6
7
•The cable and fuse sizes given here are a general recommendation. You should always consult your
National Electrical Code prior to beginning each specific installation.
• Loose connectors may cause overheated wires and melted insulation.
• Check to make sure you have not reversed the polarity. Damage due to reversed polarity is not
covered by our warranty.
Connection To Load
The Power Inverter is equipped with dual standard North American three-prong type outlets. Plug the
cord from the equipment you wish to operate into the AC receptacle(s). Make sure the combined load
requirement of your equipment does not exceed maximum continuous power.
The Power Inverter is engineered to be connected directly to standard electrical and electronic
equipment in the manner described above. Do not connect the Power Inverter to household or RV
AC distribution wiring. Do not connect the Power Inverter to any AC load circuit in which the neutral
conductor is connected to ground (earth) or to the negative of the DC (battery) source.
WARNING: Do not connect to AC distribution wiring!
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 (115) 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.
Inductive loads (such as TVs and stereos) require more current to operate than do resistive loads of
the same wattage rating.
Inductive loads, i.e. power tools
Note: Some motors used in power tools, refrigerators and pumps require a very high surge current
to start. This inverter can handle a surge twice it’s rated power but some motors require more than
this when started. The inverter will not be harmed if you try to start such a product it will simply
shutdown on overload.
For safety reasons, the unit will simply shut down if it is overloaded. To restart the unit, simply
unplug all devices plugged into the unit; disconnect the unit from any 12 volt DC power source; then
reconnect the unit BEFORE plugging the appliance back in.
Operation of the 115 Volt AC Outlets
1. Connect the inverter to a functioning 12 volt DC power source as described in this Instruction
Manual. If using the 12 Volt DC Vehicle Accessory Adapter, rotate the vehicle accessory plug
slightly to make sure there is good contact. Make sure there is adequate space for proper
ventilation of the inverter.
2. Press the Power Pushbutton to turn the unit ON.
3. The green Power LED Indicator will light, indicating a proper connection. If either the yellow low
input voltage LED Indicator or red Fault LED Indicator lights, indicating a fault condition exists,
refer to the “Troubleshooting” section of this Instruction Manual.
4. If the Inverter does not work, make sure the ignition/accessory switch is actually powering the
accessory outlet. Some vehicles require the ignition switch to be turned on.
5. Plug the (110/120 volt AC) appliance into one of the Inverter’s three-prong AC outlet and operate
normally.
Note:
The Inverter will not operate appliances and equipment that generate heat, such as hair dryers, electric blankets, microwave ovens
and toasters.
Remember to disconnect the inverter from any power source when not in use.
Operation of the USB Charging Port
1. Connect the inverter to a functioning 12 volt DC power source as described in this Instruction
Manual. If using the 12 Volt DC Vehicle Accessory Adapter, rotate the vehicle accessory plug
slightly to make sure there is good contact. Make sure there is adequate space for proper
ventilation of the inverter.
2. Press the Power Pushbutton to turn the unit ON.
3. The green Power LED Indicator will light, indicating a proper connection. If either the yellow Input
Fault LED Indicator or red Output Fault LED Indicator lights, indicating a fault condition exists,
refer to the “Troubleshooting” section of this Instruction Manual.
• 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.
Notes:
Most vehicle accessory outlet circuits have fuses rated at 15 to 20 amps or greater. To operate at full wattage, either use the battery
clip cable (supplied) or directly wire to the power source with user-supplied wire and fuse. The majority of modern automobiles,
RVs and trucks are negative ground.
Once properly connected to a 12 volt DC power source and switched on, the green Power LED
Indicator lights indicating that the Inverter is functioning properly and the 100W logo will light up to
show you can only power devices up to 100W from this connection. If either the yellow low input
voltage LED Indicator or red Fault LED Indicator lights, indicating a fault condition exists, refer to the
“Troubleshooting” section of this Instruction Manual.
CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE USING THE PROVIDED BATTERY CLIPS
Use the provided Battery Clips (with cables) to connect the Power Inverter directly to the 12 volt
power source as follows:
1. Check to make sure the inverter’s Power Pushbutton has been pressed OFF (no LEDs are lit) and
that no flammable fumes are present in the installation area.
2. Connect the RED cable to the RED post on the back of the inverter. Connect the RED Battery Clip
to the POSITIVE terminal of the battery.
3. Connect the BLACK cable to the
BLACK
post on the back of the inverter. Connect the BLACK Battery
Clip to the NEGATIVE terminal of the battery.
4. Make sure that all connections between cables and terminals are secure.
5. Once properly connected to a 12 volt power source and switched on, the green power LED
indicator lights indicating that the inverter is functioning properly and both the 100W and 500W
logos will light up to show what devices you can power.
DIRECT HARDWIRING TO POWER SOURCE (OPTIONAL CONNECTION METHOD; HARDWARE NOT INCLUDED)
WARNING:
It is not recommended to install with cables longer than 10ft as this can adversely effect
the operation of your inverter.
As this unit can be directly hard wired it has wall mount features built in to secure it in the desired
location. The diagram below shows you how to do this.
Use #6 AWG wire if the inverter to power source connection is 6 feet or less. For cable lengths up to
10ft use #4 AWG wire. In either case, protect the positive (+) wire from shorts by installing a 60 ANL
fuse or circuit breaker close to the DC power source (battery) terminal.
1. Check to make sure the inverter’s Power Pushbutton has been pressed OFF (no LEDs are lit) and
that no flammable fumes are present in the installation area.
2. Identify the positive (+) and negative (–) DC power source (battery) terminals.
3. Install a fuse holder or breaker close to the positive (+) terminal of the DC source (battery).
4. Connect a length of wire on one side of the fuse holder or circuit breaker. Connect the other end of
the wire to the positive (+) terminal of the inverter.
5. Connect a length of wire between the inverter’s negative (–) terminal and the DC power source
negative (–) terminal.
6. Connect a short length of wire to the other terminal of the fuse holder or circuit breaker. Mark it
“positive” or “+”.
7. Connect the free end of the fuse or breaker wire to the positive (+) terminal of the DC power
source (battery).
8. Insert a fuse appropriate to the inverter in the fuse holder.
9. Test the inverter by turning it on and plugging in a 100 watt lamp or equipment.
10. If the inverter is not properly operating, then refer to the Troubleshooting section of this manual.
CAUTION
PI500BB_PI500BBCA_ManualENFRSP_073015.indd 6-7
7/30/2015 5:31:16 PM
