Whistler 800 WATT POWER INVERTER User Manual

THE WHISTLER GROUP, INC
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

13016 N. Walton Blvd.
Bentonville, AR 72712
TEL [phone] FAX [phone]
www.whistlergroup.com

CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER

1201 N. Dixieland Rd.
Rogers, AR 72756
Consumer Relations Tel [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

P/N 205563
© 2004 The Whistler Group, Inc.

OWNER’S MANUAL

800 WATT

POWER INVERTER

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.
You may register your product online at
www.whistlergroup.com. If the unit is
returned without a dated proof of pur­chase, an out of warranty service charge
applies.
begins at the time of purchase. The war­ranty is validated
Now is the time to record the serial num­ber of the unit in the space provided in
the warranty section of the manual.

Note: Your warranty period

only by your receipt.

INTRODUCTION

Dear Whistler Owner,

For many of us, a vehicle is more than just transportation. It
can be a mobile office, communications or entertainment
center, or simply an expression of our personality. Whistler
products are designed to make the time you spend in your
vehicle more productive, more fulfilling, safer, or just simply
more fun. Our mission is to provide products that improve
your driving experience.

Whistler offers a complete line of DC to AC inverters
ranging in capacity from 75 Watts to 3000 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!

To fully acquaint yourself with the operation of this inverter we
recommend reading this entire manual.

Sincerely,

THE WHISTLER GROUP, INC.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

RED (+)

BLACK (-)

OUTPUT 1

10V

AC

POWER

OVERLOAD

LOW BATTER

Y

WHISTLER FEATURES

Topic Page

Features Summary......................................................................3

Important Information................................................................4

Inverter Basics .......................................................................5 - 7

• Getting Started

• Don’t Push It

Operation ............................................................................8 - 12

• Making the Connection

• Tips

• Recharging Equipment

• Changing the Fuse

• Power Source

Additional & Safety Features...........................................13 - 14

• Auto Shut Down

• Thermal Cut Off

• Low Battery Protection

Care & Maintenance ................................................................15

Technical Operating Principles........................................16 - 17

Operation Summary .........................................................18 - 19

Troubleshooting................................................................20 - 22

Specifications............................................................................23

Warranty Information........................................................24 - 26

A Word About WHISTLER 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 information.
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.

5

3

1

4

2

6

1. AC Output Sockets

2. On/Off Switch

3. Power LED

4. Overload/Low Battery LED

5. Open Fuse LED

6. Power Cords

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3

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

INVERTER BASICS

Important Information About Your New Whistler
Inverter.

This manual will provide you with directions for the safe
and efficient operation of your Whistler Inverter. Read the
manual carefully before using your new Whistler inverter
and keep the manual on file for future reference.

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.

• The length of the supplied cables is matched for the
current needed by the inverter. Making this cable
longer will make the inverter less efficient and may
cause the cables to heat up.

• Do not attempt to lengthen the supplied power
cables.

• 110 volts can be lethal. Improper use of your Whistler
inverter may result in property damage, personal
injury or loss of life.

Not reccommended for use with medical equip-

•

ment. Check with the appliance manufacturer for
compatibility with modified sine wave inverters.

Some appliances may not work well, not at all or be
damaged.
please visit our inverter FAQ page at

www.whistlergroup.com.

For more information on compatibility issues,

4

Getting Started

Power equipment and appliances which operate with motors
or tubes require an initial surge of power to get them up and
running. This power surge is referred to as the "starting load"
or "peak load." (By comparison, electrical devices such as
standard light bulbs do not require a large starting load).
Once the equipment or appliance has been powered up, it
settles down to a slower pace and requires far less electrical
power to operate. This lower power requirement is referred
to as the "continuous load."

In order to ensure that the capacity of your Whistler inverter
is sufficient to meet the required start up load, you must first
determine the power consumption of the equipment or
appliance you plan to operate.

Power consumption is rated either in wattage or in amperes,
and information regarding the required "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.

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. Induction motors, as well as some televi­sions, may require 2 to 6 times their wattage rating to start up.

For further information on the fundamental operating prin­ciples of Whistler inverters and related technical data, see

"Technical Operating Principles."

Contact the

5

INVERTER BASICS

Don’t Push It.

Although your Whistler inverter has the capacity to provide
power output (excess current) equal to approximately 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 800 model has a maximum continuous rat­ing of 800 watts. Although this model has the capacity to
briefly provide up to 1600 watts of power (that is, excess cur­rent), it is designed to operate equipment and appliances
with start up load requirements of 800 watts or less.

Consequently, 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 inverter, the inverter will
attempt to start loads above the continuous rating for up to
10 seconds.

To determine whether your inverter will operate a particular
piece of equipment or appliance, run a test. The inverter is
designed to shut down automatically in the event of a
power overload. Testing appliances and equipment with
start up load ratings comparable to your inverter wattage
rating will not damage it.

INVERTER BASICS

If a piece of equipment or an appliance will not operate, first
confirm 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 inverter
rocker switch ON (l), OFF (O) and ON (l) again in quick suc­cession. If this procedure is unsuccessful, it is likely that the
inverter does not have the required start up capacity to
operate the equipment or appliance in question.

Note:

• Most heat generating appliances require start up
loads in excess of 1000 watts and the inverter will not
operate such appliances as coffee makers, irons, hair
dryers or heaters.

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