Cobra Electronics CPI 800 User Manual
Customer Assistance
A1
English
Our Thanks To You
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Cobra®CPI 800
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
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
©2003 Cobra®Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com
Operating Instructions
Nothing Comes Close To A Cobra
™
English
800 WATT POWER INVERTER
CPI 800
Printed in China
Part No. 480-058-P
Cooling Fan
A3
English
A2
English
Controls/Indicators
and Product Features
Introduction Introduction
On/Off
Power Switch
AC Outlets
Negative Battery
Cable Terminal
(Black)
Positive Battery
Cable Terminal
(Red)
Features
• Two AC Receptacles
• Automatic Thermal
Protection/Shutdown
• Reverse Polarity Protection
• Low Battery Alarm
• Low Battery Shutdown
Table of Contents
Introduction
Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1
Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2
Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2
Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Quick Evaluation Before Installation . . . . . . .3
Installation
Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connecting Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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
Accessories and Order Form . . . . . . . . . . 18
Protection &
Power Indicators
1
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
™
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.
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.
Continued…
3
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
™
2
English
Important Safety
Information
Introduction
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 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 tothe Cobra®800W inverter.Two (2)
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 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.
Cobra®800W 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).
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.
The provided 2 ft. direct-to-battery 12 gauge cable.
Only use the cable provided with
your inverter.
A test load that can be plugged into the AC receptacle on
the inverter for short term testing at a low power level.
Quick Evaluation
Before Installation
Introduction
Plug In Directly
Dangerous Voltages
Power Supply
Cable
Test Load
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