Chicago Electric 66814 Installation manual

400W POWER INVERTER
66814
SET UP AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright©2009 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual
or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the
express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be
drawn proportionally. Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly
from the product described herein. Tools required for assembly and service may not be
included.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Revised Manual 09l
This product will power up and
charge:
Electronics,Appliances, Camcorders,
TV’s, DVD Players, Video Game
Consoles and CHARGE Computers
using your vehicle’s battery power.

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 2
SAVE THIS MANUAL
Keep this manual for the safety warnings
and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection,
maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the
product’s serial number in the back of the manual
near the assembly diagram (or month and year of
purchase if product has no number). Keep this
manual and the receipt in a safe and dry place for
future reference.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
In this manual, on the labeling,
and all other information provid-
ed with this product:
This is the safety alert
symbol. It is used to alert
you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all
safety messages that
follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates
a hazardous
situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used
with the safety
alert symbol, indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to
address practices
not related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without
the safety alert
symbol, is used to address
practices not related to
personal injury.
GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS
WARNING Read all safety
warnings and instructions.
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric
shock, re and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and
instructions for future reference.
Do not plug small appliances into1.
the inverter to directly recharge
their nickel-cadmium batteries. Al-
ways use the recharger provided with
the appliance.
Keep work area clean and well lit.2.
Cluttered or dark areas invite acci-
dents.
Keep inverter away from any direct3.
heat source or combustible mate-
rial.
Do not use electrically powered4.
products in the presence of am-
mable gases or liquids.
Wear ANSI approved safety gog-5.
gles when replacing fuse.
Keep children away from this6.
Inverter. Do not allow them to play
with or around this product.
Do not use this item in rain, on a7.
boat, or any other wet area. Do not
expose to direct sunlight or heat.
Delicate device, handle with care.8.
Do not drop or strike this item.
Replace the fuses in this item9.
ONLY with 25 Amp fuses. Replac-

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 3
ing the fuses with higher rated fuses
or another object is very dangerous
and can result in re, serious person-
al injury, or death.
Before every use, check for any10.
broken parts or mounting xtures,
and any other condition that may
affect proper operation. Any part
that appears damaged should be
carefully checked to determine that it
will operate properly and perform its
intended function.
Do not disassemble. Aside from11.
the fuse, this item has no replace-
able parts. If this product is dam-
aged and/or does not function prop-
erly with an unbroken fuse, the entire
unit must be replaced.
Use the right inverter for the job12. .
Do not attempt to force a small in-
verter or attachment to do the work
of a larger industrial inverter. There
are certain applications for which
this inverter was designed. It will do
the job better and more safely at the
rate for which it was intended. Do not
modify this inverter and do not use
this inverter for a purpose for which it
was not intended.
Do not overload this device.13. This
device is designed for loads up to
400 Watts at 120 Volts AC only.
Check the wattage of any device
before using this item to power it.
Some rechargeable appliances may
damage the Power Inverter or the ap-
pliance. When rst using a recharge-
able device, check its temperature
for the rst 10 minutes. If it becomes
abnormally hot, do not use this de-
vice with the Inverter.
This device is designed for use in14.
12 VDC, negative ground systems
only.
Allow adequate ventilation. Do not15.
cover this unit while it is plugged
in. This unit generates heat; without
proper ventilation it may overheat,
potentially causing a re hazard.
Leave this device unplugged16.
whenever the car’s engine is
turned off. To help prevent draining
and perhaps damaging the battery,
only plug this device in while the car’s
engine is on.
Make sure that the unit to be pow-17.
ered is switched off before being
plugged into this device.
Do not use this device if under18.
the inuence of alcohol, drugs, or
medication. Read warning labels if
taking prescription medicine to deter-
mine if your judgment or reexes are
impaired while taking drugs. If there
is any doubt, do not use this device.
Stay alert.19. Watch what you are do-
ing, use common sense. Do not use
this device if you are tired.
An engine must never be run20.
indoors, in a garage, or any other
sealed structure. Carbon monox-
ide is produced by running en-
gines and is DEADLY in a closed
environment. Early signs of carbon
monoxide poisoning resemble the
u, with headaches, dizziness, or
nausea. If you have these signs, get
fresh air immediately.
Store idle equipment. When not in21.
use, this product must be stored in a
dry location to inhibit rust.
WARNING:22. This product contains
or, when used, produces a chemi-

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 4
cal known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. (California
Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et
seq.)
People with pacemakers should23.
consult their physician(s) before use.
Electromagnetic elds in close prox-
imity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemak-
er failure.
The warnings, precautions, and24.
instructions discussed in this
instruction sheet cannot cover all
possible conditions and situations
that may occur. It must be under-
stood by the operator that com-
mon sense and caution are factors
which cannot be built into this
product, but must be supplied by
the operator.

