Customer Reviews

Wagan EL2200 Elite 180 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter

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

 

 

This unit borders on being barely useful for powering my notebook computer while traveling. On road trips with my wife, the passenger pretty much stays on the computer -- previewing traffic, finding good restaurants, and checking e-mail. As long as we are driving on the interstate, all is well. However if I come to a stop and the engine goes to idle, the unit alarms and then shuts down. It is a complete shutdown from which it does not automatically recover. You have to reach back and push the power button when in motion again. My prior inverters at least would come alive again when the supply voltage from the vehicle rose once the engine RPMs increased again.
Further, the 12 V cable was improperly soldered. I had to disassemble it and re-solder the wire to the tip connector. Further, the tip did not fit securely in the jack therefore I was concerned that it could come out and the hot side short to ground potentially blowing fuses in my vehicle. This required a little bit of hot-melt glue to secure it. Not a huge deal, but I should not have to repair Manufacturing defects before I put an item into use. I repaired it myself because I could do that far faster than the act of boxing it, generating a label, and shipping it back. Now if you are not comfortable with soldering of electrical connections, you may have more extensive issues.
I am currently in search of a modified-sine inverter that does not have such bad behavior.

I researched the plethora of inverters on the market, and I finally decided that a pure-sine inverter was the best way to protect my MacBook Pro while I charge the battery in the car. Considering that the power adapter on my MacBook Pro is 60 watts, I felt confident that a 180-watt pure-sine inverter would be able to handle the electrical duties. I couldn't have been more wrong. Even though this Wagan inverter should be able to handle electrical devices of three times the wattage that my MacBook requires, it was unable to generate enough power to charge my laptop.

I tested the inverter with the 45-watt power adapter from my wife's MacBook Air, and the inverter WAS able to power that computer. I then tried to charge my mobile phone, and again, the inverter worked...for a short while.

Despite the very low power requirements to charge my mobile phone, the Wagan inverter started SMOKING excessively and emitted the most putrid odor--like someone was attempting to char-broil a skunk.

Needless to say, I immediately disconnected the inverter and have deemed the device a total FAILURE.

As I said in my title, the thing is a WORTHLESS, SMOKING PILE.

My disappointment in this device starts with the difficult to open clamshell packaging. Once open, the inverter felt very light and cheaply constructed. The end caps feel as though they are made with a very low grade plastic. When I plugged this device into a 12V connector in my vehicle, nothing happened. I assumed this was because the plug wasn't fully inserted. I tried the plug in five different 12V outlets several times and it just wouldn't work. On my final attempt, the little green light on the device finally illuminated. I began to smell something burning, and smoke started pouring out of the back of the inverter. I guess I could give it two stars because the ten seconds it was plugged in it did charge my phone properly. I did not get an opportunity to try the outlet. I should have listened to the bad reviews on this site.

What can I say? It lasted about two months with less than a 35W load on it before it kicked the bucket. The fan came on and made an absolute racket and then the inverter flatlined. Sorry but I would not buy this inverter again, not even with YOUR money. :-) Run away...

An excellent Inverter. This inverter runs quite and cool without heat issues. Price is great and is an a really good investment. DMTCOV

i am using a solar battery to power my computer system and the unit seems to be working well. the only real problem is the fan making noise which is very loud. i guess in a car it wouldn't be so bad but sitting in my room i will have to wear earplugs. not so good.

Unit came with a blown fuse and refused to run even when a new one was put in. I needed it to run a studio strobe off a battery for a photo shoot and I had to scramble and buy a replacement from radioshack. Hugely disappointed.

the wagon elite 180 watt is an amazing little inverter.
its stand by current draw is only 0.18amps.
the voltage drop alarm is more friendly than most alarms i've heard.
the size of this thing is smaller than a loaf of bread amazing.
elite inverters are among the best around i believe.

This is probably the best company in the inverter business. However, my problem arises from buying too small a device. It's great for what it says on the box; however, my electrical needs proved to be about twice what it can supply.

This easily ran my compact television in the car without creating lines on the screen like other power inverters did. Now the kids can watch tv while we travel!