Whistler 1000, 2000 User Manual

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OWNER’S MANUAL
1000/2000 WATT SERIES
THE WHISTLER GROUP CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
13016 N. Walton Blvd. Bentonville, AR 72712 TEL (479) 273-6012 FX (479) 273-2927 www.whistlergroup.com
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER
25 Industrial Ave. Chelmsford, MA 01824 TEL (978) 244-1400 FX (978) 244-1491
CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER
1201 N. Dixieland Rd. Rogers, AR 72756 Consumer Relations Tel (800) 531-0004 Email: info@whistlergroup.com
P/N 1000/2000SERIESMAN ©WHISTLER 2002
HIGH SURGE POWER INVERTERS
See important information section regarding medical equip­ment, rechargeable products and laptop computers before using this power inverter!
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INTRODUCTION
If you have questions concerning the operation of this Whistler product please call consumer relations:
1-800-531-0004
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT
Please keep the receipt in a safe place. If the unit is returned without a dated proof of purchase, an out of w a rranty service charge applies. Note: Your warranty period begins at the time of purchase. The warranty is validated only by your receipt. Now is the time to record the serial number of the unit in the space pro­vided in the warranty section of the manual.
Dear Whistler Owner, For many of us, a vehicle is more than just transportation. It
can be a mobile office, communications or entert a i n m e n t c e n t e r, or simply an expression of our personality. Whistler p roducts are designed to make the time you spend in your vehicle more productive, more fulfilling, safer, or just simply m o re fun. Our mission is to provide products that impro v e your driving experience.
Whistler offers a complete line of DC to AC inverters ranging in capacity from 140 Watts to 2750 Watts. These inverters offer advanced technology, dependable operation and will provide years of reliable service when used in accor­dance with our operating instructions.
Your new Whistler power inverter allows you to run most AC appliances right from your car, boat or RV. They’re great for weekend use and life on the road. They’re also great for power outages!
This manual covers six models; the 1000 series (1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 watts) and the 2000 series (2500 and 2750 watts) to fully acquaint yourself with the operation of your Whistler power inverter we recommend reading this entire manual.
Sincerely, THE WHISTLER GROUP
We’re Driving Technology
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Page
Features Summary ..................................................................3-7
Important Information................................................................8
Inverter Information............................................................9 - 11
• Getting Started
• Don’t Push It
Battery Information...........................................................11 - 13
• Selecting the Optimum Power Source
Cable Information.............................................................13 - 14
• Wire Cable Gauges
Operation..........................................................................15 - 23
• Making the Connection
• Tips
• Recharging Equipment
• Power Source
• TV’s & Microwaves
Technical Operating Principles........................................23 - 25
Operation Summary .........................................................25 - 27
Troubleshooting................................................................28 - 29
Specifications............................................................................30
Warranty Information........................................................31 - 33
WHISTLER FEATURES
A Word About Whistler Power Inverters
Whistler inverters convert low voltage, direct current (DC) to 110 volt alternating household current (AC). The AC output is called “modified sine wave”. See “Technical Operating Principles” section for more inform a t i o n . Depending on the model and its rated capacity, Whistler inverters draw power either from standard 12 volt automo­bile and marine batteries or from portable high power 12 volt sources.
Inverter Features
1000 watt series shown
a). ON/OFF Switch.This switch controls the flow of power from the power source to the inverter. It does not control the power running from the inverter to the equipment or appliance being operated.
b). High Temperature LED Indicator Light. This light will turn RED and the inverter will automatically shut down when the internal temperature exceeds design parameters
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FEATURES
for safe operation. When this occurs, turn the equipment or appliance off. In the event of excess temperature, the High Speed Cooling Fan also will automatically turn on. Overheating may result when the inverter is being operated at levels exceeding its wattage rating or because it has been placed in a location or in an manner which prevents prop­er heat dissipation. After approximately 15 minutes, the High Temperature Indicator light and the Cooling Fan will turn off and the inverter will automatically restart indicating that the inverter temperature has dropped to a safe oper­ating level.
