Discount Xantrex Technologies 852-0281 XPower PowerSource 100 Watt Inverter

Customer Ratings:

I am not upset about my purchase of this device, but I do need to point out a few things about it.

* 100W is a 5-minute rating based on the inverter, not the battery inside.

* 80W is the inverter output from the car adapter when plugged in.

* 60W is the maximum battery draw without the device shutting itself off.

I read that this device would perform about two hours for a laptop, so I was optimistic. I own a Core 2 Duo Macbook Pro, and an older Dell Inspiron 8000 Pentium 3 laptop. I could not run either of them off the battery inside the PowerSource Mobile 100 if I had the laptop battery installed. Once I removed the laptop battery, I could run from the PS100 for about one hour. Now, realize that my AC adapters draw 75-85 watts max. My friend's laptop draws about 25 watts, instead of the 35-45 that mine draw (battery removed). You may wish to get a device such as the Kill-A-Watt that will show you how much power your laptop actually draws before using the battery and thinking it'll get you two hours of power in a bind.

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I used this device on an airplane for my laptop. It was working fine while I was watching a movie. I had headphones on so I didn't hear the audible alarm when the battery went low. A flight attendant came by looking for the source of the alarm. I was embarrassed to find out it was me causing the alarm from my device. I quickly unplugged everything. I would prefer a way to turn the audible alarm off.

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Read this device would add another 2 hours to the run time of my laptop.

My laptop draws 22 watts (per kill-a-watt meter) and the mobile 100 lasts

between 45 and 60 minutes before it shuts down. I was not expecting

2 hours but I did expect at least 90 mins. The Mypower All 3400 or apc's

universal laptop battery are better choices if running a laptop is your

main use.

Honest reviews on Xantrex Technologies 852-0281 XPower PowerSource 100 Watt Inverter

BACKGROUND

I been looking for a simple portable 110V power source that would charge via home or car. This unit is definitely the best on the market although limited in power output and run time. If you need to power something simple it is great but you cannot exceed the 60W output or it shuts off.

I have used these to demo web cameras which draw only 4Watts so it is a great device for that. It is also very good for a small DVD player or other portable device like Ipods or mini-TV's. Unfortunately, most laptops today will draw 60-90W so the charger simply does not power up. If it does it will shut down quickly.

ADVANTAGES

Compact: Very small for a 40W-Hr supply (40W run for 1 hour)

Reliable: Once charged it seems to hold a charge well for 2-3 weeks at at time.

Good (but limited) run times: If power draw is low (@10W) it will run nearly 4hours.

DISADVANTAGES

Cannot keep plugged in 24/7 to use as a battery backup since this may overcharge the battery.

Xantrex does a poor job listing run times vs power draw or even explaining that with low power draw you can be quite long run times. This is a common principle in the backup battery area explained well by companies like APC.

SUMMARY

This is a great little supply for very portable devices. If you do not expect a battery backup solution or a big portable supply then you will be please with the product.

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I used this product on a Dell Mini 9 Netbook for less than a week. While having it plugged into 12 volt DC power from a vehicle for only the third time, I heard a pop and smoke came out of the unit. Calling Xantrex for support they said that my netbook drew too much power. Using a Kill-a-Watt it draws 56 Watts. The Mini 9 power brick says AC Inputer 1 amp. Xantrex support says this is too much and that an internal fuse might have blown. The unit was purchased in late February 2009, but the manufactured date is November 22, 2006. Xantrex does not sell this unit under the Xantrex name anymore. Only under the Duracell name. After some discussion, Xantrex agreed to replace the unit because of the old manufactured date. If this unit does not power a netbook, I find it hard to believe that it can power any laptop. The website says "The mighty battery provides up to 2 additional hours of runtime for a laptop" and shows a full size laptop and an USB device plugged in.