Chicago Electric 66972 Installation manual

80W POWER INVERTER
66972
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 66972 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.
Keep children away from this5.
Inverter. Do not allow them to play
with or around this product.
Do not use this item in rain, on a6.
boat, or any other wet area. Do not
expose to direct sunlight or heat.
Delicate device, handle with care.7.
Do not drop or strike this item.
Before every use, check for any8.
broken parts or mounting xtures,
and any other condition that may
affect proper operation. Any part
that appears damaged should be

SKU 66972 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 3
carefully checked to determine that it
will operate properly and perform its
intended function.
Do not disassemble. This item has9.
no replaceable parts. If this product
is damaged and/or does not func-
tion properly, the entire unit must be
replaced.
Use the right inverter for the job10. .
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.11. This
device is designed for loads up to 80
Watts at 120 Volts AC only. Check
the wattage of any device before us-
ing this item to power it. Some re-
chargeable appliances may damage
the Power Inverter or the appliance.
When rst using a rechargeable
device, check its temperature for the
rst 10 minutes. If it becomes abnor-
mally hot, do not use this device with
the Inverter.
This device is designed for use in12.
12 VDC, negative ground systems
only.
Allow adequate ventilation. Do not13.
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 unplugged14.
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-15.
ered is switched off before being
plugged into this device.
Do not use this device if under16.
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.17. Watch what you are do-
ing, use common sense. Do not use
this device if you are tired.
An engine must never be run18.
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 in19.
use, this product must be stored in a
dry location to inhibit rust.
WARNING:20. This product contains
or, when used, produces a chemi-
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 should21.
consult their physician(s) before use.
Electromagnetic elds in close prox-
imity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemak-
er failure.

SKU 66972 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 4
The warnings, precautions, and22.
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.
SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous
Power 80 Watts
Start up Peak 160 Watts
Input Voltage 12 Volts Nominal DC
Output Voltage 120V/60Hz, 0.4A
Fuse 7.5A
Indicator Green LED = power on
Output Wave
Form Modied Sine Wave
Outlets 1 - 120V grounded AC
1 - USB 5VDC, 500mA
Features
- Overload Shutoff @ 100W
- Over Voltage Shutoff @ 15.5VDC
- Low Voltage Shutoff @ 10.5VDC
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
Power
Outlet
Power
LED
Power Inverter
Pivoting Hinge
USB
Outlet
Figure 1
Cigarette Lighter
Outlet Adapter
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.
Have the car engine running before1.
starting, to utilize power from the
outlets.
Plug the Inverter into the cigarette2.
lighter socket of the vehicle. The
green LED power indicator will light
up.
To power a device or appliance:3.
With the device ora. appliance
switched off, plug it into the Power
Outlet or the USB Outlet on the
Power Inverter.
Turn on the device and/orb. appliance.
After use, turn off the device, then4.
unplug it from the Inverter.
REV 09l

SKU 66972 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 5
Unplug the Inverter from the cigarette5.
lighter outlet.
Note: The total wattage of all items
plugged into the Power Inverter must
not exceed 80 watts during continu-
ous operation, otherwise the Inverter
may overload and shut off.
Note: This unit has an automatic shut off
feature if output is over 100 watts or if
input is under 10.5VDC.
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 vehicle.
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.
MAINTENANCE
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ELECTRICAL SHOCK:
Do not open the inverter. Do
not touch any interior parts of
the Inverter.
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.
If the fuse needs replacing, take the2.
unit to a qualied technician.
Note: This device does not contain any
user replaceable parts. If it needs
service, take it to a qualied techni-
cian.

SKU 66972 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 6
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
If the alarm sounds, this means that the input voltage is at or below 11 V. The bat-1.
tery 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 80 then the Inverter will be able to run the items at the same time.
If your audio system buzzes while using this inverter, it is because some sound 3.
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.
If the low battery alarm is on all the time, try these corrective measures: Recharge4.
battery if in poor condition. Next, check the connection into the cigarette lighter
socket. You may need to clean the connectors.
If you are getting a low output voltage, try reducing the load to minimize watts. You 5.
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, your devices may draw too much power to6.
operate them. The inverter may be in thermal shutdown. Remove it from the ciga-
rette lighter socket, let it cool down, then re-insert it, making sure there is adequate
ventilation around the unit.

SKU 66972 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 7
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.
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.

SKU 66972 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 8
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]