DEFLAM 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter with 2.4A Dual USB Charging Ports Car Adapter

The DEFLAM 400W Power Inverter has one of the lowest quality modified sine wave output (see photo) I have seen from a 12VDC to 110-120VAC Inverter.The highly distorted, modified sine wave output from the 400W DEFLAM inverter, when provided a regulated 12.05VDC input (per Fluke 189 True RMS Multimeter), being just ~10% off from a square wave like shape (function) with ~2X the distortion level compared to the AC output produced by a DURACELL 400W inverter (per Fluke 124 Industrial Scopemeter). An ideal sine wave function having the top and bottom portions of the sine wave curve tangent to the minimum and maximum AC value, not level (DC). As a side note, the longer DC level (flat) portion of the modified sine wave peak and trough values (see photo), results in reduced electrical (coupled) efficiency to attached devices such as inductors (motors) and high impedance (microwave oven) loads as more of the electrical energy (distorted, non sinusoidal regions) is converted into waste heat as oppose to work, reducing the true working capacity of electrical devices attached to the inverter (fan blades spinning slower to LEDs being less bright) for each watt consumed.The pulse width modulated (PWM) frequency of the modified sine wave (MSW) AC output on the DEFLAM inverter unit I received measures 58Hz (see photo) as oppose to the correct 60Hz produced by the DURACELL 400W Inverter and significant error. The 2Hz frequency error in the output from the 400W DEFLAM inverter resulting in a typical AC powered clock drifting by 2 minutes every hour or 48 minutes each day.Relative to a DURACELL unit of equivalent rating, the FLAM inverter has much better thermal management. The outer housing of the 400W DEFLAM inverter after idling for ~1 hour, measuring with a non contact IR thermometer ~76 degrees in a room with an ambient air temperature of 70 degrees. The DURACELL Inverter given an identical idling time, measuring ~92 degrees (95 degrees peak), or ~16 degrees hotter (see photo). The 400W DEFLAM inverter benefiting from superior material selection via the incorporating of low thermal resistance, higher thermal conductivity aluminum used to heat sink the discreet, high current electronic output components compared to the thermally inferior plastic housing and heat sinking design approach and resulting reduced thermal evacuation properties selected for the DURACELL inverter (see photo). In addition, the DEFLAM inverter has fewer internal, physical restrictions and impediment on air flow patterns, thus the small exhaust fan operating on the DEFLAM inverter has greater thermal evacuating efficiency given identical fan specifications and properties.On a hot or sunny day, the inherent 16 degree increase in idle temperature associated with the DURACELL 400W inverter could impact (reduce) the 100% duty cycle capacity of the inverter, the increased thermal capacity providing the design of the output heat sink to material selection of the 400W DEFLAM yielding the possibility of greater sustained output current levels before automatically going into self protection (reduced current output) mode.The 12VDC electrical connections on the DEFLAM inverter are a tad close to one another unlike the 12VDC connections on the DURACELL inverter which has the positive and negative poles at maximum distance (see photo). Neither the DELFAM nor the DURACELL inverters provide electrical 12VDC input, binding posts with small, cross section pass though hole (via) to weave a wire through the binding post to help improve the securing of non terminated (no connector), raw wires. Since the electrical input posts on the DEFLAM inverter are so close, the use of non terminated wires (threaded or solid) if squeezed out from the post connection (momentarily set free) because of non uniform compression and movement of the wire relative to the binding post, could while attaching the second lead, result in an accidental electrical short of the 12VDC input source. The resulting and unintended, high current arcing leading to the possible burning out of an inline fuse.With respects to industry standards and norms, the orientation of the 2, 110-120VAC, 5-15R receptacles on the DURACELL 400W inverter are in conformance with NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) specifications with the ground contact place at bottom center with regards to Line In (L1) and Neutral (N). The 2, 110-120VAC, 5-15R receptacles on the DEFLAM inverter are upside down and in reverse (rotated 180 degrees) with respects to NEMA specifications (see photo).The DEFLAM inverter is slightly smaller than the DURACELL inverter (see photo) and in space constrained locations, the DEFLAM with the better thermal management maybe advantageous. The DURACELL with rounded corners (see photo), perhaps travelling in a soft suitcase or carryon bag better, the DURACELL inverter being less likely to penetrate the soft material used on the carry bag or suitcase from hard, protruding right angle corners on the DEFLAM inverter.During operations, the 400W DEFLAM inverter is capable of powering a Dell M7720 workstation laptop with Xeon E3-1505M v6 and 17.3" display driven by a NIVIDA Quadro 4000 GPU powered with a 240W AC pack. The inverter power producing lots of RF noise from the PWM circuit, that if placed near an audio pre Amp with non shielding inputs, may resulted in coupled and loud audible noise. The 400W DEFLAM, upon power up, immediately given notice to its active state by being heard through a pair of input unplugged, USB powered speakers. The DURACELL 400W inverter, compared to the 400W DEFLAM is fairly quite relative to RF noise emissions, producing no acutely noticeable adverse effect upon simple, near field, audio amplifying devices.The units have similar weight, the difference for all practical matters, being inconsequential.In conclusion, neither the 400W DEFLAM nor the DURACELL 400W inverters are refined products nor par excellence, though perhaps sufficient for various purposes.Minus 1.0 for 58Hz, AC OutputMinus 1.0 for Very Low Quality Modified Sine Wave, ~10% short of Square WaveMinus 0.5 for Lots of RF Noise Being Generated by the Inverter When PoweredMinus 0.5 for 12VDC Input, Binding Post being too close to One AnotherPlus 1.0 for Good Thermal Management While Idling

This is a great low to medium power inverter. The medium to heavy duty input binding posts mean it can be used through a cigarette lighter style outlet for lower power loads, or direct wired to a battery for larger loads. The USB outputs are always on with a green LED indicator. The AC outlets are controlled by the switch and have their own green LED indicator. There is over and under voltage protection to protect the inverter and keep from draining the battery too much. The built-in fan helps keep everything cool, and is pretty quiet at low loads.

Good basic inverter. This inverter comes with clamps that attach to your car battery, which is important as most car receptacles are only rated for 75-180 watts. If you try to pull more than that, (and reach the inverters capacity) then you will likely blow a fuse. The battery clamps help avoid this issue. The power output on this appears to be modified sine, which is good enough for occasional or non-sensitive device use. This is perfect to keep in the car as a backup or occasional road trips.

This is just a handy device to keep in the car or truck. I have a long commute to college and I use it to power and charge my laptop and phone. It does get hot so you want it somewhere in the open, not under a bunch of stuff. It does not need to be wired directly the included 12v adapter works just fine.

We were moving cross-country... this allowed us all to charge and had to power to run a laptop, as needed. Only downside is that it makes a high-pitched humming noise that I don't like. It didn't start making that noise until we had used it for a couple of months.

Worked fine for a couple of weeks of very light use, then the AC output just died while using it. It does give a red NG light and audible sound, but the input voltage is within spec (13.6v DC) and the the LED light that it was powering is well below the rated output. Interestingly enough, the USB ports still output power.Otherwise it appears to be well made and the cables are pretty nice. I'm going to try another one just in case the one I got was a lemon.

This doesn't stay powered on with the cigarette lighter plug. It powers on for a few seconds then goes off with nothing plugged into the inverter. The battery clamps work fine but I can't use this inside my car. I was going to use it to power my laptop computer which only draws 90W.

It broke to pieces on the first day. Disappointed. I bought 3 different ones. Will go to microcenter or Newegg and purchase. Tired of wasting money