Cobra CPI890 Operating Instructions Manual - User Manual

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Intro

Operation

Customer

Assistance

Warranty

Notes

Notice

Main Icons

Secondary Icons

Caution

Warning

Installation

Customer Assistance

Our Thanks to You

Intro

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Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Cobra Power

Inverter CPI890. Properly used, this Cobra product

will give you many years of reliable service.
How Your Cobra Power Inverter Works

The Cobra power inverter is an electronic product that

has been designed and built to take low voltage DC

(Direct Current) power from your automobile or other

low voltage power supplies and convert it to standard

115 Volt AC (Alternating Current) power like the current

you have in your home. This conversion process

thereby allows you

to use many of your household appliances and

electronic products in automobiles, RVs, boats, tractors,

trucks and virtually anywhere else.

Customer Assistance

Should you encounter any problems with this product,

or not understand its many features, please refer to this

owner’s manual. If you require further assistance after

reading this manual, Cobra Electronics offers the

following customer assistance services:

For Assistance in the U.S.A.

Automated Help Desk English only.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).
Customer Assistance Operators English and Spanish.

8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday

(except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).
Questions English and Spanish.

Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).
Technical Assistance English only.

www.cobra.com (on-line: Frequently Asked Questions).

English and Spanish. productinfo

cobra.com (e-mail).

For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA

www.cobra.com

Operating Instructions

800 WATT POWER INVERTER

CPI890

Printed in China

Part No. 480-995-P

Version B

For more information or to

order any of our products,

please visit our website:

www.cobra.com

CB Radios
microTALK

2-Way Radios

Radar/Laser Detectors
Mobile GPS Navigation Systems
HighGear

Accessories

CobraMarine

VHF Radios

Power Inverters
Accessories

The Cobra line of quality

products includes:

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Maintenance

•

Very little maintenance is required to keep the inverter 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. Be sure

vents and fans are free of dust or debris.

Product Service

•

If you have any questions about operating or installing your new

Cobra product, or if you are missing parts…
Please call Cobra first!

DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE!

See customer assistance on page A1.
If your product should require factory service, please call Cobra

first before sending your power inverter. This will ensure the

fastest turn-around time on your repair. You may be asked to

send your power inverter to the Cobra factory.
It will be necessary to furnish the following to have the product

serviced and returned.
1. For warranty repair include some form of proof-of-purchase,

such as a mechanical reproduction or carbon copy of a sales

receipt. If you send the original receipt, it cannot be returned.

2. Send the entire product.
3. Enclose a description of what is happening with the power

inverter. Include a typed or clearly printed name and address

of where the power inverter is to be returned.

4. Pack power inverter securely to prevent damage in transit.

If possible, use the original packing material.

Ship prepaid and insured by way of a traceable carrier

such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Priority Mail

to avoid loss in transit to:

Cobra Factory Service

Cobra Electronics Corporation

6500 West Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA.

If the power inverter is in warranty, upon receipt of your power

inverter, it will either be repaired or exchanged depending on

the model. Please allow approximately three to four weeks

before contacting Cobra for status. If the power inverter is out

of warranty, a letter will automatically be sent informing you

of the repair charge or replacement charge.

If you have any questions, please call 773-889-3087 for assistance.

Maintenance and

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Cooling Fan

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On/Off

Power Switch

AC Outlet

Negative Battery

Cable Terminal

(Black)

Positive Battery

Cable Terminal

(Red)

Features

• Two AC Receptacles
• 5V / 2.1 USB Output
• Automatic Thermal

Protection/Shutdown

•  Reverse Polarity Protection
•  Low Battery Alarm
•  Low Battery Shutdown

Contents

Introduction

Our Thanks to You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2

Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Quick Evaluation Before Installation . . . . . . 3

Installation

Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Connecting Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Power Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Operation

Turning Your Inverter On or Off . . . . . . . . 11

Power and Protection Indicators . . . . . . . 12

Operating Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warranty

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Customer Assistance

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Protection &

Power Indicators

USB Outlet

AC Outlet

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Important Safety Information

•

Before installing and using your Cobra power inverter,

please read these general precautions and warnings.

