ATD-5955
2000 WATT INVERTER
Welcome.
This ATD product has been carefully engineered and manufactured to give you dependable
operation. Please read this manual thoroughly before operating your new ATD product, as it
contains the information you need to become familiar with its features and obtain the
performance that will bring you continued enjoyment for many years. Please keep this manual
on file for future reference.
About ATD Inverters.
ATD, an innovator in portable inverter design, has developed a new line of super-efficient
power inverters with the highest surge capability in the industry. These extremely advanced,
microprocessor controlled units run cooler and more reliable than any in their class. Their
superior surge capability allows them to start even the most difficult loads, including color
televisions, TV/VCR combinations, microwaves, refrigeration units, and even small air
conditioners! They also have the highest efficiency available (up to 90%) which translates into
longer running time and extended battery life.
Inverters convert low voltage, direct current (DC) to 110 volt alternating current (AC).
Depending on the model and its rated capacity, the inverters draw power either from standard
12 volt automobile and marine batteries or from portable hig h power 12 volt sources.
Getting Started
When you turn on an appliance or a tool that operates using a motor or tubes, it requires an
initial surge of power to start up. This surge of power is referred to as the "starting load" or
"peak load". Once started, the tool or appliance requires less power to continue to operate.
This is referred to as "continuous load" in terms of power requirements.
You will need to determine how much power your tool or appliance requir es to st art up ( st arti ng
load) and it's continued running power requirements (continu ous load). Powe r consumption is
rated either in wattage (watts), or in amperes (amps), and this information is usually stamped
or printed on most appliances and equipment. If this information is not indicated on the
appliance or equipment, check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to determine if
the device you are using is compatible with a modified sine wave source.
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Multiply: AMPS X 110 (AC voltage) = WATTS
This formula yields a close approximation of the continuous load of your a pp lia nce
Multiply: WATTS X 2 = Starting Load
This formula yields a close approximation of the starting load of your appliance. Most often the
start up load of the appl iance or pow er tool deter mines whet her y our i nverter has t he capability
to power it. To determine whether the inverter will operate a particular piece of equipment
or appliance, run a test. The inverters are designed to automatically shut down in the event of
a power overload. This protectio n feature prevents damage to the u nit while testing appliances
and equipment with ratings in the 2000 watt range.
If an appliance in the 2000 watt range will not operate properly when first connected to the
inverter, turn the inverter rocker switch ON(I), OFF(0), and ON(I) again in quick succession. If
this procedure is not successful, it is lik ely that the i nverter do es not ha ve the req uired cap aci ty
to operate the appliance in question.
Important
z The inverter is designed to operate from a 12-volt power source only. Do not attempt to
connect the inverter to any other power source, including any AC power source.
z Do not attempt to extend or otherwise modify the 12-volt power cord attached to your
inverter.
z 110 volts of current can be lethal. Improper use of your inverter may result in
property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
z The inverter is equipped with a cooling fan, which is designed to run for several seconds
upon startup, but will turn off until the temperature reaches 50°C - 60°C (122°-140°F)
while the inverter is operating, at which time it will turn on again to cool the inverter.
Automatic shut down caused by high circuit temperatures will occur when the cooling fan
is unable to maintain a cool enough temperature for safe oper ati on of the inverter.
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A. ON/OFF Switch. The current flowing from the power source to the inverter is controlled by
this switch. It does not control the current flowing from the inverter to the appliance.
B. Overload LED Indicator Light. If the continuous power draw of the appliance(s) being
operated exceeds 2000 watts, this light will turn Red and the inverter will automatically
Power off. When this occurs turn off the inverter and determine the cause of the overload
before turning the inverter and the appliance back on.
C. Two standard North American 110V AC Outlets
D. High-Speed Cooling Fans. When the temperature inside the inverter exceeds the limits of
safe operation the Cooling Fan automatically turns on to cool the inverter. When the
temperature has lowered to a safe operating mode, the fan will shut off. The fan is not
designed to run continuously.
E. Negative Power Input Terminal
F. Positive Power Input Terminal.
G. Ground Connection
H. Display reading selection switch
J Battery voltage and inverter output wattage digital meters.
WATT Reading: When switch is on the "watt" position. The digital number displays the
"watt" reading.
