Black & Decker PI400AB Inverter

• 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

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.

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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.

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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.

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I have a solar panel with this inverter connected to one of my security lights. The best thing about this inverter is the thermal fan that only turns on when needed. Not many if any at this price range can do this. I don't know how much of a power load it will handle, other than the rated 400 watts, my sytem only requires 60 watts for the flourescent flood light. My duration of ownership is only 1 month now, so far so good.

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I was hoping to plug a laptop and a wireless hotspot. No luck, the laptop has never worked, always resulting in an error light when plugged in. Also does not autostart when the car turns on, so you have to remember to press the power button every time. Blah.