Cobra CPI 300 Operating Instructions Manual - User Manual

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Nothing comes close to a Cobra

™

Operating Instructions for Your

Cobra

300 Watt

POWER

INVERTER

M O D E L

C P I –

3 0 0

Congratulations

Thank you for purchasing the CPI 300 Power Inverter from
Cobra

. When used properly, your unit will give you many

years of reliable service. The operating features of your
CPI 300 include:

300 Watt

POWER INVERTER

MODEL

CPI–

300

• Automatic thermal

protection/shutdown

• Reverse polarity protection

•  Dual AC receptacle
•  Low battery alarm
•  Low battery shutdown

AC Output

POWER

FAULT

OFF

AC outlets

fuse

battery
cable
terminals

ON/OFF POWER
switch

fault indicator

power indicator

INTRODUCTION

For Best Results

Your CPI 300 must be
installed and used properly
in order to provide the best
possible results. Please read
all instructions carefully
before installing and using
the unit. Pay special
attention to CAUTION and
WARNING statements in this
manual.

CAUTION

statements

specify conditions that
could cause damage to the
unit or other equipment.

WARNING

statements

identify conditions that
could result in person
injury or loss of life.

Cobra

300W

Output Waveform

This unit’s output waveform
is referred to as ”square
wave“ of ”modified sine
wave“. It is a stepped
waveform designed to have
characteristics similar to the
sine wave shape of utility
power. A waveform of this
nature is suitable for most
AC loads (including linear
and switching power suppliers
used in electronic equipment,
transformers and motors).

CAUTION

WARNING

Introduction A2

How Your Cobra

Power Inverter Works

Rechargeable Appliances

Quick Checkout

2-3

Installation and Operation

Controls and Indicators

Operating Limits

Input Voltage/Automatic Shutdown

Troubleshooting Guide

Maintenance and Service

8-9

Power Consumption

Specifications 11

Limited 2-Year Warranty

1
2
3

4
5
5

6
7

Table of Contents

How Your Cobra

Power

Inverter Works

The Cobra

Power Inverter

takes low voltage DC (direct
current) power from your
automobile or other low
voltage power supply and
converts it to standard 110
volt AC (alternating current)
power like the electrical
current you have in your home.
You can connect your power
inverter either with the 2 foot
direct-to-battery 12 gauge
cable (included) or simply by
plugging into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter socket. This
will allow you to use many of
your household appliances and
electronic products in
automobiles, RVs, boats,
tractors, trucks, and virtually
anywhere else.

Customer Assistance

You can receive technical
assistance with your unit
through one of our customer
support services:
•

Automated Help Desk

is available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week at
773-889-3087.

•

Customer Service Operators

are available 773-889-3087
Monday - Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST.

•

Questions can be faxed

773-622-2269.

•

Automated Technical
Assistance

is available 24 hrs.,

7 days a week via e-mail at:
productinfo@cobra.com.

•

On-line answers

frequently asked questions can
be found at: www.cobra.com

For additional Customer Service
information, see page 8-9.

QUICK CHECKOUT

RECHARGEABLE APPLIANCES

Certain rechargers for small
nickel cadmium batteries
can be damaged if connected
to the CPI 300. Two types
of equipment are particularly
prone to this problem:

Small battery operated
appliances that can be
plugged directly into
an AC receptacle for
recharging, including
flashlights, razors, and
night lights.

Certain battery chargers for
battery packs used in hand
power tools, specifically
those that have a
WARNING label stating
that dangerous voltages
are present at the battery
terminals.

Problems do not occur with
the vast majority of battery
operated tools, most of which
use a separate charger or
transformer that plugs into
an AC receptacle and
produces a low voltage
output. If the label on your
tool’s AC adapter or charger
states that is produces a low
voltage AC or DC output
(less than 30 volts) you
can safely power the charger
with your CPI 300.

