5000W CONTINUOUS/10,000W
SURGE POWER INVERTER
96706
SET UP AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright© 2007 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork
contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of
Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing
improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for
assembly and service may not be included.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Revised Manual 07i, 08f, 09d, 09l
SAVE THIS MANUAL
Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning
procedures. Write the product’s serial
number in the back of the manual near the
assembly diagram (or month and year of
purchase if product has no number). Keep
this manual and the receipt in a safe and
dry place for future reference.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
In this manual, on the labeling,
and all other information provided with this product:
This is the safety alert
symbol. It is used to alert
you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all
safety messages that
follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates
a hazardous
situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used
with the safety
alert symbol, indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to
address practices
not related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without
the safety alert
symbol, is used to address
practices not related to
personal injury.
General Safety Warnings
WARNING Read all safety
warnings and instructions.
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric
shock, re and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and
instructions for future reference.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Work area safety1.
Keep work area clean and well lit. a.
Cluttered or dark areas invite acci-
dents.
Do not operate the Inverter in ex-b.
plosive atmospheres, such as in
the presence of ammable liquids,
gases or dust.
Keep children and bystanders c.
away while operating the Inverter.
Distractions can cause you to
lose control.
Electrical safety2.
Inverter plugs must match the out-a.
let. Never modify the plug in any
way. Do not use any adapter plugs
with grounded products. Unmodi-
ed plugs and matching outlets will
reduce risk of electric shock.
Avoid body contact with earthed or b.
grounded surfaces such as pipes,
radiators, ranges and refrigerators.
Page 2SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
There is an increased risk of electric
shock if your body is grounded.
Do not expose Inverters to rain or c.
wet conditions. Water entering a
this unit will increase the risk of
electric shock.
This product is intended for use in a d.
well-ventilated inside area only. Do
not use outdoors.
Personal safety3.
Stay alert, watch what you are do-a.
ing and use common sense when
operating a Inverter. Do not use a
Inverter while you are tired or under
the inuence of drugs, alcohol or
medication. A moment of inattention
while operating may result in serious
personal injury.
Wear splash-resistant ANSI-ap-b.
proved safety goggles and electrically insulated gloves while assembling battery bank or working
near batteries.
Inverter use and care4.
Do not force the Inverter. Use the a.
correct product for your application.
The correct product will do the job
better and safer at the rate for which
it was designed.
Store idle Inverters out of the d.
reach of children and do not allow
persons unfamiliar with the Inverter or these instructions to operate
it. Inverters are dangerous in the
hands of untrained users.
Maintain the Inverter. Check for e.
breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the Inverter’s
operation. If damaged, have it repaired before use. Many accidents
are caused by poorly maintained
products.
Use the Inverter in accordance with f.
these instructions and in the manner intended for the particular type
of product, taking into account the
working conditions and the work to
be performed. Use of the Inverter
for operations different from those
intended could result in a hazardous
situation.
Service5.
Have your Inverter serviced by a
qualied repair person using only
identical replacement parts. Never
open the metal cover of the Inverter.
This will ensure that the safety of the
Inverter is maintained.
Do not use the Inverter if the switch b.
does not turn it on and off. Any In-
verter that cannot be controlled with
the switch is dangerous and must be
repaired.
Disconnect the plug from the c.
power source of the Inverter
before making any adjustments.
Such preventive safety measures
reduce the risk of starting the
Inverter accidentally.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
Maintain labels and nameplates on 1.
the Inverter. These carry important
safety information. If unreadable or
missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools
for a replacement.
Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare 2.
to begin work before turning on the
Inverter.
Do not leave the Inverter unattended 3.
when it is plugged into an electrical
Page 3SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
outlet. Turn it off and unplug it from
the electrical outlet before leaving.
vice, and do not use with the Inverter
again.
4. The Inverter gets hot
during use. The heat can
build up to unsafe levels
and create a re hazard if
it does not receive adequate ventilation, due to an electrical fault, or if it is
used in a hot environment.