Caution and Warning Statements

To make the most of this inverter, it must be installed

and used properly. Please read the installation and

operating instructions carefully before installing and

using it. Special attention must be paid to the CAUTION

and WARNING statements in the manual.

CAUTION Statements specify conditions which

could cause damage to the unit or other equipment.

WARNING Statements identify conditions that

could result in personal injury or loss of life.

General Precautions

1. Never install the inverter in a boat’s

engine compartment where gas and

battery fumes are present.

2. Do not operate the inverter if it has

been dropped or damaged in any way.

3. Do not open the inverter; it contains no user-

serviceable parts. Attempting to service unit

could cause electrical shock.

NOTE Internal components remain charged

after all power is disconnected.

4. Do not expose the inverter to rain, snow,

bilge water or spray.

5. Do not obstruct the ventilation openings.
6. Do not install the inverter in zero-clearance

compartment.

CAUTION This inverter should be used in

negative ground applications only.

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Important Safety Information

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WARNING Power inverters contain components

that can produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire

or explosion, do not install the inverter in areas or

compartments containing batteries or flammable

materials or in locations that require ignition-

protected equipment.
WARNING To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover

or obstruct the ventilation openings. Do not

install inverter in zero-clearance compartment.

Proposition 65: Warning: Wash Hands After

Handling Power Cord

The power cord on this product contains lead, a chemical

known in the state of California to cause birth defects or

other reproductive harm.

Caution: Rechargeable Appliances

Certain chargers for small nickel cadmium batteries can be

damaged if connected to the Cobra 800 watt inverter. Two

particular types of equipment are prone to this problem:

1. Small battery-operated

appliances such as flashlights,

razors, and night lights that

can be plugged directly into

an AC receptacle to recharge.

2. Certain battery chargers for

battery packs used in hand

power tools. These chargers

have a WARNING label stating

that dangerous voltages are

present at the battery terminals.

This problem does not occur with the vast majority of

battery operated equipment. Most use a separate charger

or transformer that is plugged into the AC receptacle

and produces a low voltage output. If the label on the AC

adapter or charger states that it produces a low voltage

AC or DC output (less than 30 volts), the inverter will

have no problem powering the adapter safely.

Output Waveform

Some very sensitive electronic equipment may not operate

satisfactory on “square wave” or “modified sine wave.”

The output waveform is referred to as “square wave” or

“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).

Quick Evaluation Before Installation

•

This section provides you with basic information about the

inverter and how to check its performance before installation.

Be Sure to Have on Hand:

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

The power source must provide

between 11 and 15 volts DC and

be able to supply 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)

the power source must deliver.

The provided two foot direct-to-battery 12 gauge cable.

Only use the cable provided with

your inverter.

A test load that can be plugged into the AC receptacle on

the inverter for short term testing at a low power level.

Quick Evaluation

Before Installation

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Plug In Directly

Dangerous

Voltages

Power Supply

Cable

Test Load

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Installation Requirements

To check your inverter’s performance before installation:

1. Turn the inverter off (see page

11 for details). If the power

source is a DC power supply,

switch it off as well.

2. Connect cables to power

input terminals (see page 7 for

details).

3. Connect cables to power

source (see page 7 for details).

4. Check to make sure all

connections are secure.

5. Turn the inverter on. If the

power source is a DC power

supply, switch it on first.

6. Plug in the test load.

The inverter should supply

power to the load. If the inverter

is not working properly, refer to

the troubleshooting guide on

page 14 or power and protection

indicators section on page 12.

Installation Requirements

•

The inverter must be installed in an area that meets

all of the following requirements:
A. Dry

Do not place in an area where water can drip

or splash on the inverter.

B. Cool

Ambient air temperature should be between 30°F

and 105°F (0°C and 40°C). The cooler the better.

C. Ventilate

Allow at least one inch (three cm) of clearance around

the inverter for proper airflow. Make sure that ventilation

openings on the ends of the unit are not obstructed.

D. Safe

Do not install the inverter in the same compartment

as a battery or in any compartment that contains

flammable liquids such as gasoline.

E. Close to Battery

Install unit as close to battery as possible (without

being in the same compartment) to minimize the

length of cable required to connect the inverter to

the battery. It is better and cheaper to run longer

AC wires than longer DC wires (cables).

CAUTION To avoid fire, do not cover or obstruct

ventilation openings. Do not install inverter in a zero-

clearance compartment. Overheating may result.
CAUTION 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.

WARNING This unit contains components which

can produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or

explosion, do not install in compartments containing

a battery or flammable materials, or in a location

which requires ignition protected equipment.

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Connect Terminals

Connect Power Source

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USB Connection

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Mounting

•

To mount your inverter:
1. Place the inverter on a flat surface with the

mounting bracket against the mounting surface.

2. Mount to secure surface using mounting hardware

that is corrosion resistant (not included).

The inverter can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

Connecting Cables

•

Power wire and wiring are very important to the

performance of the inverter. Because the inverter has a

low voltage, high current input, low resistance wiring is

essential between the battery and inverter. This is so it

can deliver the maximum amount of energy to the load.

Only use the cables provided with your power inverter.
To connect the cables between the inverter

and the battery:
1. Turn the On/Off Switch on the inverter to the off

position. If the power source is a DC power supply,

switch it off as well.

2. Connect cable to the Power Input Terminals on

right side panel of the inverter. The red terminal is

positive (+) and the black terminal is negative (-).

Insert the ends of the cables onto the terminals and

tighten the screws to clamp the cables safely.

Mounting

Connecting Cables

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Mounting Brackets

Mounting Hardware

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3. Connect cable to the power source:

a. Connect the cable from the Negative (Black)

Terminal of inverter to the Negative Terminal of

the power source. Make a secure connection.

b. Connect the cable from the Positive (Red) Terminal

of the inverter to the Positive Terminal of the power

source (the battery’s main fuse or the battery selector

switch, if you are using one). Make a secure connection.

You might observe a spark when you make this connection

since current can flow to charge capacitors in the inverter.
All power connections to your Cobra inverter must

be Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative.

CAUTION Do not connect the inverter and another

AC source (such as a generator or utility power)

to the AC wiring at the same time. The inverter

will be damaged if its output is connected to

AC voltage from another source. Damage can

even occur if the inverter is switched off.
CAUTION Do not connect the inverter to an AC

branch circuit that has high-power consumption

loads. It will not operate electric heaters, air

conditioners, stoves, and other electrical appliances

that consume more than 800 watts.
CAUTION Loose connectors result in excessive

voltage drop and may cause over heated wires

and melted insulation.

CAUTION Reverse polarity connections (positive

to negative) will blow internal fuses in the

inverter and may permanently damage the unit.

Such damage is not covered by the warranty.
CAUTION Remove any jewelry (watch, ring, etc.).

Be careful not to short circuit the battery with

any metallic object (wrench, etc.).

WARNING 115 volt AC power is potentially lethal.

Do not work on AC wiring when it is connected to

the inverter (even if it is switched off) unless the

DC power source is physically disconnected from

the inverter. Also, do not work on AC wiring if it is

connected to another AC power source such as

a generator or the utility line.
WARNING You may observe a spark when making

the connection because current can flow to charge

the capacitors in the inverter. Do not make this

connection in the presence of flammable fumes.

Explosion or fire may result. Thoroughly ventilate

the battery compartment before making this

connection.

