Xantrex Technologies 852-2071 Xpower AC/DC Powerpack Solar With 400 Watt Inverter, Two AC Outlets, USB Port, And Digital Display Review

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(More customer reviews)If the Xantrex Xpower Powerpack Solar lived up to its specifications, I would rate it 5 stars and consider it well worth the money. That's why I bought it in the first place. Unfortunately, its performance falls short of the manufacturer's claims.
The overall design of the product is very nice. I had considered building something similar based on a how-to article in Popular Science, but the Powerpack is so nicely packaged for only a couple dollars more, I chose to buy it.
The Powerpack disappoints in the amount of energy stored in its battery that is available to power other electronic devices. The battery is specified as 12 volts and 10 amp-hours. As such, I was expecting to get as much as 120 watt-hours from it, but I barely get half that.
As a test, I fully charged the battery using the included AC adapter. By "fully", I mean the unit claimed to be charged. I then ran the built-in LED lights. The manual claims they should run for 48 hours. They ran 27.5 hours for me.
I assumed this performance reflected a bad unit and exchanged it. The new unit performs similarly. Either the battery in the unit performs poorly, or the electronics to monitor and control the battery state-of-charge are weak.
As another example of the poor performance, I charged the unit completely (again based on its built-in indicator that charging is done). It indicated 100 percent charge when I turned on the AC or DC output, but as soon as I plugged in any load, it almost immediately dropped to 70 or even 60 percent. Soon after the unit's indicator dropped to 40 percent, the unit shut itself down.
So, on the one hand, this is a nice unit to carry around, and it does slowly-but-surely charge the internal battery using the included 5 watt solar panel. It does a fine job charging cell phones and iPods, and a barely acceptable job charging a notebook computer. Compared to its specifications, and for that matter my previous experience with the Xantrex Powerpack Mobile Mini, however, the product is a disappointment.


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Operate your favorite gadgets anywhere with the Xantrex XPower Powerpack Solar. This portable solar device provides 400 watts of household power to run appliances and electronics. The Powerpack Solar's solar panel continuously captures, stores, and converts the sun's energy and extends the runtime of many portable devices. Two AC outlets, a DC socket, and a USB port give you plenty of options for simultaneously operating anything from laptops to cell phones to small TVs.
Portable Power for All Your ElectronicsA perfect companion for road trips, vacations, and camping, the Powerpack Solar can simultaneously run multiple devices thanks to its two 120-volt AC outlets, single 12-volt DC outlet, and USB port. The powerful built-in 400-watt inverter and sealed, spill-free 10-amp/hour AGM battery can power anything from a CD player to a 13-inch TV to a laptop to an air compressor. At the same time, the built-in USB port makes it easy to charge digital music players, cell phones, computer peripherals, and more.
A handy three-digit display helps you keep tabs on your Powerpack Solar's battery power. For those times when you want to conserve your battery, an AC charger is included for charging from a standard wall outlet, and a DC charger is included for charging from a vehicle or RV battery.
For added convenience, the Powerpack Solar runs quietly, making it a great alternative to a generator. Non-slip rubber surrounds protect the Powerpack Solar from bumps and scuffs, and two built-in lamps help you set up the unit when the lights go out or when you're getting cozy in a tent.
Clean, Green Renewable Solar PowerThe XPower Powerpack Solar is the first power pack to incorporate solar power in a compact, portable power source. It's completely self renewing, which means the five-watt solar panel captures, stores, and converts the sun's energy, replenishes the XPower Powerpack Solar's battery, and extends the runtime of many devices by up to 25 percent. An added bonus, the solar panel is detachable, so you can charge the battery and leave the panel in a safe place when you go to the beach or tackle the trail.
The XPower Powerpack Solar is covered by a six-month warranty. It measures 15.0 x 4.5 x 10.25 inches (LxWxH) and weighs 12.3 pounds.
About XantrexXantrex Technology Inc. (xantrex.com), a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for the renewable and mobile power markets. The company's products convert and control raw electrical power from any central, distributed, renewable, or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic equipment and the electricity grid. Xantrex is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with facilities in the United States, Germany and Spain, and a joint venture in China.
What's in the BoxRechargeable solar-powered battery pack, AC charger, and DC charger.