Do not place the Inverter on a ammable surface, or near combustible
items. Do not obstruct any vents on
the Inverter. Especially avoid plac-
ing the Inverter on carpets and
rugs; they are not only ammable,
but they also obstruct vents underneath it.
Place the Inverter on a stable, solid,
nonammable surface (such as a
stable metal workbench or concrete
oor) at least 1 foot away from all
ammable objects, such as drapes or
walls. Keep a re extinguisher and a
smoke detector in the area. Avoid
touching the Inverter with an exposed
hand; always wear gloves.
The positive (+) battery on the Invert-9.
er must be the last connection made,
and must be connected before the
Inverter is turned on.
Do not attempt to power a device, or 10.
combination of devices, of over 5,000
Watts. This will damage the Inverter.
Do not use the Inverter to power such 11.
sensitive devices such as computers
or hospital equipment.
People with pacemakers should 12.
consult their physician(s) before use.
Electromagnetic elds in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with
pacemakers should:
• Avoid operating alone.
• Do not use with power switch locked
on.
• Properly maintain and inspect to
avoid electrical shock.
This product is not a toy. Keep it out 5.
of reach of children.
The Inverter must only be connected 6.
to batteries with an output of 12 VDC.
Batteries with lower voltage will not
operate the Inverter correctly, and a
higher charge could damage the unit.
Do not use the Inverter with positive 7.
ground electrical systems.
Some rechargeable tools and ap-8.
pliances can damage the Inverter.
Check the temperature of the device
several times when it is charging. If
the device becomes extremely hot;
turn the power off, remove the de-
WARNING: The brass components 13.
of this product contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California
to cause birth defects (or other reproductive harm). (California Health &
Safety code § 25249.5, et seq.)
The warnings, precautions, and in-14.
structions discussed in this instruction
manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur.
It must be understood by the operator
that common sense and caution are
factors which cannot be built into this
product, but must be supplied by the
operator.
SAVE THESE
Page 4SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
INSTRUCTIONS.
GROUNDING
TO PREVENT
ELECTRIC SHOCK
AND DEATH FROM
INCORRECT GROUNDING
WIRE CONNECTION:
Check with a qualied
electrician if you are in doubt
as to whether the outlet is
properly grounded. Do not
modify the power cord plug
provided with the tool. Never
remove the grounding prong
from the plug. Do not use the
tool if the power cord or plug
is damaged. If damaged, have
it repaired by a service facility
before use. If the plug will not
t the outlet, have a proper
outlet installed by a qualied
electrician.
Grounded Tools: Tools with Three
Prong Plugs
down, grounding provides a low
resistance path to carry electricity
away from the user, reducing the risk
of electric shock. (See 3-Prong Plug
and Outlet.)
The grounding prong in the plug is 2.
connected through the green wire inside the cord to the grounding system
in the tool. The green wire in the cord
must be the only wire connected to
the tool’s grounding system and must
never be attached to an electrically
“live” terminal. (See 3-Prong Plug
and Outlet.)
The tool must be plugged into an 3.
appropriate outlet, properly installed
and grounded in accordance with all
codes and ordinances. The plug and
outlet should look like those in the
preceding illustration. (See 3-Prong
Plug and Outlet.)
Double Insulated Tools: Tools
with Two Prong Plugs
3-Prong Plug and Outlet
Tools marked with “Grounding Re-1.
quired” have a three wire cord and
three prong grounding plug. The
plug must be connected to a properly
grounded outlet. If the tool should
electrically malfunction or break
Outlets for 2-Prong Plug
Tools marked “Double Insulated” do 1.
not require grounding. They have
a special double insulation system
which satises OSHA requirements
and complies with the applicable
standards of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the Canadian Standard
Association, and the National Electri-
Page 5SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
cal Code. (See Outlets for 2-Prong
Plug.)
Double insulated tools may be used 2.
in either of the 120 volt outlets shown
in the preceding illustration. (See
Outlets for 2-Prong Plug.)