VOLT Reading: When switch is on the "volt" position. The digital number displays input
"voltage" reading. These readings are the result of measuring the voltage in both the
positive and negative input terminal s on th e inverter. In a high voltage draw the display will
show a low voltage level due to the drop in volts that occurs between the positive and
negative input cables
Selecting A Power Supply.
When you operate the inverter for long periods of time combined with a high continuous load
demand, the result will be a large power drain from the battery. With this in mind, check the
reserve capacity of the battery you plan to use to power your inverter.
To calculate the approximate power drain on your battery you will want to estimate the reserve
power ("amp/hour") of the battery and the amps the inverter will require, to meet the
continuous load demand of the appliance.
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1. When calculating the amp/hour of the battery, find its “reserve minutes" rating. This is
typically is marked on the battery label along with the "Cold Cranking Amps" (CCA) rating.
If you multiply the reserve minutes rating of the battery by 0.3 it will tell you the battery
amp/hour.
2. To estimate the maximum battery power the inverter will require to run a piece of
equipment or appliance, divide its continuous load wattage equipment by 10.
3. Conclusion: The reserve power of a battery with a 150 reserve minutes rating is sufficient
to satisfy the continuous load demand placed on the inve rter for a maxi mum of abo ut one
hour. (45 amps/hour-amp draw = 1 hour).
Note:
The type of battery you use to power your inverter is important. Batteries designed to start
engines have multiple layers of very thin plates. These provi de extensive surface area that will
produce a powerful short burst of electrical power required to start combustion engines. Using
an inverter will cause a battery to discharge and recharge often. We recommend that you use
a different type of battery that is designed specifically for this type of load requirement.
Deep cycle (marine) batteries generally have the highest reserve ratings. They are designed
with thicker plates making them capable of withstanding repeated complete drains of power
and recharging. If you do not have a deep cycl e battery we reco mmend that you run th e engine
of your vehicle when operating the inverter.
Connection Cable Gauges.
When connecting the inverter to the power source use the thickest wire available, in the
shortest length practical.
If the inverter and the battery are positioned within four feet of each other, a minimum of # 4
gauge wire should be used to make the connections. When the distance between them is four
to six feel, a minimum of #2 gauge wire is required. When separated by more than six feet,
always use # 0 gauge wire. See last page of this manual for wire size recommendations.
Connecting Y our inverter.
1. Make sure the ON/OFF switch located on the front panel of the inverter is in the OFF(0)
position.
2. Connect the cables to the power input terminals at the rear of the inverter. Make sure to
match the negative (Black) terminal on the 12 volt power source. Then repeat this
procedure with the positive (Red) terminal connecti ng a wire to the positive terminal of the
12V volt power source. Make sure you have a good secure connection, but do not over
tighten these screws.
Note:
z Loose connections can result in a severe decrease in voltage which may cause damage
to the wires and insulation.
z Failure to make a proper connection between the i n verter and the power source will result
in reverse polarity. Reverse polarity will blow the internal fuses in the inverter and may
cause permanent damage to the inverter. Damage caused by reverse polarity is not
covered under the warranty.
z Making the connection between the Positive terminals may cause a spark as a result of
current flowing to charge capacitors within the inverter. This is a normal occurrence. Due
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to the possibility of sparking, however, it is extremely important that both the inverter and
the 12 volt battery be positioned far from any possible source of flammable fumes or
gases. Failure to heed this warning could result in fire or explosion.
3. Locate the Ground Lug Terminal at the rear of the inverter. Run a wire from this terminal to
a proper grounding point using the shortest practical length wire as recommended on the
last page of this manual. You can connect this wire to the chassis of your vehicle or to the
grounding system in your boat. As an alter native when in rem ote locations the ground wire
can be connected to the earth (one way to accomplish this is to attach it to a metal rod
driven into the ground). Before connecting the ground, make certain that the inverter is
turned off.
Operating the inverter without correctly grounding the unit may result in electrical shock.
4. Turn On (I) the inverter. Make certain that the Over Load LED Indicators are not lit.
5. Turn OFF (0) the inverter. The Over Load and LEDS may briefly "blink". This is normal.
The internal audible alarm may also sound a short "chirp" T his is also normal.
6. When you have confirmed that the appliance to be operated is turned off, plug the
appliance into one of the two 110V AC Outlets on the front panel of the inverte r.
