Update: Great Warranty Service
A few weeks back the DC output on my unit failed, partly my fault, and it no longer turns off. I was using the DC switch to turn ON & OFF the DC light that I was using, thus rendering the unit unserviceable for me. I sent NexPow a E-Mail requesting help and they responded the very next day with a request for my shipping address. Two weeks later a new unit arrived and tested 100%. That is what I call great service and NexPow does indeed honor the Warranty.
I have also discovered that the NEXPOW YP-178W will not accept a charge if the display reads 100% even if the battery has only 78% Charge. Lithium Polymer batteries have a self discharge rate of 3% to 5% each month and after several months of nonuse the battery will be at a lower level of charge than is indicated on the % charge display. The % charge display on my portable battery packs only track charging and discharging and do not respond to the self discharge on the battery. So keep this in mind, if you are charging your NEXPOW YP-178W to 100% and letting it set on the shelf for a few months before needing it. After 4 months my NEXPOW YP-178W required a very short discharge to 99% before it would accept any charging and then it required 23 Watt Hours to recharge back to 100%. This amount of charging would indicate that the battery was only 88% charged but still indicated 100%. Other battery backs that I have tested operate the same way but some of the others will accept a charge when the battery needs it with the display indicating 100%.
The NEXPOW YP-178W is very powerful for its size and is not that expensive. Get yours before the discounts disappear.
Operation is as follows:
DC & USB Power: >> Press Power Button -- Battery % Charge Display turns on with DC & USB Power
AC Power: >>> Press Power Button until AC Power Light turns ON and DC & USB turns Off - AC is Modified Sine Wave
Light: >>> Press Power Button two times VERY Rapidly to turn ON or Turn OFF
Light can be either ON or OFF with either DC & USB power or AC Power
OFF: >>> Press Power Button & Turn OFF Battery % Charge Display
Charging: >> If the Battery % Charge Display is not flashing it is not Charging
I purchased the NEXPOW 178Wh Portable Power Station on October 19, 2019 and it arrived a few days later VIA UPS.
It has passed all of my tests. My home is located near the edge of my electric service area and it gets several power outages each year. My wife has some health issues and does not have good vision. Light in our bathroom has become an issue for us even in the daytime because it does not have any outside windows. The NEXPOW 178Wh Portable Power Station is my answer to this challenge. I purchased some 10 Watt LED lights a few years back and they need 10V - 30VDC to operate. The DC (12.0v to 16.8V) output on the NEXPOW is really great for powering these lights. I also have some USB LED lights that work well at night. The included 2 Watt LED light has 100-200 Lumens that has a broad coverage area that is very useful and it will run for a long time. The units small size is just right for my bedside table. If you need good lighting in a large room, a 15W 1600 Lum LED light in a table lamp does a fine job and will run for 4 hours. Recharging by AC, Solar & Car will take about 5-6 hours. No Auto shutoff after 6 hours with only usb test meter and multimeter connected to DC output was observed. No auto shutoff is beneficial because some of the USB devices draw very little power as they near full charge and would get turned off before full charge.
I have also discovered that several pieces of my test equipment can be powered by the AC output of the NEXPOW and now they much more useful as I don't need to look for a active AC plug when I want to use some of them. The small size is an advantage when you are adding it to your test set. The metal case makes it more durable than the plastic found on most of the other power boxes.
Of course, it also powers all of the other small items and can be charged while powering your equipment. As I use it, I am discovering just how useful it has become.
I purchase two DC jumper cables to use with the NEXPOW. The 1st one is a 5.5X2.1mm to Anderson Powerpole to connect my solar panel and other charging equipment. "https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BXB2Y8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"
The 2nd one is a good quality 5.5X2.5mm DC output cable that I added an Anderson Powerpole connector to. "https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N21RV6G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"
These two cables let me use the NEXPOW YP-178W with the rest of my test equipment as well as some of my Ham Radio equipment.
A Message sent to 'Service@nexpow.com' with some questions brought a next day positive response.
| Brand | NEXPOW |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 178 watts |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Power Source | Solar Powered, Battery Powered |
| Voltage | 110 Volts |
| Output Wattage | 150 Watts |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Included Components | Charging Cable |
| Product Dimensions | 8.86"L x 3.15"W x 4.09"H |
| Engine Type | 4 Stroke |
| Tank Volume | 1 Gallons |
| Runtime | 3 hours |
| Frequency | 60 Hz |
| Running Wattage | 1800 Watts |
| Manufacturer | NEXPOW |
| Part Number | YP-800W |
| Item Weight | 4.73 pounds |
| Item model number | 800W |
| Batteries | 2 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Style | 800W |
| Special Features | Portable |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Ion |
