Customer Reviews

Xantrex 803-0312 300 Watt - 500 Watt Portable Power Inverter

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1 star:		(3)

 

 

I did not buy this particular power inverter, but I DID buy a similar one (350 Watts continuous, 600 Watts peak). I bought mine primarily so that I could plug stuff into my car lighter outlet during long trips (e.g., portable TV, portable CD/VCD player, etc.), so I did some research. What I found out is that although the inverter supports up to 300 watts (continuous use), most car lighter outlets support only 150 watts. Thus, having a power inverter greater than 150 watts is only useful if you plan to hook it up directly to your battery (which is why power inverters usually come with clamps to attach to your car battery terminals). If you use more than 150 watts while plugged into your car's lighter outlet, you're likely to fry the outlet and/or the inverter.

Therefore, if you're planning to use your inverter on camping trips (perhaps plugging in a portable stove or something directly to your battery), or if you hope to use this for emergencies (e.g., power failures) during which you use your car battery as an electrical source, then this product is for you (just be sure to stay within the watt limits--it's usually printed on the device that you're hoping to use). But, if you're like me, and wanted to get a power inverter solely for in-car use, then you're really better off getting a ~140Watt power inverter. Note, however, that there is usually only one outlet on 140 Watt inverters, but I remedied that by getting an extension cord with 3 outlets. Perfectly safe as long as you stay w/in the 140 watt limit.

The Statpower 300 is a popular inverter. It is manufacturered by a well known inverter company. I frequently use mine to power a TV and VCR in a motorhome, although I've used it for some other things. It is easily able to power a small appliance (but not high wattage ones like a hairdrier) or a small computer.

One thing you have to be aware of when using an inverter is DC current draw. Say you use your Statpower to power three 100 watt bulbs. That would be a little less than three amps at 120 volts, just at the limit if its "continuious" rating. It would be about 30 amps at 12 volts, and that is what your statpower will try to draw off of your battery. This may require a direct connection to your battery using heavy wire (heavier that what is usually sold as jumper cable wire, especially for long runs and continuious use), as opposed to using the cigarette lighter socket and plug it comes with, and it may require some planning - a couple of hours of this will completely drain a small car battery.

But if you plan for this, then an inverter is a lot cheaper than buying hybrid appliances (12 volt+120 volt), and, for me, one inverter was much cheaper than buying special 12 volt cords for laptops, cellphone charging, gameboys, and other rechargable or low power items. An inverter like the Statpower 300 should have enough power for a gaggle of bricks, all at once.

Being from the USA, I took my Statpower 300 abroad. In the land of 220, I could get 110 in my car, making it easy to recharge things while driving around.

I'm told that if you need true sine wave output for running sensitive devices like laser printers, you may want to take a look at the Prosine line of inverters, also by Statpower.

But everythink I've tried will run on the modified sine wave output of the Prosine 300, and it is a much cheaper inverter.

First of all, this product is grossly misrepresented by the manufacturer. It is rated at 300 Watts output, but that's only IF you cut the power cord and attach it directly to a 12v battery. Otherwise, according to the instruction book, it is only rated at 150 Watts. Now, if you have a shop and electrician's tools and know how to solder, then you're probably in fine shape. The extra pieces of equipment (inline switch, inline fuse, ring terminals) shouldn't be a major expense. Buying a solder gun and solder adds to the cost. And you may end up having to take it a shop to have them do all the connections if you suck at soldering. It can get expensive to turn this product in to the product it is advertised to be, easily another $15 to $30. The actual manufacture costs of putting in the inline switch and fuse and providing ring terminal connections, probably would have cost the manufacturer an extra $1.50, but that would cut into their profit margine too much. So you end up with a product which, to be used as advertised, has to modified at extra expense and time (and a lot of running around to hardware stores trying to find the parts and the tools). I am inclined to return it, simply because it IS NOT ready to be used as it is represented. I don't even know if the product works. Once I cut the power cord to make it functional as represented (300 Watts), I can probably no longer return it (it may even void the warranty). So I am stuck with a dilemma ... return it, and buy a product that is REALLY a 300 Watt inverter, or try to modify it so that I can use it at the rated power. It is definitely false advertising. And I don't consider educational experiences like this anything more than frustrating and annoying. If you're an electrician, then you probably won't have any problems (on the other hand, if you're an electrician, you probably won't be needing/wanting such a small unit anyway). Consider yourself forewarned. As is, this is only a 150 Watt inverter (and an expensive one considering).

This is a Great power inverter. I'm using it for a desktop PC in my truck so I can listen to MP3's on the road. This inverter is perfect for my needs and at a great price. I was worried about noise coming through the inverter but I can say that I have had no noise problems. The user guide that came with it was very helpful on how to wire directly to the battery and bypass the cigarette lighter adapter.

As sold this item provides 150 watts maximum. It has to be modified at considerable effort to provide the 300-500 watts claimed. This modification voids the warrenty and has a high likelihood of ruining the unit for good. In addition, unless you design your own interchangable rewiring, once modified, it will be usable only when directly connected to a vehicle battery and NOT via the cigarette lighter. If you need versatility, look for a unit that comes with interchangable or dual power cords (one for direct battery connection, one for cigarette lighter connection). If you need the higher wattage, get one already wired for direct battery connection. If you don't need the higher wattage, you can buy a smaller, less expensive unit.

It would be a great thing if you could consider incorporating with this product a charger. Reason; the item would be good for telephoning equipment in the rural areas through the use of solar panel to charge the battery for its use. Presently there are hundeds of thousands of people in the rural areas that these item could serve if the charger is built with all the Xantrex Portawattz inverters. As one of thier distrubutors in Africa I for see a large market for it.

I bought this to be some power backup at home and when camping. Got the product and tried to run my 27 inch TV on it.... only to find it didn't work.

Looking at the guarantee, it indicated that an additional accessory is necessary to test the guarantee. (A direct connection to the battery.) I purchased the necessary equipment and tried the inverter on the 27 inch TV. After several unsuccessful attempts (5 or 6) the TV did come on.

It ran for more than an hour on the inverter. By that time it was late at night and I had to go to bed... disconnected the inverter from the battery.

The next morning I got up early to continue the test. (I wanted to see how long the TV would run on a full charged battery.) In my morning haze, I connected the polarity in the connection wrong. (Just for a small fraction of a second, and the switch on the inverter was in the off position.) The inverter is now dead. It no longer functions at all.

Now I'm investigating how much $$ it'll cost me to get a working inverter.... (The warrantee does not cover this mistake, so it is my dime now.)

BE CAREFUL! THIS PRODUCT IS VERY UNFORGIVING .

I suggest looking for an inverter with polarity protection... this one dows not have it.

Gramps got tired of havin' no entertainment in the outhouse. Well, Cousin Eddie found this little Xantrex power pod and plugged it into the lighter of his '57 Edsel flatbed and by golly, we got instant power to the old Magnavox in the half-moon! Now, Gramps can take care of business and watch his favorite "Hee Haw" reruns. 'Cause we got us a two-seater, Granny will often join him. They call it "quality time."

But this nifty inverter has many other uses, yessirree. Cousin Buford runs a live wire out of it and de-feathers them chickens in about six seconds, and Aunt Mira sticks a screwdriver in the AC outlet whenever she needs to straighten her hair (she says it's the best hair straightener she's ever used).

Shucks, we never knew the wonders of 'lectricity 'til this Xantrex power tool came along. Ain't technology a marvelous thing!