Extension Cords
Make sure the extension cord is prop-7.
erly wired and in good electrical condition. Always replace a damaged
extension cord or have it repaired by
a qualied electrician before using it.
Protect the extension cords from 8.
sharp objects, excessive heat, and
damp or wet areas.
Grounded1. tools require a three wire
extension cord. Double Insulated
tools can use either a two or three
wire extension cord.
As the distance from the supply outlet 2.
increases, you must use a heavier
gauge extension cord. Using exten-
sion cords with inadequately sized
wire causes a serious drop in voltage,
resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage.
(See Table A.)
The smaller the gauge number of the 3.
wire, the greater the capacity of the
cord. For example, a 14 gauge cord
can carry a higher current than a 16
gauge cord. (See Table A.)
When using more than one exten-4.
sion cord to make up the total length,
make sure each cord contains at
least the minimum wire size required.
(See Table A.)
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE
GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS*
(120/240 VOLT)
EXTENSION CORD
NAMEPLATE
LENGTH
AMPERES
(at full load)
0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16
2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14
3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12
5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12
7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 -
12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - -
16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - -
TABLE A
25’
50’
75’
100’
* Based on limiting the line
voltage drop to ve volts at
150% of the rated amperes.
Symbology
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards Association
150’
If you are using one extension cord 5.
for more than one tool, add the
nameplate amperes and use the sum
to determine the required minimum
cord size. (See Table A.)
If you are using an extension cord 6.
outdoors, make sure it is marked with
the sufx “W-A” (“W” in Canada) to
indicate it is acceptable for outdoor
use.
V~
A
n0 xxxx/min.
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
Volts Alternating Current
Amperes
No Load Revolutions per Minute
(RPM)
Page 6SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Voltage 12-15 VDC
Output Voltage 120 V~, 60 Hz
Continuous Power 5,000 Watt
Surge Power 10,000 Watt
Operating Conditions 50° - 149° F (auto-shutdown @ 149° F)
AC Receptacles Four 3-prong grounded polarized outlets
Fuse Type Twenty 40 Amp Internal Fuses (professional replacement only)
Cable #00 AWG or Thicker Cable Required (not included).
Overall Dimensions 22-1/2” L x 8” W x 6-7/8” H
UNPACKING
When unpacking, check to make sure
that the item is intact and undamaged. If
any parts are missing or broken, please
call Harbor Freight Tools at
1-800-444-3353 as soon as possible.
FUNCTIONS
The Inverter converts power from
a DC power source into AC power. The
resulting charge can then be used to
power AC devices, such as power tools
or appliances, up to a maximum of 5,000
Watts. Up to four devices can be powered
at once, provided the sum of the devices’
maximum wattage remains below 5,000
Watts.
INSTALLATION
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under
subheadings therein before set
up or use of this product.
CAUTION! This Inverter must only be
connected to batteries with a output
voltage of 12 volts DC. Lower voltage will not operate the Inverter properly, and more voltage could damage
the Inverter or the device being powered. Do not use this Inverter with
positive ground electrical systems.
The Inverter is congured to have a
number of shut-down points, for the
safety of the operator, the unit, and the
devices being used with it.
If the DC rating input voltage from •
the battery drops to 10.6V, the
alarm on the Inverter will sound.
Should the input voltage drop to
10V the Inverter will shut down
automatically. Recharge the battery soon.
If the DC rating input voltage •
from the battery exceeds 15V the
Inverter will shut down automatically.
When the output load power rises •
higher than the rating power of the
Inverter; the unit will shut down
automatically.
The Inverter will automatically •
shut down when its internal temperature reaches 149° F.
REV 09b
Page 7SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Place the Inverter on a dry, level, 1.
non-ammable surface capable of
supporting the weight of the unit.
Make sure the Inverter has adequate
ventilation and is not in direct sun-
light.
Due to the large power drain of this 2.
inverter, automotive installation is not
recommended.
Cooling Fan
+ Input
Terminal
inverter, but they require special
charging procedures. Refer to battery supplier’s instructions.
