Your inverter is engineered to be connected directly to standard electrical and electronic equipment in the manner described in
the “Installation” section of this Instruction Manual. Do not connect the inverter to household or RV AC distribution wiring. Do not
connect the inverter to any AC load circuit in which the neutral conductor is connected to ground (earth) or to the negative of the
DC (battery) power source.
Inductive loads, such as TVs and stereos, require more current to operate than resistive loads of the same wattage rating. Induction
motors, as well as some TVs, may require two to six times their rated wattage to start up. Because these inverters have a peak watt
power rating, many such appliances and tools may be safely operated. The equipment that needs the highest starting wattage are
pumps and compressors that start under load. This equipment can be safely tested. If an overload is detected, the inverter will simply
shut down until the overload situation is corrected. Use the front panel switch to turn off the inverter, then on again to reset it.
CAUTIONS
• If turning the On/Off switch off, then on again does not reset the inverter, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE INVERTER. Opening the
inverter for any reason will void the warranty. The unit must be-returned to manufacturer for testing and repair by professional
factory technicians.
• Exceeding recommended voltage limits will void manufacturer’s warranty.
• NEVER try to use your inverter with any 12 volt DC power source that-uses a positive ground. (Most vehicles and boats use
negative ground systems.)
• The Power Inverter must be connected only to batteries with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The unit will not operate from
a 6 volt battery and will sustain permanent damage if connected to a 24 volt battery.
• Reverse polarity connection will result in a blown fuse and may cause permanent damage to the inverter.
Protective Features
The inverter monitors the following conditions:
Input Voltage Too Low:
This condition is not harmful to the inverter, but could damage the power source, so the inverter will
automatically shut down when input voltage drops below 10.5 ± 0.5 volts DC.
Input Voltage Too High:
The inverter will automatically shut down when DC input voltage exceeds 15.4 ± 0.5 volts, as this can
harm the unit.
Thermal Shutdown Protection:
The inverter will automatically shut down when the unit becomes overheated.
Overload/Short Circuit Protection:
The inverter will automatically shut down when an overload or short circuit occurs.
Note:
The Power/Fault LED Indicator will light solid to indicate that the inverter is properly connected. The Power/Fault LED Indicator will flash to warn of a fault
condition before automatic shutdown occurs.
RATED VERSUS ACTUAL CURRENT DRAW OF EQUIPMENT
Most electrical tools, appliances, electronic devices and audio/visual equipment have labels that indicate the power consumption
in amps or watts. Be sure that the power consumption of the item to be operated is below 500 watts. If the power consumption is
rated in amps AC, simply multiply by the AC volts (120) to determine the wattage.
Resistive loads are the easiest for the inverter to run; however, it will not run larger resistive loads (such as electric stoves and
heaters), which require far more wattage than the inverter can deliver on a continuous basis. Inductive loads (such as TVs and
stereos) require more current to operate than do resistive loads of the same wattage rating.
For safety reasons, the inverter will simply shut down if it is overloaded. To restart the unit, simply unplug all devices plugged
into the inverter; disconnect the inverter from any 12 volt DC power source; then reconnect the inverter BEFORE plugging the
appliance(s) back in.
INSTALLATION
Your inverter will provide you with continuous electrical power when powered by a reliable 12 volt DC source, such as a vehicle
battery or a multiple battery configuration. This manual does not describe all of the possible configurations.
Mounting the Inverter
The inverter comes equipped with mounting brackets for long-term installation. Secure the inverter using screws appropriate to the
mounting surface (not supplied). Use ONLY non-corrosive marine fasteners and fittings for marine installation.
CAUTION
To avoid the risk of property damage, only mount the inverter on a level, stable surface, assuring that all screws are tightened
securely and observing all of the cautions and recommendations regarding installation found in this manual.
Operating Environment
For best operating results, your inverter should be placed on a flat surface, such as the ground, car floor or seat, or other solid
surface to help diffuse the heat that is generated. Position the inverter as close to the DC power source as possible.
The inverter should only be operated in locations that meet the following criteria:
DRY – Do not allow water and/or other liquids to come into contact with the inverter.
4
5
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE:
• Disconnect appliance plug from inverter outlet before working on the appliance.
• Do not attempt to connect or set up the inverter or its components while operating your vehicle. Not paying attention to the road
may result in a serious accident.
• Always use the inverter where there is adequate ventilation. Do not block ventilation slots.
• Always turn the inverter off and disconnect it from the power source when not in use.
• The inverter must be connected only to batteries with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The unit will not operate from a 6 volt
battery and will sustain permanent damage if connected to a 24 volt battery.
• When using this unit in a vehicle, check the vehicle owner’s manual for maximum power rating and recommended output. Do not
install in engine compartment — install in a well ventilated area.
• Do not use with positive ground electrical systems.* Reverse polarity connection will result in a blown fuse and may cause
permanent damage to the inverter and will void warranty.
•
*The majority of modern automobiles, RVs and trucks are negative ground.
• Keep in mind that this inverter will not operate high wattage appliances or equipment that produce heat, such as hair dryers,
microwave ovens and toasters.
• DO NOT OPEN THE INVERTER — there are no user-serviceable parts inside. Opening the inverter will void manufacturer’s
warranty.
• Do not use this inverter with medical devices. It is not tested for medical applications.
• Install and operate inverter only as described in this Instruction Manual.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE:
Follow these instructions and those published by
battery manufacturer and the manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use with this unit. Review cautionary markings on
these products and on engine.
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on purchasing your new
Stanley 500 Watt Power Inverter.
Read this Instruction Manual and follow the
instructions carefully before using your new inverter.
This power inverter is configured to supply continuous power in the form of two 120 volt AC outlets and a 5 volt USB charging port
to run most household or electronic appliances.
HOW THIS INVERTER WORKS
This inverter is an electronic device that converts low voltage DC (direct current) electricity from a battery to 120 volts AC
(alternating current) household power. It converts power in two stages. The first stage is a DC-to-DC conversion process that raises
the low voltage DC at the inverter input to 145 volts DC. The second stage is a MOSFET bridge stage that converts the high voltage
DC into 120 volts, 60 Hz AC.
Power Inverter Output Waveform
The AC output waveform of this inverter is known as a modified sine wave. It is a stepped waveform that has characteristics similar
to the sine wave shape of utility power. This type of waveform is suitable for most AC loads, including linear and switching power
supplies used in electronic equipment, transformers, and small motors.
CAUTION: RECHARGEABLE DEVICES
• Certain rechargeable devices are designed to be charged by plugging them directly into an AC receptacle. These devices may
damage the inverter or the charging circuit.
• When using a rechargeable device, monitor its temperature for the initial ten minutes of use to determine if it produces excessive
heat.
• If excessive heat is produced, this indicates the device should not be used with this inverter.
• This problem does not occur with most of the battery-operated equipment. Most of these devices use a separate charger or
transformer that is plugged into an AC receptacle.
• The inverter is capable of running most chargers and transformers.
POWER SOURCE AND PROTECTIVE FEATURES
Power Source Requirements
Your inverter will operate from input voltages between 11 and 15 volts DC. If the input voltage drops below 10.5 volts DC, the
inverter will shut down. This feature protects the battery from being completely discharged.
The inverter will also shut down if the input voltage exceeds 15.4 volts. This protects the inverter against excessive input voltage.
Although the inverter has built-in protection against over voltage, it may still be damaged if the input voltage exceeds 15 volts.
PC509CA_ManualENFR_121813.indd 4-5
12/18/2013 10:49:09 AM
