OWNER’S MANUAL
Power Inverter Models
PID-200-USB, PID-500-USB and PID-750
Converts 12V DC Battery Power to
120V AC Household Power
CAUTION:
Before using your inverter, Read, Understand and Follow all Safety and Operating Instructions. Save These
Instructions.
Schumacher Electric Corporation
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 U.S.A.
Send Warranty Product Repairs to:
Customer Service Returns
P.O. Box 280
1025 E. Thompson
Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280
Questions? Call Customer Service:
1-800-621-5485 (Hours: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm CST)
00-99-000921-1208
TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Schumacher® is a registered trademark of Schumacher Electric
Corporation
Schumacher® Logo is a registered trademark of Schumacher
Electric Corporation
PID-200-USB, PID-500-USB and PID-750 ™ is a trademark of
Schumacher Electric Corporation
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
PID-200-USB, PID-500-USB and PID-750 Owner’s Manual
© 2008 Schumacher Electric Corporation
The information, specications and illustrations in this manual are
based on the latest information available at the time of printing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 5
INVERTER FEATURES 6
BEFORE USING YOUR POWER INVERTER 7
CONNECTING INVERTER CABLES 8
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 10
POWER SOURCE 12
HOW DO POWER INVERTERS WORK 13
LED DISPLAY 13
IF THE INVERTER FUSE BLOWS 14
TROUBLESHOOTING 15
SPECIFICATIONS 18
REPLACEMENT PARTS 19
LIMITED WARRANTY 20
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1.
SAVE THESE 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, gases or clothing.
Do not place the inverter in areas such as battery •
compartments or engine compartments where fumes
or gases 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 acces-•
sory 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.
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Do not modify the AC or USB receptacle in any way.•
Do not try extending or otherwise changing the 12-•
volt power cord 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.•
This device does not include an internal Ground •
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). For GFCI protection,
use a Coleman Cable 02822 GFCI outlet.
Use only 25-amp fuses (Model PID-200-USB)•
Use only 30-amp fuses (Model PID-500-USB).•
Use only 45-amp fuses (Model PID-750).•
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.
INVERTER FEATURES2.
1. ON/OFF Switch
2. Digital Display
3. Two Standard Electrical 120V AC Outlets
4. One, 5V USB Port
5. 12-Volt Power Plug (Models PID-200-USB and PID500-USB)
6. Battery Clamps (Models PID-500-USB and PID-
750)
• 6 •
7. High-Speed Cooling Fan
8. Thermal Protection
9. Surge Protection
10. Low-Battery Protection
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:
1. Start Up – Requiring an initial surge of power (commonly known as the “starting or peak load”).
2. Continuous Operation – Power consumption drops
(commonly 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
• 7 •
designed to automatically shut down. This safety feature
prevents damaging the inverter while testing devices and
equipment within the wattage range of the inverter.
If a device does not operate properly when rst connected to the inverter, turn the inverter rocker switch ON
(I), OFF (O), and ON (I) again in quick succession. If this
procedure is not successful, it is likely that the inverter
does not have the required capacity to operate the device in question.
CONNECTING INVERTER CABLES4.
The inverter and power source must be in the OFF
mode.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you connect your inverter to a
12-volt power supply only.
INVERTER CONNECTION (Not necessary for model
PID-200-USB):
NOTE: For model PID-500-USB, determine whether you
will be using the battery clamps (500 watt output maximum) or the 12V accessory plug (120 watts maximum).
1. Locate the positive and negative plastic terminals
located on the right side of the inverter and remove
the terminal caps completely.
2. Install the positive (red) cable ring lug onto the positive (red) terminal screw. Install the negative (black)
cable ring lug onto the negative (black) terminal
screw. Tighten each terminal so that the cable cannot
come loose.
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CONNECTING INVERTER CABLE TO A VEHICLE
(Models PID-200-USB and PID-500-USB) (120 watts
maximum):
1. Remove the cigarette lighter from its outlet.
2. Push the 12-volt power plug rmly into the outlet.
CONNECTING INVERTER CABLES TO 12V BATTERY
OR 12V POWER SOURCE (PID-500-USB and PID-
750):
1. Keep hands, hair, clothing and jewelry clear of battery terminals.
2. Wear eye protection and clothing protection.
3. Connect the negative (black) inverter terminal cable
to the power source negative (-) or battery terminal.
Make sure the connection is secure.
4. Connect the positive (red) inverter terminal cable
to the power source positive (+) or battery terminal.
Make sure the connection is secure.
5.To disconnect the inverter, reverse the above steps.
NOTE: The internal speaker may make a brief “beep”
when the inverter is being connected to or disconnected
from the 12-volt power source.
ATTENTION: Failure to make the correct connections
will result in blown fuses and permanent damage to the
inverter.
• 9 •
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS5.