In order to check the
performance of your CPI 300
before installing it, please
have the following on hand:

A 12 volt DC power source
(such as a vehicle battery)

The 2 foot cigarette lighter
plug wire and the 2 foot
direct-to-battery 12 gauge
wire

A test load such as a lamp
or other small appliance
that can be plugged into
the AC receptacle on the
inverter

Power Source

You will need an 11 to 15 volt
DC power source capable of
supplying enough current to
run the test load. As a rough
guide, divide the wattage of
the test load by 10 to get the
current (in amperes) that the
power source must supply.
A fully charged standard
automotive battery will
work fine.

Connecting to the
Power Source

Your CPI 300 comes with both
a 20 inch cigarette lighter plug
wire and a 20 inch direct-to-
battery 12 gauge wire. The
cigarette lighter plug is suitable
for operating the inverter at
loads up to 150 watts.

When operating any loads
over 150 watts, connect the
inverter directly to the
battery.
Remove any jewelry. Be
careful not to short circuit
the battery with a metallic
object (wrench, etc.)

Do not connect to the
power source if flammable
fumes are present. Explosion
or fire may result. Thoroughly
ventilate the battery
compartment before
making a connection.

WARNING

CAUTION

QUICK CHECKOUT

Quick Checkout

(continued)

To connect your inverter
to the power source:

Push the inverter’s ON/OFF
switch to OFF.

If the power source is a DC
power supply, switch it off.

To use the cigarette
lighter plug wire:

Connect the wire to the
posts on the right side of
the inverter. Insert the plug
into the cigarette lighter
of your vehicle.

To use the direct-to-
battery wire:

a. Connect the black cable
to the black post marked (-)
on the back of the CPI 300.
Connect the other end to
the negative terminal on
the battery.
b. Connect the red cable to

the red post marked (+) on
the back of the CPI 300.
Connect the other end to
the positive terminal on
the battery.

Plug the power cord from
the test load into the
inverter’s AC receptacle.

Check to be sure all power
connections are secure.

A reverse polarity connection
(positive to negative) will blow
the fuse in the inverter and may
permanently damage the unit.

Testing

Turn on the inverter. It should
supply power to the load. If
the inverter does not appear
to work properly, refer to the
Troubleshooting Guide on
page 7.

AC Output

POWER

FAULT

OFF

ON/OFF
switch

Positive
terminal

Negative
terminal

The location where you install
your CPI 300 must be:
•

dry

–Do not install the unit

where water can drip or
splash on it.

•

cool

–Ambient air temperature

should be between 30˚ and
105˚ F (0˚ and 40˚ C). The
cooler the better.

•

ventilated

–Allow at least

1 inch (3 cm) of clearance
around the unit for proper
air flow. Make sure that
ventilation openings on the
ends of the unit are not
obstructed.

To prevent fire, do not cover
or obstruct ventilation
openings. Do not install the
unit in a zero-clearance
compartment. Overheating
may result.

The inverter must only be
connected to batteries with a
nominal output voltage of
12 volts. It will not work with

a 6 volt battery, and will be
damaged if it is connected
to a 16 volt battery.

Turning on Your
Power Inverter

Turn on your CPI 300 by
pushing the ON/OFF switch
to ON.

The unit is now ready to deliver
AC power to your loads. If
several loads are to be powered
by the inverter, turn them on
separately AFTER the inverter
has been turned on. This will
ensure that the inverter will
not have to deliver the start-up
currents required for all loads
at once.

AC Output

POWER

FAULT

OFF

ON/OFF
switch

CAUTION

INSTALLATION • OPERATION

CONTROLS & INDICATORS

OPERATING LIMITS

INPUT VOLTAGE/AUTO SHUTDOWN

On/Off Switch

The ON/OFF switch turns the
control circuit in the inverter
on and off. It DOES NOT
disconnect power from the
inverter.

When the switch is in the OFF
position, the inverter draws
no current from the battery.
When it is the in ON position,
but no power is being
supplied to the load, the
inverter draws less than
500 milliamperes from the
battery. This is low current
draw. It would take more
than a week to discharge a
100 ampere-hour battery at
this draw rate.
You don’t have to worry about
excessive drain on a battery if
you leave the inverter

switched on for a few days.
However, you should switch it
off if you are not planning to
recharge the battery within
about a week.

