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The 4th and 5th time I needed it, "click, click, click". It was a lot louder than I expected. I hooked up the freshly charged jumpstarter. It will occasionally not start up.This unit worked fine the first 3 times I used it. I bought this one because it was like an "all in one" unit and the price was very reasonable when I got it ($99).
I live where it is easy to walk to almost every kind of store or business I need so it is not unusual for me to go a week at a time without starting up my Cruiser. The unit is compact and attractive and seems like a really "cool" idea. Therefore I go through a lot of batteries and a lot of jumpstarter units. I was saved each time by AAA.
The engine tried to crank up for all of 2 seconds. Maybe that is normal, I have never used an emergency battery such as this before. After each use I recharged it to the 15v levels. I'm writing this review now because I'm stuck at home because the unit didn't work again tonight.The only time it now works for me is when I hook it up to the car battery, as a precaution if I haven't driven the car for at least 5 days, but before I even try to start the car the first time. But I better see if it can even do that before I really need it.I gave it 2 stars for attractiveness and because it worked 3 times when I needed it.
I have 3 cars and work at home so I don't drive them enough to keep the batteries charged all the time. That was it. The meter still reads at 13v but my car battery won't start.I have only used it once as an emergency power supply, just to test it. You could hear it thoughout the entire house. I took a chance tonight that my car would start. I can only give it one star now (and that's because I have to).It still looks good. Since having it I put two of my vehicles in storage and I exclusively use one vehichle (PT Cruiser) which only has 10,000 miles on it.
Maybe I can take a photo of it sell the photo on flickr or something. I just assume their "might" be a problem and don't want to use up what little energy the battery may have which would then require more energy from the lethargic 400 Watt Power Dome. It didn't. But the best I can hope for it is to use it to charge up my cell phone in a power outage. I am thinking that at least a few of the 4 and 5 star reviews on this unit are from people who have had a few good results but haven't had it long enough to see it self destruct.
Conceptually this is the greatest reasonably priced flexible utility ever conceived - portable AC/DC power, emergency jump starter, light source and tire inflator. The reality is it's an unreliable $15 lawnmower battery that powers several cheaply made $10 accessories that offers piece of mind when taking up trunk space which has the off chance of working when called upon. This is NOT a generator, this is NOT a durable air compressor and a lawnmower batter with $5 jumper cables is only good for starting lawnmowers.
I loved this little machine. I kept it in my car to inflate my tires, charge things and jump my car. I must have left the jumper switch on because it discharged the entire battery, so now I cant use it unless I buy another one, or a new battery for the generator. Its under warranty but i live in the Virgin Islands and to ship it back would probably cost more than the generator.
As of this post.Highest Price: $100.04Lowest Price: $64.95Average Price: $94.66Tracking Since: February 3, 2008 3:10:37 AM PST
Overall, I have been very pleased with the power dome and am considering buying a second to power a few more items during a black out. I have owned the Wagan Power Dome for over a year now. I have a "classic car" and sometimes in the cold weather it takes too many tries for the car's battery to get it started. In theory with this combination I have unlimited AC and DC power. Overall, a great value, a great product. No problem.out comes the power dome and we get right going.
No major problems but - one of the rubber "Stoppers" that go into the 120V outlets has never really fit right3) The jumper cables are not very heavy duty and while they have been sufficient to jump start my 400 ci V-8 numerous times.I would have preferred higher gauge cables4) Not really a critisism but an FYI.inflating an automobile tire takes great patience. It has gone camping and recharged cell phones and DVD player, come out in the event of a power outage and provided nice lamp light, and jump started my car. Here is what prevented 5 stars.1) It can't run my coffee maker.I guess I need more than the 400 watts to do that2) Overall build quality is only acceptable. I have topped off my cars tires, inflated various and sundry items. I even purchased a flexible (rolls up) solar panel (Power Film Solar R15-1200) which will charge the power dome while camping. I don't count this as a criticism b/c like issue #1 you have to be realistic in your expectations.
The only reason I haven't ordered my 2nd unit is I'm trying to decide if I want to spend an extra $40 for a 600W unit (Duracell maybe) so I can run the aforementioned coffee maker.
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