1. Connect the inverter (see “CONNECTING INVERTER CABLES” section.
2. Press and hold the ON/OFF switch to turn the
inverter on. (The internal speaker will make a brief
“beep”. This is normal.).
3. The digital display turns on to the default display of
“POWER OUT”.
4. Press and hold the ON/OFF switch to turn the
inverter off.
5. Make sure the device to be operated is turned OFF.
6. Plug the device into the inverter AC outlet.
7. Turn the inverter on. The Power Out LED will glow
and the digital display will show O.
8. Turn the device on. The display will now show the
total wattage used by the device. To change the digital
display, press the ON/OFF switch.
9. To disconnect, reverse the above procedure.
NOTE: If more than one device is to be powered,
start one device at a time to avoid a power surge and
overloading the inverter. The surge load of each device
should not exceed the inverters Continuous Operation
wattage rate.
ATTENTION: If there is a short circuit or power surge
in the device, will display and the alarm will sound.
Press the ON/OFF switch to turn off the alarm. If the
displays after several attempts, there is a short circuit or
the device requires more “starting” or “peak” load than
the inverter is capable of providing.
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IMPORTANT: If you are using the power inverter to
operate a battery charger, monitor the temperature of
the battery charger for about 10 minutes. If the battery
charger becomes abnormally warm, disconnect it from
the inverter immediately.
NOTE: You can use an extension cord from the inverter
to the device without signicantly decreasing the power
being generated by the inverter. For best operating
results, the extension cord should be no longer than 50
feet.
Using the Inverter to Operate a TV or Audio Device:
The inverter is shielded and ltered to minimize signal
interference. Despite this, some interference may occur
with your television picture, especially with weak signals.
Below are some suggestions to try and improve reception.
1. Make sure the television antenna produces a clear
signal under normal operating conditions (i.e. at home
plugged into a standard 120-volt AC wall outlet). Also,
ensure that the antenna cable is adequately shielded
and of good quality.
2. Try altering the position of the inverter, antenna
cables, and television power cord. Add an extension cord from the inverter to the TV so as to isolate
its power cord and antenna cables from the 12-volt
power source.
3. Try coiling the television power cord and the input
cables running from the 12-volt power source to the
inverter.
4. Afx one or several “Ferrite Data Line Filters” to the
television power cord. Ferrite Data Line Filters can be
purchased at most electronic supply stores.
• 11 •
5. Try grounding the inverter with an 18 AWG (minimum) wire, using as short a length as possible.
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.
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 engine.
To maintain battery power, start the engine every 2 to
3 hours and let it run for approximately 10 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.
• 12 •
HOW DO POWER INVERTERS WORK7.
There are two stages involved in transforming 12-volt
DC (battery) power into 120-volt AC (household voltage):
STAGE 1: The power inverter uses a DC to DC transformer to increase the 12-volt DC input voltage from the
power source to 145-volt DC.
STAGE 2: The inverter then converts the 145-volt DC
into 120-volts AC (household voltage) using advanced
MOSFET transistors in a full bridge conguration. A
“modied sine wave” waveform is generated by this
conversion.
LED DISPLAY8.
The LED display identies the current status of the
inverter.
VOLTAGE IN: The voltage of the vehicle’s battery, Por-
table Power jump starter or DC power source.
VOLTAGE OUT: The voltage supplied to the device
through the AC receptacle.
POWER OUT: The power or wattage supplied to the
device plugged into the inverter.
An audio alarm will sound when any of the following
codes display. To stop the alarm, press the ON/OFF
switch:
– The inverter is not functional. See warranty and
call Customer Service 1-800-621-5485 (Hours: 7:00 am
to 5:00 pm CST).
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– The vehicle’s battery voltage is more than
15.5-volts. The inverter will automatically restart after the
voltage drops below 15.0-volts.
– The continuous load demand from the device exceeds the inverter’s wattage output.
– The inverter is overheated and automatically turns
off for a period of 1 to 3 minutes to cool. Make sure the
inverter is well ventilated. It will automatically restart after
it cools.
– The vehicle’s battery voltage is less than
10.5-volts.
– Short circuit, power surge or overload in the device.
IF THE INVERTER FUSE BLOWS9.
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, take the inverter to a qualied
technician for repair.
• 14 •
TROUBLESHOOTING10.
PROBLEM REASON SOLUTION
Alarm is On Display shows . De-
vice demands too much
surge power.
or
Device has a short circuit
Display shows . 12volt battery is too low.
Display shows voltage
in between 10.5 and
11.0-volts.
Cycle the inverter power
OFF and ON. If problem
persists, use a larger
inverter or a smaller
device.
Remove the defective
device.
Recharge/replace
battery
12-volt battery is low.
Recharge or replace
battery. The inverter
will automatically shut
off after battery voltage
reaches 10.5-volts.
• 15 •
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