10276_CPI2575_PH1 8/20/07 2:33 PM Page 8

Connecting Cables

Installation

Connecting Cables (not included)

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.

Use only copper wire. Aluminum wire has about one-third more resistance than copper wire of the same size, plus it is difficult to make good, low-resistance connections to aluminum wire.

We recommend #4 AWG copper cable (90°C insulation rating) as the minimum size for connections between the battery and inverter.

Keep the cable length as short as possible, no more than four feet (one and a half meters). This will keep the voltage drop to a minimum.

If the cable has too much voltage drop, the inverter may shut down when drawing higher currents because voltage at the inverter may drop below 10 volts. If you must use longer cables, choose thicker cables, such as #2 AWG, and trim the ends of the cable to fit the terminals.

To connect the cables between the inverter and the battery:

1.Press the Power Button on the inverter to the off position. If the power source is a DC power supply, switch it off as well.

Power Button

Connecting Cables

Installation

2.On the end of the cable that connects to the inverter, strip back the insulation about one-half inch (one and one-half cm), exposing the bare copper conductor.

Strip the Insulation

3.Connect cable to the Power Input Terminals on input end of the inverter. The red terminal is positive (+) and the black terminal is negative (-). Insert the bare ends of the cables into the terminals and tighten the screws to clamp the wires securely.

It is a good idea to check and tighten these screws from time to time. They can become loose by vibrations or thermal cycling.

Insert Bare Cables

4.Connect cables 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.

 

 

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Cobra Electronics CPI 2575 warranty Connecting Cables not included, Connect cables to the power source