Customer Reviews

Tripp Lite PV150 PV 150W 12V DC to AC Portable Inverter with DC Auto Power Outlet

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Seems to work just fine -- have only used it for cell phone and small game units. The advantage of this smaller unit is no fan - quiet. Some devices will require the power of the larger (noisy fan) model. Low cost inverters such as this produce electric power that is an approximate sine wave as opposed the perfect sine wave that come out of a wall outlet -- as far I know this isn't a problem for typical consumer electronic equipment, laptops etc -- but it's probably worth checking the user manual of the device to be powered just to make sure there are no precautions about using it with an inverter. However, the AC motors in things like power tools and appliances may run a bit lest efficiently when connected to an (inexpensive) inverter.

*** Update ***

We've used this with a variety of cell phone/ipod/handheld game chargers and so far haven't experienced any problems.

I used the Tripp lite to charge my PowerBook and digital camera during a cross country trip to grad school. It worked great and I had no problems. The only thing I could have used was a second outlet.

I have used it with lets' say 1) Think pad Laptop charger, 2) Ipod Charger 3) Cell phone charger and it has worked flawlessly. It's been more than a year and a half now. A very good feature is auto-shut off in case of overload or no-load.

Works just like promised, so it's exactly what I need, but the first time I used it I turned off my car (which can normally power things while off), and proceeded to blow a fuse. Just keep the car running and it works perfectly.

I puchased this inverter to power my laptop. Little did I know what a power-hog my laptop was. I sold this one and bought it's bigger brother, weighing in at 375watts. I suggest you do some research on what items you want to power so you don't make the mistake I did and get one that's under-powered. It's sufficient for most laptops though, just not mine.

NO FAN -- NO NOISE - CASE HOWEVER DOES GET A LITTLE HOT WITH HEAVY USE (OVER 100 WATTS) GOOD FOR LAPTOP -RED ALUMINUM CASE EASY TO FIND IN A CROWDED VEHICLE -GOOD VALUE FOR THE MONEY.

We take a lot of trips, and the laptop always goes with us. We use it on the road for GPS, and also for Internet when near a wireless hotspot (which are easy to find). I needed a replacement inverter since my last inverter was not "coffee proof". I did not want a large inverter since my only need is to power the laptop. The small 100 watt inverters that plug directly in the 12 volt outlet were not enough power - barely. They would often shut down when the laptop was plugged in. Larger inverters with fans can be noticeably loud. The Tripp Lite has no fan and plenty of power for the laptop.

Using it to power a 19" LCD TV in my truck, the TV draws 40 watts and my truck (1500) has 20A accessory plugs. Works great, no problems.

Note - this thing is much smaller than the Amazon page says - maybe 6"x4"x2" and easily fits in my center console.

Product works as advertised. The pulse width modulation (PWM) switching approach has one drawback: at low driving speeds, there is a hum which is audible above the road noise of the car. This hum may not be audible in cars that are not as quiet as mine (2002 Toyota Camry Solara hard top) or with different loads (I am using the inverter to drive a very quiet air filter which is probably more suceptible to the PWM transients).
The unit has a maximum efficiency of 90%. I tried to get efficiency figures before purchasing the unit but was unable to find same.
I am happy with the performance of the device.

When I got the device I was very impressed, it has a well built case around it and seems to be fairly sturdy.
Although, immediately after I plugged the device into my car and prior to me plugging anything into the AC outlet of the device, the device gave me a high pitched alarm.
I tired the suggested steps but the device continued to give me the alarm.
After trying it in several different cars, trying to plug in things from a cell phone charger (25W) to a laptop (about 75-100W) I decided that the unit was defective.
After reading some of the other reviews more carefully it seems others have had similar problems equal to my own.
My point in writing this review is just to warn you, with any device there is the possibility of defects although it seems to happen quite frequently with this particular power inverter.
my PV150 is currently being returned (for a refund) so I am not to agitated.
I personally am going to replace my PV150 with a
"Power Bright PW400-12 Power Inverter 400 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt AC"