When we go camping I usually take my trusty Honda EU2000i generator. In my opinion, it's one of the best portable generators on the market. It is quiet, very efficient with fuel usage and you can even convert them to use propane with a special manifold attachment. They are great for emergency power out situations. The only downside is its cost, they run at least $1000, depending on options and they weigh 46 pounds (no fuel). So, while it is a very useful tool, sometimes it is a little more than is needed for certain situations. That’s where the Dewalt DCB 1800 4 Battery Charger/Inverter comes into play, it solves a lot of the issues of using a gas powered generator, while being a great multi-purpose addition to any shop.
When we purchased the Dewalt DCB 1800 4 Battery Charger/Inverter, we had originally just intended to use it to quickly charge the batteries for our 20/60 volt tools by Dewalt. Then we realized just how powerful the unit was, and it got me to thinking about emergency power needs.
You see, this Dewalt unit is also an inverter - meaning it can supply AC power to an item once you have attached 4 batteries to its charging ports. Once the 4 Dewalt 60v 3.0ah batteries are attached, you have 720 watt-hours of completely silent power storage (this is currently the highest amphour rating you can achieve but you can add any combination of either the 20v or 60v batteries). If you aren’t a tool dork like me, that may mean nothing to you….but essentially it means you can power your refrigerator for probably 6+ hours (depending on a few factors), with this unit. Also, if you have an extra set of batteries that time doubles; which could be vital in an emergency situation. To take it even a step further, if you're really industrious you could use a very small solar set up to recharge depleted batteries while using the other set in the inverter.
Features We Love
Weighs only 18 pounds without batteries attached
Produces modified sinewave power (Perfect for everything except sensitive electronics)
Silent (Emergency Power with no one knowing you have it)
Safe for Indoor Use (This unit does not consume any fuel, meaning you can use it indoors without fear of noxious fumes.)
Portable and Rugged Construction
From a prepping stand point this tool is almost a must have. You can consume power in total silence, meaning you don't have to worry about people knowing you have available power, which could make you a target. I also really like the 3600 watt peak power, perfect for well pumps that use huge start up amperage.
In conclusion, this is really a great option for anyone who is doing construction in remote locations, those who want to be prepared for any situation, or just plain old camping. So, if you have $220 to spend and already have some Dewalt batteries, this could be a great addition to your own tool collection.
Thanks so much for reading,
Happy Homesteading
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