Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is a superbly designed and built product, at least from the couple of days I've had it. I'll update the review if my impressions change.
One thing I want to mention right away: the power pack itself is only 2.2 pounds in weight. For some reason various sources of this information show anywhere between 4 and 5 pounds. All the other accessories that come in the box are lightweight as well. The included AC adapter with cords is very lightweight and small and the 12V cigarette plug is as well. Too often we find that the main object of interest, like a laptop for example, has an attractive weight specified but comes with a massive AC brick and cables that weigh as much as the thing itself. Not so here.
Physically, however, the Sherpa 120 is quite a big thing, about the size of a Webster's dictionary (if any of you remember those :-) or a really big Fodor's travel book. Make sure this meets your needs. It is not a petite device.
So far I have used the power pack to test out running a ResMed S9 CPAP machine (CPAP only, not humidifier/heater) with an inverter, and it powers it successfully for a full 8 hours on a full charge. That pretty much meets the 120 watt-hour spec, as the machine averages around 15 watts (including loss in the inverter and S9's AC adapter). A full charge from AC takes 4 hours as specified. Construction quality is first rate.
Only one issue so far: there is no indication of how to charge the power pack from a 12V source, although that charging method is given in the specifications. The charging plug is labeled as needing 15.3V. I will have to hunt down how to do that. I would have appreciated a 12V plug cable for charging in the box.
A potential issue is how TSA treats this. This device qualifies as a "larger" spare lithium ion battery and, judging by the watt-hour rating, has about 10 grams of equivalent lithium content (ELC) -- [...]. This is perfectly acceptable as a carry on according to DOT guidelines (see [...] -- up to two such "spare" batteries with ELC up to 25 grams may be in carry-on luggage; cannot be in checked luggage). But the particular TSA inspector at a given gate on a given day may have other ideas.
UPDATE: To charge this device from 12VDC source, you have to buy a separate adapter: a male cigarette to 4.7mm adapter, from Goalzero.com. It's $15 so not too bad. Also I'm not sure why Amazon had to delete the links I put in the main review -- they were to dot.gov web pages showing info about FAA treatment of li-ion batteries.
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Whether it's uncharted territory, remote terrain or an area with inconsistent service, the Sherpa 120 brings power to the far reaches of the world. Its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry in your backpack or daypack and its lithium iron phosphate battery offers an extended life of between 2,000 to 3,000 cycles equal to 70,000 AA batteries. Charge from the wall, solar panels or car adapter and add other Sherpa power packs and inverters through a simple stacking and unique cord chaining method that increases power. An integrated inverter for USB and DC devices provides regulated safe power to connected devices while protecting them from power surges. Giving you the power you need to go everywhere.
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