c). Over Load LED Indicator Light. This light will turn RED and the inverter will automatically shut down when the continuous power draw from the inverter exceeds the maximum continuous power rating for the inverter. Turn the inverter OFF (O), determine and resolve the cause of the overload prior to resuming operation of the equip­ment or appliance. Turning the inverter ON (I) will reset it.
d). Battery Current & Voltage Bar Graph Meters (GREEN, YELLOW, RED). Current Indicator. This illuminated Bar Graph monitors
the current being drawn from the battery by the inverter. Depending on the amount of current being drawn, the Bar Graph reading generally will be in the GREEN or YELLOW zone. When the reading rises to the RED zone, the inverter may
FEATURES
automatically shut down. In this event, it is likely that the draw of the equipment or appliance being operated is greater than the battery is capable of producing.
Voltage Indicator. This Bar Graph displays the voltage being drawn from the battery by the inverter. The voltage is measured at the Negative and Positive power input termi­nals on the inverter. The voltage level reading will be lower than the battery voltage due to the voltage "drop" that occurs as the battery voltage runs through the terminal con­nections and cables. The inverter is designed to operate with input voltages ranging from 10 to 15 volts. When the voltage drops below
10.5 volts DC, the voltage indicator will register in the lower RED zone and an audible alarm will sound. If the voltage drops below 10 volts DC, the voltage indicator will go out and the inverter will automatically shut down. The inverter also will shut down automatically when the input voltage exceeds 15 volts DC. Despite this "built in" protection, the inverter may be damaged if the input volt­age exceeds 15 volts DC and damage caused by excess voltage input is not covered under the WHISTLER warranty. Under optimum conditions, the voltage reading will be in the GREEN zone.
Note:
In the event of automatic shut down or continuous audible alarm, turn the inverter OFF (O) until the source of the relat­ed problem has been determined and resolved.
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FEATURES
e). Two Standard North American 110 AC Outlets are provided.
f).Remote Operation Socket.
The inverter is designed to be operated from a remote location via the WHISTLER PP015DC Remote Control Switch which plugs into this socket. This option­al accessory is available through WHISTLER or your WHISTLER dealer.
1000 watt series shown
i). High Speed Cooling Fan. This fan will turn on auto­matically when the internal temperature exceeds design parameters for safe operation. The Cooling Fan will auto­matically turn off when the temperature drops to a safe operating level. This fan does not run continuously.
j). Power Input Terminals
(WHITE/Negative, RED/Positive). (IMPORTANT: The Negative Terminal on the 2000 series is BLACK. See opposite).
FEATURES
Note:
The 2000 series inverters incorporates all of the operating and safety features of the 1000 series models. In addition to these common features, the 2000 series are equipped with circuit breakers and a terminal for making direct con­nection between the inverter and an electrical distribution panel.
2000 watt series shown - Front view
g). Circuit Breakers. (2000 Series Only). Each 110 AC out­let is equipped with a 15 amp circuit breaker.
h). "Direct Wire" Connection. (2000 Series Only). This ter­minal is utilized for direct connection to an electrical distri­bution panel. This connection is to be made only by a licensed electrician. See Notes in the following section, "Making the Connection").
2000 watt
series
shown -
Rear view
k). Chassis Ground Terminal Lug.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
I m p o rtant Information About Your New W h i s t l e r Inverter.
This manual will provide you with directions for the safe and efficient operation of your Whistle Power Inverter.
Important Note: Each of the following operating procedures and safety features must be carefully reviewed and thoroughly understood prior to using the inverter. Failure to do so may result in damage to the inverter or equipment or serious personal injury.
Notes:
Your Whistler inverter is designed to operate from a 12 volt power source only. Never attempt to connect your Whistler inverter to any other power source, including any AC power source.
• 110 volts can be lethal. Improper use of your W h i s t l e r i n v e rter may result in pro p e rty damage, personal injury or loss of life.
Check with the appliance manufacturer for com- patibility with modified sine wave inverters. Some appliances may not work well, not at all or be dam­aged. For more information on compatibility issues, please visit our inverter FAQ page at w w w. w h i s t l e rg ro u p . c o m / f a q -
inverters.asp
This is especially true for medical equipment.
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INVERTER INFORMATION
Getting Start e d
Power equipment and appliances which operate with motors or tubes re q u i re an initial surge of power to get them up and running. This power surge is re f e rred to as the "start i n g load" or "peak load." (By comparison, electrical devices such as standard light bulbs do not re q u i re a large start i n g load). Once the equipment or appliance has been powere d up, it settles down to a slower pace and re q u i res far less elec­trical power to operate. This lower power re q u i rement is re f e rred to as the "continuous load."
In order to ensure that the capacity of your Whistler i n v e rt e r is sufficient to meet the re q u i red start up load, you must first d e t e rmine the power consumption of the equipment or appliance you plan to operate.
Power consumption is rated either in wattage or in ampere s , and information re g a rding the re q u i red "watts" or "amps" generally is stamped or printed on most appliances and equipment. If this information is not indicated on the appli­ance or equipment, check the owner’s manual. Contact the
appliance or equipment manufacturer to determine if the device you are using (TV’s, battery re-charger, com­puter, etc.) is compatible with a modified sine wave.
If the power consumption is rated in amps, multiply the number of amps by 110 (AC voltage) to determine the com­parable wattage rating. As a general rule, you can deter­mine the re q u i red start up load by multiplying the wattage rating by 10.
For further information on the fundamental operating prin­ciples of Whistler inverters and related technical data, see
"Technical Operating Principles"
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INVERTER INFORMATION
Don’t Push It.
Although your Whistler power inverter has the capacity to p rovide power output (excess current) equal to appro x i­mately two times its rated wattage capacity for a very brief period, it is designed to operate equipment and appliances with start up load wattage ratings no higher than its own maximum continuous wattage rating.
For example, the 1500 model has a maximum continuous rating of 1500 watts. Although this model has the capacity to briefly provide up to 3000 watts of power (that is, excess c u rrent), it is designed to operate equipment and appli­ances with start up load re q u i rements of 1500 watts or less.
C o n s e q u e n t l y, if the start up load rating of your equipment or appliance is the same or approximately the same as the maximum continuous rating of the invert e r, the inverter will
attempt to start loads above the continuous rating. Some refrigerators, freezers, pumps and other similar
equipment and appliances re q u i re very high start up loads to operate. Before attempting to power up this type of equipment or appliance, make especially certain that all connections have been properly made and that the power s o u rce is fully charg e d .
To determine whether your inverter will operate a part i c u l a r piece of equipment or appliance, run a test. The inverter is
INVERTER INFORMATION
designed to shut down automatically in the event of a power overload. Testing appliances and equipment with s t a rt up load ratings comparable to your inverter wattage rating will not damage it.
If a piece of equipment or an appliance will not operate, first c o n f i rm that the inverter has been properly connected to the 12 volt power source (See "Making The Connection"). If all connections have been properly made, turn the invert e r rocker switch ON (l), OFF (O) and ON (l) again in quick suc­cession. If this pro c e d u re is unsuccessful, it is likely that the i n v e rter does not have the re q u i red start up capacity or your b a t t e ry supply isn’t large enough to operate the equipment or appliance in question.
Selecting the Optimum Power Sourc e .
Operating the inverter for extended periods combined with a high continuous load demand may result in excessive power drain from the battery. There f o re, the re s e rve capacity of the battery you select to power the inverter is an i m p o rtant consideration.
The potential power drain can be estimated by calculating the re s e rve power ("amp/hour") of the battery and the amps re q u i red by the inverter to meet the continuous load demand of the equipment or appliance being operated.
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BATTERY INFORMATION
1. To calculate the amp/hour of the battery, first determ i n e
its "re s e rve minutes" rating. (Deep cycle marine batter­ies generally have the highest re s e rve minute ratings). This rating typically is marked on the battery along with the "Cold Cranking Amps" (CCA) rating. Multiply the re s e rve minutes rating of the battery by 0.3 to determ i n e the battery amp/hour rating of 50 (166 x 0.3 = 49.8).
2. To estimate the maximum battery power the inverter will
re q u i re to run a piece of equipment or appliance, divide its continuous load wattage re q u i rement by 10.
The WHISTLER 1000 watt model utilizes 50 amps of bat­t e ry power to operate an appliance with a 500 watt con­tinuous load re q u i rement. (500 divided by 10 = 50).
3. Conclusion: The re s e rve power of the battery is suff i-
cient to satisfy the continuous load demand placed on the inverter for a maximum of about one hour. (49.8 divided by 50 = 1 hour).
N o t e :
When the inverter will be operating equipment or appli-
ances with high continuous load ratings for extended periods, it is not advisable to power the inverter with the same battery used to power your vehicle. If the car or t ruck battery is utilized for an extended period, it is pos­sible that the battery voltage may be drained to the point where the battery has insufficient re s e rve power to s t a rt the vehicles.
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BATTERY/CABLE INFORMATION
It may be advisable to operate the inverter from a bank of batteries of the same type in a "parallel" configura­tion. Two such batteries will generate twice the amp/hours of a single battery; three batteries will gen­erate three times the amp/hours and so on.
This multiple parallel battery option is especially re c­ommended for the WHISTLER 2000 series inverter due to the high level of amps this model re q u i res to pro­duce up to 2750 watts of continuous load. For more i n f o rmation re g a rding battery power please visit our i n v e rter faq page at www. w h i s t l e rg ro u p . c o m / f a q - i n v e rt­e r s . a s p .
Wi re Cable Gauges
For safe and proper operation of the invert e r, connect the i n v e rter to the power source with the thickest wire available and in the shortest length practical.
1000 Series
When the inverter and the battery are set up within four feet of each other, use a minimum of #4 gauge wire to make the connections. Within four to six feet, use a minimum of #2 gauge wire. At distances of more than six feet, use #0 gauge w i re .
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CABLE INFORMATION
R e g a rdless of the wire gauge selected to make the connec­tions to the battery, we recommend use of an "O Ring A d a p t e r." Use of #0 gauge wire to make the connections to the inverter may re q u i re a "0 to 4 Gauge Adapter." Both adapters are available through electronic supply store s including Radio Shack. Radio Shack part number is listed b e l o w :
O Ring Adapter: RSU11538139
2000 Series
When the inverter and the battery are set up within four feet
of each other, use a minimum of #2 gauge wire to make the connections. Within four to six feet, use two #0 gauge wire . At distances of more than six feet, use two #0 gauge wire s connected in parallel to the battery. This connection will re q u i re eight O Ring Adapters as re f e renced above. A l t e rn a t i v e l y, use #00 (2/0) gauge wire with the appro p r i a t e adapters. These #00 gauge wire adapters are available t h rough most electronic supply store s .
OPERATION
Making the Connection.
1. Make certain that the Power switch is in the OFF (O) position.
2. Connect the cables to the power input terminals at the rear of the inverter and tighten the screws to make a secure connection. Do not use tools to tighten
these screws.
( To make these connections on the 2000 series, re m o v e the supplied nut at each terminal on the invert e r, install the wire connectors flush with the metal backing plates and refasten the nuts secure l y. Do not over tighten
these nuts).
3. Connect the cable from the (BLACK) Negative (-) ter­minal on the inverter (white on the 1000 series) to the Negative (-) terminal on the 12 volt power source. Make certain the connection is secure.
4. Confirm that the cable you have just installed is prop­erly connected. Specifically, make certain that the cable is connected to the Negative (-) terminals on both the inverter and the 12 volt power source.
5. Connect the cable from the (RED) Positive (+) terminal on the inverter (red on all series) to the Positive (+) ter­minal on the power source.
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OPERATION
Note:
Loose connections can result in a severe decrease in voltage which may cause damage to the wires and insulation.
Failure to make proper connection between the inverter and the power source will result in reverse polarity. Reverse polarity will blow the internal fuses in the inverter and may cause per
-manent damage to the inverter. Damage
caused by reverse polarity is not covered under the Whistler warranty.
Making the connection between the Positive (+) ter­minals may cause a spark as a result of current flowing to the capacitors in the inverter. This is a normal occurrence. Due to the potential for sparking, how­ever, it is extremely important that both the inverter and the 12 volt battery be well removed from any pos­sible source of flammable fumes or gases.
Failure to heed this warning could result in fire or explosion.