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Black & Decker PSS100B Power Station 100 Watt Portable Power Supply Inverter with Digital Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)with this boombox-style unit, you could go to the beach or the woods, listen to your playlists on an mp3, plug in a george foreman grill and cook up some burgers or brats while you recharge your cel phone -- all at the same time. that's kinda cool. this is a tricked-out unit. it's not the loudest boombox you'll ever hear, but it does pump out decent sound when fully charged.
pros:
-lots of functions: mp3 cradle, usb port, flashlights, ac outlets, am/fm radio
-portable size with comfortable padded carrying handle
-uses rechargeable internal batteries; cord stores in rear
-ac power station features green/red status lcds
-rubberized grip handle
-nice price
-wont eat tapes or scratch cds
-accurate digital tuner
cons:
-some quirks: usb can cause feedback if switched on when radio or mp3 are also on. it's a good idea to test functions and cross-compatibility before using it the first time.
-100w refers to AC power, not internal amp for speakers
-only line in outlet is mp3 headphone jack
jack of all trades/master of none.
overall, good deal for the price i paid, which was a lot under msrp. not sure if it'd be worth original price. but a good item to have if you like the outdoors.

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The Black & Decker PSS100B Power Station 100-watt Portable Power Supply Inverter with Digital Radio is an ideal choice for listening to music or powering small portables while at the beach, pool, or even on the jobsite. This radio features two 120-volt AC outlets and a USB charging port ready to power small TVs, laptops, cell phones, and more. Its built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of music playback, and also included is an MP3 player compartment with an audio input port (this radio can play and charge most MP3 players). Other features include built-in LED lights for use in dark areas or emergencies, an AM/FM digital radio, 4-inch speakers with 1-inch tweeters, and a bass enhancement speaker system with bass boost control for superior sound quality. A multi-directional rubberized antenna is also included. Backed by a 2-year limited warranty, the PSS100B comes with a 120-volt charger.

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Xantrex 852-2000 XPower 600 HD Powerpack Review

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(More customer reviews)After spending my vacation in Florida during hurricane Wilma, I learned the value of being prepared for a prolonged power outage. This unit would have been just the thing.
This is essentially a big 12 volt battery and an inverter that produces 120v AC from the battery. While this unit won't power a heater or an air conditioner, it can power a small fan overnight so you can sleep. It can also charge your cell phone and laptop. (After all, your laptop's DVD player might be your only entertainment.) The XPower can power a lamp so you can read or play cards, or you can watch a small TV for a few hours. You can plug in just about anything so long as the total number of watts drawn is 480 or less. (The 600 watt rating is a 5 minute rating, you can only draw 480 watts continuously.) Keep in mind, if you do pull 480 watts, you'll only get 15 minutes of run time. It's best to think of the 600HD as a way to keep small essentials going.
There's an emergency light built-in. if you place the unit so the light bounces off a near-by wall, it makes a nice low-level room light. With the backside facing you, you see the built-in clock radio. It's not hi-fi, but it's not horrible, it has good volume and it can wake you in the morning. There's also a 12v outlet and a connector for attaching the supplied jumper cables.
You do have to be mindful of the number of watts you pull from the unit if you want the battery to last. It's easy to know how many watts you're drawing because the unit tells you on it's digital display. It's a good thing you can charge the XPower from a car cigarette lighter. During my adventure in Wilma's wake, I would have used the XPower by night and charged it in the car while driving during the day. The digital display also shows the percentage of charge left in the battery.
The best thing to have during a prolonged power outage is a gas generator. But generators require periodic maintenance. And you have to store fresh gas and remember to change the gas periodically. With the HD600, you just find an out-of-the-way corner, plug in the AC charger and forget all about it until the lights go out.
The XPower has a big 28 amp-hour battery which is good for capacity, but makes the unit heavy, almost 30 pounds, so you won't want to carry it very far. Xantrex makes smaller units, but I think the 600 is the best compromise between capacity and portability. The XPower's construction is robust and it looks like it could take some hard knocks.

