Cobra Electronics CPI 480 User Manual

0 (0)

The Cobra line of quality products includes:

CB Radios

microTALK® Radios

Radar/Laser Detectors

Safety Alert® Traffic Warning Systems

Mobile GPS Navigation Systems

HighGear® Accessories

CobraMarine® VHF Radios

CobraMarine® Chartplotters

Power Inverters

Accessories

For more information or to order any of our products, please visit our website:

www.cobra.com

Nothing ComesClose to a Cobra®

Operating Instructions

400 WATT POWER INVERTER

CPI

 

480

Version A

 

 

 

 

 

Printed in China

Part No. 480-523-P

NothingComes Close to a Cobra®

Our Thanks to You

Introduction

Thank you for purchasingthe Cobra CPI 480 inverter.Properlyused,this Cobra productwill give you many years of reliableservice.

HowYourCobra PowerInverterWorks

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

CustomerAssistance

Should you encounter any problems with this product, or not understand its many features, please refer to this owner’s manual. If you require further assistance after reading this manual, Cobra Electronics offers the following customer assistance services:

For Assistancein the U.S.A.

AutomatedHelp Desk English only.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).

CustomerAssistanceOperatorsEnglish and Spanish. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday (except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).

QuestionsEnglish and Spanish.

Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).

TechnicalAssistanceEnglish only.

www.cobra.com (on-line: Frequently Asked Questions). English and Spanish. productinfo@cobra.com (e-mail).

For AssistanceOutsidethe U.S.A.

ContactYourLocal Dealer

 

 

©2008 Cobra Electronics Corporation

 

 

6500 West Cortland Street

 

 

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

A1

www.cobra.com

Cobra Electronics CPI 480 User Manual

Product Features

Introduction

Features

TwoAC Receptacles

Reverse Polarity Protection

Automatic Thermal

 

Low Battery Alarm

 

Protection/Shutdown

Low Battery Shutdown

 

 

 

Protection and

 

 

 

Power Indicators

 

AC Outlets

USB Outlet

On/Off

 

Power Switch

 

 

 

Negative Battery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Positive Battery

 

Cable Terminal

 

Cooling Fan

Cable Terminal

 

 

 

(Black)

 

 

 

 

(Red)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Quick Evaluation Before Installation . . . . . . 3

Installation

Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Connecting Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Power Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Operation

Turning Your Inverter On or Off . . . . . . . . 11 Power and Protection Indicators . . . . . . . 12 Operating Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warranty

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

CustomerAssistance

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Maintenance and

Product Service

Customer Assistance

Maintenance

Very little maintenance is required to keep the inverter operating properly. The exterior of the unit should be cleaned periodically with a damp cloth to prevent accumulation of dust and dirt. At the same time, tighten the screws on the DC input terminals. Be sure vents and fans are free of dust or debris.

ProductService

If you have any questions about operating or installing your new Cobra product, or if you are missing parts…

Please call Cobra first!

DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE!

See customer assistance on page A1.

If your product should require factory service, please call Cobra first before sending your power inverter. This will ensure the fastest turn-around time on your repair. You may be asked to send your power inverter to the Cobra factory.

It will be necessary to furnish the following to have the product serviced and returned.

1.For warranty repair include some form of proof-of-purchase, such as a mechanical reproduction or carbon copy of a sales receipt. If you send the original receipt, it cannot be returned.

2.Send the entire product.

3.Enclose a description of what is happening with the power inverter. Include a typed or clearly printed name and address of where the power inverter is to be returned.

4.Pack power inverter securely to prevent damage in transit. If possible, use the original packing material.

5.Ship prepaid and insured by way of a traceable carrier such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Priority Mail to avoid loss in transit to:

Cobra Factory Service

Cobra Electronics Corporation 6500 West Cortland Street Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA.

