Over Voltage Protection
— The inverter will automatically shutdown when input voltage exceeds 15 volts DC.
Overload Protection
— The unit will automatically shut down when the continuous draw exceeds the inverter’s
wattage rating. Reduce the load and manually reset by turning the inverter’s ON/OFF Switch off, then on again.
Over Temperature Protection
— If the temperature inside the inverter reaches 150°F, the unit will automatically
shut down. Allow the inverter to cool for at least 15 minutes before restarting after a heat-related shutdown. Unplug
the inverter from the power source and disconnect all appliances or tools from the inverter’s outlets while cooling.
If the Fault LED lights when the (battery) power source is fully charged, follow the steps outlined in the
“Troubleshooting” section of this Instruction Manual. The Fault LED will light if there is an excessive voltage drop
between the (battery) power source and the inverter.
Note:
Reverse polarity or short circuit condition may cause external or internal fuses to open and may cause irreversible damage
to the inverter. Take extra care to ensure a proper polarity hook-up.
CAUTION
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.
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.
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.
COOL – Ambient air temperature should be between 30°F (–1°C) non-condensing and 105°F (40°C). Do not place
the inverter on or near a heating vent or any piece of equipment that is generating heat above room temperature.
Keep the inverter out of direct sunlight.
VENTILATED – Allow at least three inches of clearance from other objects to ensure free air circulation around the
inverter. Never place items on or over the inverter during operation.
SAFE – Do not locate inverters in an area, room or compartment where explosives or flammable fumes might be
present, such as engine rooms, engine compartments, and boats or small, unvented battery compartments.
Marine Applications
In all marine applications, DO NOT install the inverter below or near the waterline, and keep the inverter away from
moisture and water.
Use ONLY non-corrosive marine fasteners and fittings for installation. Only connect the inverter’s DC input to
existing wiring (that has been approved for marine use) at the appropriate gauge, cable and length. The cable, fuse
holder and fuse (not supplied) can be purchased at an electrical supply company. Call the manufacturer for
additional installation information.
Connecting to a Power Source Using the DC Accessory Outlet Plug
(TH225 and TH400 only)
The DC Accessory Outlet Plug is suitable for operating the inverter at power outputs up to 100 watts. The tip of the
plug is positive (+) and the side contact is negative (–).
Connect the inverter to the power source by inserting the DC Accessory Outlet Plug firmly into the accessory outlet
of a vehicle or other DC power source.
Once properly connected to a 12 volt DC power source, the green Power LED will light, indicating the inverter is
functioning properly. If the red Fault LED lights, a fault condition exists. Refer to the “Troubleshooting” section of this
Instruction Manual.
CAUTIONS
• Connect directly to power source using the included Battery Clips when operating above 100 watts.
• 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.
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Your inverter has built-in overload protection so that if you do exceed the inverter’s output capacity continuously,
the unit will automatically shut down. Once the excess load is removed, the inverter can be restarted and resume
normal operation.
Note:
To restart the inverter, turn it off, and then on again. The ON/OFF Switch is located on the inverter’s Front Panel (refer to
the “Control and Functions” section of this Instruction Manual).
The inverter powers resistive loads the easiest; however, larger resistive loads, such as electric stoves or heaters,
could draw more wattage than the inverter can deliver on a continuous basis.
CAUTIONS
Ensure that total continuous power consumption of all tools and appliances to be used simultaneously with your
inverter does not exceed the inverter’s continuous wattage rating. Also ensure that start-up wattage for inductive
loads does not exceed peak watts for more than a second.
Appliances such as microwave ovens will normally draw more than their rated current and could possibly overload
the inverter when operated simultaneously with other appliances. For example: A 600 watt microwave oven draws
approximately 940 watts.
Rechargeable Devices
CAUTIONS
• Some 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 with your inverter, monitor its temperature for the initial ten minutes of use to
determine if it produces excessive heat. If excessive heat is produced, the device should not be used with your
inverter.
• This problem does not occur with most battery-operated appliances and tools. Most of these appliances use a
separate charger or transformer that is plugged into an AC receptacle.
• Your 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 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 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.
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
• 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 has electronic circuit protection against overload and short circuit conditions; and monitors for the
following potentially hazardous conditions:
Low Battery Voltage
—This condition is not harmful to the inverter, but could damage the power source. An alarm
will sound and the inverter will automatically shut down when input voltage drops below 10.7 volts. This indicates
that the DC (battery) power source needs to be charged or there is an excessive voltage drop between the battery
power source and the inverter. When the condition is corrected, the inverter will automatically restart.
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