Cobra HG PI2000 User Manual

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.

How Your HG PI2000 Power Inverter Works

Operating Instructions for Your

HighGear by Cobra

2000 Watt Power Inverter

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

HG PI2000

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra PI2000 inverter.Properly used, this Cobra product will give you many years of reliable service.

Customer Support

Should you encounter any problems with this product, or not understand its many features, please refer to this owner’s manual. If, after referring to the manual, you still need help, call Cobra Customer Service at 773.889.3087.

Cobra Customer Service Live operators are available M-F 8:00 am – 6:00 pm CST at 773.889.3087 Automated Technical Assistance available 24 hours a day,seven days a week. E-mail questions to: productinfo@ cobraelectronics.com

Cobra on the World Wide Web: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be found at: www.cobraelectronics.com

Controls and Indicators

1. On/Off Power Switch

2. Battery Voltage and

Current Meter

3. AC O utlets

4. 5.

4. Battery Cable

Terminals

5. Ground Terminal

Contents

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The Power Inverter Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2

Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Rechargeable Appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Quick Checkout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Testing/Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Mounting/Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Ground Wiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

DC Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Operating Limits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Warrant y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

If You Think You Need Service . . . . . Back Cover

Features of This Product

•Automatic thermal protection/shutdown

•Reverse polarity protection

•Three AC receptacles

•Low battery alarm

•Low battery shutdown

•Battery voltage and current meters

How to Use Your HG PI2000 Power Inverter

Caution: Rechargeable Appliances

Certain rechargers for small nickel cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the Cobra 2000W inverter.Two particular types of equipment are prone to this problem:

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 packs used in hand power tools.These charges 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 that 30 volts) the inverter will have no problem powering it safely.

Caution: Rechargeable Appliances

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.

Cobra 2000W Output Waveform

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).

Introduction

Testing

Test Load Power Minimum Cable Size

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

The end of the cable that connects to the inverter must have its insulation stripped off for about 1/2 inch (1.25cm) 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.

Connection

1. Turn the ON/OFF switch on the inverter to

the OFF position. If the power source is a DC power supply, switch it off as well.

Testing/Connection

Quick Checkout

This section provides you with basic information about the inverter and how to check its performance before installation. Be sure to have the following on hand:

•

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

•

A set of cables to connect the power source to the inverter

•

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

Power Source

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.

Cables (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 1.5 meters (4 ft.). For short term testing at a low power level, the following is recommended:

Quick Checkout

Testing

Connection

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