Schumacher PI-70 User Manual
OWNER’S MANUAL
MANUAL DEL USUARIO
Models / Modelos:
PI-70, PI-120, PI-140
Power Inverter / Convertidor de Energía
Converts 12V DC battery power
to 120V AC household power
Convierte la energía de baterías de 12V de CC
a 120V de CA de energía doméstica
DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE!
Call Customer Service for assistance: 800-621-5485
¡NO LO DEVUELVA ESTE PRODUCTO A LA TIENDA!
Llame a Servicios al Cliente para asistencia: 800-621-5485
READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE USING THIS
PRODUCT. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
LEA EL MANUAL COMPLETO ANTES DE UTILIZAR ESTE
PRODUCTO. CUALQUIER FALLA PODRÍA RESULTAR EN
SERIAS LESIONES O PODRÍA SER MORTAL.
0099001244WB-00
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS – 1.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
This manual contains important safety and operating instructions.
Keep the inverter well ventilated in order to properly disperse heat •
generated while it is in use. Make sure there are several inches of
clearance around the top and sides and do not block the slots of
the inverter.
Make sure the inverter is not close to any potential source of •
ammable fumes or clothing.
Do not place the inverter in areas such as battery compartments •
or engine compartments where fumes may accumulate.
Keep the inverter dry.•
DO NOT allow the inverter to come into contact with rain or moisture.•
DO NOT operate the inverter if you, the inverter, the device being •
operated or any other surfaces that may come into contact with
any power source are wet. Water and many other liquids can
conduct electricity, which may lead to serious injury or death.
Do not place the inverter on or near heating vents, radiators or •
other sources of heat or ammable materials.
Do not place the inverter in direct sunlight. The ideal air •
temperature for operation is between 50° and 80°F.
Only connect the power inverter to a 12-volt accessory outlet or •
12-volt airplane power outlet. Do not attempt to connect the inverter to
any other power source, including an AC power source. Connecting
to a 6-volt or 16-volt battery will cause damage to the inverter.
Make sure the AC plug and/or USB connection is tight.•
Do not modify the AC or USB receptacle in any way.•
Do not try extending or otherwise changing the 12-volt plug •
attached to your inverter.
Incorrect operation of your inverter may result in damage and •
personal injury. WARNING: The inverter output is 120V AC and
can shock or electrocute the same as any ordinary household AC
wall outlet.
Do not open – No user-serviceable parts inside.•
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This device does not include an internal Ground Fault Circuit •
Interrupter (GFCI).
Use only 10-amp fuses (Model PI-70).•
Use only 15-amp fuses (Models PI-120 and PI-140).•
WARNING: Pursuant to California Proposition 65, this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
INVERTER FEATURES2.
LED Indicator Light (Green = Power ON)1.
Standard Electrical 120V AC Outlet2.
12-Volt Power Plug3.
USB Power Port (Models PI-120 and PI-140)4.
Low-Battery Protection5.
BEFORE USING YOUR POWER INVERTER3.
When you turn on a device or a tool that runs on a motor, the device
basically goes through two stages:
Start Up – Requiring an initial surge of power (commonly known 1.
as the “starting or peak load”).
Continuous Operation – Power consumption drops (commonly 2.
known as the “continuous load”).
The wattage (WATTS) or amperes (AMPS) can normally be found
stamped or printed on most devices and equipment, or in the user’s
manual. Otherwise, contact the manufacturer to nd out whether the
device you want to use is compatible with a modied sine wave.
To calculate the wattage: Wattage = AMPS x 120 (AC Voltage).
To calculate the starting load: Starting Load = 2 x WATTS. In general,
the start up load of the device or power tool determines whether your
inverter has the capability to power it.
To calculate the continuous load:
Continuous Load = AMPS x 120 (AC Voltage).
ATTENTION: Always run a test to establish whether the inverter will
operate a particular piece of equipment or device. In the event of a
power overload, the inverter is designed to automatically shut down.
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This safety feature prevents damaging the inverter while testing
devices and equipment within the wattage range of the inverter.
IMPORTANT (Models PI-120 and PI-140): This inverter is designed
to power 100 watt devices or less when used with the vehicle 12
volt accessory port. The 100 watt limit is to accommodate the fuse
ratings for all vehicles. Some vehicles may allow the full output. If the
fuse blows when you switch on the device you are trying to use, you
have to either use a smaller device or you must purchase the 12 volt
accessory outlet to battery clips adapter (Schumacher Model SAC-103)
and connect the inverter directly to the battery.
IMPORTANT: This inverter uses a nonsinusoidal waveform. Therefore
we do not recommend you use it to power the following devices:
Switch mode power supplies1.
Linear power supplies2.
Class 2 transformers3.
Line lter capacitors4.
Shaded pole motors5.
Fan motors6.
Microwave ovens7.
Fluorescent and high intensity lamps (with a ballast)8.
Transformerless battery chargers9.
Doing so may cause the device to run warmer or overheat.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 4.
(MODELS PI-70 AND PI-140)
Push the 12-volt power plug rmly into the 12V accessory outlet.1.
