Whistler PRO-200W, PRO-400W User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

Pro-200W, Pro-400W

POWER INVERTERS

THE WHISTLER GROUP, INC.
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

3604 N.W. Frontage Rd.
Bentonville, AR 72712
TEL [phone] FX [phone]
www.whistlergroup.com

CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER

551 N. 13th St.
Rogers, AR 72756
Consumer Relations Tel [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

P/N 401514
© 2010 The Whistler Group, Inc.

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If you have questions concerning the
operation of this Whistler product

INTRODUCTION

please call customer service:

1-800-531-0004

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT

or visit www.whistlergroup.com

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. 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 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 from 100 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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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1. AC Output Sockets 6. High Speed Cooling Fan

2. On/Off Switch 7. Power Input Terminal Red = Positive

3. USB Power Port 8. Lighter Socket Power Cord

4. Power on LED 9. Battery Clamps

5. Power Input Terminal Black = Negative

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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.

• Do not connect the inverter’s output to any other power
source.

• Not recommended for use with medical equipment.

Check with the appliance manufacturer for compatibility
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.

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INVERTER BASICS

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 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. Contact

the appliance or equipment manufacturer to determine
if the device you are using (TV’s, battery charger,
computer, medical equipment, 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 for startup.

For further information on the fundamental operating
principles of WHISTLER inverters and related technical
data, see "Technical Operating Principles."

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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 Pro-400W watt model has a maximum
continuous rating of 400 watts. Although this model has the
capacity to briefly provide more than its continuous power
(that is, excess current), it is designed to operate equipment
and appliances with start up load requirements of 400 watts
or less.

Consequently, if the start up load rating of your equipment
or appliance is slightly higher than the maximum continuous
rating of the inverter, the inverter will attempt to start loads
above the continuous rating for up to 10 seconds.

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 this inverter will not operate
such appliances as coffee makers, irons, hair dryers or
heaters.

• The inverter’s USB Port does not support data
communications.

• USB power is always on and independent of the
inverter’s on/off switch.

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 the inverter.
However, make sure the appliance you are testing is
compatible with modified sine wave inverters. See page 4
for more information.

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