Xantrex Powerpack 600 Great product, but missing one thing..

I have loved these power packs for years, and every time they have come out with a bigger one I was the first to buy it. but this one was a slight disappointment only because it does not have the air pump. Every one I have purchased in the past had one, and believe me they have come in handy. From pumping up things around the house or office to having a flat tire at 2 am in DC just to find out your spare tire is under inflated... I think it's a pretty handy thing to have. My guess would be that they left it off to keep the weight down, but who knows. I still love this product though, but I am going to purchase a small air pump to keep with it in the car.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Fantastic for display tables, power outages

I bought this after a few day power outage and really like the security of having it around. Its not just useful for outages but for delivering power anywhere - the park, expo display tables, etc. Its easy and it works - though I wish it had a higher density battery.

Powerpack 600HD... great for small outings

Works perfect for running a ceiling fan w/lights in my gazebo. Quiet operation, good battery life, very portable, and I especially like the many outlets. Worth every bit of the price. The only bad thing was the radio (the only reason why 4 not 5 stars), it is worthless: crappy sound and cheap controls, but I didn't buy it for the radio.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Good in a Pinch

A recent power outage this Summer convinced me to look into somekind of emergency power. Needing something to be able to run some fans, the Xantrex powerpack looked like a good idea for that need. I've charged it and have even tested it out. No complaints from me. It does what it is supposed to do.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 excellent battery back up

I bought the Xantrex 600HD and have used it several times with excellent results. Very simple operation, the handy light, am/fm radio and the 12V car battery charger with included cables makes it a very well rounded package. In a test I made, I could run about 2 sets of christmas lights for over 5 hours and in another set up, i run an Ipod plus speakers for almost 10 hours straight. For larger loads you may need something bigger but for short time needs, this product offers great features for a minimum price. Did I mention that you may also get free shipping?

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Peace of mind.

600 watts won't make coffee. It will run your DSL and lap top and some lights for hours. A couple of times a year for one reason or another I expect to loose power for a couple of hours. For a little more than a good weather radio, you can have the weather channel if you have a dish and a TV. You can recharge it with a car they say. That I have not done. I plan to use it as portable power this summer as well.
This puppy is heavy but quiet and does not smell.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Just a couple of points

I pretty much agree with Rex Kullmans' review,
but i have a few things to mention.

While i think that removing the compressor
and adding a radio, was a good move for the
600 W unit, the clock radio itself does
not have lightable controls & station
indicator, to turn on/off.

Also, while i don't mind that the sound
quality isn't all that great from the
speaker, i really think that they should
have included a headphone jack, as to me,
as a 'power outage survival tool', i would
like to listen to the radio, without
disturbing anyone else who may be sleeping.

And a third point: That LOW BATT Alarm...is
extremely LOUD. And in certain circumstances,
i can see why this would be a good thng. But
since the unit will shut down automatically,
10 minutes later, i think that it would be
a much better unit, if the alarm volume were
controllable, or at least, that it could be
turned off, so as not to jar people awake,
who are using it to run something overnight,
like a fan, or mini TV.

Hopefully they will correct these things on
future models. I will continue to use
my pocket radio instead of the one on the
600HD, and consider the non-use of the radio,
as just more power to run my little 7" Holmes
Clip Fan, while the power is off, or
more power for my little 9" TV.

I've got a 300W, a 400W and now a 600W unit, that
can get me through a few hours power outage.
(Depending on how many things i try to run
with them) I am looking at getting the 1500W
unit to run my fridge for a 4 or 5 hour
outage, which means i could keep my food
good for up to 6 or so hrs, on battery packs
alone too. But i am concerned with all the
reports of 1500W units arriving in damaged
conditions. Perhaps if there is news that
they've solved the problems regarding the
1500W units it'll be back on my wish list.

I know someone who has one to run a piece of
medical equipment that he *needs* to be able
to breathe while sleeping, and he uses Xantrex
units as his "electrical lifeline" during
power outages. He used his car to recharge
his units during an ice storm outage...
It was a pain to run them out to the car
to charge them back up, but at least he
was able to survive without having to go
to a Red Cross Shelter, or be evacuated.

I've read of a person who described how
he had hooked his 1500W unit up to a
second battery, (a 100 Amp hr battery),
and said that he was able to stay
"powered up" for "several days". Now
i've read in the instruction manuals
that this could be done, but the Xantrex
manuals aren't really all that helpful
if decribing how to do this, and if,
when the power comes back on, will the
inverter recharge the second battery as
well? I would think that Xantrex would
not only want their customers to know
how to easily "build" a "battery bank",
to extend the power availiable to them,
but want to sell them the equipment to do
so.

To sum up. The Xantrex units i've had,
have held me in good stead, but they
really aren't for more than basic small
power usages, for matters of hours, rather
than days. If you're looking for something
that will give you more than "eke-ing by"
power, for a few hours, or an "overnight"
power outage...get a generator.

My Recommendation:(the one i'd buy if i
could afford it: the Yamaha 2800(I) W
generator. It's worth a look, at least.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 It beats freezing in the dark!

