Black & Decker 12V MAX*/20V MAX* Lithium Ion Battery Charger

Why I added the LCS1620B to my bench

I like simple, dependable chargers that disappear into the background while I work. The LCS1620B fits that brief: it’s compact, it mounts to the wall without fuss, and it handles both 12V MAX and 20V MAX Black & Decker slide packs. I set it up in my garage to support a mix of small 12V tools and a handful of 20V MAX drills, drivers, and yard tools. After several weeks of use, it’s proven to be a straightforward, single-bay charger that does what it says without drama.

Design and build

This is a small unit—about 8.3 x 4.8 x 1.9 inches and roughly 0.4 lb—so it tucks onto a shelf or mounts cleanly on a pegboard using the molded keyholes on the back. The housing feels like the typical Black & Decker mid-range plastic: not ruggedized, but solid enough. The slide-rail interface lines up easily, and batteries click in with a positive, audible engagement. There’s minimal flex when you dock and remove packs, which inspires confidence over repeated cycles.

It’s fanless and silent. There are no frills—no extra ports, no screen—just a single indicator light that shows charge status. That simplicity keeps the footprint and weight down, and it also means fewer things to snag or break if you toss it in a tool bag.

A quick note on specs: while I’ve seen conflicting listings that call the charger “cordless,” it’s a standard AC plug-in charger. Also, you won’t find a battery in the box—this is the charger only.

Compatibility and setup

The LCS1620B accepts Black & Decker slide-pack lithium-ion batteries from both the 12V MAX and 20V MAX lines. It auto-detects the pack voltage and charges accordingly. If you maintain kits in both voltages, this single charger simplifies your setup and saves an outlet.

The wall-mount option is worth using. Mounted vertically with the pack facing up, it holds batteries securely; I didn’t see any tendency for a docked pack to creep or loosen over time. If you prefer benchtop use, the base is stable and doesn’t skid around when inserting or removing packs.

Charging performance

Black & Decker positions this as a standard (not rapid) charger. Their claim of “recharges 1.5 Ah slide-pack batteries in 40 minutes or less” lines up with my experience:

• 20V MAX 1.5Ah: 38–45 minutes in my tests, from near empty to full.
• 20V MAX 2.0Ah: right around an hour.
• 20V MAX 4.0Ah: just over two hours.
• Larger packs (6.0Ah and up): expect multiple hours.

Heat management is uneventful. The charger and packs get warm under heavy charge but never uncomfortably hot. Because it’s a fanless design, it’s best to give it some breathing room—don’t cover the unit or pack while charging.

The indicator light is basic but clear: it blinks while charging and goes solid when the battery is full. There aren’t multi-stage percentages or detailed error codes, so if you prefer granular state-of-charge information, you won’t find it here. On the flip side, visibility is good from across the garage.

One performance note: high-drain tools like blowers and string trimmers chew through small-capacity packs quickly. The charger will top those packs off reliably, but if you run large 5.0–8.0Ah batteries, you’ll spend a while waiting. That’s not a knock on the LCS1620B so much as a reminder that this is a single-bay, standard-rate charger. If you routinely cycle multiple large packs in a day, you’ll want either a faster charger or a second unit.

Day-to-day usability

• Mounting: The wall-mount option reduces clutter. I mounted it near an outlet with a small hook underneath to manage the cord slack. The vertical orientation makes the status light easy to glance at as I walk by.
• Docking: Slide engagement is smooth in both directions. Even with work gloves on, I can line up and seat packs without fiddling.
• Noise: Zero. No fan whine, no relay clicks—just silence.
• Footprint: The slim profile leaves room for another charger beside it. In a compact shop, that matters.

I appreciate that it supports both voltage families—my 12V trim tools and 20V DIY tools share the same parking spot now. That consolidation is the LCS1620B’s best usability win.

What it doesn’t do

• No rapid-charging mode: It’s not intended to blast large packs full in record time. Plan on standard charge rates and schedule accordingly.
• No multi-port charging: One pack at a time. If you rotate through several batteries in a day, a dual-bay charger (or an additional LCS1620B) can save time.
• Limited diagnostics: The single LED communicates charge/ready and basic faults at best. Don’t expect a fuel gauge readout or detailed troubleshooting feedback.
• No extras: There’s no USB port for phones, no passthrough power, and no carrying case. That may be a plus if you value simplicity.

Reliability and safety

Over repeated charge cycles with 12V and 20V MAX packs, I encountered no misreads, false “full” lights, or cutouts. The charger terminates cleanly and doesn’t keep the pack hot after it reaches full. Leaving a pack on the charger for an hour or two post-charge didn’t introduce noticeable heat—still, good practice is to pull batteries once they’re topped off, especially in warmer shops.

If you’re moving the unit between job sites, the light weight is a perk, though the absence of a cord wrap means you’ll need a strap or a pouch to keep things tidy.

Specs and small print worth noting

• Warranty: 2-year limited. For a charger at this price point, that’s solid coverage.
• Voltage note: Like most “20V MAX” systems, maximum initial voltage is 20V with no load, and nominal voltage is 18V. Nothing unusual there, but it’s worth remembering if you compare across brands.
• Dimensions and weight: Compact and travel-friendly. Easy to tuck into a kit bag without adding noticeable heft.

I did spot an odd “Charge Time: 480” figure in one spec sheet. In practice, my times match the brand’s 40-minute claim for 1.5Ah packs, not eight hours. Treat any “480” listing as a data-entry error.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers with a couple of Black & Decker 20V MAX or 12V MAX tools who want one charger that covers both.
• Occasional users who prefer a silent, compact unit they can mount and forget.
• Anyone who values a predictable, standard charge rate over bells and whistles.

Who should look elsewhere: users running multiple high-capacity packs daily for yardwork or extended projects. A faster or multi-bay charger will better fit that workflow.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Mount it near eye level so you can spot the status at a glance.
• Pair it with at least two batteries if you run a single-bay setup; one on the tool, one on the charger keeps you moving.
• For large-capacity packs, start charging as soon as you swap batteries rather than waiting until the end of a task.
• Keep the vents clear and avoid charging in direct sun or a hot car; lithium packs are happiest at moderate temperatures.

Recommendation

I recommend the LCS1620B for anyone invested in Black & Decker’s 12V MAX or 20V MAX platforms who needs a reliable, no-nonsense charger. It’s compact, wall-mountable, and, in my experience, hits the stated ~40-minute window for 1.5Ah packs and scales predictably with higher capacities. The dual-voltage compatibility simplifies life if you maintain both systems. It’s not a rapid charger, and it won’t satisfy users who need multi-bay throughput or detailed diagnostics, but as a quiet, dependable single-bay unit with a solid warranty, it earns a permanent spot on my wall.