Black & Decker VEC010BD Start It 300 Amp Jump Starter Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a nice unit for starting cars, as noted below. But it may be too small for some other 12-volt applications. The lighter-socket outlet will shut off if you exceed 5 amps of continuous draw. At 12 volts, that would be 60 watts, and as luck would have it, my laptop PC requires 90 watts (7.5 amps) when plugged directly into a 12 volt source.
Also, in terms of total amp/hours, it would not be able to power something like a CPAP machine for a full night's use, which some people might like to do on a camping trip or the like. The description touts the unit's non-automotive power uses, but they are really somewhat modest. Charging a cell phone is not much of a challenge!
It works fine for starting cars, though. This appears to be identical to the Vector VEC010S, which is the unit I have. ("BD" at the end of this product ID is obviously just for Black and Decker's labeling on the front).
My car battery went dead in mid-winter, and I thought it was shot. A neighbor had this same unit, and in the spring I borrowed it twice to start the car, which went fine, even though his unit wasn't even fully charged when I borrowed it.
Finally I bought my own, charged it overnight as per the instructions, three hours past the blinking green. When I went to jump the car, for some reason it would not start right up as it had the other times. On the first attempt, the car turned over and over, but wouldn't kick in, and the effort drew down the jump starter's cranking power to zilch. Everything stopped.
The car had not cranked long enough to become flooded, so that was not the problem. I suspected that I might not have set the clamps correctly to get a "clean" grip, and that this reduced the power available for cranking.
The instructions tell you to wait a little after long cranking, so I did. I also reset the clamps (which are perfectly strong and fine, by the way!)After a few minutes, the unit had regained some of its cranking power, and it got the car going easily.
Back inside, I plugged the starter back in to charge up, and it took several hours to get back to full (blinking green light). Apparently, getting the car going had used quite a bit of juice.
The next time I needed to jump the car, it was instantaneous, and I performed multiple jumps without needing a new charge. So, unless there is something unusual about the first usage, I suspect that my placement of the clamps was to blame. The well-written instructions are clear about the need for a good connection, after all.
If you do want it mostly for jump starts, and do not expect to need it as an "emergency power" source for long hours, or to run any kind of serious appliance, it is a fine choice.

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The Black & Decker Jump-Starter has 300 instant amps to start your car in the unlikely event that your battery goes dead. There is always a chance that you will not be able to find someone to jump-start your car, even if you have a set of jumper cables. The Jump-Starter will alleviate this worry by giving you the power you need to do it on your own.
Portable and Powerful The Jump-Starter is portable, cordless, and rechargeable. It features 300 amp instant starting power that is adequate for nearly any vehicle. It is so versatile, it will power coolers, air compressors, inverters, spotlights, and almost anything else with a car charger attachment.

Safe and Easy to Use The Jump-Starter also features a keyless on/off power safety switch and reverse hook-up warning alarm in case the cables are attached to the wrong terminals. An LED battery status indicator lets you know the state of your battery and when it's charged up

Rechargeable The Jump-Starter recharges easily from any household AC outlet, so that it will be ready the next time you need it.

No More Jumper Cables With Black & Decker's Jump-Starter, there is no more worrying about having to track down a friendly vehicle. Whether you're in the rain, on an empty street on a dark night, or alone in an unfamiliar place, you'll be happy that the Jump-Starter is charged and ready to assist you get back on the road.

Warranty Black & Decker offers a full 2-year warranty.

What's in the box Start It Jump-Starter, 120 volt AC charger, and heavy-duty cables and clamps.

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Stanley DPS109 Digital Portable Power Station Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall I like it, documentation is sparse, LCD readout is very nice, my main complaint it it does not come with a 12V adaptor so it can be charged form a car 12V outlet.

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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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Schumacher PS-120A Mity-Mite Jump Starter Charger Review

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(More customer reviews)Want to feel like a superhero? Keep one of these devices in your trunk. The next time you see someone stranded at the trailhead or in the mall parking lot with a dead battery, waiting for dad or hubby or AAA, you'll make their day. Pop the hood, connect the cables, crank the key, unhook the cables, and they're on their way. The whole thing takes less than a minute. If you're the dad or hubby who's always running out to the rescue, this handy piece of equipment will make your job a lot easier. And if you're the one who's found himself stranded, here's a simple, self-sufficient solution to keep it from ever happening again.
The local auto parts places often advertise similar no-name units for lower prices. They're usually bright yellow. I've owned a couple, and have had mixed results. The power switch broke on one the first time I used it, and the battery wouldn't hold a charge either. What's more frustrating than pulling out a portable jump-starter to rescue someone with a dead battery and discovering that the jump-starter also has a dead battery? The other "no-name" model I bought is still working well, but a 50% success rate isn't anything to brag about. You can look at the reviews for similar units sold here on the site and see what I mean.
I grabbed this model because Schumacher is a well-established brand much less likely to sell no-name poorly-made junk. It seems well-built, is very compact, and hasn't given me any problems yet.
I'm surprised more small businesses don't own these. If I owned a bar, restaurant, or retail store, I'd keep one of these charged and ready behind the counter -- think of the goodwill they could generate.
One disadvantage to this unit: some models include additional features like a flashlight (which makes it easier to see under the hood in the dark), an air compressor, or a cigarette lighter outlet, which lets you use the device as a portable power supply. I've even seen one model with an integrated voltage inverter, which lets you power standard 120 volt household products. However, these all add size, weight, cost, and complexity to the product. If you're looking for a compact jump-starter that does its job well, this one's a good choice.

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The size of the Schumacher PS-120A Mity-Mite power source unit has nothing to do with its capabilities. With its 12 ampere hour battery, this unit packs some power, making sure you'll never be stranded by a dead battery again. Forget about flagging down a stranger for help or fumbling with unruly jumper cables, the PS-120A is a rugged jumpstarter that will charge your battery and get you back on the road. Compact, lightweight, and easily transportable, it gives you portable power anywhere. Plus, it still retains most of the same features as its larger brothers.
Compact and Portable A little bigger than a lunchbox, the Mity-Mite consists of a compact 12-volt battery with attached jumper cables encased in a rugged portable plastic shell. It fits in your trunk, or in the back of your cab, and it even takes up little space in the garage.
Easy to Use To revive a car with a dead battery, simply connect the Mity-Mite's two cables to the battery terminals of the stranded car and turn the key. After providing a jump (or every few months, if stored), the unit should be recharged by plugging it into a wall outlet with the included cord.
Features The display is comprised of easy-to-read battery status LEDs, which tells you when internal battery is at full power, 75 percent charged, or at 50 percent or less. A simple push of the button instantly turns on the display. The sure-grip, copper jaw, 200 amp, plastic clamps are designed for connecting to top and side post batteries. The #8 gauge, 18-inch cable stays flexible in the coldest temperatures. The LED indicator indicate whether the unit is in charging or charged mode to help easily monitor the status of the internal battery. Storage mounts on the back of unit keep the clamps in place for safety when not in use.
Warranty Every Schumacher power source comes with a one-year limited warranty (90 days on battery).

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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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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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