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Turning Your Inverter On or Off

•

Be sure to have your power inverter properly installed before

attempting to turn the unit on (see installation page 5).

To turn the power inverter on:
1. If a DC power supply is being

used as the power source, switch

it on.

2. On the left side panel, switch the

On/Off Switch to on.

The inverter is now ready to deliver AC power to your loads.

If several loads are to be operated by the inverter, turn them

on separately, after the inverter has been turned on. This

will ensure that the inverter does not have to deliver the

starting currents required for all the loads at once.

To turn the power inverter off:
1. On the left side panel,

switch the On/Off Switch

to off.

NOTE The On/Off Switch turns the control circuit

in the inverter on and off. It does not disconnect

power from the inverter.

NOTE When the switch is in the off position, the

inverter draws no current from the battery. When

it’s in the 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 rate

depending on the age of the battery.

Power Consumption

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Power Consumption

•

For each piece of equipment you will be operating from the

inverter, you must determine the battery’s reserve capacity

(how long the battery can deliver a specific amount of

current – in automotive batteries, usually 25 amperes) or

ampere-hour capacity (a measure of how many amperes

a battery can deliver for a specified length of time).

Example – Reserve capacity: a battery with a reserve

capacity of 180 minutes can deliver 25 amperes for

180 minutes before it is completely discharged.
Example – Ampere-hour capacity: a battery with an

ampere-hour capacity of 100 ampere-hours can deliver

5 amperes for 20 hours before it is completely discharged.

To determine the battery ampere-hour

capacity you require:
1. Determine how many watts each piece of equipment

consumes. This can normally be found on the product

label. If only the current draw is given, multiply the

current draw by 115 to get the watt consumption.

2. Estimate the time (in hours) that each piece of equipment

will be running between battery charging cycles.

3. Calculate the total watt-hours of energy consumption

(power x operating time) using the average power

consumption and the total estimated running time

(in hours). Power x Operating Time = Watt-Hours.

4. Divide the watt-hours by 10 to determine how many

power supply’s (12 volt) ampere-hours will be consumed.

Laptop

50 watts x 2 hours

= 100 watt-hours

Blender

300 watts x 15 minutes

= 75 watt-hours

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Power and Protection Indicators

•

The power and protection indicator includes a dual color

green and red light, and an alarm.

Green Light

Power on – The green light should remain on steady.

Red Light and/or Alarm

Current overload – The red light will turn on momentarily,

then the inverter will shutdown. The inverter will continue

to check for appropriate current levels while trying to

restart the load.
DC input voltage overload – The red light will turn on and

the inverter will shutdown. The inverter will continue to

check for appropriate voltage levels while trying to restart

the load.
DC input voltage shortage – As a warning that the voltage

is getting low, the internal alarm will sound. When the

voltage is too low, the inverter will shutdown and the red

light will turn on. The inverter will continue to check for

appropriate voltage levels while trying to restart the load.
Temperature overload – The red light will blink, then the

inverter will shutdown. The inverter will continue to check

for appropriate temperature levels while trying to restart

the load.

NOTE A momentary sound of the internal alarm

and/or flash of the red light is normal at start up.

Power and

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Operating Limits

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Operating Limits

•

Power Output

The inverter can deliver 800 watts for about 60 minutes.

The inverter must cool for 15 minutes before it can

resume operation at 800 watts. Note: The wattage

rating applies to resistive loads.
The inverter will operate most AC loads within its power

rating. Some induction motors used in freezers, pumps,

and other motor-operated equipment require very high

surge currents to start. The inverter may not be able

to start some of these motors even though their rated

current draw is within the inverter’s limits. The inverter

will normally start single phase induction motors rated

at one-half HP or less.

