DeWalt to Release Massive FlexVolt Battery Along with New Rotary Hammers
Poised for a September 2021 release, DeWalt plans to scale things to a whole new level with the DCB615 15Ah FlexVolt battery. It’s also no accident that DeWalt is releasing these 15Ah batteries alongside two new brushless SDS-Max rotary hammers. This battery certainly looks designed to provide maximum runtime in heavy-duty applications like concrete masonry, metalworking, and more.
How Many Cells Does the DeWalt FlexVolt 15Ah Battery Have?
The first question we almost always get from readers is how many cells does the DeWalt FlexVolt 15Ah battery have? The answer, surprisingly, is 30. Instead of using higher-capacity 21700 cells, DeWalt opted for 2.5Ah 18650 cells. Also, instead of arranging those cells horizontally like many other handheld tool batteries, they stood them up vertically.
To be perfectly honest, it confused us in the beginning. By alternating rows of 8 and 7 batteries, they packed their 15Ah FlexVolt battery with 30 18650 cells. In the end, you get a 60V Max pack with 5Ah of capacity and around 270 Wh (watt-hours) of power.
What Tools Does the FlexVolt 15Ah Battery Work With?
Looking at the size of the pack, the DeWalt DCB615 15Ah FlexVolt battery is made for heavier-duty tools and equipment. In fact, it unlocks several options, such as breaker (demolition) hammers and 2-inch rotary hammers. With this 15Ah FlexVolt battery pack, DeWalt should be able to replace even more corded tools with battery-powered equivalents. Thickness planers? 60V lawn mowers with a 2-acre range? Tile saws?
In either case, The DeWalt DCB615 looks like the highest-capacity lithium-ion battery offered by DeWalt and the highest-capacity 20V Max-compatible pack we’ve ever seen. By our calculations, you’ll get 270Wh of power based on the nominal voltage level. For comparison, that’s the same power capacity as a Ryobi 40V 7.5Ah pack.
The new DeWalt 15Ah battery uses the brand’s FlexVolt technology so it automatically switches voltages to match the tool and application it’s being used with. That means that it operates at 60V Max for FlexVolt power tools and 20V Max for DeWalt’s XR cordless tools.
DeWalt DCB615 15Ah Battery Made for Larger Tools
It also looks like a great pairing for the DeWalt DCH775X2 2-inch SDS-Max rotary hammer other 60V demolition hammers. Producing an impressive 19.4 Joules of impact energy, this rotary hammer provides the same sort of muscle that we experienced when we tried out the similar DCH773 last year.
The new DeWalt 15Ah battery works with all DeWalt 20V MAX chargers and is specced to work outside in temperatures as low as 0° F.
Pricing and Availability
DeWalt plans to release the 15Ah FlexVolt Battery in September 2021 with a price tag of $349. We also expect to see this battery packaged in some combo kits later this year, saving us some money when we add it to our arsenal.
- DCB615 FlexVolt 20V/60V Max 15.0Ah Battery – $359
- DCH735X2 60V 1-7/8″ Brushless SDS Max Combination Rotary Hammer Kit – $999
- DCH775X2 60V Max 2″ Brushless SDS Max Combination Rotary Hammer Kit – $1,099