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There are many times when extra power is needed, but not available. If an outlet is not within reach or plugging into the dashboard cigarette lighter is simply not an option, you'll be pleased that you have the Xantrex Powerpack 600HD. This 600-watt device is an all-in-one unit that is not only powerful enough to start your car, but robust enough to provides portable power for small appliances -- it even comes with a built-in air AM/FM radio and digital clock.
Enough Power to Jump-Start Your Car Powered by a rechargeable battery, the Powerpack 600HD can jump start most 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines, and will operate a wide range of DC-powered products. It also has a built-in emergency light for extra illumination to keep you out of the dark and to provide light so others can see you if you're stranded.
Runs Multiple Appliances at Once With three AC outlets and one DC socket at your fingertips, the 600HD is the right power solution for people with demanding applications or the need to run multiple loads simultaneously. Use it to operate small power tools or at your outdoor worksite so you can get the job done even without an outlet nearby. It will also charge cell phones so you can stay connected.
Built-in AM/FM Radio This unit also has an integrated AM/FM radio and digital alarm clock that provides access to music, talk radio and news, weather, and important information in critical emergency situations.
Rechargeable Battery The XPower Powerpack 600HD is powered by a sealed, non-spillable 28AH battery that can be conveniently recharged from any household AC outlet or DC cigarette-lighter outlet so that it can be made ready anytime, anywhere.
Great for Outings The Powerpack 600HD isn't just for times of need. It is perfect for taking on camping trips or outings where some extra power is needed to run camcorders, video games, televisions, even your espresso machine.
Safety Mechanisms The feature-rich Powerpack 600HD has a built-in 600 watt inverter and a reverse polarity detector to prevent accidentally clamping the cables onto the wrong terminals. A barragraph LED indicator monitors the Powerpack's battery charge level, so it won't overcharge, and an audible alarm signals unit overheat and battery under-voltage conditions. An overload and over-temperature protection is built in to ensure longer inverter life.
Whether it's a job site or a camp site, the XPower Powerpack 600HD is the ideal portable power solution.

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Wagan 400-Watt Power Dome EX Jumpstarter with Built-In Air Compressor Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a fantastic unit and the price is on par with other brand units.
Pros:
It has a charge indicator, FM/AM radio with aux. audio input jack as well as a USB power supply port for those suckers who own an IPOD, the LED light is bright enough, the presence of an air compressor is a plus and the hose is a decent length but doesn't appear so at first glance, 2 AC outlets as well as 1 DC outlet should provide ample space to plug in anything, and of course the jump cables for car starting which, like the air hose, is longer than it appears in the picture (about 2.5 feet)
The reason I gave it only 4 stars:
the power switch for the AC outlets on mine is a 2 stage switch, meaning it has off, 1, and 2 settings. The 1 does nothing and the 2 powers the outlets. Based upon the pictures, it is clear that a simple ON/OFF switch was meant to be there and probably is in most units but for whatever reason, mine has a different one (no biggie). The air compressor works fine but I have a problem with the fact the dial goes to 260psi. Who is pumping that much air into something? Because of that, I need to look closely when I am filling tires because the distance from 0-35/40 is very small. The tips for the air hose come loose so they will get tossed or lost easily. Lastly, the speaker for the radio is not the greatest, it would have been nice to have a built-in amp and an audio out but i guess this thing can only do so much.
Overall, it is a great buy and should do the job well for most people.

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The Wagan 400-Watt Power Dome EX is a powerful portable power source designedto provide AC and DC power and functionality wherever you need it.Built around a rechargeable 18 amp-hour sealed lead-acid battery,the Power Dome EX provides enough jumpstarting power to revive allbut the largest of car batteries, while its built-in 260 PSI air compressorcan be used to quickly inflate car tires and sports equipment. Itcontains one DC outlet and two grounded AC outlets which utilize thebuilt-in 400 watt inverter. Additional features include: heavy-duty6 gauge / 24 inch battery clamps, a 5-LED work light, a USB powerport, a built-in AM/FM radio, an audio output jack and more.
Convenient power to deal with any situation you encounter on the road.View larger.

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Schumacher PP-2200 Portable Outdoor Power Unit Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great product. Do yourself a favor, don't bother with the included charger. Buy a BatteryMinder desulphating conditioning charger with a cigerette adapter. You can leave it plugged in continuously and the battery will be maintained in peak condition. Also, the "hum" mentioned by another reviewer is the cooling fan for the inverter which comes on during high loads.

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The Schumacher PP-2200 Portable Outdoor Power Unit is a portable electrical power supply designed to provide 12-volt DC power, as well as AC power whenever and wherever you need it. The unit contains one built-in DC power socket and two three-pronged AC power outlets fed by an onboard 400-watt power inverter. Additional features include: a 22Ah maintenance-free AGM lead-acid internal battery, built-in surge protection, a rugged corrosive resistent plastic outer shell, push-button charge monitoring and the optional ability to charge while driving (extra accessory required).
Your portable power solution.View larger.

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Solar 2 Go ISB-RL01 10 Watt Portable Solar Power Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this portable power kit recently from another site and happy to now see it here on Amazon! The kit comes with everything you need including a Charge Controller, Inverter and battery! I run my laptop off the 300 watt Inverter and am able to be outdoors and have my portable power kit with me. We can even run our new LED T.V. off of it, This is awesome! A great feature is the LED lighting strip that we use at night on the deck. Everyone that comes over loves it, it's quite the conversation piece. I will let family and friends know they can purchase them here----great product!


