Xantrex Technologies 852-0400 XPower PowerSource 400-Watt Portable Inverter customer reviews:
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Ideal for RV, greatly reduces generator usage 
I live off-grid, in an RV. I run the generator to recharge a 300aH bank of batteries for the 12v systems in the RV. But even the smallest, most efficient generator still supplies more power than I need. With the excess power I charge several of these Xantrex PowerSources. They then give me back the AC power I need when the generator is off. I use them to power my internet connection, laptop, cell phone recharges, watching TV/DVD, etc. As for usage... I have a 26" standard TV w/DVD, and I can watch a DVD for 3 hours or so. My wireless internet dish only draws about 5 watts, and I can keep it powered for days. If you are looking to power just a laptop and cell phone, for 8 hours a day, you could probably last two days with one unit. These batteries should not be discharged down to more than 50%, and the unit will beep loudly and eventually shut off power, so you don't get the full use of 400 watts overall, it's more like 240. You also don't really get 400 watts at once, count on only plugging in 300 watts worth of stuff at a time. Even so, given the price per amp-hour of AGM batteries, this UPS is still an incredible deal, just in battery value alone--and a much better deal considering portability (luggable, but not too bad), and the included inverter and drawdown info. Very easy to use, the readouts on both my units have always worked fine and any beeping that does happen is appropriate and helpful. Family friendly, and relatively idiot-proof. Once I explained how they worked, others who have stayed in my trailer have found them easy to operate and difficult to damage. Anyway, buy a couple of these and you'll run your generator WAY less often and for a much shorter time.
Works Great
Have run a 31" TV, Dishnetwork reciever, DVD player, portable computer, wireless telephone/answering machine and flourescent lamp for combined totals of 5 watts to 130 watts with no noticeable effects when switching between ac input and operating of internal batteries. Works great.
Great for street vendor lighting
When cruise ships arrive to Old San Juan and stay until midnight, you can have 3 to 4 lamps with spiral shaped 13watt bulbs that illuminate like 60 watt bulbs and you have power for 4 nights in a row @ 4 hours per night.
However, to extend the life of it, I recharge it nightly. Works great since june and should last quite some time. Much, much better than the ones with jump start feature.
Peace of Mind
I have only had this product for a few weeks but I have tested it and was quite happy with the result. The switch over from line power to internal power was seamless. The transition back to line power was the same. I had a Desktop PC, small lamp, cordless phone, router, Vonage modem, stereo and speaker switch for my whole house system operating for just shy of two hours before the fifty percent signal sounded. There was no deterioration of performance quality on my phone,sound system, or PC(Including my Magicjack).
I really like the display of wattage use, although it is not extremely precise. It was good enough for me to tweak my device choices.
I bought this to have a safeguard against my family being left without communication should I not be home to get the generator started in case of an outage. It also provides me a 'no panic' time frame even if I am home, to get the generator going.
I would recommend this product. For the price there is nothing out there to compare. It is a little on the heavy side due to the battery capacity, but I am not planning on moving it so that is not much of a problem. Even though it is heavy it is not bulky and fits under my desk without interferring with my movements.
It does not have any USB capability, but that also is not a deterrent for my uses.
A reviewer mentioned a bothersome beeping. The unit does signal when there is a status change, but it is not constant. it's a feature that is more covenient then bothersome in my opinion. I don't have to concern myself with keeping an eye on it's status. Having the power off is enough to think about. There is also a fan noise when the unit is recharging itself, but again, it wasn't anything that was intrusive, although it was constant for the entire recharge which lasted several hours.
This was a small price too pay for a whole bunch of convenience.
I am thinking about getting the 1800 watt unit so as to extend my time before having to generate power, since a generator seems mighty noisy at night. I would then be able to use this unit to power lights and other covenience devices.
Major Productivity Saver
This is the best UPS out there in terms of longevity and price as compared to other UPS. My electricity goes out quite often and I have major school work deadlines to meet. It saved me more than once in the short month I've had it. It does what it says. I was able to get 7 hours running a lap top, printer, modem, and a light set on 50 Watts. In addition I was able to run a boom box on it for 2-3 hours over the 7 hours stated. I like the beeping warning it gives and that it shows the percentage of battery life left. The only drawback is the ability to charge a battery like the one in a lap top. It does do it, but may cause damage to it if you want to take the chance. This is clearly stated in the owner's manual.
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