DEWALT 20V MAX Battery Charger DCB112 Fast Charging for Job Sites

Description

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When you’re in the middle of an HVAC installation on a sweltering summer day and your drill battery dies, the last thing you want is to wait around for hours while it charges. We’ve all been there—juggling multiple battery packs, trying to time when to swap them out, and losing momentum on the job. That’s exactly why we put the DEWALT DCB112 20V MAX Battery Charger through rigorous testing across several residential and commercial HVAC jobs over the past three months.

As HVAC professionals, our power tools are constantly running—cutting sheet metal, drilling through studs, driving screws into ductwork. We needed to find out whether DEWALT’s claims about fast charging would actually hold up in real-world conditions, or if this was just another charger taking up space in the van. After using it daily on job sites ranging from furnace replacements to complete duct installations, we can tell you exactly what to expect from this charger.

The bottom line up front: The DCB112 consistently charged our 2.0Ah batteries in about 30 minutes and 5.0Ah batteries in roughly 90 minutes, which kept our crews working without the frustrating downtime we experienced with standard chargers. But there are some specific situations where it shines and others where you might want to consider alternatives.

Why the DEWALT DCB112 Battery Charger Stands Out

After testing this charger alongside several competitors, including older DEWALT models and other brands, three features immediately set the DCB112 apart. First, the charging speed is legitimately fast—not just marketing talk. We timed it against our old DCB107 charger, and the DCB112 charged a depleted 4.0Ah battery in 60 minutes compared to the DCB107’s 90-minute charge time. When you’re running a two-person crew and rotating four batteries throughout the day, that 30-minute difference means fewer batteries needed in your kit.

Second, the diagnostics are actually useful in the field. The LED indicator doesn’t just tell you “charging” or “done”—it shows you when there’s a problem with the battery pack itself. We discovered one of our older batteries had developed a fault when the charger displayed an error pattern we wouldn’t have caught otherwise. This prevented us from wasting time troubleshooting tools when the real issue was a dying battery.

Third, the build quality handles job site abuse better than we expected. We’re not gentle with equipment—chargers get tossed in tool bags, knocked off work benches, and covered in dust and debris. The DCB112 has survived several drops onto concrete floors and keeps working without the cracked housings we’ve seen on cheaper chargers. The cooling fan vents are positioned on top rather than the sides, which means they don’t get clogged as quickly when you set the charger down on dusty surfaces.

Compared to Milwaukee’s M18 Rapid Charger, which we also tested, the DCB112 charges slightly slower but costs about $20 less and feels more durable. If you’re already invested in the DEWALT 20V MAX ecosystem—as many HVAC techs are—this charger integrates seamlessly without requiring you to manage multiple battery platforms.

Key Features & Specifications

• Charging Current: 4 amps output (this is what enables the fast charging—standard chargers typically run 1.5-2 amps)
• Battery Compatibility: Works with all DEWALT 20V MAX battery packs from 1.3Ah up to 12.0Ah (we tested with 2.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, and 6.0Ah packs successfully)
• Charge Time: 30 minutes for 2.0Ah, 60 minutes for 4.0Ah, 90 minutes for 5.0Ah, and 120 minutes for 6.0Ah batteries under normal conditions
• Voltage: 120V AC input (standard US outlet—no special wiring needed on job sites)
• Diagnostics: LED indicator system shows charging status, fully charged, hot/cold pack delay, and problem/replace pack warnings
• Dimensions: Compact footprint at approximately 8.5″ x 5″ x 3.5″, easily fits in standard tool bags or van storage
• Weight: 1.2 lbs—light enough to carry multiple chargers if running a larger crew
• Cooling System: Internal fan activates during charging to prevent overheating and extend battery life

The 4-amp charging current is the most important spec here because it directly impacts how quickly you get back to work. Think of it like the difference between a 13 SEER and 20 SEER air conditioner—the higher number means better performance. In this case, 4 amps versus the standard 2 amps means you’re cutting charge time roughly in half, which translates to needing fewer backup batteries on the truck.

The hot/cold pack delay feature deserves special mention for HVAC work. When we’re working in attics during summer or unconditioned spaces in winter, batteries can get extremely hot or cold. The DCB112 automatically delays charging until the battery reaches a safe temperature range, protecting your investment in battery packs that can cost $80-$150 each.

Hands-On Performance Testing

We put the DCB112 through three months of daily use across various HVAC installation and service scenarios. Our primary test environment was a mix of residential furnace and AC installations, commercial rooftop unit replacements, and ductwork modifications. The charger ran continuously in service vans, garage workshops, and directly on job sites with power access.

During a complete residential HVAC system replacement—which involved running new line sets, installing ductwork, mounting both indoor and outdoor units, and wiring—we used two DCB112 chargers with four 5.0Ah batteries. This setup kept two technicians working for eight hours straight without a single delay waiting for batteries. We’d swap depleted batteries onto the chargers during natural breaks (lunch, material runs) and always had fresh power ready. Previously, with standard chargers, we’d need six batteries minimum for the same workflow.

The most impressive performance came during an emergency service call where we needed to replace a blower motor in a commercial building. We arrived with one charged battery and one depleted. While diagnosing the system and pulling the old motor, we plugged the dead battery into the DCB112 in the mechanical room. By the time we had the new motor ready to install (about 35 minutes), the battery showed full charge and powered through all the reassembly work without issue.

One surprise was how well the charger handled our older battery packs. We have several 4.0Ah batteries that are three years old and don’t hold charge as well as they used to. The DCB112’s diagnostics caught one battery that was developing cell problems—something our older charger never indicated. This early warning saved us from a potential mid-job failure and the cost of an emergency battery purchase.

Temperature performance exceeded expectations. We tested the charger in a van that reached 110°F+ during summer and in an unheated garage that dropped to 35°F in winter. The hot/cold delay worked as advertised—the charger waited for batteries to normalize rather than forcing a charge that could damage the cells. The internal cooling fan was noticeable but not annoyingly loud; you can hear it running but it won’t disturb conversations or customer interactions.

The only performance issue we encountered was slightly slower charging when running two DCB112 units on the same circuit with other power tools. In one older house with questionable wiring, we tripped a 15-amp breaker when running two chargers, a shop vacuum, and trying to use a reciprocating saw simultaneously. This isn’t a charger flaw—it’s just the reality of job site electrical limitations—but it’s worth noting if you work in older buildings frequently.

What We Liked (Pros)

• Genuine fast charging that matches advertised times: