Wagan Smart AC, Onduleur Smart AC, 2003-6 User Manual

Item no. 2003-6

Article No 2003-6

Smart AC™ Inverter 400W USB

Onduleur Smart AC™ 400W CC vers CA + USB

User’s Manual

Guide d’Utilisation

Smart AC™ 400W DC to AC Power Inverter + USB by Wagan Tech

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User’s Manual—Read before using this equipment

©2011 Wagan Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Wagan Tech and wagan.com are trademarks used by Wagan Corporation.

2

Your 400 Watt Power Inverter converts 12 Volt DC vehicle battery power into
110 volts of AC power. You can use the inverter in your vehicle to operate
many types of appliances that use AC power such as TVs, VCRs, portable
computers, power tools and lights for emergency or camping use.

The inverter works with your vehicle’s engine turned on or off (accessory
mode). It provides a continuous output of up to 400 watts.

FEATURES

• 1,000W Peak Power: Allows you to power appliances that require a
large amount of initial (peak) power to work (such as many TVs and
motor-powered equipment).

• Low Battery Alarm: The inverter sounds an audible alarm then turns
itself off if the source battery becomes too low.

• Overheat Protection: The inverter temporarily shuts itself down to
protect itself from overheating.

• Overload/Short Circuit Protection: The inverter automatically turns itself
off if the connected load is too high or if it shorts.

• Fuse: The inverter comes with a fuse(s) already installed.

• Dual AC Outlets: Allows you to power two appliances at the same
time.

• Dual USB Power Port: Allows you to power up to 2 USB appliances.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Keep away from children! The inverter produces the same amount of
power as your home AC wall outlets and is not to be treated like a toy.

• Do not use the inverter in a positively grounded vehicle.

• Do not attempt to open the inverter casing. Internal contents may be
hazardous and harmful.

• Do not operate the inverter in or around water. The voltage of the unit
makes it an electrical shock hazard if operated in wet conditions. Do
not let the cord of the inverter or any plugged in appliance’s cord get
wet.

• Do not connect the AC inverter directly to another AC power source.

• If there is anything wrong with the inverter, disconnect all input and
output power (all AC, DC, and USB plugs).

• The following operations will damage the inverter and void its
warranty:

○ Reversing polarity by connecting the wires to the

incorrect terminals.

○ Connecting the inverter to a power source greater than

15 Volts DC.

○ Operating the inverter and battery in or around water.

+

Inverter

Battery

AC Appliance

+

Smart AC™ 400W DC to AC Power Inverter + USB by Wagan Tech

3

User’s Manual—Read before using this equipment

©2011 Wagan Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Wagan Tech and wagan.com are trademarks used by Wagan Corporation.

4

PRE-OPERATION

• Make sure there is at least 2 inches of clearance around the inverter
for air flow. The inverter generates heat while in operation. This is
not a malfunction. However, if the inverter gets too hot, it will turn
off automatically. It is important to position the inverter in a way
that allows air to flow freely around it so the heat may disperse.
The inverter’s thermal protection prevents it from operating when its
temperature exceeds 130ºF ± 10º (55ºC ± 5º).

• If you operate the inverter in a moving vehicle, you need to secure the
inverter to prevent it from shifting around while the vehicle is moving.

OPERATION

1. Disconnect the inverter before starting the vehicle’s engine.

2. Determine the right operating voltage for both input and output of the
inverter.

3. Connecting:

A. to Vehicle’s 12V DC Cigarette Lighter Outlet:

i. Unscrew the red cover for the positive (+) input terminal of the

inverter.
ii. Attach the red (+) output of the DC plug to the terminal.
iii. Secure the terminal with the cover.
iv. Repeat the process with the black, negative (−) terminal,

matching DC plug output.

B. to a Battery:

i. Unscew the red terminal cover of the inverter.
ii. Attach the red, positive (+) cable to the positive terminal.

Secure the wire with the terminal cover.
iii. Attach the other end of the cable to the red, positive (+)

terminal of the battery.
iv. Repeat the process with the black, negative (−) terminal,

matching black cable.

4. Turn on the power switch (located at the front of the inverter). The
green LED will light up indicating that the unit is working.

5. Plug your appliances into the AC sockets at the front of the inverter.

6. When you are not using the inverter, turn the power switch off and
disconnect the inverter from power supply.

PRODUCT USAGE DIAGRAM

Fuse

Smart AC™ 400W DC to AC Power Inverter + USB by Wagan Tech

5

User’s Manual—Read before using this equipment

©2011 Wagan Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Wagan Tech and wagan.com are trademarks used by Wagan Corporation.

6

MEASURING THE AC VOLTAGE

This inverter’s AC output is a modified sine wave (MSW) at 115 volts AC.
The figure below compares a modified sine wave to a pure sine wave.

MAINTENANCE

Very little maintenance is required to keep the inverter operating properly.
Simply keep it clean.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Inverter Beeping

If the power inverter makes a beeping sound, turn off the power inverter,
disconnect all appliances from inverter and disconnect the inverter from the
power supply. The beeping sound is the low battery warning indicating that
the voltage of the battery power supply is getting low. Restart the vehicle
engine to charge the battery before using it to operate the power inverter
again.

Buzz in Audio Systems

Some stereo systems and boom boxes will emit a buzzing noise from their
loudspeakers when operating with a power inverter. The power supply in the
device does not adequately filter the modified sine wave produced by the
power inverter. The only solution is to use a sound system that incorporates a
higher quality power supply.

Operating a Television

Picture tubes have a degaussing coil that uses a high initial surge of power
to light up the screen from a “cold start.” If the TV does not start up on
the first attempt, try switching the TV on and off consecutively every 2 to 3
seconds (it may take 2 to 5 tries before starting).

This modified sine wave has a root mean square (RMS) voltage of 115 volts.
Most ordinary AC voltmeters are calibrated to read “average” voltage and
assume that the AC waveform will be a pure sine wave. These meters will
not correctly read MSW voltage, and will display about 20 to 30 volts too
low. Any multi-meter identified as “TRUE RMS” will accurately read MSW
correctly.

ADDING AN EXTENSION CORD

Using an extension cord will reduce power output. However, if you need an
extension cord, we recommend placing the extension cord between the AC
output of the inverter and the AC appliances. You may use up to 100 feet of
high quality extension cord.

Pure Sine Wave

Modified Sine Wave (MSW)