Challenge IN350 User manual

Model: IN350
12 Volts DC to 230 Volts AC Power
Inverter Instruction Manual
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE
AND RETAIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!
CAUTION: Risk of electric shock. Do not open
inverter. Do not expose to rain / moisture.

Introduction
An Inverter is an electronic device which converts low voltage 12V DC
electricity from a battery, or other power source, to standard 230 volts 50
Hz AC (Alternating Current) mains power. The regulated output voltage
enables you to use your domestic equipment everywhere.
To ensure you operate the device properly, please read the manual
carefully before you use and save it for future reference.
WARNING: Power inverter supplies an output voltage
of 230V AC which is as dangerous as the domestic
mains voltage. Don’t expose the inverter to wet and
always place it in a well ventilated, dry area & keep
away from any liquid, rain and snow.
Protective Features
Low Voltage Protection - This is not harmful to the inverter but could
damage the power source. An audible alarm sounds when the input
voltage drops to 10.5 volts and the inverter shuts down when the input
voltage drops to 10.0 volts. When the condition is corrected (i.e. battery
charged) the unit may be re-used.
Over Voltage Protection - The unit will automatically shut down when the
input voltage exceeds 15 volts DC.
Short Circuit - Short circuit of the load will usually result in the blowing of
the internal blade fuses (50A/32V). Immediately disconnect the shorted
load, repair is necessary and replace the fuse with an equivalent by a
qualified electrician.
Overload Protection - The inverter will automatically shut down if the
continuous draw exceeds its maximum rating.
Temperature Protection - If the temperature of the external heat sink
reaches 65˚ C, the unit will shut down automatically. The unit may be
restarted by turning it OFF. Leave it for about 15 minutes to cool down, and
then turning it on again.
-2-

General Safety
 Always operate the inverter from the correct power source, 12V battery.
 Always make connection in correct polarity, RED is positive (+) and
BLACK is negative (-). REVERSING the polarity will damage the
inverter and is not covered under warranty.
 Ensure the DC input connections are secure, as a loose contact can
result in voltage drop and can cause overheated wires and melted
insulation.
 Always switch the inverter to OFF position before starting the engine,
the instant peak voltage can damage the inverter or its connected
equipment.
 Check the power rating of the appliance to be operated is compatible
with the output capacity of the inverter.
 In the event of audible alarm or automatic shut off, immediate switch off
the inverter until the problem has been rectified.
 Disconnect the inverter when not in use.
 Do not expose the inverter to moisture or use near sources of heat and
inflammable materials.
 This equipment contains components which can produce arcs or
sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not install in compartments
containing batteries or Flammable materials or in locations which
require ignition protected equipment. This includes any space
containing gasoline-powered machinery, fuel tanks, or joints, fittings, or
other connection between components of the fuel.
 Automotive vehicle emit carbon monoxide which can cause death. Do
not run your vehicle's engine in a garage or other enclosed area.
Precautions When Working with Batteries
• If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap
and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold
water for at least 20 minutes and get medical attention immediately.
• Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or Engine.
• Do not drop a metal tool on the battery. The resulting spark or
short-circuit on the battery of other electrical part may cause an
explosion.
• Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and
watches when working with a lead-acid battery.
• A lead-acid battery can produces a short-circuit current high enough to
weld a ring or the like to metal, causing severe burns.
-3-

Part List
Product Specification
Max. Continuous Power (Watts) 350w
Peak Power (Watts) 500w
No Load Current Draw (Amps) < 0.5A
Waveform Modified Sine Wave
Input Voltage Range 10-15 Volts DC
Output Voltage Range 230 Volts AC ± 10%
Output Frequency 50 Hz
High Input Voltage Protection 15V
Low Input Voltage Warning 10.5V
Low Input Voltage Shutdown 10V
Thermal Protection 65 ºC
Overload/Short Circuit Protection > 500w
-4-
(+) Positive Terminal
(-) Negative Terminal
Cooling Fan
Indicators
ON/OFF switch
BS Socket