Fault Indicator

The ”fault“ indicator of your
CPI 300 will light whenever
the unit detects excessively
high or low input voltage, or
begins to overheat.

AC Output

POWER

FAULT

OFF

ON/OFF
switch

Power Output

Your CPI 300 will deliver 300
watts continuously. It can
deliver 360 watts for about
30 minutes, after which it
must cool for about 15
minutes before it can resume
operation at 300 watts.
(

NOTE:

the wattage rating

applies to resistive loads.)

Input Voltage

Your CPI 300 will operate
from input voltage ranging
from 10 to 15 volts. Optimum
performance occurs when the
voltage is between 12 and
14 volts.
If the voltage drops below
10.7 ± 0.3 volts, an audible
low battery alarm will sound.
The inverter will automatically
shut down if the input
voltage drops below 10.0 ±
0.3 volts. This protects the
battery from being over-
discharged. The inverter will

restart when the input voltage
exceeds 12.0 ± 0.5 volts.
The inverter will also shut
down if the input voltage
increases to 15.0 ± 0.5 volts.
This helps protect the unit
from damage due to excessive
input voltage. Although the
inverter is protected in this
way, it may still be damaged
should the input voltage
exceed 16 volts.

Automatic Shutdown

The unit will automatically go
into thermal shutdown if it
becomes overheated due to
excessive input voltage, poor
circulation or high ambient
temperature.

AC Output

POWER

FAULT

OFF

fault
indicator

MAINTENANCE & SERVICE

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Maintaining Your
Inverter

Your CPI 300 requires very
little maintenance to keep it
operating properly. The exterior
of the unit should be cleaned
periodically with a damp cloth
to prevent accumulation of
dust and dirt. At the same
time, tighten the screws on
the DC input terminals. Keep
vents and fans free from dust
or debris.

Service

You can receive technical
assistance with your unit
through one of our customer
support services:

• Automated Help Desk

is available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week at
773-889-3087.

• Customer Service Operators

are available at
773-889-3087 Monday
through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. CST.

• Questions can be faxed

773-622-2269.

• Automated Technical

Assistance

is available

24 hours, 7 days a week
via e-mail at:
productinfo@cobra.com.

• On-line answers

frequently asked questions
can be found at:
www.cobra.com

Problem/

Possible Solution

Symptom

Causes

Low output voltage

Overload

Reduce the load.

No output voltage

Low input

Recharge battery.

voltage

Check connections

and cable.

Short circuit or

Check AC wiring for short

wiring error

circuit or improper polarity.

No output voltage High input

Make sure the inverter

and ”fault“

voltage

is connected to a

indicator is lit

12 volt battery.

Check regulation of

charging system.

No output voltage

Thermal

Allow inverter to cool down

when load is in

shutdown

Improve ventilation—

excess of 300 watts

make sure ventilation

or 2.6 amperes

openings in the inverter

aren’t obstructed. Lower

ambient temperature.

Low battery

Poor DC wiring,

Use proper cable.

alarm sounds

poor battery

Ensure good connections.

continuously

connection

Use new battery.

MAINTENANCE & SERVICE

POWER CONSUMPTION

*up to 25 inch

Equipment

Power Operating Watt-Hours

Consumption

Time

(power X

operating time)

Coffee grinder 100 watts

0.1 hour

TV*/VCR

115 watts

3 hours

345

Service

(continued)

If you suspect that your unit
requires service, please call
773-889-3087 BEFORE
shipping it to Cobra

. This

will ensure that you receive
service as quickly as
possible.

If you are asked to send your
unit to the Cobra

factory,

please follow these steps:

Send the complete unit.

For warranty repair, enclose

some form of proof-of-
purchase, such as a
photocopy or carbon copy of
a sales receipt. If you send
the original receipt, it
cannot be returned.

