Product Details - Amazon Sales Rank: #1800 in Home Improvement
- Brand: Xantrex
- Model: 851-0700
- Dimensions: 10.00" h x 4.00" w x 10.00" l, 3.30 pounds
Features
- 700-watt inverter for converting DC to AC power
- Power electronic gear and appliances while on the road
- Measures 7.2-by-4.1-by-2.2 inches; weighs 3 pounds
- Automatically detects low-vehicle battery to avoid depletion
- 1-year warranty
The Xantrex Technologies XPower Plus 700-Watt Inverter provides portable power for trucks, RVs, boats, and minivans. By plugging the inverter directly into your vehicle’s 12-volt cigarette lighter, you can turn your vehicle into a mobile office and operate devices such as a 27-inch TV or 20-inch TV/DVD combo, a camcorder, a laptop computer, or small power tools and small kitchen appliances. This compact, lightweight unit automatically senses low-battery voltage so you never have to worry about a depleted battery. It is a quiet alternative to noisy, gas-powered generators; it will provide hours of emergency power during snowstorms or blackouts. The high-efficiency design transfers 90-percent of the battery's power to your equipment. An automatic shutdown mechanism protects against overload, over-temperature and low battery conditions. The inverter is equipped with two 3-prong grounded AC outlets, a DC outlet and hardwire applications. The durable plastic unit is 7.2-by-4.1-by-2.2 inches in size and weighs just 3 pounds. It is covered by a 1-year warranty.
Customer Reviews
Great Inverter, Quiet, Requires Wiring For Practical Use In Vehicle
I have 2 of these inverters. On in a Jeep Wrangler that I take offroad and camping. Works great for powering lights, etc. Handles the abuse of bouncing around on rocky terrain fine. I have the unit installed under the dash and leave it on 24/7. Has yet to drain the battery due to its small standby draw (I drive it atleast every other day). The fan only turns on when the output exceeds 100 watts making this unit very quiet.
The other inverter is installed under the passegner seat in a Toyota Sequoia. Never had any issues with this one either. Works great for powering the PlayStation2, portable DVD players, and other electronics.
Since the 700 model is cabable of powering electronics of 560 watts 4.8 amps continously, which is 46 amps on 12v power it is not able to be used through your cigarette lighter. The cigarette wiring is too thin to handle this kind of current not to mention the cigarette lighter fuse is not rated for it either. Xantrex provides battery clamps, which I find don't work well if you want the inverter inside the vehicle.
The solution is to pickup some 6 gauge wire from your local Home Depot or Lowes and some heavy duty terminals and heat shrink. Mount the inverter and run 6 guage red wire to the battery. Crimp on the terminals and heat shrink it. For the ground I used a bolt on the firewall of the Jeep and the bolt on the seat in the Toyota. Use 6 guage black wire for this.
If the above is not something you want to do your local audio installation store should be able to install it. Otherwise go with the XPower 400 watt model which can be used with the cigarette lighter for small loads, it does require the battery clamps or hard wiring for loads over 150 watts.
Before you buy
This item is not compatible with a cigarette lighter. I bought one and it came with two connectors to attach directly to the terminals on a car battery. The instruction manual specifically states that the 700 unit cannot be powered by a cigarette lighter, but the smaller 400 and 175 models can.
For emergency use
I have one of these power inverters for those instances (about 3 times/year)of power losses from rain- or snow-storms. Between my car, the car battery and the power inverter, I have the equivalent of a generator. Be sure to determine the wattage of the electrical devices that will be powered. A 32"-TV will require about 190 watts; floor- or desk lamps require about 75 watts each; a laptop computer needs about 47 watts. A 25-cuft side-by-side refrigerator uses about 750 kilowatt-hours per year (about 85 watts average; 170 watts "surge" when the compressor kicks in )
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