Battery capacity selection:5.
about 1 hour
Inverter
Output
500W 80 Ah 200 Ah
1000W 150 Ah 400 Ah
1500W 240 Ah 700 Ah
2000W 300 Ah 1000 Ah
3000W 450 Ah 1500 Ah
4000W 600 Ah 2000 Ah
5000W 750 Ah 2500 Ah
discharge time
(Minimum battery
capacity)
about 4 hour
discharge time
(Optimal battery
capacity)
Consult the chart above for approximate run time at different battery
capacities. If the battery does not
have a capacity this large individually,
use a bank of batteries as explained
below.
– Input
Terminal
Ground Terminal
3. Connect one end of a ground wire
(not included, #00 AWG or thicker
cable recommended) to the wing
nut located on the back of the Inverter. Then connect the other end
of the ground wire to a paint/rust free
grounded metal surface, such as a
water pipe.
Battery Type Selection:4.
Use only deep cycle lead-acid bat-•
teries with this inverter, such as 12
volt marine/RV deep-cycle batteries. Do not use automotive, engine
starting (SLI), or maintenance-free
wet cell batteries with this inverter;
they are designed for repeated,
shallow discharge and will wear out
quickly.
Gel and AGM (Absorbed Glass •
Mat) batteries can be used with this
Battery Bank assembly instructions:6.
Read the following safety rules a.
before assembling the battery
bank:
Connect batteries in parallel •
(negative terminals together to
one cable; positive terminals
together to the other cable) as
shown in Battery Bank Example
illustration ONLY.
Do not connect 12V batteries •
in series (from negative of one
battery to the positive of the
next). This connection can result
in voltage high enough to cause
ELECTROCUTION.
Wear splash-resistant ANSI-•
approved safety goggles and
electrically insulated gloves
while assembling battery bank.
Only connect similar batteries •
together in a battery bank. Do
not connect old and new batteries
together, wet and gel cells together,
REV 09d
Page 8SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
or batteries of different capacities
together.
Then connect all the negative termi-c.
nals to one another.
Connect all batteries in the battery •
bank together using #00 AWG or
thicker cables. Since amp draw on
this low-voltage circuit will be very
high, thinner cables would present
a re hazard.
Locate battery bank in a clean, well-•
ventilated area, away from ignition
sources and ammable materials.
Batteries release explosive hydrogen gas while charging.
Charge, store, and maintain batter-•
ies according to supplier’s instructions.
(To Negative
Inverter Terminal)
OUTPUT
12 V /
200* Ah
Lead- Acid
–
Battery
+
Connect the negative and positive d.
output cables to opposite ends of
the bank. Do not allow the output
cables to touch one another.
Test the voltages at the output ca-e.
bles to help ensure that the battery
bank is properly wired. If the voltage
is higher than 13 volts, then part of
the battery bank is likely connected
in series (a negative terminal of one
battery attached to a positive terminal of another) instead of in parallel.
Carefully examine the diagram and
correct the wiring before attaching to
the inverter.
Turn the Power Switch on the front of 7.
the inverter off.
Connect the output cables from the 8.
battery bank to the inverter.
To Increase
Capacity, Connect
Additional
12 V / 200* Ah
–
Lead-Acid
Batteries Here
12 V /
200* Ah
Lead- Acid
–
Battery
+
+
OUTPUT
(To Positive
Inverter Terminal)
12 V / 400^ Ah Battery Bank Example
* 200 Ah batteries shown for illustration.
^ Bank Capacity = (single battery capacity) x (# of batteries)
400 Ah capacity is for two, 200 Ah batteries.
b. Connect the batteries in parallel as
shown above. Connect all of the
positive terminals to one another.
REV 09d
Page 9SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Power
Switch
120 V~ Receptacles
1. Plug 120 V~ device(s) into the Receptacles. The devices must not use
more than 5,000 (total) Watts during
continuous operation, otherwise they
may overload the Inverter.