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 5
SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous
Power 400 Watts
Start up Peak 750 Watts
Input Voltage 12 Volts Nominal DC
Output Voltage 120V/60Hz
Fuse 25A x 2 (Blade Type)
Indicators Green LED = power on
Red LED = error (fault)
Switch Button type. ON/OFF
Output Wave
Form Modied Sine Wave
Cables 5mm dia. Heavy duty input 23”
length
Outlets 2 - 120V grounded AC
1 - USB 5V DC, 500mA
Features
- Overload Shutoff @ 450W
- Low Voltage Shutoff @ 10.5VDC
- Low Battery Alarm @ 10.8VDC
- Over Voltage Shutoff @ 15.3VDC
-Cooling Fan
This product will power up and charge:
Electronics, Appliances, Camcorders,
TV’s, DVD Players, Video Game Consoles
and CHARGE Computers using your
vehicle’s battery power.
UNPACKING
When unpacking, make sure that the
item is intact and undamaged. If any parts
are missing or broken, please call Harbor
Freight Tools at 1-800-444-3353 as soon
as possible.
COMPONENTS AND CONTROLS
Cable
Power
Outlets
Power LED
Power
Terminals
Ring
Terminals
Fault LED
Alligator Clips
Power Button
Fan
Power Inverter
USB
Outlet
Figure 1
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
Use caution when open-
ing the plastic case; risk
of electric shock.
Connect all wires securely and
cover the connections with insulat-
ing rubber boots (not included).
Store metal objects away from the
inverter.
WARNING! Risk of Fire!
The negative battery terminal con-
nection must be the LAST connec-
tion.
REV 09l

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 6
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
section at the beginning of this
document including all text
under subheadings therein
before set up or use of this
product.
SET UP AND USE PRECAUTIONS
Set up only according to these in-1.
structions. Improper set up can cre-
ate hazards.
Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles2.
and heavy-duty work gloves during
set up.
Keep area clean and well lit.3.
Do not set up when tired or when4.
under the inuence of alcohol, drugs
or medication.
This product is not a toy. Do not al-5.
low children to play with or near this
item.
Use as intended only.6.
Inspect before every use; do not use7.
if parts are loose or damaged.
Maintain product labels and name-8.
plates. These carry important safety
information. If unreadable or miss-
ing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a
replacement.
Caution: This inverter must only be con-
nected to batteries with a nominal
output voltage of 12 volts. Lower
voltage will not operate the inverter
properly, and more voltage could
damage the inverter or the device
being powered. If more than one 12
volt battery is to be used, the batter-
ies must be connected in a parallel
circuit; batteries connected in a series
circuit will produce too much voltage.
Place the Power Inverter on a at 1.
surface. Make sure it has adequate
ventilation and is not in direct sun-
light. Locate the Inverter close
enough to the car battery so that the
Cables can easily reach between the
Inverter and the car battery. Position
the Inverter so that the Outlets are
easily and safely accessible.
To connect the Cable Ring Terminals2.
to the (Positive) red and (Negative)
black Power Terminals on the back of
the Inverter:
Unthread the knobs covering thea.
Power Terminals.
Slide the red Cable’s Ring Termi-b.
nal over the post of the red Power
Terminal and the black Cable’s Ring
Terminal over the post of the black
Power Terminal.
Replace the knobs and tighten se-c.
curely.
Apply the parking brake to the vehicle3.
connected to the battery. Place the
transmission in “Park” for an auto-
matic transmission, or in “Neutral” for
a manual transmission. Start the car
engine.
Attach the red Cable’s Alligator Clip4.
to the Positive (red) terminal on the
battery, then attach the black Cable’s
Alligator Clip to a clean unpainted
metal part of the chassis. (Note: If
connecting to a battery not installed
in a vehile, connect to the Negative
(black) terminal.)
The red Fault LED will light up mo-5.
mentarily and the alarm will sound as
the Inverter draws power. Then the
alarm and red LED will turn off and

