NPower Flex Powerpack XL 6-In-1 Powerpack/Jumpstarter, Air Compressor System
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Product not as described
The website and the product manual advertise that the booster can hold up to a U-1 battery and that there is a removable plastic holder inside to allow this. In reality there is no removable box and only the two suggested batteries (18AH and 22AH) will fit; there is no way of enlarging the battery chamber to hold a 35AH U-1 and even if there was, the length of the chamber is less than 7.75 inches which seems to be the standard size of a U-1 battery.
Otherwise the item is well made but it would be nice to be able to use a larger battery.
November 27, 2012
N Power Flex Powerpack XL 6-In-1
In the Spring of 2012 I bought the NPower Flex Powerpack XL and I have already found it very useful for several purposes.
First, I've been ill and not driving very often, which means, in winter months, I end up with a dead car battery. The Powerpack has been great for jump starting the car. It's amazing how easily it gets the engine started. I've got AAA but it's so much simpler to just start the car myself.
When the car tires are low, I don't have to find a gas station that has air and start slugging the machine with quarters. I suppose that's not a big deal but I grew up when air was free. Now I can just go out to the car and fill them from the Powerpack... no more excuses for low tire pressure.
I also use it to power a motor platform for mounted binoculars and telescopes. Since the Powerpack puts out AC and DC I have no trouble plugging it in and running the equipment for hours.
Last year, before I bought it, we lost utility power for three and a half days due to a tropical storm. I wish I had owned it then. Now we're facing another big storm and I'll be able to run a living room lamp or two from it or my wife's laptop computer moderately until the power comes back.
I spent the extra money and bought the XL version of this item for its removable battery, which I think is a great idea. Years from now, if the battery ever goes, I won't have to buy a whole, new unit, just a replacement battery.
It also features an LED work light and an LED battery charge indicator. The indicator takes the guess work out of knowing when to recharge the battery. And it features heavy duty four gauge booster cables, a USB power jack for cell phones, iPads, etc., warning lights and an alarm for avoiding polarity connection issues, an electrical adapter, various nozzles for the air compressor (for inflating footballs, air mattresses, etc.), a DC power outlet and an Edison electrical outlet for AC.
My only, very minor complaint is that it's a bit bigger and heavier than I was expecting. This could be a disadvantage to someone who's small or frail, though at roughly 17 inches tall and 12 pounds plus a 14 pound battery (sold separately), I haven't had any portability issues though some may want to consider a smaller product. As for me, it's not too heavy, it stores well, and size is a small price to pay for all the uses I have for it. I've seen several other brands on the market and smaller versions, but I'm very happy with my purchase. I've got a durable, well made product with an output of 800 amp/450 watts, making it very capable and versatile.
This tool is not something that I use every day but when I need it I've got power, functions, and reliability. I'm very pleased that I didn't go for something cheaper or with less power. I'm confident that I'll get many years of great service from this product and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
October 26, 2012
Power Pack
Easy battery installation. Inverter is very handy for small jobs. USB port is great for charging phones.
800 amps is more than enough to start almost anything.
October 15, 2012
Great multi-purpose Power Pack
The 12v jump cables, 12v lighter socket, 120v/3 AC outlet, USB outlet, LED Light, Charge level and Air Compressor are included in this unit and it all works as advertized with the Item # 82942 AGM-Type, 12V, 22 Amps battery. Quite a bit more cost for the battery & unit combination, but very powerful and easy to change batteries. A nicely constructed unit that looks like it will hold up well. When I first installed the battery, I thought I should enlarge the hole for the hose so that when the battery cover needs to come off, but just pull the hose to allow the compartment cover to be out of the way. Funny, I bought this unit because my previous jump starter battery went dead and it was very difficult to get into for battery replacement. It ended up being the same size battery, but only 12Ah! This will be our emergency power unit for power outages. If it holds up well and after further testing, may be Xmas presents for our grown kids to have for camping and emergency power use. The 12Ah battery unit ran a 19" LED/LCD TV & satellite receiver for 9 hours. With the 22Ah battery, the power should last for 15-16 hours with the same TV and nothing else to give you an idea of what it can do. Use some LED bulbs for extra room lighting, charge cell phones and other rechargeable batteries and you can survive a long time.
April 28, 2012