Turn the Power Switch to the “ON” 2.
position.
minutes. If it becomes abnormally
hot, do not use the device with the
Inverter.
Turn the tool or appliance on. If the 3.
alarm sounds, turn off the device(s).
Unplug the device(s) from the Inverter. Check the wattage of the devices,
if there were multiple devices plugged
in, discontinue use of one or more.
If a single device set the alarm off,
it is not appropriate for use with the
Inverter.
The “SELECT” button allows the 4.
operator to view the level of DC input
voltage versus the level of AC output
wattage.
To prevent accidents, turn off the tool 5.
and disconnect the power supply
after use. Clean, then store the tool
indoors out of children’s reach.
NOTE: Some rechargeable tools/appli-
ances may damage the Inverter
or the device(s). When rst using
a rechargeable device, check the
Inverter’s temperature for the rst ten
REV 09d
Page 10SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
MAINTENANCE AND
SERVICING
WARNING
Risk of serious
personal injury
from accidental starting or
electric shock. Turn the
inverter off and disconnect
the battery bank before
performing any inspection,
maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.
Damaged equipment can fail,
causing serious personal
injury. Do not use damaged
equipment. If abnormal noise
or vibration occurs, have the
problem corrected before
further use.
charging may cause battery damage
or explosion.
This Inverter does not contain any 4.
replaceable parts. It the unit needs
service, take it to a qualied service
technician. Only a qualied techni-
cian may open the case.
Store the Inverter in a clean, dry, safe 5.
location out of reach of children and
other unauthorized people.
Wear splash-resistant ANSIapproved safety goggles and
electrically insulated gloves
while working near batteries.
Cleaning and Maintenance
BEFORE EACH USE,1. inspect the
general condition of the tool. Check
for loose screws, misalignment or
binding of moving parts, cracked or
broken parts, damaged electrical wiring, and any other condition that may
affect its safe operation.
AFTER USE,2. clean external surfaces
of the tool with clean, moist cloth.
Maintain batteries according to manu-3.
facturer’s instructions. Check electrolyte level on all batteries after charg-
ing and rell as needed. Charge batteries according to manufacturer’s
recommendations ONLY; incorrect
REV 07k
Page 11SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Troubleshooting
Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions
LO Low input voltage Recharge or Replace Battery
HI High input voltage Battery voltage is too high. Remove charging
source and make sure correct battery is being
used.
OL Overload Excessive load at AC output. Reduce load to
less than rated power.
OH Overheat Internal temperature is too high. Let the
Inverter cool down for at least 30 minutes.
Make sure that the fan is not blocked and that
the Inverter has sufcient ventilation.
No output voltage. Cords not connected properly Check connections and secure
Output voltage is
incorrect
Could not drive load Load power is too large1.
Picture is full of static
or speakers make a
buzz
Input voltage is too high or too
low
Load is actually larger than 2.
rated
The AWG of the wire is too 3.
low
Start power of an appliance 4.
is up to twice the rated
power.
Television or radio
interference
Check all devices and maintain voltage at
required level
Lower load level1.
Lower load level 2.
Use 00 AWG wire connections 3.
Reduce load, or change appliances4.
Move Inverter away from antenna and/or use a
shielded antenna cable.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED AN ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM IN THIS
MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR
MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE
IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO
REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR
EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN
BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES
ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT
OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF
REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.
Page 12SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM
Record Product’s Serial Number Here:
Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.
Note: Replacement parts are not available for this product.
Page 13SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
LIMITED 1 YEAR / 90 DAY WARRANTY
Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high
quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that for a period
of one year from date of purchase that the tank is free of defects in materials and workmanship (90 days if used by a professional contractor or if used as rental equipment).
Harbor Freight Tools also warrants to the original purchaser, for a period of ninety days
from date of purchase, that all other parts and components of the product are free from
defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event
be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special
or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with
transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection veries the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase
price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect
resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost
of returning the product.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • (800) 444-3353
Page 14SKU 96706 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
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