Cobra Electronics CPI 2550 User Manual

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English

2500 WATT POWER INVERTER

CPI 2 550

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

Operating Instructions

Printed in China

Part No. 480-200-P

Version A

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.

HowYour 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

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 LocalDealer

6500 West Cortland Street

English

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

Introduction Introduction

Product Features

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

Positive Battery Cable Terminals

(Red)

Jack

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

Accessories and Order Form . . . . . . . . . . 22

English

Introduction

Important Safety Information

•

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

Caution andWarning 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 couldcause damage to the unit or other equipment.

WARNING Statements identify conditions that

CAUTION

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 batteryfumes 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

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 nightlights that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.

DangerousVoltages

2. Certain battery chargers for

battery packs used in hand powertools. These chargers have a WARNING label stating that dangerous voltages are present at the batteryterminals.

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).

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

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

Test Load

On/Off Switch to Off

Connect Terminals

Connect Power Source

On/Off Switch to On

Connect Test Load

Quick Evaluation

English

Nothing comes close to a Cobra

+ 10 hidden pages