3
APPLIANCE CAUTIONS
•
Do NOT plug in battery chargers for cordless power tools if the charger carries a warning
for presence of dangerous voltages at the battery terminals.
•
Certain chargers for small nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries can be damaged
if powered by this inverter. Two types of appliances are susceptible to get damaged:
•
Small, battery-operated appliances such as flashlights.
•
Cordless razors and toothbrushes that plug directly into an AC receptacle.
•
Do NOT use this inverter with the above two types of equipment.
•
The majority of portable appliances do not have this problem. Most portable appliances
use separate transformers or chargers that plug into AC receptacles to supply a low-vol-
tage DC or AC output to the appliance. If the appliance label states that the charger
or adapter produces a low-voltage DC or AC output (30 volts or less), there will be no
problem powering that charger or adapter.
•
Some fans with synchronous motors may slightly increase in speed (RPM) when powered
by the inverter. This is not harmful to the fan or to the inverter.
•
Route appliance cords and extension cords to prevent accidental cable pinching,
crushing or abrading and tripping people.
•
Use safety approved extension cords rated at 15 amps or higher.
•
GFCI devices may not work with modified sine wave (MSW) power.
•
This inverter is not tested for use with medical equipment.
•
This inverter is not tested for use in marine applications.
•
In the event of a continuous audible alarm or automatic shutdown, turn the inverter
OFF immediately. Do not restart the inverter until the source of the problem has been
identified and corrected.
•
When attempting to power lead acid battery chargers, with modified sine wave, monitor
the temperature of the battery charger for approximately 10 minutes. If the battery char-
ger becomes abnormally warm, immediately disconnect it from the inverter.
Getting Started
A motorized appliance or a tool require an initial surge of power to start up. This surge of power
is referred to as the “starting load” or “peak load.” Once started, the tool or appliance requires less
power to operate. This is referred to as the “continuous load” in terms of power requirements.
You will need to determine how much power your tool or appliance requires to start up (starting
load) and its continued running power requirements (continuous load).
Power consumption is rated in watts, or it can be calculated from amperes (amps). This informa-
tion is usually stamped or printed on most appliances and equipment. If this information is not
indicated on the appliance or equipment, check the owner’s manual. For electrically sensitive
equipment, contact the manufacturer to determine if the device you are using is compatible
with an AC modified sine wave inverter.
Multiply:
AC AMPS
X
110
(AC voltage) =
WATTS
This formula yields a close approximation of the continuous load of your appliance.
Multiply:
WATTS
X
2
= Starting Load for most appliances
This formula yields a close approximation of the starting load of most appliances. Exceptions
are motorized appliances such as pumps, freezers and air conditioners. These appliances can
have start-up loads of up to eight times the rated watts.
