User manual COBRA CPI 475

[. . . ] 10272-CPI475_PH2. qxd 7/9/07 11:30 AM Page 1 Our the Cobra CPI 475 Thank you for purchasingThanks to You inverter. Properly used, this Cobra product will give you many years of reliable service. Introduction Our Thanks to You Operating Instructions The Cobra line of quality products includes: CB Radios microTALK® Radios How Your Cobra Power Inverter Works The Cobra power inverter is an electronic product that has been designed and built to take low voltage DC (Direct Current) power from your automobile or other low voltage power supplies and convert it to standard 115 Volt AC (Alternating Current) power like the current you have in your home. This conversion process thereby allows you to use many of your household appliances and electronic products in automobiles, RVs, boats, tractors, trucks and virtually anywhere else. Customer Assistance Radar/Laser Detectors Safety Alert® Traffic Warning Systems Mobile GPS Navigation Systems HighGear® Accessories Power Inverters Accessories CobraMarine® VHF Radios CobraMarine® Chartplotters For Assistance in the U. S. A. productinfo@cobra. com (e-mail). 400 WATT POWER INVERTER Customer Assistance Should you encounter any problems with this product, or not understand its many features, please refer to this owner's manual. [. . . ] Make sure that ventilation openings on the ends of the unit are not obstructed. · CAUTION To avoid fire, do not cover or obstruct ventilation openings. CAUTION The inverter must only be connected to batteries with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts. It will not work with a 6 volt battery, and will be damaged if it is connected to a 16 volt battery. WARNING This unit contains components which can produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not install in compartments containing a battery or flammable materials, or in a location which requires ignition protected equipment. Connect Test Load The inverter should supply power to the load. If the inverter is not working properly, refer to the troubleshooting guide on page 14 or power and protection indicators section on page 12. USB Connection 4 Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra® 5 10272-CPI475_PH2. qxd 7/9/07 11:30 AM Page 6 Installation Mounting and Connecting Cables Mounting To mount your inverter: 1. Thoroughly ventilate the battery compartment before making this connection. Connect the cable from the Negative (Black) Terminal of inverter to the Negative Terminal of the power source. Connect the cable from the Positive (Red) Terminal of the inverter to the Positive Terminal of the power source (the battery's main fuse or the battery selector switch, if you are using one). You might observe a spark when you make this connection since current can flow to charge capacitors in the inverter. All power connections to your Cobra inverter must be Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative. Connect Power Source CAUTION Do not connect the inverter and another AC source (such as a generator or utility power) to the AC wiring at the same time. The inverter will be damaged if its output is connected to AC voltage from another source. CAUTION Do not connect the inverter to an AC branch circuit that has high-power consumption loads. It will not operate electric heaters, air conditioners, stoves, and other electrical appliances that consume more than 400 watts. CAUTION Loose connectors result in excessive voltage drop and may cause over heated wires and melted insulation. CAUTION Reverse polarity connections (positive to negative) will blow external fuse in the inverter and may permanently damage the unit. Be careful not to short circuit the battery with any metallic object (wrench, etc. ). Do not work on AC wiring when it is connected to the inverter (even if it is switched off) unless the DC power source is physically disconnected from the inverter. Also, do not work on AC wiring if it is connected to another AC power source such as a generator or the utility line. WARNING You may observe a spark when making the connection because current can flow to charge the capacitors in the inverter. Thoroughly ventilate the battery compartment before making this connection. 8 Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra® 9 10272-CPI475_PH2. qxd 7/9/07 11:30 AM Page 10 · For each piece of equipment you will be operating from the inverter, you must determine the battery's reserve capacity (how long the battery can deliver a specific amount of current -- in automotive batteries, usually 25 amperes) or ampere-hour capacity (a measure of how many amperes a battery can deliver for a specified length of time). Example ­ Reserve capacity: a battery with a reserve capacity of 180 minutes can deliver 25 amperes for 180 minutes before it is completely discharged. [. . . ] Optimum performance will occur when the voltage is between 12 volts and 14 volts. If the voltage drops below 10. 5V+/- 0. 3V, an audible low battery warning will sound. The inverter will shut down if the input voltage drops below 9. 5V+/-0. 3V. The inverter will also shut down if the input voltage exceeds 15. 75V+/-0. 75V. [. . . ]