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Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought this for extended camping trips. We frequently find ourselves at events that require camping out, and with limited or no electrical. I wanted something that could supply power to our wide variety of gadgets that we typically need as a modern family.
Put the Powerpack to the test on a full week trip recently. Through the whole week, it was used for a number of purposes. Including, recharging cell phones, camera batteries, various media devices. It also was used to power a compressor to air up 3 different air mattress (including a queen), and refill them as needed. It also ran a hair straightener and blow dryer a few times. And it was used to run a breathing treatment machine for a friends asthma at least once a day. Might have been used for other things.
The results. The Powerpack lasted through day 5 of a 7 day trip, but we had brought along a lawn battery to attach as a backup. It was simple to setup, and the provided the power we needed for the last 2 days. The main battery lasted about as long as I thought it would, so I was satisified throughout.
The reasons why it didn't get 5 stars. Two reasons, and both kinda minor. One, no way to turn off the clock. I know its not much of a drain on a battery this size, but I would prefer to maximize my usuage. And two, the power meter is no super accurate. It showed 90% power on Day 4, 70% power on day 5, only to be out of power come the morning of day 6.
To be fair though, a few things where plugged into it overnight from day 5 to 6. Those items where low power or turned off. So its hard to say if they caused the drain. Maybe if they hadn't been plugged in, the main battery would have lasted all week.
Overall, very happy with the purchase.

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The Duracell Powerpack 600 features an internal sealed, non-spillable 28 amp-hour AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery for reliable power delivery and recharging capability. This heavy duty power source operates multiple 120-volt AC household power applications and 12-volt DC applications (charging portable electronics devices) simultaneously with ease. Offering 280 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) of starting power, the Duracell Powerpack 600 can jump-start most 8-cylinder vehicles without connecting to another vehicle or external power source.A built-in LED light also provides bright illumination, while an integrated AM/FM clock radio provides access to news and other important information The Powerpack 600 can be safely and conveniently recharged from any household AC outlet, DC cigarette lighter outlet or even from a solar panel, so that it's ready to go whenever you need it. The Duracell Powerpack 600 is an ideal companion for job sites, camp sites, or as a quiet, cost-effective emergency backup power source.Please note, the internal battery does not arrive charged. Refer to the Powerpack users' manual for charging instructions. Please charge the battery fully before using the Powerpack for the first time.

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Black & Decker SS50B Storm Station With 50 Watt Power Inverter LED Flashlight And Digital AM/FM NOAA Weather Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)I got the Storm Station as a gift. After plugging it in to charge it for 24 hours (as recommended by the manual) I wanted to test it out. The flashlight worked fine. Nothing else worked at all. When I tried to turn on the radio or LED lights on the unit, they went on for about a second and then the whole unit died. I called Black and Decker customer service and talked to a pleasant, but unhelpful, rep who had no suggestions other than to return it. He indicated that this is not an unusual problem for these units.
I really liked the features on this unit - AC power inverter, USB plug, hand crank, etc. - so I decided to return it for a new one. Amazon's return process was awesome, unfortunately the replacement unit had the exact same problem as the first. In this case, it's two strikes and you're out so I'm giving up on the Storm Station and will find a replacement that will actually work (which is a desirable quality for an item you may need to rely on in an emergency!).

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Ideal for emergencies at home, on the road, or on the lake, the Black & Decker SS50B Storm Station comes with a 50-watt power inverter, LED flashlight, and a digital AM/FM NOAA weather radio. The built-in 50-watt power inverter can be used to power and re-charge small portables like cell phones and the built-in digital radio can keep you in the know when it comes to the weather. With a hand crank for back-up power, this storm station also comes with an integrated handle for easy transportation, a built-in LED area light, and a detachable LED flashlight.

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Sunforce 50033 15-Watt Solar Charging Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)Hi- I bought this set-up to keep my Motorhome charged when not using it. It is only 15 watts so can barely keep the battery up to charge if I am actually using any lights or other stuff but it will keep up with the draw of the refridgerator and minimal stuff. My only beef is the controller wires could have all been pre-terminated with connectors rather than having me do that. This was bought as a kit so it would have been nice if there was a connector on the input side of the controller that mated witht he connector on teh solar panel and a different style connector on the output that would be compatible with the cigarette-lighter adapter, etc. In other words- all set up to just plug in and go.
Once I soldered and shrinkwrapped the new connectors on I'm pretty happy with it. Not everyone has the ability to properly terminate the wires.
Thanks

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The Sunforce 50033 15-Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This kit is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery charging. It comes with everything you need to start producing up to 15 Watts/125mA of clean, free power in all weather conditions. Sunforce kits are easy to set up and operate.

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