Quick Checkout | Testing/Connection |
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Quick | Quick Checkout |
Checkout | This section provides you with basic information |
| about the inverter and how to check its perfor- |
| mance before installation. Be sure to have the fol- |
| lowing on hand: |
| • A 12 volt DC power source (such as a vehicle battery) |
| • A set of cables to connect the power source to the inverter |
| • A test load that can be plugged into the AC receptacle |
| on the inverter |
| Power Source |
| 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. |
| Cables (included) |
| The cables must be as short and thick as possible |
| in order to reduce the voltage drop between the |
| power source and the inverter when it is drawing |
| current from the power source. |
| If the cable suffers an excessive voltage drop, the |
| inverter may shut down when drawing higher cur- |
| rents because the voltage at the inverter dropped |
| below 10 volts. |
| #4 AWG stranded copper cable is recommended. It |
| should be no longer than 1.5 meters (4 ft.). For |
| short term testing at a low power level, the |
| following is recommended: |
Testing |
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Test Load Power | Minimum Cable Size |
100 w | # 16 AWG copper |
250 w | # 12 AWG copper |
500 w | # 8 AWG copper |
The end of the cable that connects to the invert- er must have its insulation stripped off for about 1/2 inch (1.25cm) back from the end, exposing the bare copper.
The other end of the cable, which connects to the power source, must be terminated with a lug or other connector that provides a secure, low resistance connection.
For example, if the power source is a battery, the cable must be terminated with a battery terminal that clamps to the post on the battery.
Connection
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.
Testing
Connection
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