Operating Tips
The Power Inverter transform 12V battery voltage into 230V mains voltage
that letting you to use your domestic equipment on the move e.g. on
camping, caravans, on a boat and in you car etc. The output makes the
inverter suitable to use equipment e.g. Play stations, CD, portable DVD, TV
set, lap tops etc.
Current Draw of Equipment
Most electrical tools, appliances and audio/video equipment have a label
indicating power consumption in amps or watts. Check to ensure that the
power consumption of the item you will be using is below the rating of your
inverter. The inverter ratings are as below:
Model Output Rating
INV350 230VAC, Max. 350W, 1.40A
Resistive loads are easiest for the inverter to drive, though larger resistive
loads, such as heaters and cookers, would require more wattage than the
Inverter can deliver on a continuous basis.
Inductive loads, such as TVs and stereos (devices with a coil or
transformer in it) may require more current to operate than a resistive load
of the same wattage reading. Televisions may require several times their
wattage reading to 'start up'.
This condition may require repeated ON/OFF switching of the inverter
in order to get them started.
Experimentation is the only means of determining whether the inverter can
handle the surges required to start a particular load.
NOTE: IN350 inverter will not operate most appliances designed to
produce heat, such as hair dryers, irons, heaters, toasters and coffee
maker etc. The current draw of these items is beyond the capacity of
this unit. You should use a power inverter and power source with
high capacity.
-5-

Battery Use
It is recommended that, if you are using a vehicle battery, you run the
engine for 15 minutes every 30-60 minutes in order to recharge the battery.
Remember to switch OFF the inverter.
The inverter may be used with the engine on or off. However, it may not
operate while the engine is being started, as the battery voltage can drop
substantially during starting.
Note: It is recommended that the engine needs to be running to avoid
draining the battery.
CAUTION: Always switch the inverter OFF when starting the
engine.
The INVERTER draws little current from battery when it is not supplying
power to a load. Typically IN350 draws less than 0.5Amps. It is
recommended that you disconnect the unit from the battery when not in
use.
Low Battery Alarm
An alarm will sound when the voltage from the battery drops to 10.5 volts.
This indicates that the battery requires charging.
The IN350 will automatically shut down if the voltage is allowed to drop to
10 volts.
NOTE: It is normal that IN350 may sound momentarily when the unit
is being connected to, or disconnected from, the power source.
-6-

Using your Inverter
Power Source
The power source must provide between 10.5 and 14.5 volts DC and must
be able to provide sufficient current to operate the load (the equipment you
require to power).
The power source may be a 12V DC battery or a regulated DC power
supply of adequate capacity to run the inverter. As a rough guide, divide
the power consumption of the load (in watts) by the input DC voltage (12 in
the case of a vehicle battery). This will give you the current (in amps) which
the power source must deliver.
Example: Appliance is rated at 350 watts.
Power source/Battery must be able to deliver: 350/12/0.7 = 42 Amps.
CAUTION: The IN350 must only be connected to batteries
with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The Power
Inverter does not operate from a 24 volt battery.
Connecting to Power Source
Cigarette lighter plug – The cigarette lighter plug is fitted with
approximate 60cm of cable for connection to the cigarette lighter socket in
your vehicle. The tip of the plug is positive and the side contact is negative.
Push firmly into the cigarette lighter socket in order to ensure a good
contact.
CAUTION: You must connect the power inverter directly to
a 12-volt battery with the alligator clamps if you are going
to operate loads greater than 150 watts continuously. The
fuse of the vehicle cigarette lighter socket could be burnt
out by current exceeding 15Amps.
Alligator Clamps - The clamps for connection to the power source, are
fitted with the approximate 90cm cable. The other end of the cable is
connected to the screw connectors on the inverter. The RED is positive and
the BLACK is negative. Fit the RED positive to positive and BLACK
negative to negative.
-7-