7. Turn the inverter on.
8. Turn the appliance on.
Note:
z The audible alarm may make a momentary "chirp" when the inverter is turned OFF(0).
This same alarm may also sound wh e n t he inverter is being connected to or disconnected
from the 12 volt power source.
z When using an extension cord from the inverter to the appliance the extension cord
should be no more than 50 feet long. At this length there should be no measurable
decrease in power from the inverter.
Television and Audio Suggestions
Although these inverters are shielded and filtered to minimize signal interference, some
interference with your television picture may be unavoidable, especially with weak signals.
However, her e are some sugge sti o ns th at may improve reception.
1. First, make sure that television antenna produces a clear signal under
normal operating conditions. Also, ensure that the antenna cable is properly shielded and
of good quality.
2. Change the positions of the inverter, antenna cables and television power cord.
3. Isolate the television, its power cord and antenna cables from the 12 volt
power source by running an extension cord from the inverter to the television set.
4. Coil the television power cord and the input cables running from the 12 volt power source
to the inverter.
5. Attach a "Ferrite Data Line Filter" to th e television p ower cord. More than o ne filter may be
required. These filters are available at most electronic supply stores.
Note:
z Inexpensive sound systems may emit a "buzzing" sound when operated with the inverter.
This is due to inadequate filters in the sound system. There is no solution to this problem
short of purchasing a sound system with a higher quality power supply.
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Operating a Microwave oven with Your Power Inverter
The power rating used with microwave ovens is the "cooking power" which qualifies as the
power being "delivered" to the food being micro waved. The actual operating power
requirement rating is higher than the cooking power rating. This is usually referenced on
the back of the microwave. If the operating power requirement cannot be found on the back of
the microwave, check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer.
Safety Precautions.
For best results place the power inverter on a reasonably flat surface.
z Keep the inverter dry. Do not expose it to rain or moisture.
DO NOT operate the inverter if the inverter, device being operated or any other surfaces
that may come in contact with any power source are wet. Water and many other liquids
can conduct electricity which may lead to serious injury or death.
z Avoid placing the inverter on or near heating vents, radiators or other sources of heat. Do
not leave the inverter in the passenger compartment of your vehicle. Store in a cool dry
place. Do not place the inverter in direct sunlight. I deal air temp erature sh ould be betw een
50°F and 80°F.
z In order to properly disperse heat generated while the inverter is in operation, keep it well
ventilated. While in use, maintain several inches of clearance around the top and sides of
the inverter.
z Do not use the inverter near flammable materials. Do not place the inverter in areas such
as battery compartments where fumes or gases may accumulate.
z When the inverter will be operating appliances with high continuous load ratings for
extended periods, it is not advisable to power the inverter with the same batter used to
power your car or truck. If the car or truck battery is utilized for an extended period, it is
possible that the battery voltage may be drained to the point where the battery has
insufficient reserve power to start the vehicle.
z It may be advisable to operate the inverter from a bank of batteries of the same type in a
"parallel" configuration. Two such batteries will generate twice the amp\hours of a single
battery; three batteries will generate three times the amp hours and so on.
How Power Inverters Work.
There are two stages in which a power inverter changes the 12 volt DC (or battery) power into
1 10V AC (household current).
STAGE 1:
The inverter uses a DC-to-DC converter to increase the DC input voltage from the power
source to 145 volts DC.
STAGE 2:
The inverter then converts the high voltage DC into 110V AC (household current), using
advanced MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) transistors in a full
bridge configuration. This design provides all our inverters with the capability to start and run
difficult reactive loads, while providing excellent overload capability The waveform that is
generated by this conversion is a "modified sine wave" as shown in the diagram below.
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The modified sine wave produced by our inverters has a root mean square (RMS) voltage of
110 volts. The majority of AC voltmeters are calibrated for RMS voltage and assume that the
measured waveform will be a pure sine wave . Consequently, these meters will not read the
RMS modified sine wave voltage correctly and, when measuring the inverter output, the
meters will read about 20 to 30 volts too low. To accurately measure of the output voltage of
the inverter , use a true RMS readin g voltmeter such as a Flu ke 87 Fluke 8060A Beckman 4410,
Triplet 4200 or any multimeter identified as "True RMS"
In Review.
z Never attempt to operate the inverter from any power source other than a
12 volt DC volt battery.
