Cobra CPI 1575 User Manual

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1500 WATT POWER INVERTER

CPI 1575

Nothing Comes Close To A Cobra

™

Operating Instructions

Printed in China

Part No. 480-400-P

Version E

Introduction

OurThankstoYou

ThankyouforpurchasingtheCobraCPI1575 inverter.Properlyused,thisCobraproduct willgiveyoumanyyearsofreliableservice.

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

CustomerAssistance

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AssistanceintheU.S.A.

Automated Help Desk English only. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).

Customer Assistance Operators English and Spanish. 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday (except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).

Questions English and Spanish. Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).

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

ForAssistanceOutsidetheU.S.A.

Contact Your Local Dealer

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

Introduction

Remote On/Off

USB

Power

ProductFeatures

Features

• Three AC Receptacles

• Voltage & Power Meter

• Remote On/Off Capable

• Automatic Thermal Protection/Shutdown

ACOutlets

• Reverse Polarity Protection

• Low Battery Alarm

• Low Battery Shutdown

VoltageInput&

PowerOutput

Indicators

On/OffPower Switch

OutputEnd

USBOutlet

Remote

On/Off Switch

Jack

Introduction

Contents

Introduction

Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2

Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Quick Evaluation Before Installation . . . . . . .4

Installation

Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Connecting Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Power Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Ground Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Operation

Turning Your Inverter On or Off . . . . . . . . 14

Remote On/Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Operating Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Operating Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Notes

Chassis Ground Terminal

NegativeBattery CableTerminal (Black)

InputEnd

CoolingFans

PositiveBattery

CableTerminal

(Red)

Warranty

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

CustomerAssistance

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Accessories Order Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

A3A2

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™

Introduction

ImportantSafetyInformation

Important Safety Information

Before installing and using your Cobra power inverter, please read these general precautions and warnings.

CautionandWarningStatements

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 could cause damage to the unit or other equipment.

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

GeneralPrecautions

1. Never install the inverter in a boat’s engine compartment where 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 negative ground applications only.

•

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™

Introduction

ImportantSafetyInformation

WARNING Power inverters contain components that tend to 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 ignition-protected equipment.

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

Caution:RechargeableAppliances

Certain chargers for small nickel cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the Cobra 1500 watt inverter. Two particular types of equipment are prone to this problem:

PlugInDirectly

1. Small battery-operated appliances

such as flashlights, razors, and night lights that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.

DangerousVoltages

2. Certain battery chargers for

battery packs used in hand power tools. These chargers have a WARNING label stating that dangerous voltages are 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.

Introduction

ImportantSafetyInformation

Cobra1500WattOutputWaveform

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).

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™

QuickEvaluation

Introduction

Quick Evaluation Before Installation

This section provides you with basic information about the inverter and how to check its performance before installation.

Be sure to have on hand:

£ A 12 volt DC power source (such as a vehicle battery).

PowerSource

£ Cables to connect the power source to the inverter

(not included). The cables must be as short and thick as possible in

order to reduce the voltage drop between the power source and the inverter when it is drawing current from the power source.

If the cable suffers an excessive voltage drop, the inverter may shut down when drawing higher currents because the voltage at the inverter dropped below 10 volts.

#4 AWG stranded copper cable is recommended. It should be no longer than four feet (one and one-half meters).

The end of the cable that connects to the inverter must have its insulation stripped off for about one-half inch (one and one-half cm) back from the end, exposing the bare copper.

The other end of the cable, which connects to the power source, must be terminated with a lug or other connector that provides a secure, low resistance connection.

For example, if the power source is a battery, the cable must be terminated with a battery terminal that clamps to the post on the battery.

BeforeInstallation

The power source must provide between 11 and 15 volts DC and be able to supply 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) the power source must deliver.

QuickEvaluation

Introduction

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£ A test load that can be plugged into the AC receptacle on

the inverter for short term testing at a low power level. The following cables are recommended for testing low power level test loads only.

TestLoad

To check your inverter’s performance before installation:

PowerButton

ConnectTerminals

ConnectPowerSource

PowerButton

ConnectTestLoad

USBOutlet

BeforeInstallation

Test Load Minimum

Power Cable Size

100W # 16 AWG copper 250W # 12 AWG copper 500W # 8 AWG copper

1. Turn the inverter off (see page 14

for details). If the power source is a DC power supply, switch it off as well.

2. Connect cables to power input

terminals (see page 8 for details).

3. Connect cables to power source

(see page 8 for details).

4. Check to make sure all

connections are secure.

5. Turn the inverter on. If the power

source is a DC power supply, switch it on first.

6. Plug in the test load.

The inverter should supply power to the load. If the inverter is not working properly, refer to the troubleshooting guide on page 20 or power and protection indicators section on page 16.

NOTE A USB device can be used to check the output of the USB Outlet.

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™

+ 10 hidden pages