6. Run a ground from the Ground Lug Terminal at the rear of the inverter to a proper grounding point using the shortest practical length of 18 AWG wire . Selection of the grounding point will depend on where you are using the inverter. The ground wire may be connected to the chassis of your vehicle or to the grounding system in your boat or to the earth if you are operating the inverter in a remote location. Before
OPERATION
connecting the ground, make certain that the invert­er is turned off. Operating the inverter without
properly grounding it may result in electrical shock.
7. Turn the inverter ON (I). Check the Bar Graph Meter on the front panel. The Voltage Bar Graph should read between 11 and 14 volts depending on the volt­age of the power source. If the reading is not within this range, check the voltage of the power source and the terminal connections on the power source and the inverter to make sure they are secure. Neither the High Temperature or Over Load LED Indicators should be illuminated.
8. Confirm that the equipment or appliance to be oper­ated is turned off. Plug the equipment or appliance into one of the two AC receptacles on the front panel of the the inverter.
9. Turn the inverter to the ON (I) position. Turn on the equipment or appliance.
Note:
The audible alarm may make a momentary “chirp” when the inverter is turned OFF (O). The same alarm may also sound when the inverter is being connect­ed to or disconnected from the 12 volt power source. Again, this is normal.
The use of an extension cord from the inverter to the
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OPERATION
appliance or equipment being operated will not signif­icantly decrease the power being generated by the inverter. For best operating results, the extension cord should be no more than 50 feet long.
Check frequently to ensure that the input and out put connections are secure. Loose connections may damage the inverter, the power source, or may generate excessive heat.
The following precautions apply to the 2000 series models only.
a). The AC receptacles are equipped with 15 amp cir­cuit breakers. Consequently, each of these outlets is rated for a maximum output of 1500 watts (110 volts x 15 amps).
To generate the maximum output, the 2000 series models should be connected to a power supply which has the capacity to produce up to 275 amps. The loads should be distributed between the two receptacles to ensure that each outlet is producing no more than its maximum 1500 watt output.
If more than one piece of equipment or appliance is to be operated at the same time, first turn on the inverter and then turn on each piece of equipment or appliance separately to enable the inverter to produce the required start up loads.
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OPERATION
b). The 2000 series models are designed for direct wiring to an electrical distribution panel via the direct wire connection "cut out" on the front panel of the inverter.
This direct wire connection must be performed only by a licensed electrician. Failure to make this connection properly may result in severe injury.
Important Information on Battery Chargers
Using your inverter to re c h a rge units designed to charge such p o rtable equipment as power tools, flashlights, video cameras and laptop computers may cause damage to the inverter or the charging unit. Check with the appliance manufacturer for compatibility with sine wave inverters if you’re unsure .
Although we advise against it, if you attempt to re c h a rg e
a charging unit, monitor the temperature of the charg i n g unit for approximately 10 minutes. If the charging unit becomes unusually warm, disconnect it from the invert e r i m m e d i a t e l y.
The Power Source.
When the engine is off, most batteries will provide ample power supply to the inverter for one to two hours. The actual length of time is a function of several variables including the age and condition of the battery, the number of batteries and the power demand being placed on it by the equipment being operated with the invert e r.
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OPERATION
If you are using the inverter while the engine is off, we recommend you start the engine every 30 to 60 minutes and let it run for at least 10 minutes to re c h a rge the battery. We also recommend that the device plugged into the inverter be t u rned off before turning over the engine.
Although it is not necessary to turn off the inverter when turn­ing over the engine, the inverter may momentarily cease operation as the battery voltage decreases. When the invert­er is not supplying power, and turned on, it draws low amper­age from the battery (<0.65 A ).
For You Television Fan & Audiophiles.
Although the inverter is shielded and filtered to minimize sig­nal interf e rence, some interf e rence with your television pic­t u re may be unavoidable, especially with weak signals. H o w e v e r, here are some suggestions that may improve the re c e p t i o n .
1. First, make certain that the television antenna produces a clear signal under normal operating conditions (i.e., at home plugged into a standard 110 AC wall outlet). Also, e n s u re that the antenna cable is properly shielded and of good quality.