The LED indicator light should glow GREEN, verifying the 2.
inverter is receiving power.
Make sure the device to be operated is turned OFF.3.
Plug the device into the inverter AC outlet or USB port.4.
Turn the device on.5.
To disconnect, reverse the above procedure.6.
• 4 •
NOTE: You may hear a “buzzing” sound being emitted from
inexpensive sound systems when operated with the inverter. This
is due to ineffective lters in the sound system’s power supply.
Unfortunately, this problem can only be resolved by purchasing a
sound system with a higher quality power supply or higher quality lter.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (MODEL PI-120)5.
Plug the included power cable into the inverter. Note the plug 1.
will only t into the outlet one way.
Push the 12-volt power plug rmly into the 12V accessory 2.
outlet. Note: In an airplane power outlet, the plug will only t into
the outlet one way.
The LED indicator light should glow BLUE, verifying the inverter 3.
is receiving power. If the LED indicator is not on, read “LED
INDICATOR AND SHUTDOWN PROTECTION” section.
Make sure the device to be operated is turned OFF.4.
Plug the device into the inverter AC outlet or USB outlet.5.
Turn the device on.6.
To disconnect, reverse the above procedure.7.
NOTE: You may hear a “buzzing” sound being emitted from
inexpensive sound systems when operated with the inverter. This
is due to ineffective lters in the sound system’s power supply.
Unfortunately, this problem can only be resolved by purchasing a
sound system with a higher quality power supply or higher quality lter.
POWER SOURCE6.
To get the best performance out of your inverter, we recommend that
you use it with the vehicle’s engine running.
Your average automobile or marine battery at full charge will provide
an ample power supply to the inverter for approximately 3 hours when
the engine is off. The actual length of time the inverter will function
depends on the age and condition of the battery and the power
demand being placed by the device being operated with the inverter.
If you decide to use the inverter while the engine is off, we recommend
you turn OFF the device plugged into the inverter and disconnect the
inverter’s plug from the 12-volt accessory outlet before starting the
• 5 •
engine. To maintain battery power, start the engine every 2 to 3 hours
and let it run for approximately 30 minutes to recharge the battery.
Although it is not necessary to disconnect the inverter when turning
over the engine, it may briey cease to operate as the battery voltage
decreases. While the inverter draws very low amperage when not in
use, it should be unplugged to avoid battery drain.
LED INDICATOR AND SHUTDOWN PROTECTION7.
The LED glows GREEN automatically when plugged into a 12-volt
DC source and will not glow under the following conditions (NOTE:
On Model PI-120 a BLUE LED will glow):
When the power input from the vehicle’s battery drops to 1.
approximately 10-volts, low battery shutdown occurs and
inverter shuts off. Solution: Recharge or replace the battery.
When the power input from the vehicle’s battery exceeds 2.
15-volts, high voltage protection occurs. Solution: Reduce the
voltage range to between 12-volts and 14-volts.
The continuous load demand from the equipment or device 3.
being operated exceeds the continuous load rating of the
inverter being used. Solution: Use a higher capacity inverter or
lower rated device.
The case temperature becomes hot (exceeds 145°F). Solution: 4.
Allow the inverter to cool. Do not block the cooling slots or air
ow over and through the inverter. Reduce the load on the
inverter to the continuous rated output.
RESET: To reset after shutdown occurs, remove the 12-volt plug from
the accessory outlet. Check the source of the problem and correct.
Reinsert the 12-volt plug into the accessory outlet.
IF THE INVERTER FUSE BLOWS8.
Your power inverter is tted with a fuse, which should not have to be
replaced under normal operating conditions. A blown fuse is usually
caused by reverse polarity or a short circuit within the device or
equipment being operated.
If the fuse does blow:
Disconnect the device or equipment immediately.1.
Find the source of the problem and repair it.2.
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Install a new fuse (10-amp for Model PI-70 and 15-amp for 3.
Models PI-120 and PI-140). The fuse can be found on the end
of the plug on the inverter.
Do not tighten the fuse cap too tight; nger-tight is sufcient.4.
ATTENTION: Do not install a fuse higher than 10-amp for Model
PI-70, and 15-amp for Models PI-120 and PI-140, as this may
damage the inverter. Make sure to correct the cause of the blown
fuse before using the inverter again.
TROUBLESHOOTING9.
PROBLEM REASON SOLUTION
LEDs do not light,
or inverter does
Poor contact at
terminals.
Unplug and reinsert
the 12-volt plug.
not function.
Fuse blown.
See “IF THE
INVERTER FUSE
BLOWS” section.
Inverter shutdown.
See “LED
INDICATOR AND
SHUTDOWN
PROTECTION”
section.
Inverter may not be
working properly.
See Warranty and
call Customer Service
1-800-621-5485
(Hours: 7:00 am –
5:00 pm CST).
SPECIFICATIONS10.
Model PI-70:10.1
Maximum Continuous Power ............................................... 70 Watts
Surge Capability (Peak Power) ..........................................140 Watts
No Load Current Draw ..............................................................<0.2A
Wave Form ......................................................... Modied Sine Wave
Input Voltage Range .............................................. 10.5V – 15.5V DC
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