6.If the power inverter is in warranty, upon receipt of your power inverter, it will either be repaired or exchanged depending on the model. Please allow approximately three to four weeks before contacting Cobra for status. If the power inverter is out of warranty, a letter will automatically be sent informing you

of the repair charge or replacement charge.

If you have any questions, please call 773-889-3087 for assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

A2

A3

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra® 17

Important Safety Information

Introduction

ImportantSafety Information

Before installingand using your Cobra power inverter, please read these generalprecautionsand warnings.

CautionandWarningStatements

To make the most of this inverter,it must be installed and used properly. Please read the installation and operating instructions carefully before installing and using it. Special attention must be paid to the CAUTION and WARNING statements in the manual.

CAUTION Statements specify conditions which couldcausedamageto the unit or otherequipment.

WARNING Statements identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life.

GeneralPrecautions

1.Neverinstallthe inverterin a boat’s enginecompartmentwhere gas and battery fumes are present.

2.Do not operate the inverter if it has been dropped or damaged in any way.

3.Do not open the inverter; it contains no userserviceable parts. Attempting to service unit could cause electrical shock.

NOTE Internal components remain charged after all power is disconnected.

4.Do not expose the inverter to rain, snow, bilge water or spray.

5.Do not obstruct the ventilation openings.

6.Do not install the inverter in zero-clearance compartment.

CAUTION This inverter should be used in negativeground applications only.

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra® 1

Important Safety Information

Introduction

WARNINGPower inverters contain components that can produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not install the inverter in areas or compartments containing batteries or flammable materials or in locations that require ignitionprotected equipment.

WARNINGTo reduce the risk of fire, do not cover or obstruct the ventilation openings. Do not install inverter in zero-clearance compartment.

Warning:Wash Hands After HandlingPowerCord

The power cord on this product contains lead, a chemical known in the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Caution:RechargeableAppliances

Certain chargers for small nickel cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the Cobra 400 watt inverter. Two particular types of equipment are prone to this problem:

Plug In Directly

DangerousVoltages

1.Small battery-operatedappliances such as flashlights,razors,and

night lights that can be plugged directlyinto an AC receptacleto recharge.

2.Certain battery chargers for battery packs used in hand power tools. These chargers have a WARNING label stating that dangerousvoltagesare present at the battery terminals.

This problem does not occur with the vast majority of battery operated equipment. Most use a separate charger or transformer that is plugged into the AC receptacle and produces a low voltage output. If the label on the AC adapter or charger states that it produces a low voltage AC or DC output (less than 30 volts), the inverter will have no problem powering the adapter safely.

Quick Evaluation

Before Installation

Introduction

Cobra 400Watt OutputWaveform

Some very sensitive electronic equipment may not operate satisfactory on “square wave” or “modified sine wave.” The output waveform is referred to as “square wave” or “modified sine wave.” It is a stepped waveform designed to have characteristics similar to the sine wave shape of utility power. A waveform of this nature is suitable for most AC loads (including linear and switching power suppliers used in electronic equipment, transformers and motors).

Quick EvaluationBefore Installation

This sectionprovidesyou with basic informationabout the inverterand how to check its performancebefore installation.

Be sure to have on hand:

A 12 volt DC power source(such as a vehiclebattery).

Power Supply

The power sourcemust provide

 

between11 and 15 volts DC and

 

be able to supply enough currentto

 

run the test load. As a rough guide,

 

divide the wattageof the test load by

 

10 to get the current(in amperes)

 

the power sourcemust deliver.

The provided two foot cigarette lighter cable and

two foot direct-to-battery 12 gauge cable.

Only use the cables provided with your inverter.

The cigarette lighter cable is suitable for operating the inverter at loads up to 150 watts. Connect by securely inserting the plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

Cig. Lighter Cable

12 Gauge Cable

CAUTION Do not use the cigarette lighter cable for loads higher than 150 watts. When connecting loads larger than 150 watts, please connect the inverter directly to the battery.

 

2

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra® 3

Loading...
+ 7 hidden pages