Cobra Electronics CPI 480 User Manual

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Power Inverters

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www.cobra.com

400 WATT POWER INVERTER

CPI 480

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Operating Instructions

Printed in China

Part No. 480-523-P

Version A

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra CPI 480

Our Thanks to You

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 Local Dealer

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

Introduction Introduction

Product Features

Features

• Two AC Receptacles

• Automatic Thermal

Protection/Shutdown

AC Outlets

Negative Battery

Cable Terminal

(Black)

• Reverse Polarity Protection

• Low Battery Alarm

• Low Battery Shutdown

Protection and

Power Indicators

USB Outlet

Cooling Fan

On/Off

Power Switch

Positive Battery

Cable Terminal

(Red)

Contents

Introduction

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

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

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

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

Quick Evaluation Before Installation . . . . . . 3

Installation

Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Connecting Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Power Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Operation

Turning Your Inverter On or Off . . . . . . . . 11

Power and Protection Indicators . . . . . . . 12

Operating Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warranty

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Customer Assistance

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

Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Maintenance and

Customer Assistance

Maintenance

Very little maintenance is required to keep the inverter operating properly. The exterior of the unit should be cleaned periodically with a damp cloth to prevent accumulation of dust and dirt. At the same time, tighten the screws on the DC input terminals. Be sure vents and fans are free of dust or debris.

Product Service

If you have any questions about operating or installing your new Cobra product, or if you are missing parts…

Please call Cobra first! DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE!

See customer assistance on page A1.

If your product should require factory service, please call Cobra first before sending your power inverter. This will ensure the fastest turn-around time on your repair. You may be asked to send your power inverter to the Cobra factory.

It will be necessary to furnish the following to have the product serviced and returned.

1. For warranty repair include some form of proof-of-purchase,

such as a mechanical reproduction or carbon copy of a sales receipt. If you send the original receipt, it cannot be returned.

2. Send the entire product.

3. Enclose a description of what is happening with the power

inverter. Include a typed or clearly printed name and address of where the power inverter is to be returned.

4. Pack power inverter securely to prevent damage in transit.

If possible, use the original packing material.

5. Ship prepaid and insured by way of a traceable carrier

such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Priority Mail to avoid loss in transit to:

Cobra Factory Service Cobra Electronics Corporation 6500 West Cortland Street Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA.

6. If the power inverter is in warranty, upon receipt of your power

inverter, it will either be repaired or exchanged depending on the model. Please allow approximately three to four weeks before contacting Cobra for status. If the power inverter is out of warranty, a letter will automatically be sent informing you of the repair charge or replacement charge.

If you have any questions, please call 773-889-3087 for assistance.

Product Service

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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Introduction

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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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Introduction

Important Safety Information

WARNING Power inverters contain components that can 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 ignitionprotected equipment.

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

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 400 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.

Quick Evaluation

Introduction

Cobra 400 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).

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 provided two foot cigarette lighter cable and

two foot direct-to-battery 12 gauge cable.

Only use the cables provided with your inverter. The cigarette lighter cable is suitable for operating the inverter at loads up to 150 watts. Connect by securely inserting the plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

Cig.Lighter Cable 12 Gauge Cable

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.

CAUTION Do not use the cigarette lighter cable for loads higher than 150 watts. When connecting loads larger than 150 watts, please connect the inverter directly to the battery.

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Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

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