DeWalt DCV581H User manual

DCV581H
18V NiCd/20 V Max* Li-Ion 2-Gallon Corded/Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Definitions: Safety Guidelines
The definitions below describe the level of severity for each
signal word. Please read the manual and pay attention to these
symbols.
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury
which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: When using electric appliances, always
follow basic safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric
shock and personal injury, including the following:
TO REDUCE RISK OF INJURY
• Before any use, be sure everyone using this vacuum reads
and understands all safety instructions and other information
contained in this manual.
• Save these instructions and review frequently prior to use and in
instructing others.
• Instructions for compatible batteries and chargers are included
for reference in this manual. Read all instruction manuals included
with your battery or charger. Read all cautionary markings on the
charger and battery. Consult the chart at the end of this manual
for compatibility of chargers and battery packs.
When using this vacuum, basic safety precautions should always be
followed including the following:
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE
USING VACUUM
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock. Do not expose to
rain. Store indoors.
• Do not leave vacuum when connected to power source. Unplug
from outlet and remove battery when not in use and before
servicing.
• Do not allow vacuum to be used as a toy. Close attention is
necessary when used by or near children.
• Use this appliance ONLY as described in the manual. Use only
DEWALT recommended attachments.
• Do not use this appliance with a damaged cord or plug. If the
appliance is not working correctly, has been dropped, damaged,
left outdoors, or dropped in water, return it to a service center.
• Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, close a door
on cord, or pull cord around sharp edges or corners. Keep cord
away from heated surfaces.
• Do not unplug this appliance by pulling on the cord. To unplug,
grasp the plug, not the cord.
• Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.
• Do not put any objects into the openings of the appliance. Do not
use the appliance with any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint,
hair and anything else that may reduce air flow.

• Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all body parts away from the
openings and moving parts.
• Do not place outlet of vacuum near eyes or ears when operating.
• The blower operation can result in foreign objects being blown into
eyes, which can result in eye damage. Always wear safety goggles
when using blower feature.
• Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask,
non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be
used for appropriate conditions.
• Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.
• Do not use without filter in place.
• Do not use the appliance to pick up flammable or combustible
liquids, such as gasoline, or use in areas where flammable or
combustible liquids are present.
• Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking, such as
cigarettes, matches or hot ashes.
• Do not use in areas where explosive vapors may be present.
• Do not use to pick up explosive dust, or in areas where air contains
explosive dust such as coal, grain, or other combustible material.
• Static shocks are possible in dry areas or when the relative humidity
of the air is low. This is only temporary and does not affect the use
of the vacuum. To reduce the frequency of static shocks, add
moisture to the air with a console or installed humidifier.
• To avoid spontaneous combustion, empty canister after each use.
• Store idle tools. When not in use, the vacuum should be stored in
a dry, high or locked up place – out of the reach of children.
• Disconnect battery pack from vacuum and unplug vacuum from
the power supply before making any adjustments, changing
accessories, servicing, moving or storing the vacuum. Such
preventative safety measures reduce the risk of starting the
appliance accidentally.
• Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the switch is in the OFF position
before inserting the battery pack or plugging the vacuum into a
wall outlet.
• Never leave vacuum running unattended. Turn power off.
• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark
areas invite accidents.
• Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes,
radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of
electric shock if your body is grounded.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
Proper footing and balance enables better control of the vacuum
in unexpected situations.
• Do not use appliance if switch does not turn it on or off. Any
appliance that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous
and must be repaired.
• Turn off all controls before removing the battery or unplugging.
• This appliance is provided with double insulation. Use only
identical replacement parts. Refer to instructions for Servicing of
Double-Insulated Appliances.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING: When not in use, place vacuum on a stable
surface where it will not cause a tripping or falling hazard.
• Do not use vacuum as a step ladder.
• Do not place heavy objects on vacuum.
• If an extension cord is to be used outdoors it must be marked
with the suffix W-A or W following the cord type designation. For
example – SJTW-A to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.

Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets
Ampere Rating
Volts Total Length of Cord in Feet (meters)
120V 25 (7.6) 50 (15.2) 100 (30.5) 150 (45.7)
240V 50 (15.2) 100 (30.5) 200 (61.0) 300 (91.4)
More
Than
Not
More
Than
AWG
0 6 18 16 16 14
610 18 16 14 12
10 12 16 16 14 12
12 16 14 12 Not Recommended
Double Insulation
Double insulated vacuums are constructed throughout with two
separate layers of electrical insulation or one double thickness of
insulation between you and the vacuum’s electrical system. Vacuums
built with this insulation system are not intended to be grounded. As a
result, your vacuum is equipped with a two prong plug which permits
you to use extension cords without concern for maintaining a ground
connection.
NOTE: Double insulation does not take the place of normal safety
precautions when operating this vacuum. The insulation system is
for added protection against injury resulting from a possible electrical
insulation failure within the vacuum.
SERVICING OF DOUBLE-INSULATED APPLIANCES
Servicing a double-insulated appliance requires extreme care and
knowledge of the system, and should be done only by qualified service
personnel. Replacement parts for a double-insulated appliance must
be identical to the parts they replace.
Polarized Plugs
Polarized plugs (one blade is wider than the other) are used on
equipment to reduce the risk of electric shock. When provided, this
plug will fit in the polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not
fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the
plug in any way.
WARNING: ALWAYS use safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses are
NOT safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is
dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
• ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3),
• ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection,
• NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection.
WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing,
grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry
products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you
do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals:
work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety
equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to
filter out microscopic particles.
• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding,
sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities.
Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with
soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or
lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.

WARNING: Use of this tool can generate and/or disperse dust,
which may cause serious and permanent respiratory or other
injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection
appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away from face
and body.
Additional Specific Safety Rules for All
Battery-Operated Tools
• A battery-operated tool with integral batteries or a separate
battery pack must be recharged only with the specified
charger for the battery. A charger that may be suitable for one
type of battery may create a risk of fire when used with another
battery.
• Use battery-operated tool only with the specifically
designed DEWALT battery pack. Use of any other batteries
may create a risk of fire.
• When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other
metal objects like: paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws, or
other small metal objects that can make a connection from
one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together
may cause sparks, burns, or a fire.
• The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The
symbols and their definitions are as follows:
V................... volts A......................amperes
Hz................. hertz W.....................watts
min ............... minutes or AC
..........alternating
or DC
... direct current current
................. Class I Construction or AC/DC ...alternating
.....................(grounded) or direct
................. Class II Construction current
(double insulated) no ....................no load
…/min ........... per minute speed
BPM ............. beats per minute n ......................rated
IPM............... impacts per minute ........................speed
RPM ............. revolutions per .....................earthing
..................... minute ........................terminal
sfpm ............. surface feet .....................safety alert
..................... per minute ........................symbol
SPM ............. strokes per minute
Important Safety Instructions for All
Battery Packs
When ordering replacement battery packs, be sure to include the
catalog number and voltage. Consult the chart at the end of this
manual for compatibility of chargers and battery packs.
The battery pack is not fully charged out of the carton. Before using
the battery pack and charger, read the safety instructions below and
then follow charging procedures outlined.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
• Do not charge or use the battery pack in explosive
atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids,
gases or dust. Inserting or removing the battery pack from the
charger may ignite the dust or fumes.
• NEVER force the battery pack into the charger. DO NOT
modify the battery pack in any way to fit into a non-
compatible charger as battery pack may rupture causing
serious personal injury. Consult the chart at the end of this
manual for compatibility of batteries and chargers.
• Charge the battery packs only in designated DEWALT chargers.
• DO NOT splash or immerse in water or other liquids.
• Do not store or use the tool and battery pack in locations
where the temperature may reach or exceed 105 °F (40 °C)
(such as outside sheds or metal buildings in summer). For
best life store battery packs in a cool, dry location.