Firstly, this has functioning low voltage protection, which is good. A whole lot of generic tools and accessories like this for cordless too batteries do not have functioning, or well functioning, “low voltage protection” aka “over discharge protection.” Meaning that, during use, they allow your battery to be drawn down to such a low voltage that they never recover. This renders batteries permanently weak or just plain ruined. This is first thing I test, especially on an accessories that can reasonably be expected to be used unattended at all, ie not a drill, but certainty any accessory with USB ports, convenience light or flood light, light, fan or inverter. I am getting a cut off at 14.3v which is good protection.
This is not trivial since I got a near identical looking but older version from another vendor nine months ago that had no low voltage protection, and I tossed it right in the trash since it would certainly be a battery killer. I am fairly confident this version has been properly updated to add a small low voltage protection circuit.
NOTE: You will still, just like any OEM tool/accessory, want battery disconnected when not in use due to tiny milliamp draw. But you have to do that with a official Dewalt inverter and tools anyway. I tis never a good idea to leave your spendy batteries attached to anything, official or non official, for storage periods.
On the inverter aspect, if you plan you want to be able directly use 20v, or at very least USB source instead of converted A/C with this. Since for example powering your laptop by going through an inverter process and then back down via the laptops own power supply is doubling of inefficacy loss. Other issues with inversion is this is not exactly clean for direct to electronics, and it is just 200w. 200w means do NOT use this for anything that creates heat (coffee maker, hair dryer). Also do not use this for important equipment that needs clean and quality sine wave AC. But you sure can use its 115V.A/C on a laptop of you are stuck. I would limit to 1.5amp 120v/3amp peak items, as I see no external fuse. it does have an internal cooling fan.
On features I like this (separately switched) low power light. Lots of cordless tool ecosystem work lights here are so powerful that, even on “low”, they only go two hours or so and are not good for say a tent light, or natural disaster light.
Finally the USB ports are convenient. Keep in mind they are definably not PD or QC smart protocols and are dumb ports that will do 2.1a at 5v and no more. So the USBs are fine for slow charge of phones and most tablets, as well as to run another light, USB fan, etc., but not anything relying on PD or QC protocol to kick up voltage.
overall: good value
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