Introduction A1
How Your Cobra
®
Power Inverter Works A3
Rechargeable Appliances 1
Quick Checkout 2-3
Operation 4
Controls and Indicators 5
Operating Limits 6
Input Voltage/Automatic Shutdown 6
Troubleshooting Guide 7
Maintenance and Service 8-9
Power Consumption 10
Specifications 11
Limited 1-Year Warranty 12
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Table of Contents
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QUICK CHECKOUT
1
RECHARGEABLE APPLIANCES
Certain rechargers for small
nickel cadmium batteries can
be damaged if connected to
the CPI 150 BK. Two types of
equipment are particularly
prone to this problem:
1. Small battery operated
appliances that can be
plugged directly into
an AC receptacle for
recharging, including
flashlights, razors, and
night lights.
2. Certain battery chargers for
battery packs used in hand
power tools, specifically
those that have a
WARNING label stating
that dangerous voltages
are present at the battery
terminals.
Problems do not occur with
the vast majority of battery
operated tools, most of which
use a separate charger or
transformer that plugs into
an AC receptacle and
produces a low voltage
output. If the label on your
tool’s AC adapter or charger
states that is produces a low
voltage AC or DC output
(less than 30 volts) you
can safely power the charger
with your CPI 150.
In order to check the
performance of your
CPI 150 before using it,
please have the following
on hand:
1. A 12 volt DC power source
(such as a vehicle battery)
2. A test load such as a lamp
or other small appliance
that can be plugged into
the AC receptacle on the
inverter.
Power Source
You will need an 11 to
15 volt DC power source
capable of supplying enough
current to run the test load. As
a rough guide, divide the
wattage of the test load by 10
to get the current (in amperes)
that the power source must
supply. A fully charged
standard automotive battery
will work fine.
Connecting to the
Power Source
Your CPI 150 BK comes with a
24 inch cable and detachable
cigarette lighter plug that
converts to an airplane 12
volt female connector.
Do not connect to the power
source if flammable fumes
are present. Explosion or
fire may result.
2
CAUTION
WARNING
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QUICK CHECKOUT
Quick Checkout (continued)
To connect your inverter
to the power source:
1. If the power source is a DC
power supply, switch it off.
2. Connect power cord to
the inverter.
3. Insert the cigarette lighter
plug into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter.
4. For airline application, remove
lighter plug from cable.
Note: Some airplanes are
equipped with cigarette
lighter type socket.
5. Status LED on top of unit
will illuminate indicating
“on” status.
6. Plug the power cord from
the test load into the
inverter’s AC receptacle.
Testing
The inverter will come on
automatically. It should supply
power to the load. If the
inverter does not appear to
work properly, refer to the
Troubleshooting Guide on
page 7.
3
The location where you should
use your CPI 150 must be:
• dry–Do not use the unit
where water can drip or
splash on it.
• cool–Ambient air
temperature should be
between 30˚ and 105˚ F
(0˚ and 40˚ C). The cooler
the better.
• ventilated–Allow at least
1 inch (3 cm) of clearance
around the unit for proper
air flow. Make sure that
ventilation openings on the
ends of the unit are not
obstructed.
To prevent fire, do not cover
or obstruct ventilation
openings.
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.
CAUTION
CAUTION
OPERATION
3
5V USB Outlet
Airplane Plug
Power Cord
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