Product type: Claims to be DC to AC inverter that allows powering 110V AC devices from car 12V
Product home page: http://www.amazon.com/Eforcity-Universa ... 333&sr=8-1
Manufacturer: Not known
Price: $6.95 (varies from $6.95 to $10.95)
Place where bought: myGearStore at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Eforcity-Universa ... 333&sr=8-1
My comments:
This Eforcity Universal DC to AC Car Adapter [US Plug] product has somewhat misleadign technical description.
The product name "Universal DC to AC Car Adapter" would indicate that the output of this device would be standard USA mains AC (or pretty close to it) that would work with different small appliances.
The truth is that the output from this device is not AC power at all!
This device outputs DC instead of AC. So term "Universal DC to AC Car Adapter" is pretty misleading. The product itself even lists that the output is 110-220V DC. And I have verified with multimeter that the output is really around 150V DC when no load is connected, not AC.
This kind of DC output would possibly work with some (maybe not all) low power switch mode power supply based chargers etc.. But this device will NOT work with any charger or other equipment that uses a traditional mains transformer in their power supply.
Other things missing on the equipment and specifications is that there is no information what is the power rating of this device, so you don't know how big load can be connected to this device safely without overloading it.
So the description "Universal DC to AC Car Adapter" is misleading.
This device is a low power car DC to DC converter that generates DC that might work with some normally mains powered equipment, but but will for sure fail on most equipment! (maybe even damage equipment).
The only good this on this converter is that it is very cheap (6.95). Considerable cheaper than any other similar looking device.
If you are pretty confident that your equipment you plan to use will work with DC power applied to it's AC input, is low power and you don't accidentally connect anything else to this, then this device could work for you.
If you are in any doubt on that, then you would be happier paying somewhat more money to get a real "Car DC to AC adapter" instead of this.
NOTE: After posting this same text to Amazon.com I saw that the product description on the page was updated:
Product Description
NOTE: Not for large electronics like Laptop computers, DVD players, Printers, etc Converting DC power outlet into an AC power outlet for some small electronic appliances. Just plug this inverter in to any 12 Volt DC power outlet, like those found in a car, RV or boat, converts it to a regular AC wall plug An intelligent sensor checks with the output/input compatibility with your electronic device. When the LED lights up, that means the converter can power the device. If the LED light does not illuminate, disconnect the electronic device from the converter. Input / Output Input: DV 12V / 500mA Output: AC 100V - 240V Max Output Power: 5W Compatible with: Small electronic Appliance: Cell phone chargers, MP3 chargers, PDA chargers, GPS chargers, Mini Speakers, Bluetooth chargers, Digital Photo frames, Camera chargers, map lights, etc.
