Cobra CPI 2550 User Manual
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2500 WATT POWER INVERTER
CPI 2550
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
Operating Instructions
Printed in China
Part No. 480-200-P
Version B
English
Introduction
Our Thanks to You
Thank you for purchasing the Cobra CPI 2550
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 6:00 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
©2007 Cobra®Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
A1
English
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
Introduction
Product Features
Introduction
Contents
Features
• Three AC Receptacles
• Current Meter
• Remote On/Off Capable
• Automatic Thermal
Protection/Shutdown
AC Outlets
Current
Meter
Negative Battery
Cable Terminals
(Black)
Ground
Terminal
• Reverse Polarity Protection
• Low Battery Alarm
• Low Battery Shutdown
Power & Protection
On/Off Power
Indicators
Switch
Cooling Fans
Remote
On/Off
Switch
Jack
Positive Battery
Cable Terminals
(Red)
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
Power and Protection Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 16
Operating Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Warranty
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Customer Assistance
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Accessories Ordering Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
A2
English
A3
English
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.
CAUTION
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.
•
Nothing Comes close to a Cobra
®
1
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 2500 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.
2. Certain battery chargers for battery
Dangerous Voltages
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 2500 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).
2
English
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
3
Introduction
Quick Evaluation
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 Supply
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.
£ A set of 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 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.
Introduction
•
£ A test load that can be plugged into the AC receptacle on the
inverter for short term testing at a low power level. The
Quick Evaluation
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:
On/Off Switch to Off
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
Connect Terminals
terminals (see page 8 for details).
3. Connect cables to power source (see
page 8 for details).
4. Check to make sure all connections
Connect Power Source
are secure.
5. Turn the inverter on. If the
power source is a DC power supply,
switch it on first.
On/Off Switch to On
6. Plug in the test load.
The inverter should supply power
to the load. If the inverter is not
working properly, refer to the
Connect Test Load
troubleshooting guide on page 18
or power and protection indicators
section on page 16.
4
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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
®
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