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 7
the green Power LED of the Inverter
will light up.
Note: If the green LED fails to light and the
alarm and red Fault LED lights stay
on instead, check the Troubleshoot-
ing Tips section near the end of this
manual to correct the issue before
continuing.
To power each device or appliance:6.
With the device ora. appliance
switched off, plug it into one of the
Power Outlets or the USB Outlet on
the Power Inverter.
Turn on the device and/orb. appliance.
After use, turn all connected devices7.
or appliances off, unplug them, then
turn off the car engine if it is run-
ning. Keep the inverter turned on and
remove the alligator clips from the
battery posts, removing the Nega-
tive (black) clip rst, then the Positive
(red) clip. The Inverter green LED will
turn off, and the alarm and red LED
light will turn on as the Inverter pow-
ers down. Turn off the Inverter power
button.
Note: The total wattage of all items
plugged into the Power Inverter must
not use more than 400 watts during
continuous operation, otherwise the
Inverter may overload.
Note: If an alarm sound is heard, turn off
the appliances and check the Trou-
bleshooting Tips section near the end
of this manual to correct the issue
before continuing.
Caution: Some rechargeable appliances
may damage the Power Inverter
or the appliance. When rst using
a rechargeable device, check the
inverter’s temperature for the rst 10
minutes. If it becomes abnormally
hot, do not use this device with the
Inverter.
Caution: It is recommended that the ve-
hicle be running when you rst con-
nect the Power Inverter. Thereafter
the engine can be on or off. If you run
the Power Inverter with the engine
off it is recommended that you start
and run the engine every hour for at
least 10 minutes to recharge the bat-
tery. Doing this will help prevent any
unexpected shutdown of the equip-
ment. This will also help ensure that
there will be enough battery power
to start the vehicle. Due to the risk
of carbon monoxide inhalation, do
not run the vehicle’s engine within
an enclosed area.
You should not use your car battery
to power the Inverter for extended pe-
riods of time with appliances requir-
ing high continuous load levels. The
battery may become drained to the
point that it will not be able to start
your car.
Note: Deep cycle (marine and RV) bat-
teries can be charged more times
than a car battery, and are a better
choice for repeated use of the Power
Inverter.
Do not discharge your car battery
more than 10% of its total capacity,
and deep cycle batteries more than a
50% discharged state.

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 8
MAINTENANCE
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ELECTRICAL SHOCK:
Avoid touching any interior
parts of the Inverter except
the fuses when replacing the
fuses.
Keep this unit clean and dry. Discon-1.
nect the unit before cleaning. Clean
only the outside of this unit with a
soft, dry cloth; never clean this unit
with water or harsh cleaners.
Screws
Screws
Fuses
Figure 2
2. If the fuses need replacing:
Disconnect the Inverter and removea.
the Power Cables from Inverter.
Unthread the four screw from theb.
Power Terminal Cover.
Slowly slide off The Cover farc.
enough to reveal the Fuses - See
Figure 2. CAUTION! Do not over
extend the Cover.
Replace the old fuses with anotherd.
set of 25 Amp blade type fuses.
Replace the Cover and secure thee.
four screws. Do not overtighten.
Note: Aside from the fuses, this device
does not contain any user replace-
able parts. If it needs service, take it
to a qualied technician.

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 9
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
If the alarm sounds, this means that the input voltage is at or below 10.8 V. The1.
battery needs recharging. You should stop using the Power Inverter and recharge
the battery. If this is not done, the Inverter will shut off automatically at 10.5V.
If you are unsure if the inverter will have the proper amount of current to run your2.
devices, add up the total of the continuous wattage for the items. If this gure is
under 400 then the Inverter will be able to run the items at the same time.
If your television will not start, it is important to keep in mind that some appliances3.
(including many televisions) may require two to six times their wattage to start up.
If your audio system buzzes while using this inverter, it is because some sound 4.
systems can not lter out the modied sine wave produced by the inverter. Use a
sound system that incorporates a higher quality power supply.
This inverter is made to minimize the interference with TV signals. However, 5.
especially with weak TV signals, some interference may still be visible. To correct
this, place the inverter as far away as possible from the television antenna and it’s
cables. Next, adjust the orientation of the inverter to the antenna cables and TV
power cord to minimize the interference. Also use a shielded antenna cable.
If the low battery alarm is on all the time, try these corrective measures: Recharge6.
battery if in poor condition. Next, check the battery connection. You may need to
clean the connectors.
If you are getting a low output voltage, try reducing the load to minimize watts. You 7.
may have overloaded the inverter. Reduce the number of watts you are powering.
Also, keep input voltage above 11 volts to maintain a constant ow of power.
If you are not getting any power output, turn the power switch Off and On again,8.
until the green power light comes on. Your devices may draw too much power to
operate them. The inverter may be in thermal shutdown. Let it cool down and
make sure there is adequate ventilation around the unit.

SKU 66814 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 10
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE
BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED
TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY
STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED
TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR
HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER
INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.
LIMITED 90 DAY WARRANTY
Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high
quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this prod-
uct is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 90 days from
the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly,
to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities,
criminal activity, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance.
We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental,
contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESS-
LY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with
transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the com-
plaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection veries the defect, we will ei-
ther repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase
price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return re-
paired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect
resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost
of returning the product.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • [phone]
Record Serial Number Here:
Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.
Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not avail-
able individually as replacement parts.