CAUTION: Do not use with positive ground electrical
systems. The majority of modem cars have negative
ground. If in doubt, check with your local vehicle dealer.
Always make connection in correct polarity, RED is positive (+) and BLACK
is negative (-). REVERSING the polarity will damage the inverter and is
not covered under warranty.
Connection to Load (Appliance)
Connect the INVERTER input to the vehicle battery using the cables
supplied. Ensuring that the load requirements are within the parameters of
the Inverter's output, plug the appliance into the AC socket on the
INVERTER. Press the rocker switch to the 'ON' position. The green LED
will light, indicating that the unit is functioning. Switch on your appliance. A
momentary 'chirp' should be heard when you switch on. If an audible alarm
sounds for a prolonged period or the red LED Overload indicator lights up,
then either the power source voltage is too low, or the current being drawn
by the appliance is too great.
CAUTION: Always switch the inverter ON before plugging
in your appliance. This prevents any instant voltage or
spikes damaging your appliances.
Rechargeable Appliances
CAUTION: Certain rechargeable devices are designed to be plugged
directly into an AC socket to be recharged. These devices may damage the
INVERTER. When first using a rechargeable device, monitor its
temperature for 10 minutes to ensure that it does not become abnormally
hot. This abnormal heat indicates that the device should not be used with
this inverter.
The majority of rechargeable battery operated appliances use a separate
charger or transformer which can be plugged into the socket of the Inverter.
The inverter will have no trouble powering these chargers and
transformers.
-8-

Installation of Inverter
For best operating results the inverter should be placed on a solid, level flat
surface and well ventilated, such as the floor of the vehicle. For safety, DO
NOT place on, or under seats.
The following points should be noted:
 Do not allow water to drip or splash onto the Inverter.
 Ambient air temperature should be between 10˚ and 27˚ C. Do not
place the inverter on or near a heating vent or any equipment which is
generating heat above room temperature. Do not place the inverter in
direct sunlight.
 Allow at least 30mm of clearance around the inverter to allow airflow.
Do not place items over the inverter, and ensure that air is allowed to
circulate freely round the unit.
 Do not use the inverter near flammable materials or in any location,
which may accumulate flammable fumes or gases, such as the battery
compartment of your vehicle.
 Also do not mount the Inverter where it will be exposed to the gases
produced by the battery. These gases are very corrosive and
prolonged exposure also will damage the Inverter.
 Do not install the Inverter in a dusty environment there is dust, wood
particles or other filings/shavings are present. These dusts can be
pulled into the unit when the cooling fan is operating.
 When the inverter is not supplying power to an appliance, it’s
recommended to turn off the inverter to save your batteries since it still
draws a small amount of current in the “no load” condition.
WARNING! Make sure all the DC connections
are tight. Loose connections could result in
overheating which is a potential hazard.
-9-

Troubleshooting
If you experience problems with appliances not operating correctly when
there are two or more devices connected to the same circuit, disconnect
the devices to reduce the overall loading.
WARNING! Do not open or disassemble the
Inverter. Attempting to service the unit yourself
may result in a risk of electrical shock or fire.
Common Problems
Power tools will start but will not continue to run
Some induction motors (motors without brushes) may require between 2 to
6 times their wattage ratings in order to start up. When power is applied, if
the power tool runs only momentarily, leave the tool to the power 'ON'
position, then quickly, repeatedly, turn the IN350 ON and OFF.
Buzzing in audio systems
Some inexpensive stereo systems will emit a buzzing sound from their
speakers when operated from the IN350. This is because the power supply
in the device does not adequately filter the modified sine wave produced by
the IN350.
Television interference
The IN350 is shielded and filtered to minimize interference with TV signals.
In some cases, especially with weak TV signals, some interference may be
visible. Try the following corrective measures.
Position the IN350 as far as possible away from a television, the antenna
and the antenna cable.
Adjust the orientation of the INV350, the antenna cable and the TV power
cable to minimize interference.
Use high quality, shielded antenna cable.
-10-

Troubleshooting Guide
PROBLEM: Low Output voltage
Possible cause Suggested remedy
Inverter is
over-loaded.
Reduce load not to exceed maximum rating for
the INVERTER 350 watts for INV350
Input voltage below
10.5 volts
Keep input voltage above 10.5 volts to maintain
regulation
NOTE: Only use RMS VOLTMETER to measure the output voltage
PROBLEM: Low Battery Alarm on All the Time
Possible cause Suggested remedy
Poor battery condition
Replace battery.
Inadequate power or
excessive voltage
drops.
Check conditions of cigarette lighter plug and
socket. Clean or replace as necessary.
Problem: No Power Output
Possible cause Suggested remedy
Inverter not fully
warmed up.
Turn the inverter power switch off and then on
again until the INVERTER powers your
appliance. Repeat as necessary to get your
appliance " started"
Cigarette Lighter
Socket needs ignition
to be on.
Turn ignition to accessory position.
Battery voltage below
10 volts.
Recharge or replace battery.
Equipment being
operated draws too
much power.
Reduce load not to exceed maximum rating for
the INVERTER. 350 watts (1.4A) for IN350
Inverter in thermal
shut down Condition.
Allow inverter to cool down. Ensure There is
adequate ventilation around Unit. Ensure that
load is no more than Its maximum rating for
continuous Operation.
-11-

