Comments on: Air Power Without The Cord

By: _Jon

_Jon — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:02:26 +0000

Nice idea.
I am certain future models will include an outlet for charger or a built-in charger.

I think the drill-starter is a great idea.

More than likely, those were considered, but pushed off in order to give “next year’s” model a new feature to woo new customers…. (sales, marketing, and planned obsolescence, and all that.)

By: fred

fred — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:10:23 +0000

We have one Emglo gasoline-engine hot dog compressor for those times we are working on larger properties (Gazebos, etc.) where stretching a cord would probably require a length of #4 wire to avoid the voltage drop. I believe that Black and Decker acquired Emglo and the Dewalt line is the result. I also believe that the Porter Cable Line of compressors - look a lot like the older DeVilbiss products (Black and Decker owns DeVilbiss, Porter Cable and Dewalt too.). If they keep up the quaility that we’ve observed with our Emglos (both the 1 engine-driven and the several electrics) then the Dewalt line should be great.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:26:53 +0000

But really, why not just make it so you can start it with your drill, racecar style?

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:25:20 +0000

I get the impression that it’s not so much a “nagging little problem” that the electric start uses a battery, as it is a moderately useful feature.

Usually, you’d probably start it with the pullcord. But, if you happen to have some DeWalt cordless tools with charged batteries hanging about, then you can pop one into the compressor and use that to start it.

If you need to charge a bunch of batteries on site, then maybe you just get a generator.

By: jeffrey immer

jeffrey immer — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:25:12 +0000

it seems to me like a ploy to get you to carry or purchase the dewalt battery system. i wonder how many starts you get with the new nanophosphate ( and apparently unattractive looking) battery. not sure why it can’t just be a stand alone tool with a battery built in if it needs it to start.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:22:13 +0000

Oh, no doubt, Benjamen, it certainly is a minor issue, and an amusing one!

By: Benjamen Johnson

Benjamen Johnson — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:06:44 +0000

@Patrick:

Thanks for pointing out the fact these compressors don’t need the batteries to start, they can be pull started too. An important point I forgot to mention — although you can clearly see the pull cord in the pictures.

I’m right there with you on recharging the battery. My initial impression before I took a closer look was that the compressors also charged batteries, not that it needed them for the electric start. Wouldn’t that be cool, take your cordless tools anywhere you take the compressor. After reading further I too was disappointed that it wouldn’t charge batteries.

The battery point is a minor issue though, it seems like there are always nagging little problems with tools that detract from their real usefulness.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:50:24 +0000

Nice, but really, for close to $2000, the irony of needing electricity to charge the battery with the included charger can’t be overlooked.

Yes, they include a pull-start, but if the cool part is an electric-start gas motor, then forget about the additional charger and add the components to the machine that’ll allow recharging of the battery.

That way, you can pull-start it the very first time, charge the battery, use the battery to start it subsequent times, and use the port to recharge the battery, and other batteries, while the unit is running!