Dewalt charger and Vampire Power

I had one of those watt meters but can't find it. Anybody have one and a dewalt charger so they can test it for me?


I want to leave it plugged in permanently as long as it's not sucking juice and there is no easy access to this outlet I'll be plugging it into.

Well.... I don't have a Dewalt charger, but I have two lithium Hitachi, a lithium Ryobi & an old 9v nicad Makita. The Hitachi's use 1.5 & 1.6 watts with no battery in them. The Ryobi dances... one second intervals, it goes from 0 to 2 to 3 to 5 watts, then back to zero. The Makita Nicad draws 5.6 watts.
I'd bet two donuts & a coffee that the Dewalt is similar....in my book, not enough to worry about. Also, if it is winter time, that 5 watts is just heat in the house! In the summer, yup, you'll have to AC that 5 watts back to zero.

Here ya go Richard. Not sure if you have the same one, but this 18v one here fluctuates between 88-94 watts while charging. I would assume that number would drop when charge is completed.

if its pluged in it will always be drawing juice (even if your battery is not in it!), obviously its up to you as to what you concider "acceptable", but please be aware that any bat. plugged in always could also be a potencial fire hazzard (ive seen more burned down houses from people leaving their laptops plugged in a perm. location while keeping their battery in it then anything). I had a listing in Westboro a few years ago where nothing was left but a foundation because of this mistake

Those are probably powered by Lithium Ion batteries. They are very picky as to how they're charged. Overcharge them, and you'll have an early fireworks display. Undercharge them, and they'll never work again.

Perfect for hybrids ...

Richard S. wrote:I had one of those watt meters but can't find it. Anybody have one and a dewalt charger so they can test it for me?


I want to leave it plugged in permanently as long as it's not sucking juice and there is no easy access to this outlet I'll be plugging it into.

Well, see if this idea has any merit...first plug in a small appliance timer and then plug into that w/ the DeWalt. Everyday at the same time it will get a short topping off charge cycle and then it will hibernate till next day same time comes around. Yes, most of those style timers run a tiny clock motor.

I got three different dewalt chargers.
A couple like Smitty's, the old black 18volt chargers.
A couple new upgraded YELLOW 18volt chargers.
And a couple 20volt chargers.
You got any preference?

I'll check current draw when I get out to the shop later.

Yes, I do leave the batteries in the newer 18volt charger, and the 20volt charger, 24 x 7.
These have circuits for "Scrubbing" the cells clean (removing memory), and when needed, trickle-charging them to top them off.

I don't trust the old Black Chargers. I have melted batteries in this old style of charger.

Ok, I measured all three types:

1) Old style BLACK 18volt charger:
.002A steady draw, with no battery in it.

2) New style YELLOW 18volt charger:
.012A with a fully charged battery in it
.0005A with no battery in it.

3) New 20volt charger:
.002A with fully charged battery in it.
.002A with no battery in it.

McGiever wrote:

Richard S. wrote:I had one of those watt meters but can't find it. Anybody have one and a dewalt charger so they can test it for me?


I want to leave it plugged in permanently as long as it's not sucking juice and there is no easy access to this outlet I'll be plugging it into.

Well, see if this idea has any merit...first plug in a small appliance timer and then plug into that w/ the DeWalt. Everyday at the same time it will get a short topping off charge cycle and then it will hibernate till next day same time comes around. Yes, most of those style timers run a tiny clock motor.

now im seeing why we call you McGiever

SMITTY wrote: I would assume that number would drop when charge is completed.

Should have been a little clearer, what's the draw if there is no battery in it.

009to090 wrote:Ok, I measured all three types:

1) Old style BLACK 18volt charger:
.002A steady draw, with no battery in it.
.

Thanks.

I got between 4 - 6 Watt fluctuation, and 0 - .1 Amp draw with no battery.