I bought the Powerpack to power the fan/blower in our gas fireplace during a power failure. Heavenly!! It must be used judiciously -not continuously- but it was a lifesaver during a recent snowstorm. There is no heat delivery system in the house which does not require electricity except the impractical (and unsafe) kitchen oven. It did the job I bought it for, and it gave us reading lights as well! I have since purchased a second unit.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Very useful and handy

I bought this power source for a field test. It worked very well and was very handy. I wish the power can last a little bit longer. The charging time is a little bit too long. If you want to use it in consecutive days, the battery won't be fully charged from the second day if you used it up in the first day. Otherwise it is good.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Good light camping power supply

I use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea and have wanted a portable power supply to enable me to use a tent for camping. This product more than meets my needs, powering the CPAP plus a small 20W ventilation fan overnight to make tenting possible again and comfortable. I also plan to use it to power my CPAP during occasional outages at home -- a good and inexpensive solution.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Too many broken features:( I just need the battery !!

***** I just jumped my van using the cigarette lighter !!!! No more popping the hood!!!! Added 5/30/9 **** Review on May 25, 2007: I already have the 400 and the 1500 watt models. I read the other feedback before purchasing this 600 watts. Therefore I was not surprised when my powerpack arrived and didn't work properly. Specifically: the radio was always on draining the battery :( Amazon was GREAT at handling the pick-up and sending out a new unit (5 stars to Amazon!) I ONLY want a power SOURCE. I do NOT want a light, radio, clock, compressor or anything that uses power besides what I plug into it. These other features have a LOT of problems. I don't understand why they include broken junk that causes MANY expensive returns. Now the battery capacity readout is incorrect. However I'm not going to return it since the actual unit works and the radio is not always on. The reason I purchased it was the PRICE: $110 shipped. NONE of the Xantrex PowerPacks provide the amount of battery life stated in their descriptions. That said, they still have the best product out there for the money. Since they are VERY portable, idiot proof and safe, I am comfortable letting kids and the elderly use them. Outside, inside, apartments, condos, schools, street fairs, craft shows, you name it and I've used it there. I can jump cars OR keep lights, fan, water pump or fridg running during power outages, AND use plug-in electrical items ANYWHERE I want to - all for the price of some spoiled meat. Until someone else makes a better, less expensive PowerPack, I will continue to buy Xantrex. I understand the need for a LOUD low battery buzzer when the unit is in a basement or other location far from view. Once I get there, I just wish there was a way to turn off the buzzer so I can conserve power AND still use it to the bitter end without bugging my neighbor (its that loud). Then I switch to another PowerPack. The 600 has a LOT more plastic protecting the unit - more than either of my other units. Its much more rugged so I'm glad they learned (hopefully they'll read this feedback and make an even better model ;) And the handle is easier to hold. Its heavy, but if you don't want to carry it, just get a little suitcase cart or throw it in an old rolling suitcase (CHEAP at garage sales, KMart, etc). Voila, not so heavy ;) SO, if you're looking for a safe, cheap source of power, this is the one for you. If you're looking for a power source that does what the they say it does, you'll be disappointed.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Three more things to consider

1) The downloadable manual available here on Amazon says the maker's warranty on this gadget is six months, not one year as Amazon's description says.
2) Xantrex says the sealed lead-acid battery is not replaceable by the user. SLA batteries typically have a service life of about 200 charge/discharge cycles at best, not 500-1000 cycles like NiMH or NiCd batteries.
3) The manual warns users that SOME devices such as discharge lamps, variable-speed tools, and power tool battery chargers may be damaged by the inverter's modified sine wave output -- but I know from experience that this type inverter will run several makers' VS tools and battery chargers perfectly well. It's wise to check with the tool's manufacturer to be certain.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Reviews

Amazon.com
There are many times when extra power is needed, but not available. If an outlet is not within reach or plugging into the dashboard cigarette lighter is simply not an option, you'll be pleased that you have the Xantrex Powerpack 600HD. This 600-watt device is an all-in-one unit that is not only powerful enough to start your car, but robust enough to provides portable power for small appliances -- it even comes with a built-in air AM/FM radio and digital clock.

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Features

Features

• Portable backup power source that supplies up to 600 watts of AC power
• Operates three 115-volt AC and/or one 12-volt DC products; built-in light, AM/FM radio and digital alarm clock
• Rugged plastic casing
• Includes jumper cables for auto jump-start, rechargeable 28 amp-hour battery
• Measures 14 x 22 x 9.2 inches; weighs 29 pounds; 6-month warranty

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Product Details

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3249 in Automotive
• Brand: Xantrex
• Model: 852-2000
• Dimensions: 9.00" h x 12.00" w x 14.00" l, 29.00 pounds

Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt Jumpstarter, Power Inverter and Backup Power Source

Product Description

The XPower Powerpack 600HD provides up to 600 watts of backup power during a power outage and emergency power when you’re in your vehicle or away from home. With it's included cables the XPower Powerpack 600HD will jump-start your vehicle in a roadside emergency. The portable power source has 1 12V outlet and 3 115V outlets and will operate a number of AC and DC powered devices such as a cordless phone, TV, radio, fan, computer, laptop, printer, and more. Ideal for power emergencies, the XPower Powerpack 600HD comes with a built-in emergency light to keep you out of the dark and to provide light so others can see you if you’re stranded. It also features an AM/FM radio so you can stay connected to important news and weather updates during a blackout. It even charges mobile phones so you can stay connected to family and friends during a blackout. The XPower Powerpack 600HD also can be used to operate small power tools or at your worksite our outdoors so that you can get the job done even without an outlet nearby.