- High-power EHP 18aH sealed rechargeable battery
- 32-inch 6-AWG industrial cables with 400 amp clamps and reversed indicator
- High-volume air compressor inflates tires twice as fast as competing products
- Constructed with hi-impact plastic and carbon fiber face plate
- Super bright LED worklight lights up surroundings
This unit has a internal charger and it is a float charger, that means you can leave this unit plugged up all the time. Matter of fact if you read the instructions. It tells you to leave it plugged up all the time to keep the charge going. This will make your unit last much longer also. Never never let a rechargeable battery go dead and stay dead for a period of time. This will definitely kill the battery and it will not take a charge. It's the same method with your rechargeable batteries on a drill whether they are lithium or whatever. Never never let a battery go completely dead for a period of time.
For 69.00 dollars at Costco you can't beat that deal (this is for home use and recreational not for being used in a shop). I have purchased Schumacher battery boosters before and they last just as long a couple of years and they cost much more. If you want one for a shop, try the Solar E2500 or E5000, they cost about 130.00 to 180.00 and they will only last maybe a couple of years on the rechargeable battery, but are heavy duty for a shop or even a Clore battery booster for about 300.00 plus and that will last you about 3 to 4 years.
I have not tried the jumper yet. But like any jumper, most will not start a totally dead or defective battery. Some jumpers need some voltage in a battery to get it to activate, not sure about this one yet. But it has saved me when my cell phone died a couple of times, me being a knucklehead and forgetting to charge my phone. I have not used the compressor on car tires yet, but I have used it on my grandkids basketball and it was fast. Also the light is bright, would like for it to have been more flexible but, Its ok. Overall, excellent Unit so far for what I paid for and the purpose of this unit.First let's clear the air, this is not a commercial unit and as such is not built for banging around but will generally last almost if not as long as a commercial unit. Even commercial unit batteries eventually die and must be replaced.
Air compressor I do not recommend using it as your primary air source. This is for emergency air or occasional use only, not to inflate your air mattresses, large items and to top off your leaky tire on a daily basis, get it repaired! I have used it to add air while on the road but it is loud and takes some time, it has a tiny air compressor inside so keep this in mind but it does work. For inflating large volume, low pressure thing go and buy a compressor made for that purpose, you'll be much happier.
Worklight Fairly bright, easy to use switch on the front BUT since it's fixed you have to wrangle the unit around to make it useful, would have been better to have a retractable head but then people would break it and complain about it. Maybe a built in one with a gooseneck or something would be better, not a deal breaker by any means.
12V outlet Works as it should, non issue.
Charging No external adapter to mess with, just plug it into a utility type extension cord and you're done.
Cables Decent quality, fairly heavy duty good clamping and easy to store. Only gripe is they could be longer but are workable and I've been able to jump my vehicles without other issues.
Jump start performance I've had EXCELLENT experience with this unit and bring it with me whenever I go on road trips. I have used this many times and it has more than paid for itself in convenience and speed. It has started even recently dead batteries after hooking it up and waiting a few minutes.
Vehicles it starts
Used/use it many times on an E450 Shuttle bus with a 7.5L V8 which needs a battery replacement but in the mean time the PSX takes care of it as needed.
Ford Expedition 5.4L V8
Dodge Caravan 3.8L V6
Acura Legend 3.2L V6
Ford Aerostar 4.0L V6
Ford Mustang 2.3L 4
Nissan Stanza 2.4 4
Honda Prelude 2.2L 4
It has no problem firing up V6 and 4cyl cars instantly, the big trucks took a couple minutes to waiting because they were pretty dead but they too started up with no problem. I will but another unit when this one fails but I might be able to find a replacement battery for it instead.I recieved the powerstation as a gift about a year and a half ago. It worked great until I went to use it a few days ago. I turned on the compressor by pressing the switch and it would not turn off. The switch got stuck in the on position. It kept running and running until I took the unit apart and pulled the wires to the switch. If someone didnt do this I dont know how long the pump would continue to run, but I view this as a safety hazard. I called the company and they told me unless it was within the 1 year warranty they couldnt do anything. I mentioned the potential safety concern and got no response other than they would replace the unit if it was still under the 1 year warranty period. I get it, but be warned the switch may not turn off one day. I can only hope to find a replacement switch at a local electronics store. I guess the manufacturer doesnt belive in feedback and / or product improvements.I just bought this here last week and I've already used it to pump up a flat tire and jump start a dead battery. It worked flawlessly each time. I was at Costco yesterday and saw it for $79.00.
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The Good:-Nice all-in-one unit
-The air gage is surprisingly accurate
The Bad:
-The cover for the charger can be difficult to reinstall.
-The button for the air compressor would not shut it off, which caused the compressor motor to seize.
-The jumper cables could be a little longer.
-The air compressor is a little too loud.
I picked up this item from Costco for $70 and was luckily able to exchange it for a new one after the air compressor button broke. I would have given it 4 stars if the button didn't break. It would be nice if it was quieter and had longer cables.
UPDATE 10/2/12: The replacement unit that I got back in April broke. The air compressor could not be turned off and the motor eventually siezed (again). I ended up exchanging the ~6 month old unit for another one. Once Costco stops carrying it, I will replace the switch with one from Radio Shack.
I've noticed that the air gage on my 2nd unit was not as accurate. It read about 3 psi over actual.