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is meant by the terms "continuous-power" and "peak power"?
Some appliances or tools, such as ones with a motor, require an initial
surge of power to start up ("starting load" or "peak load"). Once started, the
tool or appliance requires less power to continue to operate ("continuous
load")
Can I Operate a Microwave with a Power Inverter?
The power rating used with microwave ovens is the "cooking power" which
refers to the power being "delivered" to the food being cooked. The actual
operating power requirement rating is higher than the cooking power rating
(for example, a microwave with "advertised" rating of 600 watts usually
corresponds to almost 1100 watts of power consumption). The actual
power consumption is usually stated on the back of the microwave. If the
operating power requirement cannot be found on the back of the
microwave, check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer
What size of power cable should I use?
The low power inverters (e.g. < 350 watts) often supplied with a cigarette
lighter adapter cable for plugging into your car's lighter socket. The small
units also come with alligator cables that can be clamped directly to a
battery. If you want power inverter that will plug into your cigarette lighter,
you must choose one that is 350 watts or less.
WARNING: You must connect the power inverter directly
to a 12-volt battery with the alligator clamps if you are
going to operate loads greater than 150 watts
continuously. The fuse rating of most vehicle cigarette
lighter socket is 15A and which could be burnt out by
current drawn exceeding 15Amps.
The high power inverters (e.g. > 350 watts) must be clamped directly to a
battery. Never plug into the Cigarette lighter socket as it will be damaged
by excessive current drawn. Only use the battery cables supplied. If it is
necessary to replace the battery cables, always use cables with equivalent
or higher current rating. For example, diameter of at least 8mm and a
maximum length of 2.0 meters are recommended for 800w power inverter.
Consult automobile professional whenever in doubt.
-12-

What battery should I choice?
For low power inverter or for a short use (10 minutes) of high power
inverter at the maximum load, a standard 12V vehicle (50/75A) battery can
supply the sufficient energy.
If you want to use high power inverter at maximum power for long time, we
recommend you use deep cycle (marine) batteries which are suitable for
hundred complete charge/discharge cycles. If you use the normal vehicle
starting batteries they will be drained out after a dozen charge/discharge
cycles. If you do not have a deep cycle battery, we recommend that you
run the engine of your vehicle when operating the power inverter to
avoid draining the battery.
If the vehicle battery is utilized for an extended period with maximum load,
the battery voltage may be drained to the point where the battery has
insufficient power to start the vehicle. In this case it is recommended to use
a deep cycle batteries cabled to the automotive starting battery via a
battery automatic isolator between the batteries which ensure that the
batteries are automatically charged but that the electric circuit of the
vehicle is switched off when the inverter in use. This type of battery is
commonly found in caravans, motor homes, recreational vehicles and
boats. Consult your automobile professional whenever in doubt.
-13-

Maintenance
Very little maintenance is required to keep your inverter operating properly.
You should clean the exterior of the unit periodically with a damp cloth to
prevent accumulation of dust and dirt. No blockage of the ventilation
system.
Environmental Protection
Waste electrical products should not be disposed of with
household waste. Please recycle where facilities exist. Check
with your local authority or retailer for recycling advice.
Guarantee
This product is guaranteed for twelve months from the date of original
purchase. Any defect that arises due to faulty materials or workmanship will
either be replaced, refunded or repaired free of charge where possible
during this period by the dealer from whom you purchased the unit.
The guarantee is subject to the following provisions:
 The guarantee does not cover accidental damage, misuse or
consumable items.
 The product must be correctly installed and operated in accordance
with the instructions contained in this manual.
 It must be used solely for domestic purpose.
 The guarantee will be rendered invalided if the product is re-sold or has
been damaged by inexpert repair.
 Specifications are subject to change without notice.
 The manufacturer disclaims any liability for the incidental or
consequential damages.
 The guarantee is in addition to, and does not diminish your statutory or
legal rights.
Guarantor: Argos Ltd
489 - 499 Avebury Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 2NW
-14-