The Xantrex Powerpack 400 Plus is so handy that you wonder why no one had thought of it before. In a compact package the size of a small boombox, Xantrex has combined a rechargeable heavy-duty battery pack with a 115V AC inverter, a 12V DC outlet, an air compressor, and a built-in flashlight. This mighty mite can provide 400 watts of AC output and comes with jumper cables for starting your car when you've got a dead battery. Pound for pound, it's the most versatile device of its type I've ever encountered.

When I was given the chance to take one home for some "field testing", I didn't need to be asked twice!


First impressions
My first impression of the Powerpack 400 was "solid." While compact, the weight of the battery ensures that this is no lightweight. While you can easily pack it in your SUV for camping trips, you won't put it in your backpack for a week in the wilderness! In addition to the heft of the battery, the case is constructed from rugged, impact-resistant plastic. All in all, one tough customer.

The Powerpack 400 is neatly packed, with all the necessary instructions and accessories right on top when you unpack the box. The manual is simple and clearly written. In just a few minutes, I had plugged it in with the AC adapter for its initial charge.

The compact AC charger makes it easy to charge up the Powerpack 400 Plus. Just plug it in, and it does the rest. A DC charger is also included.

Features
The Powerpack 400 Plus' self-contained battery pack and inverter has two 115V AC outlets, rated at 400 watts output. That's more than enough juice to power camcorders, small TVs, fans, laptop computers, or even small power tools. You're only limited by your imagination — if it has a plug, you can hook it up to the Powerpack 400. There's also a 12V DC outlet, handy for charging cell phones, powering portable coolers, or jump-starting a car with the included jumper cables.

When you're not using the Powerpack 400, just plug it into an AC or DC outlet for convenient charging. The included AC and DC adapters make it a simple plug and play operation. Using the AC charger, it takes about 36 hours to fully charge the Powerpack 400 when the battery is drained. Charging via the DC adapter takes only 4 hours.

The built-in air compressor is one of the neatest features in the Powerpack 400. The air compressor is perfect for inflating tires or sports equipment and the air hose coils up neatly out of the way when you're not using it. Adapters and a needle valve are included for inflating sports equipment (don't worry about losing them — there's a handy storage compartment built right in). An air pressure gauge located by the hose lets you check the inflation pressure.

You can count on the Powerpack 400 if the lights go out — the built-in flashlight provides a strong, steady light.

Now that I'd had a chance to charge up the Powerpack 400 and check out all the features, it was time to put it to the test around the house. For the next week, I used it every opportunity to see how it would perform.