The Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger is another MULTI-PURPOSE UNIT that is ideal as an emergency portable power source. With it, you can not only jump-start auto vehicles (350 CA, 280 CCA) up to 8 cylinders, but also power laptops, cell phones, smaller TVs, radios, gaming consoles and lights. It provides 280 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) of starting power from an internally-sealed, non-spillable 28 amp-hour AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery. Great for recharging 120-volt AC household power applications and 12-volt DC powered products. Perfect for camping trips or weekends away where portable DC/AC power is required. ** Prices and Discount Rates may fluctuate without notice
Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger
Introduction
The Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 car battery charger and Emergency Power Source with Radio is the unit that does it all, and is again for those who want a unit that can perform a whole lot of functions.
From jump-starting motor vehicles, to charging up computers, video games, camcorders to stereos, it is the definition of portable power.
It can also provide power to some household devices. Providing 280 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) of starting power from an internally-sealed, non-spillable 28 amp-hour AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery, the unit can jump-start most 8-cylinder vehicle engines without having to connect to an external power source or another vehicle.
It provides a safety feature in the form of a reverse polarity detector, which ensures user safety by disallowing the transfer of power in case the jumper cables have been incorrectly attached to the wrong battery terminals.
Product Description
But the Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 car battery charger is a lot more than a car battery charger. This heavy-duty unit can operate multiple 120-volt AC household power applications and 12-volt DC powered products (eg. charging portable electronics devices) simultaneously with ease.
A built-in LED light provides lighting if required, while an integrated AM/FM clock radio provides ‘access’ to the outside world, if necessary. It can be conveniently and safely recharged from any standard household AC outlet, DC cigarette lighter socket, or even from a solar panel.
The Duracell Powerpack 600 is the perfect companion for camp sites, work sites or as a cost-effective and quiet emergency power source.
The key applications of the unit can be summarised as follows:
Emergency Situations such as jump-starting auto vehicles (350 CA, 280 CCA), powering lights, 13″ TVs and radios, recharging cordless and cellular phones, and running home security systems.
Work Situations where one needs to operate small power tools, provide work lighting and have access to AM/FM radio, clock time and music.
Indoor and Outdoor Situations such as powering laptop computers, camcorders, stereos, TVs and gaming consoles, fans and household blenders. Small appliances, portable coolers will run for hours with this unit. Also, the DC charging cable can be inserted into any standard cigarette-lighter outlet, delivering re-chargeability for not only a car, but also the boat, or RV.
The robust battery inside the Powerpack 600 is tied to a power inverter that provides 600 watts of power to its three grounded AC outlets and one DC socket.
Another handy feature of the unit is the multiple power outlets available, which give the user the convenience and flexibility to operate several appliances at once, and the 3-digit barograph LED indicator dynamically monitors the unit’s battery charge level.
Finally, internal battery protection ensures a long inverter life by guarding against any overload and over-heating. An audible alarm sounds if overheating occurs,or an under-voltage situation takes place.
Clearly, from family picnics, camping to remote worksites, the portability of this unit makes it a wise choice for the great outdoors. It is sturdy and strong enough to run power tools and equipment, either on the job site or in remote areas.
Of final note, if you are planning an extended trip without access to traditional power sources, the unit will respond to small, unregulated 12 V solar panels, rated to produce a maximum of 2.5 A (or 30 W) can be used to charge the unit via the AC charger input socket.
Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger
Features and Benefits
Summarizing the above, below is a list of features and benefits of the Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger at a quick glance:
- 280 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) of starting power from sealed, non-spillable 28Ah AGM battery
- Detachable alligator clamps for jump-starting motor vehicles (up to 8-cylinder)
- Reverse polarity detector to alert the user if clamps have been incorrectly hooked up to car
- Useful for powering lights, small TVs, radios and recharging cordless and cellular phones
- Also useful for powering laptops, camcorders, stereos, gaming consoles, fans and household blenders
- Good for powering smaller power tools on the job site
- Contains one 12-volt DC outlet for DC-powered products
- Three 3-pronged 120-volt AC outlets (480W continuous/600W peak) to power multiple household appliances, devices and tools
- Built-in 600W power inverter with overload/over-temperature protection (with alarm-assisted warning mechanism)
- Built-in AM/FM radio and digital alarm clock
- Built-in 5W worklight
- Can be safely recharged from any standard household AC outlet, DC cigarette lighter socket or solar panel
- Multiple power outlets available give the user the ability to operate several appliances at once
- Great unit for outdoor adventure, outings, family picnics, camping
- Suitable for use on the job site as a source of portable power
- Strong, sturdy and versatile unit useful for various indoor and outdoor situations, apart from jump-starting a car
Product Specifications (Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger)
- Brand: Duracell
- Item Model Number: DPP-600HD Powerpack 600
- Weight: 29.1 Pounds (official)
- Height: 11.3 inches
- Length: 19.2 inches
- Width: 8.2 inches
Pros and Cons
The following lists the pros and cons of this particular model product, based on straight product facts, specifications and actual user feedback:
Pros
- Easy-To-Use unit very suitable for novices or those with little jump-start experience
- Easy-to-carry, functional design
- Versatile unit that is good for a variety of functions: jump-starting cars (up to 8 cylinders) and…
- Good for charging up computers, game consoles, camcorders, lights, small TVs, radios, cordless and cellular phones, stereos
- Great emergency power source for use during storms and other power outages
- Handy to have on the worksite, for powering smaller power tools
- Most users report successful, reliable operation of jump start and AC power operations
- Powerful internal battery (280 CCA of starting power from 28Ah AGM battery)
- Solid enough unit
- Multiple power outlets available give the user the ability to operate several appliances at once
- Can be easily and conveniently recharged via any standard household AC outlet, DC cigarette lighter socket, or even solar panel
- Built-in Reverse Polarity Detector (safety mechanism for when jump cables have been incorrectly hooked up to car)
- Includes work light for operating in the dark
- Strong, sturdy and versatile unit useful for various indoor and outdoor situations, apart from jump-starting a car
Cons
- Does not come with power extension cord (major complaint from those critical)
- Too heavy and large for some
- Some static or hum when using FM radio
- No storage in unit itself for jumper cables and power adaptors
- Some users report inconsistent results when recharging the internal battery
- Power meter not always accurate
- Radio can be hard to tune
- Some users say flashlight did not work
- Item cannot be returned to Amazon
Customer Reviews
Below are testimonials from purchasing customers of the Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger . These testimonials are 100% Amazon verified wherever possible, and we provide feedback from other customer retail forums if necessary or applicable.
It is always helpful and informative to read what others have to say about any product in question before making any final purchase decision.
In the case of the Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger, a 5 Star Rating was given by 45% of customer reviewers, followed by 21% awarding it with 4 stars, 6% who gave it 3 stars, 8% awarded 2 stars, and finally 20% gave it only one star. This product is liked by the majority of people, but it is fair to say there is a mixed reaction. Clearly, this is determined by product expectation and experience.
Nutshell Summary
When doing our research on the Powerpack 600, it is evident that the unit receives mostly praise, with the largest portion of people giving it the ‘green light’, but with the remaining users there is a mixed response. Obviously, this product satisfies some, and not others. Naturally, good experience results in favorable reviews, bad or ‘ordinary’ experience in lesser reviews. This unit, like the Energizer 84020, seems to polarize users.
Many users report positively on this unit, happily pointing out that the unit saved them during electrical power outages, and that they are receiving ‘good mileage’ out of this product. Other users however report that the battery life in this unit is quite limited, or that some aspect of the unit’s various functions did not work. It would appear that some consumers are receiving a top-notch-in-good-working-condition unit, while others are not. This would seem to be an issue with the manufacturer (a product not yet fully developed to its full potential?)
It is true enough that portable car battery chargers do indeed have a life-span. The question is how much? It just seems to vary from brand to brand, product to product, and in this case, from unit to unit. Still, with around 65% of folks giving the Powerpack 600 a high rating, it still is a popular pick and seems to ‘do the trick’ for most. Like the Energizer 84020, people are simply attracted to the multi-purpose nature of this unit, and when everything works, happy days.
Great for power outage.
“We plugged in our base cordless phone and presto!! I can carry phone service around the house! We could also plug in our police scanner so we knew what was happening around town during the recent storm. I am going to buy another one so I can plug the modem in and still internet access during future power outages as well. The laptops have battery time but the modem will need power. My iPod and speaker setup also can work this way. This thing certainly will not run your whole house, but it is great for smaller applications. A very handy item to have! ”
– MJwrabbit, MA USA
August 28, 2011
5 Star Rating
Good for my intended purpose.