Input Voltage

The inverter will operate from input voltage ranging

from 10 volts to 15 volts. Optimum performance will occur

when the voltage is between 12 volts and 14 volts. If the

voltage drops below 10.5V+/-0.3V, an audible

low battery warning will sound. The inverter will shut

down if the input voltage drops below 9.5V+/-0.3V. This

protects the battery from being over-discharged. It will

restart when the input voltage exceeds 12V+/-0.3V.
The inverter will also shut down if the input voltage

exceeds 15.75V+/-0.75V. This protects the inverter

against excessive input voltage. Although the inverter

has protection against over-voltage, it may still be

damaged if the input voltage were to exceed 16 volts.

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Troubleshooting Guide

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Warranty

Notes

Notice

Main Icons

Secondary Icons

Caution

Warning

Installation

Operation

Specifications

Intro

Operation

Customer

Assistance

Warranty

Notes

Notice

Main Icons

Secondary Icons

Caution

Warning

Installation

Operation

Specifications

•

Continuous output power (1 hour)   . . . . . . . . . . . .  800W
Surge rating (0.1 second)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1600W
Peak efficiency (12V – 1⁄2 load)   . . . . . . . . . . . . .  > 88%
Efficiency (full load, 12V) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  > 83%
No load current draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . < 0.5A (12.6V)
Output waveform (resistive load) . . .  Modified sine wave
Output frequency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58HZ – 62HZ
Output voltage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  109V – 120V
USB output   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5V
Input voltage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.4VDC – 14.4VDC
Alarm voltage (unload)   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.2V – 10.8V
Shutdown voltage (unload)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9.2V – 9.8V
Operating temperature range . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0°C – 40°C

(32°F – 104°F)

Storage temperature range . . . . . . . . . . . . -40°C – 85°C

(-40°F – 185°F)

Protection . . . . . . . . . . . Overload, short-circuit, overtemp,

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.
To extend the life of the fan, it will stop when there is no

load. The speed of the fan increases as the load increases.
The unit is completely insulated in input and output for

added safety.

Problem/

Symptom
Low output voltage
No output voltage

No output voltage

after prolonged use

No output voltage,

“Protect” indicator

lighted

No output voltage

Low battery alarm

on all the time

Possible Causes
Overload
Low input

voltage

Thermal

shutdown

High input

voltage

Short circuit

Inverter

switched off
No power

to inverter
Reverse

DC polarity
Poor DC wiring

Poor battery

condition

Solution
Reduce the load.
Recharge battery.

Check connections

and cable.
Allow inverter

to cool off.
Reduce load,

continuous

operation input

current required.
Improve ventilation;

Make sure ventilation

openings in the

inverter are not

obstructed.
Reduce ambient

temperature.
Make sure

the inverter is

connected to

12V battery.
Check regulation

of charging system.
Check load for

proper operation.
Turn inverter on.

Check wiring

to inverter.
Observe

correct polarity.
Check

connections.
Make sure battery

is fully charged.

Troubleshooting Guide

•

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

CPI890_MANL.indd 14-15

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Limited Two-Year Warranty

•

For Products Purchased in the U.S.A.

Cobra Electronics Corporation warrants that its Cobra power

inverter, and the component parts thereof, will be free of

defects in workmanship and materials for a period of two years

from the date of first 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,

defective power inverters, products or component parts upon

delivery to the Cobra Factory Service department, accompanied

by proof of the date of first consumer purchase, such as a

duplicated copy of a sales receipt.
You must pay any 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 legal rights, and you

may also have other rights which may 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, to

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.

For Products Purchased Outside the U.S.A.

Please contact your local dealer for warranty information.

Trademark Acknowledgement

•

Cobra

, Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

and the snake design

are registered trademarks of Cobra Electronics Corporation,

USA. Cobra Electronics Corporation™ is a trademark of Cobra

Electronics Corporation, USA.

Warranty and Trademark

Acknowledgement

Intro

Operation

Customer

Assistance

Warranty

Notes

Notice

Main Icons

Secondary Icons

Caution

Warning

Installation

Warranty

CPI890_MANL.indd 16

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