Chicago Electric 91848 User manual

POWER INVERTER
700 WATT / 1800 WATT PEAK
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit our Web site at http://www.harborfreight.com
Copyright©2004 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.
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY,
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL WARNINGS
AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.
91848

SKU 91848 Page 2For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Save This Manual
You will need the manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly
instructions, operating and maintenance procedures, parts list and diagram. Keep
your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front
cover. Keep the manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
Safety Warnings and Precautions
WARNING: When using this device, basic safety precautions should always be
followed to reduce the risk of personal injury and damage to equipment.
Read all instructions before using this tool!
1. Do not plug in a battery charger if the charger has a warning that dangerous
voltages are present at the battery terminals.
2. Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas invite injuries.
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Specifications

SKU 91848 Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
3. Observe work area conditions. Do not use machines or power tools in damp
or wet locations. Don’t expose to rain. Keep work area well lighted. Do not use
electrically powered tools in the presence of flammable gases or liquids.
4. Keep inverter away from any direct heat source or combustible material.
5. Do not open the metal case; risk of electric shock.
6. Keep children away. Children must never be allowed in the work area. Do not
let them handle machines, tools, or extension cords.
7. Store idle equipment. When not in use, tools must be stored in a dry location
to inhibit rust. Always lock up tools and keep out of reach of children.
8. Use the right tool for the job. Do not attempt to force a small tool or
attachment to do the work of a larger industrial tool. There are certain
applications for which this tool was designed. It will do the job better
and more safely at the rate for which it was intended. Do not modify this
tool and do not use this tool for a purpose for which it was not intended.
9. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry as they can be caught in
moving parts. Protective, electrically nonconductive clothes and nonskid footwear
are recommended when working. Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long
hair.
10. Use eye protection. Always wear ANSI approved impact safety goggles when
using tools.
11. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Do not reach
over or across running machines.
12. Maintain tools with care. Keep tools sharp and clean for better and safer
performance. Follow instructions for changing accessories. Inspect tool cords
periodically and, if damaged, have them repaired by an authorized technician.
13. Disconnect power. Unplug inverter when not in use.
14. Avoid unintentional starting. Be sure the switch is in the Off position when
not in use and before plugging in any appliance.
15. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common sense. Do not operate any
tool when you are tired.
16. Check for damaged parts. Before using any tool, any part that appears damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform
its intended function. Check for alignment and binding of moving parts; any
broken parts or mounting fixtures; and any other condition that may affect proper
operation. Any part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by
a qualified technician. Do not use the tool if any switch does not turn On and Off
properly.

SKU 91848 Page 4For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
17. Guard against electric shock. Prevent body contact with grounded surfaces
such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerator enclosures.
18. Servicing. This device should be serviced only by a qualified technician. This
item does not have any user-replaceable parts.
19. Do not operate tool if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Read warning
labels on prescriptions to determine if your judgment or reflexes are impaired
while taking drugs. If there is any doubt, do not operate the tool.
20. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before using
this product. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to a heart pacemaker
could cause interference to or failure of the pacemaker.
21. Use tools with both hands when required. Many tools such as chain saws,
drills, routers, etc., require the use of both hands when operating. This helps
maintain tool stability and keeps hands away from the working area of the tool.
22. Keep the Inverter well-ventilated. Do not place any objects on top of or next to
the Inverter or allow anything to cover the cooling fans; doing so can cause the
Inverter to overheat, causing a potential fire hazard and/or damage to the Inverter.
23. Read and adhere to all warnings and safety precautions in the owner’s
manual for the device that this inverter is used to power.
Note: Performance of this unit may vary depending on the inverter voltage, available
battery power, or appliance wattage.
Warning: The warnings, cautions, and instructions discussed in this instruc-
tion manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may oc-
cur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution
are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by
the operator.
Warning: If a cigarette lighter plug with cable (not included) is used to power
the Inverter, do not attempt to power a device over 150 watts; to do so will
damage the Inverter.
Unpacking
When unpacking, check to make sure that the Inverter is in good condition.
If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number on
the cover of this manual as soon as possible.