z Always disconnect the inverter when not in use.
z Always make certain the power cable terminal connectio ns run N egative (-) to Neg ative (- )
and Positive (+) to Positive (+) . C heck th ese conn ecti ons freq uently to m ake sure t h ey are
remain secure. Use the heavi est g au ge wire available to connect the i n ver ter to the power
source
.
z While connecting the inverter to the power source, make certain that the
inverter is positioned far away from any potential source of flammable
fumes or gases,
z Always ground the inverter before operating it.
z Make certain the power consumption of the appliance or equipment you
wish to operate is compatible with the capacity of the inverter. Do not
exceed 2000 watts.
z When attempting to operate battery chargers, monitor the temperature of the battery
charger for approximately 10 minutes. If the battery charger becomes abnormally warm,
disconnect it from the inverter immediately.
z When operating the inverter with an automobile or marine battery, start the engine every
30 to 60 minutes and let it run for approximately 20 minutes to recharge the battery.
z In the event of a continuous audible alarm or automatic shut down, turn the inverter OFF
immediately. Do not restart the inverter until the source of the problem has been identified
and corrected.
z To avoid battery drain, always disconnect the inverter when not in use.
z Do not expose the inverter to rain or moisture.
z Avoid placing the inverter near sources of heat or in direct sunlight.
z While in use, make sure the inverter is properly ventilated.
z Do not operate the inverter near flammable materials, fumes or gases.
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Troubleshooting
PROBLEM: Low or No Output Voltage
Reason:
Poor contact with lighter socket or battery clamps
Solution: Unplug and reinsert 12 volt plug or reattach battery clamps.
Reason: Using incorrect type of voltmeter to test output voltage.
Solution: Use true RMS reading meter.
PROBLEM: Red LED Indicator On
Reason:
Battery voltage below 9.5 volts.
Solution: Recharge or replace battery.
Reason: Equipment being operated draws too much power.
Solution: Use a higher capacity inverter or do not use this equipment.
Reason: Inverter is too hot (thermal shut down mode).
Solution: Allow inverter to cool. Check for adequate ventilation.
Reduce the load on the inverter to rated continuous power output.
Reason: Unit may be defective.
Solution: See Warranty and call customer service.
PROBLEM: TV Interference
Reason: Electrical interference from the inverter.
Solution: Add a ferrite data line filter on to the TV power cord.
Refer to TV & Audio section of this manual.
PROBLEM: Low Battery Alarm On All The Time
Reason: Input voltage below 10.5 volts.
Solution: Keep input voltage above 10.5 volts to maintain regulation.
Reason: Poor or weak battery.
Solution: Recharge or Replace battery.
Reason: Inadequate power being delivered to the inverter or excessive voltage
drop
Solution: Check condition of cigarette lighter socket. Clean or replace ifnecessary.
Or check cable clamp connections.
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PROBLEM: TV Does Not Work
Reason: TV does not turn on.
Solution: Try turning the invert er ON /OFF/ON. Contact TV manufacturer for start up
surge specifications and/or to see if the TV is compatible with a modified
sine wave. A larger inverter may be required.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Max. Continuous Power............................................................ 2000 Watts
Surge Capability (Peak Power) ................................................... 4000 Watts
No Load Current Draw .................................................................. <1.2A
Waveform ...................................................................Modified Sine Wave
Input Voltage Range ................................................................. DC10-15V
AC Receptacles .............................................. 110V AC 3 prong grounded
Fuse .......................................................................
Dimensions……………………………………...…377Wx230L x76.5Hmm (14.84” x 9.06” x 3.01”)
Weight………………………….……………………………………….………...….…...…………12Ib
8 x 30 amp (spade type)
INVERTER CABLES
200W & 400W COME WITH A CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG/CABLE
& CLAMP ON BATTERY CABLES
800W OR GREATER MUST BE HARD WIRED TO BATTERY
*USE THE THICKEST WIRE AVAILABLE IN THE SHORTEST LENGTH PRACTICAL
Wattage 0'-4' Length 5'-10' Length
800W #2 AWG #0 AWG
1000W #0 AWG #2/0 AWG
1500W #0 AWG #2/0 AWG
2000W #2/0 AWG #4/0 AWG
3000W #2/0 AWG #4/0 AWG
6000W #2/0 AWG #4/0 AWG
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