Xantrex XPower Micro Inverter 175

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

January 30, 2004

Product Requirements:
A vehicle with an easily accessible cigar lighter/power point

With the cold temperatures most of the country is facing at this time of year, it is hard to believe that there is an end in sight. That the spring thaw will come, and soon following will be the inevitable road trips, spring break excursions, summer vacations and visits to see relatives across the state and across the country. When you make those drives, I can guarantee that there will be electronic items coming along for which you don't have a car charger.

How would you like to be able to be able to recharge the camcorder as you travel down the highway? Or how about running the 13" TV/DVD or VCR combo you brought from home for the kids to watch in the backseat?

Or maybe, like me, you own a PDA for which there isn't yet an optional car charger. On my Zodiac, there isn't a handy little round AC adapter plug on the bottom like some PDAs have. Therefore,  I can't use a power adapter such as I reviewed not long ago. What I need is a 12 volt power inverter.

I have looked at power inverters that accept the prongs of a typical US power cord in the past, but I have been put-off by either their size, expense, or quality. Most of the power inverters that I have seen are relatively large. They will generally have an electrical cord with a cigar lighter adapter on one end with the cord's other end entering what looks like a typical car stereo amplifier. I have seen a few compact  inverters, but they appeared to be cheaply made - something that I wouldn't trust to properly power my laptop or PDA. But now I have found a solution that properly embodies the size I want with the quality I expect, for a price that doesn't send me into shock.

Xantrex, manufacturers of "advanced power products" since1983, has introduced a line of Micro-Inverters. This line includes models that are extremely well made and that don't feel or look cheap at all. These inverters come in various configurations to fit consumers' needs. Today, we will take a look at the XPower Micro Inverter 175, which is being marketed as a "mobile office companion."

       

According to the Xantrex website, the 175 is the "smallest 175-watt power inverter on the market today." By using this inverter, you can power household electronics that use 115-volt  VAC electricity by converting VDC power drawn from your vehicle's 12-volt battery. By using a converter such as this - one that electronics can plug right into - the need for multiple travel chargers is eliminated, which saves you money. There are even several other inverter models available which can accept more than one power cord.

To protect from overload the inverter will shut down if it gets too hot, if your vehicle's battery runs too low or if the internal fuse blows from a power surge or overload. A green LED glows on the top side of the inverter when it is plugged in, indicating that there is power available.

The XPower measures 5" from end to end, is approximately 2.5" wide and 1.5" thick. It weighs a surprisingly hefty 5.5 ounces. The outer casing is composed of solid matte silver plastic, interspersed with air openings. The bottom has openings cut to expose the built-in cooling fan. The unit feels solid and does not creak when squeezed. When you plug the inverter in, there is a very faint whirring as the fan spins. The XPower will warm up a bit as it is used, so nothing should crowd or touch it while running.

It's wild to be able to power electronics you might not normally see in a vehicle...

About the only downside I can see to the XPower is that since it is such a compact all-in-one unit, it needs to be installed in a power point that has unfettered access. This means that I can use it in my ranch truck, a Ford F-350 but I can't use it in my personal vehicle, a Mini Cooper.

Note that there is no room to plug the Xantrex in due to the location of  the power point

As long as you have a vehicle with an easy-access power point, the Xantrex XPower will work its miniaturized magic. Its solid construction and safety features, backed with a one year warranty make me feel safe about using it. This inverter is a great accessory when you need power access for your electronics while on the road. Since it is so compact, it can even be kept in your vehicle's glove box - which is where mine will be kept.

Price: $44.99
Comes with a one year manufacturer's warranty

Pros:
Compact all-in-one unit that is easily portable
Solid construction
Safety features are in place to prevent overloading, vehicle battery draining or overheating

Cons:
Does not work in a vehicle with a hard to access cigar lighter/power point