Customer Reviews

Tripp Lite PV-700HF Portable and Compact 12-Volt 700-Watt DC to AC Power Inverter

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The PV-700-HF worked as advertised. It's small and convenient to use. I like the fact that it has an automotive type fuse at the back end, making it easy to replace.

While I would recommend this inverter, but only for small hand tool use in areas where 110 VAC isn't normally available, it will not work with my refrigerator or chest type deepfreeze - the freezer requiring only 120 watts and the refrigerator requiring 360 watts. Both appliances started as usually but, after about 15 seconds of run time, they shut off and would not restart until the power switch was cycled.

The worst part was that this inverter was actually purchased to run my Harman pellet stove. That didn't work out too well, either. The combustion and recirculation blowers would cycle on and off at about one second intervals. The pellet stove only uses about 150 watts when on. I ended up purchasing a Xantrex Prowatt 2000 True Sine-wave inverter and that has been powering up my Harman pellet stove with absolutely no problems what-so-ever.

It would be nice if Tripp-Lite would define their meaning of the term "PWM Generated Output" as opposed to "Square Wave Output" or "Modified Wave Output" because I don't think they provide an accurate description between the waveform types, the technical advantage between them and the application and benefit of each.

I'm not saying don't purchase this inverter for lighting and small appliance use, such as a drill motor or jig-saw use - IT DOSE A GREAT JOB at powering small appliances. Actually, it is great for this purpose. What I am saying is that, this inverter may not meet your needs for battery back-up of a refrigerator or deep freezer.

The inverter is solid and a good deal if you can tolerate the fan noise and the need for a brute 250A (or so) fuse and a minimum 6GA wire. Fan noise is louder than my desktop computer and only slightly quieter than my mom's hair drier. I had a problem sourcing the wires and fuse. Tripplite could have made my life easier by providing me with the needed items from the start. All told the setup cost me around $110, more than I wanted to spend for 700 Watts.

It comes without cables, luckily I had the ones from my old inverter (a Vector that died), but I would have been annoyed otherwise. They ask you to put a fuse in the line which is a good idea, but it's hard to find fuse holders of that size easily.
The cables are attached with Allen screws rather than ring and post connectors, so that is a downside as well. You really don't want to leave them attached lest they bump into something and break the connector and you have to have a wrench to attach them which is a bit of a bother if you lose the it.
And as others pointed out, it is noisy, but that's kind of the nature of these things. My Vectors were quieter, but both of them died after almost no use, so there you have that.

very good product, but fan is too loud, ask customer service, very poor customer service, wait 1/2 hr on phone no response, leave voice mail no return call. leave email, explain problem only form answer email return