2. Change the relative positions of the invert e r, antenna cables and television power cord .
OPERATION
3. Isolate the television, its power cord and antenna cables f rom the 12 volt power source by running an extension cord f rom the inverter to the television set.
4. Coil the television power cord and the input cables ru n n i n g f rom the 12 volt power source to the invert e r.
5. Attach a "Ferrite Data Line Filter" to the television power c o rd. More than one filter may be re q u i red. These filters are available at most electronic supply stores including Radio Shack. (Radio Shack Part Number is 273-105).
N o t e :
Inexpensive sound systems may emit a "buzzing" sound when operated with the invert e r. This is due to inadequate filters in the sound system. There is no solution to his p roblem short of purchasing a sound system with a higher quality power supply.
For You Microwave Chefs.
The power rating commonly associated with micro w a v e ovens is the "cooking power" which is the power being " d e l i v e red" to the item being microwaved. The actual oper­ating power re q u i rement rating is higher than the cooking power rating and typically is re f e renced on the back of the m i c rowave. If the operating power re q u i rement does not appear on the back of the microwave, check the owner’s man­ual or contact the manufacture r.
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OPERATION
Some Powerful Advice.
Your Whistler i n v e rter will work best when placed on a re a-
sonably flat surface. The floor or wall of your vehicle are good
l o c a t i o n s . When driving with the inverter in operation, make certain that
neither the inverter nor the power cords will impede safe operation of your vehicle. Keep the unit and all cords clear of
the steering wheel, gas, brake and clutch pedals and gear s h i f t .
To maintain your inverter in proper working condition, note the following important safety pre c a u t i o n s :
MOISTURE. Keep the inverter dry. Do not expose it to m o i s t u re. Do not operate the inverter if you, the i n v e rt e r, the device being operated or any other sur­faces that may come in contact with any power sources are wet. Water and many other liquids can conduct electricity which may lead to serious injury or death.
HEAT. For peak efficiency, the ambient air tempera­ture should be between 50° and 80° F. Avoid placing the i n v e rter on or near heating vents, radiators or other sources of heat. Do not place the inverter in d i rect sunlight.
OPERATING PRINCIPALS
V E N T I L ATION. In order to disperse the heat generat­e d while the inverter is in operation, keep it well venti-
lated. While in use, maintain several inches of clear-
ance around the top and sides of the inverter.
FUMES & GASES. Avoid using the inverter near flammable materials. Do not place the inverter in areas such as battery compartments, where fumes or
gases may accumulate.
For You Technical Types.
1. Basic Operating Principles:
Whistler i n v e rters work in two stages. During the first stage, the DC to DC converter increases the DC input voltage fro m the power source (e.g. a 12 volt battery) to 145 volts DC. In the second stage, the high voltage DC is converted to 110 volts (60 Hz AC) using advanced power MOSFET transistors in a full bridge configuration. The result is excellent overload capability and the capacity to operate difficult reactive loads. The output waveform resulting from these conversions is a "quasi-sine wave" or a "modified sine wave" as shown on the following page.
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OPERATING PRINCIPALS
This stepped waveform is similar to the power generated by utilities and has a broad range of applications.
The modified sine wave produced by
your Whistler Inverter
The modified sine wave produced by your Whistler invert e r has a root mean square (RMS) voltage of 110 volts. The majority of AC voltmeters are calibrated for RMS voltage and assume that the measured waveform will be a pure sine wave.
C o n s e q u e n t l y, these meters will not read the RMS modified sine wave voltage correctly and, when measuring your Whistler i n v e rter output, the meters will read about 20 to 30 volts too low. To accurately measure the output voltage of your invert e r, use a true RMS reading voltmeter such as a Fluke 87, Fluke 8060A, Beckman 4410, Triplett 4200 or any multimeter identified as "True RMS."
OPERATING PRINCIPALS/SUMMARY
For more information on inverters see our Inverter FAQ page at www. w h i s t l e rg ro u p . c o m / f a q - i n v e rt e r s . a s p
A true sine wave typical of home AC outlet.
In Review.
Never attempt to operate your Whistler inverter from any power source other than a 12 volt battery or a group of batteries that total 12 volts.
Always make certain that the power cable terminal connections run Negative (-) to Negative (-) and Positive (+) to Positive (+). Check these connections fre­quently to ensure that they are secure .
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Make certain the rated power consumption of the appli­ance or equipment you wish to operate is compatible with the capacity of your invert e r.
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OPERATION SUMMARY
If the rated power consumption of the equipment is in the range of the maximum specified wattage of your c o n v e rt e r, test the inverter to ensure that it will operate p ro p e r l y.
B e f o re attempting to use a battery charger see page 19.
B e f o re attempting to use medical equipment see page 8 .
Use the heaviest gauge wire (smaller the number, the larger or heavier the cable) available to connect the inverter to the power source.
When operating the inverter with the engine off, start the engine every 30 to 60 minutes and let it run for at least 10 minutes to re c h a rge the battery.
In the event of automatic shut down, turn the invert e r OFF (O) immediately. Do not re s t a rt the inverter until the s o u rce of the problem has been identified and corre c t­e d .
To avoid battery drain always disconnect the inverter when the vehicle is not in use for long periods.
OPERATION SUMMARY
When in use, make certain that the inverter is proper­ly ventilated.
Do not use the inverter near flammable materials, fumes, or gases.
Always operate the inverter in accordance with the instructions in this manual. Failure to do so may result in property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.
While connecting the inverter to the power source, make certain that the inverter is well removed from any potential source of flammable fumes or gases.
Direct connection of the 2000 model inverter to a dis­tribution panel is to be made by a licensed electrician only.
Always ground the inverter before operating it.
In the event a continuous audible alarm or automatic shut off, turn the inverter OFF immediately. Do not restart the inverter until the source of the problem has been identified and corrected.
Do not expose the inverter to moisture.
Avoid placing the inverter near sources of heat or in direct sunlight.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM: TV Interference
Problem Solution
Electrical interference from Add a Ferrite data line filter inverter. on to the TV power cord.
This filter is available at RadioShack, part number 273-105.
PROBLEM: Low or No Output Voltage
Problem Solution
Using incorrect type of Use true RMS reading voltmeter to test output meter. voltage. See "For You Technical
Types"
Section of this manual.
PROBLEM: Low Battery Alarm On All The Time
Problem Solution
Input voltage below Keep input voltage above 11 volts. 11 volts to maintain
regulation.
Poor or weak battery Replace battery. condition.
Inadequate power being Use lower gauge wire. See delivered to the inverter “Wire Cable Gauges” or excessive voltage drop. section of this manual.
Keep wire length as short as possible.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Overload or High Temp LED on
Problem Solution
Equipment has a high Turn inverter power switch start up surge. OFF (O) and then ON (l)
again until the inverter powers your appliance. Repeat as necessary to get your appliance "started".
Battery voltage below Recharge or replace 10 volts. battery.
Equipment being operated Use a higher capacity draws too much power. inverter or do not use this
equipment.
Inverter is too hot (thermal Allow inverter to cool. shutdown mode). Check for adequate
ventilation. Reduce the load on the inverter to rated continuous power
output.