“I got this for longer camping trips. We often find ourselves at outdoor events and camping, and usually with little or no electrical power. As a modern family, we wanted something that could give us power to our variety of gizmos and gadgets. Recently put the Powerpack to the test on a full week trip. During this time it was used for a variety of purposes. These included recharging camera batteries, cell phones and various media devices. We also used it to power an air compressor to pump up three air mattresses, including a queen size, and then refill them as required. It also ran a hair straightener and blow dryer a few times. And it was also used on an asthma treatment machine at least once a day. And a few other things.
The results. The Powerpack lasted through to day 5 of a 7 day trip, but we had also taken a lawn battery to attach as an auxiliary. It was easy to set up, and provided power for the last two days. The main battery had lasted about as long as I expected, so I was satisified throughout.
The reasons why it didn’t get 5 stars: basically for two reasons, and both are quite minor. The first, there was no way to turn off the clock. I know that this is not much of a drain on a battery this size, but I would have preferred to be able to maximize my usage.
Secondly, the power meter is not that accurate. It was showing 90% power on the fourth day, 70% power on the fifth,for us then to be out of power on the sixth. In fairness, a few things where plugged into it overnight from day 5 to 6. Those items where low power or turned off. So it is difficult to say if they were the cause of the drain. Perhaps if they were not plugged in, the main battery may have gone all week.
But overall, very happy with this purchase.”
– G.M. Dudley
March 29, 2008
4 Star Rating
Better Than Expected!
“I bought this product for my electricity supply for a community fair, where I was running an outdoor booth. I had a small TV and DVD player run for around 8 hours, non-stop. We had lots of people visit our stand, and they were all impressed by how well the Powerpack performed.
Lots of folks asked where I bought it. I was happy to say that I got it on Amazon, and for a great price too. I will admit that I was a little scared about how it would go, and I must say it did better than expected! Great product!”
– S. Ann Phillips
November 28, 2011
5 Star Rating
Really good, needs Lithium Ion
“This unit is almost prefect, but it needs to be 50% lighter and 50% smaller. The manufacturers could use a lithium battery, for example, which would make that possible. Sadly, the price would be four times more, and I don’t know then if it would have the juice to jump cars.”
– Gaston Mav
November 16, 2011
3 Star Rating
OK, but needs a better inverter
“The unit works more or less as claimed, and Amazon is a good deal. But I find that the inverter is sub-standard.There’s a fair bit of noise when listening to the FM radio. I tested this by plugging in a portable radio into the AC outlets and I ended up getting a lot of hum and static.
When I plugged in another inverter (a cheap 200W inverter from a 55W solar panel kit) into the Powerpack’s 12V outlet, that same radio had almost no static or hum at all. I actually have two of these Powerpacks and have tested both, with exactly the same result.
It seems the unit’s internal inverter doesn’t have as good a ‘modified sinewave’ output as others. Bear in mind too, that such built-in ‘modified sine wave’ inverters in these packs are incompatible with high-voltage battery chargers for power tools, like for example a Dewalt 18v battery charger for cordless drills, saws, etc.”
– Bret, MA USA
September 20, 2011
3 Star Rating
Let There Be Light.
“During October we had a great big power outage and this unit was great. We had no power for nine days, and this thing gave us light…a neighbor actually stopped by because he thought we had power, as we had 2 lights on, thanks to the Powerpack 600. We could also listen to the radio as well, to keep up-to-date on things. Highly recommend.”
– Blugolfer
November 15, 2011
5 Star Rating
Heavy Duracell Battery
“The battery works perfectly well, and holds its charge nicely. In an emergency, that’s really what you want, I guess. The only thing that did not work was the emergency light. So you would have to use a separate flashlight.”
– Dr Kroll
November 9, 2011
4 Star Rating
Not great.
“I wanted to get a better quality battery box, as previously I had a cheap Harbor Freight box (which had served me quite well over the years).
So I finally decided on the 600HD, and have to say that am a bit disappointed. It is a pain to me that the box comes with a bag for the AC adaptor, jumper cables, and DC charging cable, instead of these things actually being able to be stored on the box itself. This is not a simple and easy to use unit, and a glaring issue, in my opinion. The radio is hard to tune, and too easy to accidentally turn on. Then, my display doesn’t work. I first thought it was just bad design, but after looking at the pictures of what I should see, I don’t get any kind of a readout.
