Black & Decker PI400AB Inverter

by Black & Decker

Product Features

• Max continuous power is 400 watts
• Powers up to 3.48 amperes
• Powers a variety of small electronics using 12 volts DC power cable
• Powers larger electronics when directly connected to the battery
• Output voltage is 115 volts

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000WSF1ZY
• Item model number: PI400AB
• Average Customer Review: 1.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,598 in Automotive (See Top 100 in Automotive)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Access instant AC household power in your car, truck, boat, SUV or RV with the Black & Decker 400 watt Power Inverter. Designed for life on the go and engineered for safety, durability and reliability, Black & Decker Power Inverters features dual AC outlet with USB port to convert your vehicles 12-volt DC power to mobile 11-volt AC household power. The Power Inverter provides 400 watts of power to charge and power personal and mobile office equipment as well as tools, household appliances, lighting and more. Directly connect to battery or plug into vehicle's DC accessory outlet and access instant 115-volt AC power on the road.

Product Description

Power Inverters converts your vehicle's DC power to 115 volts AC household power. This is ideal for use with laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, and MP3 devices. Low battery shutdown prevents total battery drain. 800 watts surge capacity and 400 watts maximum continuous power.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I expected better from this company, January 17, 2009

By 

Tom and Marie Brandt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker PI400AB Inverter (Automotive)

I owned the Black and Decker PI400AB 400 watt model for about 10 days and had enough. The soft touch switch never allowed the unit to turn on with anything plugged in (even if turned off with no load), so I had to unplug everything and restart, replug and then pray to the gods of mobile power that the "smart" switch would allow the unit to send power to my laptop. ugggh! Then even if it was deemed acceptable by the unit to send power to the small load I asking of it, usually just one Dell XPS1330 laptop which draws a whopping 60 watts on startup and 40 watts during runtime, the fan that cools this ridiculous unit was slightly louder than the USAir turboprop shuttle airplane that I am sitting on right now writing this review. Seriously though, the fan was louder than my vehicle fan on high defrost and never turned off even if there was the slightest load of power called for. My family literally begged me to turn the thing off and therefore end the movie they were watching on DVD because the noise was unbearable. Of course, the overambitious fan is probably a safeguard to prevent the unit from melting it's cheap plastic case into an unidentifiable plastic briquette. No need to use aluminum like Cobra and Vector do, to name a few when plastic works just fine...uggggh (again). BTW, the Cobra CPI 450 is aluminum, quieter and less expensive than the B&D and is a far, far better unit than this piece of junk. Also I have owned smaller 175W Vectors with aluminum cases which were also good, but don't know about their current models. All I'm saying is do yourself a favor and avoid this unit, there are far better options out there.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Does the job with some noise., May 20, 2008

By 

Jay (Lake Arrowhead, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker PI400AB Inverter (Automotive)

This inverter powered my MacBook Pro which draws 85 watts using the power plug in a box truck I rented. The plug tag and inverter label read up to 80 watts while the manual states up to 100 watts for the plug. The heavier gauge alligator clip cables are for higher wattage applications or you may blow your power port fuse. The alligator clips connect directly to the battery. If you permanently hardwire the inverter buy 6 gauge wire with a 50 amp fuse up to 6 feet long or 4 gauge wire over 6 feet. Both included cables are 3 feet (91 cm) long. Remember, Volts x Amps = Watts. The inverter draws 512 watts when output is 400 watts according to the label. Output is a stepped modified sine wave and NOT sinusoidal.

When the inverter fan comes on it is noticeable like a radio between stations at moderate volume (took me some miles before figuring it was the inverter). The housing stayed cool at 85 watts.

When Black & Decker fixes their dead links the manual may be available at [..] (search for PI400AB). Lowes and Home Depot were [..]for this inverter.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not good, do not use unloaded., September 3, 2010

By 

Doug Deep (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker PI400AB Inverter (Automotive)

I can get this inverter to work in my cigarette lighter, just don't plug it in and turn it on without something (laptop,etc) hooked into the AC outlet and powered on.

When this inverter turns on, unloaded, it draws a huge spike in current and will blow the fuse to your cigarette lighter immediately. Not fun when your radio runs on the same fuse!

I'm not happy at all with this product, but I bought it ages ago at a Lowe's and can no longer return it. Two stars because with proper technique it has purpose.