A couple of weeks ago, I got a power inverter from a friend whose company sells them through a lot of big box retailers. I actually bought one about 10 years ago, but it was really bulky and I think I used it just once. I have been wanting to get one to use in the car as a backup in case I needed to charge my notebook, phone or other electronic device.

The one I got this time was the Wagan SmartAC 2382, which is space efficient in its design and includes a USB port for charging accessories. It even came with a nice segmented pouch for carrying the inverter and the power cable.

On a recent business trip to Baltimore, I brought the Wagan with the plan to try it in the car when we were driving around town. But it turned out that it was a real life saver on the plane, which included a 3 hour flight to Dallas and then another 3 hour flight into Baltimore, with no time to charge batteries in transit.

On the first leg of our flight, I used up my notebook’s extended battery and was going to run out of juice before we reached Baltimore. Then I thought about checking to see if the plane on our second flight had any power outlets and I was totally surprised to find what looked like cigarette adapters underneath our seats. I plugged in the Wagan and everything worked great. Unfortunately, on our flight back, the outlets on the second plane didn’t work, but at least I had enough batteries to make it through the flight.

The Wagan is going into my travel gear bag wherever I go now