| | |  | Broadcaster Tools | Home » » Black & Decker PI400AB Inverter | | | | | | | Description: | | Power Inverters converts your vehicle's DC power to 115 volts AC household power. This is ideal for use with laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, and MP3 devices. Low battery shutdown prevents total battery drain. 800 watts surge capacity and 400 watts maximum continuous power. | | | Features: | |
• 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
| | | Product Details: | | | Package Length:
| 9.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 8.7 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.6 inches | | Package Weight:
| 2.1 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 40 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 40 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Does the job with some noise.May 20, 2008
By Jay
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.
10 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 I expected better from this companyJan 17, 2009
By Tom and Marie Brandt
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.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Not good, do not use unloaded.Sep 03, 2010
By Doug Deep
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.
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Thermal cooling fanJul 20, 2008
By John Adams
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.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Doesn't work as describedJul 13, 2010
By R. Howard
I am going on a long trip for my sisters wedding and wanted to use my laptop during the 12 hour car ride.
Bought this thing with the promise that it would supply power to my measly 65 Watt HP. It showed on the case and on the back of the box that it would supply power to a laptop.
We went to give it a try and the power constantly tripped off. Learned that anything over 80 watts needs the direct battery connection. Didn't say that on the box, but it shouldn't have mattered, as my computer is only 65 watts.
We tried several times and couldn't get it to work. We are taking it back to Walmart (where we got it) and we ended up getting the Sears DieHard 140 Watt for half the price. It powers my computer just fine without a single hitch. On top of that, it was almost half the price.
Overall lesson, don't get it as it seems to be highly unreliable.
See all 40 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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