Cobra CPI1590 User Manual
The Cobra line of quality
products includes:
Operating Instructions
Introduction
Our Thanks to You
Thank you for purchasing the Cobra Power
Inverter CPI1590. 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
CB Radios
microTALK® 2-Way Radios
Radar/Laser Detectors
Mobile GPS Navigation Systems
HighGear® Accessories
CobraMarine® VHF Radios
Power Inverters
Accessories
For more information or to
order any of our products,
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
please visit our website:
www.cobra.com
1500 WATT POWER INVERTER
CPI159 0
Nothing Comes Close To A Cobra
™
Printed in China
Part No. 480-997-P
Version B
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
A1
©2014 Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
Introduction
Assistance
Warranty
Product Features
Features
• Three AC Receptacles
• Voltage & Power Meter
• 5V/2.4 USB Output
• 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
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
Operation
Turning Your Inverter On or Off .......... 13
Remote On/Off Switch ................. 14
Operating Indicators .................. 15
Operating Limits ..................... 18
Troubleshooting Guide ................. 19
Specifications ....................... 20
Notes
Negative Battery
Cable Terminal
(Black)
Cooling Fans
Positive Battery
Cable Terminal
(Red)
Warranty
Warranty ........................... 21
Customer Assistance
Maintenance .........................22
Product Service ...................... 22
Optional Accessories Info .............. 23
A3A2
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Warranty
Notes
Warranty
Notes
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Introduction
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Installation
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 user-serviceable
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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Assistance
Warranty
Notes
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.
Proposition 65: Warning: Wash Hands After
Handling Power Cord
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: 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.
2
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).
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
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Quick Evaluation
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Installation
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Installation
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Installation
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Installation
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Installation
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:
1. A 12 volt DC power source (such as a vehicle battery).
Connect Power Source
2. 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 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.
4
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
•
3. 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 Minimum
Test Load
Power Cable Size
100W # 16 AWG copper
250W # 12 AWG copper
500W # 8 AWG copper
To check your inverter’s performance before installation:
Power Button
Connect Terminals
Connect Power Source
Power Button
Connect Test Load
USB Outlet
Before Installation
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 9 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.
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
™
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