TRIPP LITE PV700HF Compact Inverter 700W 12V DC to AC 120V 5-15R 3 Outlet

I use these in our fleet. So far these have lasted longer than the rest.

Worked perfectly for four months then burnt out.

I purchased two or maybe three of these over the span of a few years. One lasted for some time, and then failed with dramatic popping and smoking. It continued with a high-pitched squeal and having had enough with the smoking and not wanting more, I cut the power cable to it to make it stop. Since it lasted some time reliably powering a tablet and monitor and battery charger, as well as a small power drill (separately powered, not at same time as other loads), I decided to give the model and brand another chance. My van had also had an annoying habit of exceeding its 14.3 max dc input voltage when the engine was on, but I had dealt with that by installing a power diode in the line that somehow dropped the input voltage enough to keep it on. The replacement was going in a replacement van, and I verified a voltage closer to the input range. That said, the new inverter was purchased and sat. I finally had my mechanic put it in. It was in a few months, and susceptible to junk getting sucked into the fan. Previous mount was up off the floor. I thought it smelled funny by it, but wanted to have a remote switch I could reach. I remove the switch and extended the wires, connecting them to the old switch from the one that burnt up. Switch seemed okay, and was working 'fine'. But it wasn't always coming on with first flip (much like when input exceeded 14.3v in old van). Tonight this new one popped and burned, failing in same mode as previously - it appears to me, complete with squeal that was only eliminated by removing power cable. This is the tripplite pv700hf, in case Amazon is mixing reviews. Decided time for a new brand. I liked this had 3 power outlets. New one will only have 2, but is coming with remote switch and has better reviews. This last one was less than a year old with very light use in brief amount of time installed.

the unit performs well, but the fan is always on, even if no load or very little load is drawn. if the unit even just has a basic on/off function for the fan to keep it off when the unit is could i would have given it 4 stars. with an rpm controlled fan i would have given it 5 stars. it's just sad that they felt a need to save the 50 cents on the components necessary for a thermal fan control.

Unit works very well and is very reasonably priced. I wish it had a provision for a remote switch, larger wire clamps and gfci. I was able to open the unit and piggyback on the unit's on/off but this is not for the layman. I noted that I get a sparking when connecting to the battery even though the unit is turned off. I connected my amp meter and I found that at the initial connection there is a current flow, which rapidly goes to zero. So this will not drain your battery when off. I used a Leviton gfci plug to get the added protection.