I will say however that for its real essential use (jump starting and providing AC power) it does work well, which is a bit of a shame, because if someone had really thought this through and spent a little time refining some of the details, this would be an absolute top product.
In all, my cheap Harbor Freight battery box may have not have been as nicely finished, but it was better designed, ironically enough…”
– Jonathan T. Sweet, CT USA
November 3, 2011
2 Star Rating
Didn’t work for me.
“I’m afraid that this box did not do the job. After charging it for 3 days, which was one day more than instructed in the manual, I ran a 65W light bulb from one of the outlets. Strangely, after only 13 minutes I got the low battery alarm. I then charged it again for two more days, with the same outcome. I then called tech support at Xantrex (although the unit is sold as Duracell, the telephone number for tech support is for Xantrex – cheers to them for actually having a real person answer the phone).
Anyway, they said I should charge from a car for 2 hours first (I had been using the AC adapter previously). So then I plugged it into my car lighter socket, and the charge light did not even come on. It did light when I was AC charging, so I checked the battery voltage with a meter. The thing was that the battery was already reading 13V, so it was already higher than my actual car battery. For me, that was enough trouble-shooting, so I returned the unit today, before my return window with Amazon closed. Amazon paid for return shipping, so I’m still happy with them. I got free shipping with the purchase, so I have not lost any $$$.
What I think is wrong with this product is this: gel cells (the internal Powerpack battery) cannot sit for a lengthy period of time in storage without charging. This is because their internal resistance goes up over time (a process called ‘sulfation’). When that happens the battery can feel like it is fully charged, but actually it is not because the resistance prevents it from properly charging.
So I think the problem is that these multi-use Powerpack products are not sold fast enough, so many just sit in storage too long before being sold. If you are in luck, you’ll get one that hasn’t been in storage for too long a period of time, and you therefore will not have this problem. Sadly for me, I was not one of the lucky ones and I am not prepared to have another go.
To Duracell/Xantrex: You need to fix this problem by using a battery type that doesn’t have this essential flaw. Lithium batteries would be ideal. That would increase the price of the box, but it would be worth it because you could get more power for the same size, but with less weight. Also think about the fact that far fewer Powerpacks would be being returned. That’s gotta be good, surely? I would be prepared to buy a Lithium-powered one, even for $200, but don’t make me wait too long…”
– Lens
June 19, 2009
1 Star Rating
One of the best portable power systems!
“I purchased the Duracell DPP-600HD as part of a power system that I’ll be using lots next year. I am a volunteer with a non-profit organization and we have info booths at different community events, which go from March through October. I decided to set up a looped presentation video that can be looped to better display our info.
One of the first things to note is that these power systems have to be fully charged before being used regularly. I was a touch concerned, as the Duracell unit includes an unregulated power supply for charging. But I found that the built-in charging circuitry does regulate the charging voltage properly, so as to avoid ‘cooking’ the battery.
With the included 1000MA power supply, from a completely dead start, it would take about 36-48 hours to fully charge. I found the built-in charger regulated charging to around 13.3V automatically, and this is a good thing for accommodating the widest range of temperature conditions.
What is however unfortunate, is that at a typical temperature of around 65F, the charge voltage should be closer to 13.86V. That is the difference of starting out with an 85% charge instead of a 100% charge, so it could make a difference!
Because I got this as part of an overall power system, I bought an Instapark 50W Mono-Crystalline Solar Panel, as well as a CirKits SCC3 solar charge controller (plugged into the automotive plug on the Duracell, not the charge port). What is good about that charge controller is that I can adjust the charge voltage to 13.86V and it will automatically compensate the voltage based on the ambient temperature.
The 28ah fully charged Duracell DPP-600HD battery should last 2 to 3 years with occasional use. As long as the solar panel remains connected, this should be no problem. Thanks for a great product!”
– C. Arnesen, OR USA
October 7, 2011
5 Star Rating
The reviews above indicate that this is a car battery charger that most people seem to like, but also has some detractors. If you have purchased this product and/or you feel your recommendation may assist other consumers in their purchase decision regarding the Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Car Battery Charger, feel free to leave a comment below.
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