SKU 91848 Page 5For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
For the power inverter to work properly, your power source must provide 12
volts DC, and the power source must provide enough current (i.e., 46 amps to oper-
ate the load of 560 Watts or under).
Caution:This inverter must only be connected to batteries with a nominal out-
put voltage of 12 volts. Lower voltage will not operate the inverter properly, and
more voltage could damage the inverter or the device being powered. Do not
use this inverter with positive ground electrical systems.
1. Place the Power Inverter on a flat surface. Make sure it has adequate ventilation
and is not in direct sunlight.
2. Connect the battery clamp cable lugs (not included; #4 AWG or larger cables
recommended) to the red and black terminal screws on the back of the Inverter,
see BACK above. Securely tighten.
3. The Power Inverter can be used either while the engine is running or off. Connect
the Battery Cable Clamps (not included) to the negative (black) and Positive
(red) terminals of the battery.
4. Plug the 115 VAC device(s) you wish to power into the 3-prong AC Receptacles.
See FRONT above. The appliance(s) must not use more than 700 (total) watts
during continuous operation, otherwise it may overload the Inverter.
FRONT
Outlets
Power
Indicator
Switch
BACK
Red Black
Operation
WARNING!
Risk of Fire!
The positive battery
terminal connection
must be the LAST
connection and must be
done with the inverter’s
switch off.
REV 06/06

SKU 91848 Page 6For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Caution: Some rechargeable appliances may damage the Power Inverter or the
appliance. When first using a rechargeable device, check the inverter’s tem-
perature for the first 10 minutes. If it becomes abnormally hot, do not use this
device with the Inverter.
5. Flip the Power Switch to the On (I) position to turn on. Do not use the appliance
until the green power LED indicator is on.
6. Turn on appliance. If an alarm sound is heard, turn off the appliance.
Caution: It is recommended that the vehicle be started every hour to recharge
the battery system. Doing this will help prevent any unexpected shutdown of
the equipment. This will also help ensure that there will be enough battery
power to start the vehicle.
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Appliance Power Consumption
The Appliance Power Consumption table below gives approximate general
use wattage. Always verify the appliance wattage before using.
Maintenance
1. This device does not contain any replaceable parts. If it needs service take it to
a qualified technician.
2. Keep this unit clean and dry. Unplug 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.

SKU 91848 Page 7For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Troubleshooting Tips
1. If the low battery alarm sounds, this means that the input voltage is below the
necessary 10.5 V. The battery needs recharging. You should stop using the
appliance and then recharge the battery. If this is not done, the Inverter will shut
off automatically at around 8 V.
2. If you are unsure if the inverter will have the proper amount of current to run the
device, use this rough guideline: Take the power consumption of the load in
watts and divide it by 12 (input voltage). The result will be the approximate
number of amps needed to power your device.
Example: Load is rated at 312 watts. 312 watts / 12 V = 26 amps needed. You
could use this device with the inverter.
3. If your television will not start, it is important to keep in mind that some appliances
(including many televisions) may require two to six times their wattage to start
up. This inverter will not work with such devices.
4. If your audio system buzzes while using this inverter, it is because some sound
systems can not filter out the modified sine wave produced by the inverter. The
only solution is to use a sound system that incorporates a higher quality power
supply.
5. This inverter is made to minimize the interference with TV signals. However,
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.
6. If the low battery alarm is on all the time, try these corrective measures: Recharge
battery if in poor condition. Next, check the condition of the lighter cable plug
and the socket. You may need to clean the socket.
7. If you are getting a low output voltage, try reducing the load to minimize watts.
You may have overloaded the inverter. Reduce your load to 140 watts. Also,
keep input voltage above 10.5 volts to maintain a constant flow of power.
8. If you are not getting any power output, turn the power switch Off and On again,
until the green power light comes on. Some automotive systems require that
the ignition be turned on. Turn the ignition to the accessory position. 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.