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1250/1750/2750 Manual 3/6/02 2:45 PM Page 33
SPECIFICATION
WHISTLER PP1000AC & PP1250AC WATT
INVERTER SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Continuous Power………………1000 Watts/1250 Watts Maximum Surge Capability (Peak Power)...2000 Watts/2500 Watts
No Load Current Draw……………………………….............<0.32 A
Waveform……………………………….............Modified Sine Wave
Operating Input Voltage Range…………….............10-15 Volts DC
AC Receptacle……………………..............Dual 3 Prong Grounded
Approximate Dimensions................ 3.25" H x 10.25" W x 13.50" L
Approximate Weight………………..............………………..7.25 lbs
WHISTLER PP1500AC & PP1750AC WATT
INVERTER SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Continuous Power………………1500 Watts/1750 Watts Maximum Surge Capability (Peak Power)...3000 Watts/3500 Watts
No Load Current Draw…………………………...............…..<0.37 A
Waveform…………………………...............…..Modified Sine Wave
Operating Input Voltage Range………….................10-15 Volts DC
AC Receptacle…………………..................Dual 3 Prong Grounded
Approximate Dimensions….............3.25" H x 10.25" W x 18.50" L
Approximate Weight………………..............………………….10 lbs
WHISTLER PP2500AC & PP2750 AC WATT
INVERTER SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Continuous Power……………...2500 Watts/2750 Watts
Maximum Surge Capability (Peak Power)......................4500 Watts/
No Load Current Draw……………………………...............…<0.6 A
Waveform…………………………….................Modified Sine Wave
Operating Input Voltage Range………….............…10-15 Volts DC
AC Receptacle……………………..............Dual 3 Prong Grounded
Approximate Dimensions……................ 6.5" H x 9.0" W x 19.0" L
Approximate Weight……………………....…………….............19 lb
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WARRANTY
Consumer Wa rr a n t y
The Whistler 1000 & 2000 series inverters are warranteed to the original purchaser for a period of (2) two years, from the date of original purchase, against all defects in materials and workmanship. This limited warranty is void if the unit is
abused, modified, installed impro p e r l y, had its housing removed, or has a missing serial number. T h e re are no
e x p ress warranties covering this product other than those set f o rth in this warr a n t y. All express or implied warranties for this p roduct are limited to (2) two years. Whistler is not liable for damages arising from the use, misuse, or operation of this p roduct.
S e rvice Under Wa rr a n t y
During the warranty period, defective units will be re p a i red or replaced (with the same or a comparable model), at Whistler’s option, without charge to the purchaser when re t u rned with a dated store receipt to the address below. Inverters re t u rn e d without a dated store receipt will be handled as described in section “Service Out Of Wa rr a n t y.”
When re t u rning a unit for service under warr a n t y, please fol­low these instru c t i o n s :
1. Ship the inverter in the original carton or in a suitable stur­dy equivalent, fully insured, with re t u rn receipt re q u e s t e d , and shipping charges prepaid to:
Whistler Repair Dept.
1201 North Dixieland Road
Rogers, AR. 72756
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1250/1750/2750 Manual 3/6/02 2:45 PM Page 35
WARRANTY
I M P O RTA N T: Whistler will not assume responsibility for loss or damage incurred in shipping. There f o re, please ship your i n v e rter insured with re t u rn receipt re q u e s t e d .
2. Include with your unit the following information, clearly printed:
• Your name and street address (for shipping via UPS),
a daytime telephone number, (No P.O. Box please.) and email a d d ress (if applicable).
• A detailed description of the problem, i.e. Unit powers up but
no AC output.
• A copy of your dated store receipt or bill of sale.
3. Be certain your inverter is re t u rned with its serial number. For
re f e rence, please write your unit’s serial number in the following space: s/n __________________.
I n v e rters without serial numbers are not covered under warr a n t y.
I M P O RTA N T: To validate that your inverter is within the warr a n­ty period, make sure you keep a copy of your dated store re c e i p t ! You may register your warranty online at www. w h i s t l e rg ro u p . c o m , h o w e v e r, for warranty verification purposes, a copy of your dated s t o re receipt must accompany any unit sent in for warranty work.
Service Out Of Warranty
Inverters will be repaired at “out of warranty” service rates when:
• The unit’s original warranty has expired.
• Dated store receipt is not supplied.
• The unit has been returned without its serial number.
• The unit has been abused, modified, installed
improperly, or had its housing removed.
32
WARRANTY
The out of warranty service fee for your PP1250AC Whistler inverter is $135.00, PP1750AC Whistler inverter is $225.00 and PP2750AC Whistler inverter is $465.00. If you require out of warranty service, please return your inverter as outlined in the section “Service Under Warranty” along with a certified check or money order for the correct amount. Payment may also be made by MasterCard, VISA or American Express; personal checks are not accepted. In the event repairs can­not be covered by the service fee, you will be contacted by a Whistler technical service specialist who will outline options available to you. If you elect not to have your inverter repaired/replaced, it will be returned to you along with your certified check or money order.
IMPORTANT: When returning your inverter for service, be certain to include a daytime telephone number and email address (if applicable).
Consumer Relations
If you have questions concerning the operation of your Whistler invert e r, or re q u i re service during or after the w a rranty period, please call Consumer Relations at 1-800-531-0004. Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT).
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