Enclose a typed or clearly

written description of the
problem you are having
with your unit, plus the
name and address where
you want the unit returned.

Pack the unit securely to

prevent damage during

transit. If possible, use the
original packing materials.

Ship prepaid and insured

using a traceable carrier such
as United Parcel Service
(UPS), Federal Express, or
first class mail with delivery
confirmation. Ship to:

Cobra

Factory Service,

Cobra Electronics
Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA

Please allow 3-4 weeks

before contacting us about
the status of your service.
Call 773-889-3087 for
assistance.

If your unity is under
warranty, it will either be
repaired or replaced upon
receipt, depending on the
model. If your unit is out of
warranty, you will receive a
letter informing you of the
repair or replacement charge.

For each piece of equipment
you will be powering with
your CPI 300, you must
determine the battery’s
capacity (how long the
battery can deliver a specific
amount of current). For
example, automotive
batteries usually provide
25 amperes of current. A
battery with a reserve
capacity of 180 minutes
can deliver 25 amperes for
180 minutes before it is
completely discharged.

Calculate the total watt-hours
of energy consumption
(power X operating time),
then divide the watt-hours
by 10 to determine how may
12 volt ampere hours will be
consumed.

LIMITED 2-YEAR WARRANTY

Cobra Electronics Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

Cobra Electronics Corporation warrants
that its Cobra

Power Inverter, and the

component parts thereof, will be free
of defects in material and workmanship
for a period of two (2) years from the
date of consumer purchase. This
warranty may be enforced by the first
consumer purchaser, provided that the
product is utilized within the U.S.A.
Cobra

will, without charge, repair or

replace, at its option, a defective
inverter upon delivery to the Cobra

Factory Service Department,
accompanied by proof of the date
of first consumer purchase, such as
duplicated sales receipt.
You must pay initial shipping
charges required to ship the product
for warranty service, but the return
charges will be at Cobra’s expense, if
the product is repaired or replaced
under warranty.
This warranty gives you specific
rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state
to state.

Exclusions: This limited warranty
does not apply 1) to any product
damaged by accident; 2) in the
event of misuse or abuse of the
product or as a result of
unauthorized alterations or repairs;
3) if the serial number has been
altered, defaced or removed;
4) if the owner of the product
resides outside the U.S.A.
All implied warranties, including
warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose are
limited in duration to the length of
this warranty.
Cobra

shall not be liable for any

incidental, consequential or other
damages; including, without
limitation, damages resulting from
loss of use or cost of installation.
Some states do not allow limitations
on how long an implied warranty lasts
and/or do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above
limitations may not apply to you.

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications

Continuous output power (4 hours)

300w

Continuous output power (30 minutes)

360w

Surge rating (0.1second)

550w

Peak efficiency (12V—1/2 load)

90%

Efficiency (full load, 12V)

>83%

No load current draw

< 0.1 A (12.6V)

Output waveform (resistive load)

Perfect modified

sine wave

Output frequency

60HZ±2HZ

Output voltage

110V+/-5%

10. Input voltage

10-15 VDC

11. Alarm voltage (unload)

10.7 V ±0.3V

12. Shutdown voltage (unload)

10.0V ±0.3V

13. Operating temperature range

-10° C-40° C

14. Storage temperature range

-40° C to 85° C

15. Protection Overload, short-circuit, Overtemp

16. Reverse polarity, under/over voltage

Notes:

All protection is

automatically recovered.
To protect the battery, if the
unit needs to be restarted after
low voltage protection, the

voltage of DC input should be
above 12V.
The unit is completely
insulated in input and output
for added safety.

Printed in China
Part No. 480-032-P

The Cobra

line of

quality products includes:

CB radios

microTALK

radios

Radar/Laser Detectors

Safety Alert

Traffic Warning Systems

Accessories

HighGear™ Accessories

For more information about

our products, or to order online

please visit our website:

www.cobra.com

Click “shop Cobra”

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

2002 Cobra Electronics Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, IL 60707 USA

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