. Rather than wasting 40 minutes driving back to the shop, I plugged the dead battery into this vehicle charger and grabbed lunch. By the time I finished eating (about 35 minutes), the battery had enough charge to run my impact driver for the final mounting bolts and sheet metal screws.

Over four months, I’ve charged batteries in this charger approximately 60-70 times. The charging pattern is consistent: the LED glows red during active charging, then switches to solid green when complete. Unlike some chargers that use blinking patterns you have to interpret, this straightforward indicator is easy to check at a glance. The charger also stays cool even during extended charging sessions – I’ve run it for two consecutive full charge cycles without it getting more than slightly warm to the touch.

I tested the compatibility claims extensively. My tool collection includes older 14.4V and 18V batteries along with the 19.2V C3 packs, and I even tried it with a 9.6V battery from an ancient drill. Every battery charged correctly, with the charger automatically detecting the voltage and chemistry. The only batteries it won’t work with are the compact 12V MAX lithium batteries from Craftsman’s newer platform – but that’s expected since it’s designed specifically for the C3 line.

One practical advantage that emerged during testing: this charger doesn’t require you to turn off your vehicle. Some cheap DC accessories cause voltage fluctuations that trigger dashboard warnings, but I’ve used this charger with the truck running, with just the accessory power on, and with the engine off but battery connected. No electrical issues in any configuration across three different vehicles (2018 F-150, 2020 Transit van, and 2016 Silverado).

The unexpected benefit I discovered was RV compatibility. During a commercial HVAC installation at an RV resort, I was able to plug the charger into the maintenance cart’s 12V outlet and charge batteries while driving between buildings on the property. This versatility extends to boats, ATVs, and any other vehicle with a standard 12V power outlet.

What We Liked (Pros)

• True multi-chemistry compatibility: Successfully charged both NiCad and lithium-ion batteries without issues – no need to buy separate chargers for different battery types in your collection
• Reliable safety shutoff: Never overcharged a battery in 70+ charging cycles, even when I accidentally left batteries connected overnight – the automatic shutoff works as advertised
• Excellent cable length: The 6-foot cable provides real flexibility for positioning in different vehicles without awkward stretching or repositioning
• Consistent performance across temperature extremes: Worked flawlessly in both single-digit winter temperatures and 110°F+ summer heat inside vehicles – critical for year-round reliability
• Cost-effective alternative to OEM: Delivers identical performance to the original Craftsman vehicle charger at roughly 60% of the price, making it easy to keep one in every service vehicle

What Could Be Better (Cons)