Chicago Electric Power Systems 97047 Installation manual

AC/DC POWER INVERTER
1,000 WATT / 2,000 WATT
Model 97047
SET UP AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally.
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.
Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
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©2007 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 or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Page 2SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
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 provided 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.
DANGERDANGER
WARNINGWARNING
CAUTIONCAUTION
NOTICENOTICE
CAUTIONCAUTION

Page 3SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING! Read all instructions
Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock,
re, and/or serious injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Work area safety
Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
Do not operate the Inverter in explosive atmospheres, such as in the
presence of ammable liquids, gases or dust. Inverters may ignite the dust
or fumes.
Keep children and bystanders away while operating the Inverter.
Distractions can cause you to lose control.
Electrical safety
Inverter plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do
not use any adapter plugs with grounded Inverters. Unmodied plugs and
matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges
and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is
grounded.
Do not expose the Inverter to rain or wet conditions. Water entering an
Inverter will increase the risk of electric shock.
Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or
unplugging the Inverter. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or
moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric
shock.
When operating outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use.
Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
Personal safety
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when
operating this product. Do not use the Inverter while you are tired or under
the inuence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while
operating the Inverter may result in serious personal injury.
Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Safety equipment
such as work gloves and protective, electrically nonconductive clothes
used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
Avoid accidental starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before
plugging in. Plugging tools in with the switch on invites accidents.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long
hair can be caught in moving parts.
1.
a.
b.
c.
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Page 4SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Inverter use and care
Do not force the Inverter. Use the correct Inverter for your application. The
correct Inverter will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
Do not use the Inverter if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any product
that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any
adjustments, changing accessories, or storing. Such preventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the Inverter accidentally.
Store the Inverter out of the reach of children and do not allow persons
unfamiliar with the Inverter or these instructions to operate it. Inverters
are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Maintain the Inverter. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the Inverter’s
operation. If damaged, the Inverter must be repaired before use. Many
accidents are caused by poorly maintained Inverters.
Use the Inverter in accordance with these instructions and in the manner
intended for the particular type of product, taking into account the working
conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the Inverter for operations
different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
Service
Have the Inverter serviced only by a qualied repair person using only
identical replacement parts. This item does not have any user-replaceable
parts.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
Maintain labels and nameplates on the Inverter. These carry important safety
information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a
replacement.
A vehicle’s engine must never be used in any enclosed structure. Carbon
monoxide is produced during operation 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.
Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare to begin work before turning on the tool.
Guard against electric shock. Do not open the metal case; risk of
electric shock. Prevent body contact with grounded surfaces
such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerator enclosures
during installation. Connect all wires securely. Store tools and metal
objects away from the inverter.
Do not leave the tool unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet.
Turn off the tool, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.
4.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
5.
a.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Page 5SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
The Inverter gets hot during use. The heat can build up to unsafe
levels and create a re hazard if it does not receive adequate
ventilation, due to an electrical fault, or if it is used in a hot
environment.
Do not place the Inverter on a ammable surface. Do not obstruct any vents or
fans on the Inverter. Especially avoid placing it on carpets and rugs; they
are not only ammable, but they also obstruct vents.
Place the Inverter on a stable, solid, nonammable surface (such as a stable
metal workbench or concrete oor) at least 1 foot away from all ammable
objects, such as drapes or walls. Keep a re extinguisher and a smoke detector
in the area. Frequently monitor the Inverter during use.
This product is not a toy. Keep it out of reach of children.
People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use.
Electromagnetic elds in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with
pacemakers should:
• Avoid operating alone.
• Do not use with power switch locked on.
• Properly maintain and inspect to avoid electrical shock.
• Any power cord must be properly grounded. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI) should also be implemented – it prevents sustained electrical shock.
Performance of this unit may vary depending on the available battery power or
appliance wattage.
The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual
cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. 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.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
GROUNDING
Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in
electric shock.
Check with a qualied electrician if you are in doubt as to
whether the outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify
the power cord plug provided with the tool. Never remove
the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the tool if
the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it
repaired by a service facility before use. If the plug will not
t the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualied
electrician.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
WARNINGWARNING

Page 6SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Grounded Tools: Tools with Three Prong Plugs
Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong
grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If
the tool should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a
low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of
electric shock. (See 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.)
The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the
cord to the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the
only wire connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached
to an electrically “live” terminal. (See 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.)
The tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed and
grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. The plug and outlet
should look like those in the following illustration.
(See 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.)
3-Prong Plug and Outlet Outlets for 2-Prong Plug
Double Insulated Tools: Tools with Two Prong Plugs
Tools marked “Double Insulated” do not require grounding. They have a special
double insulation system which satises OSHA requirements and complies
with the applicable standards of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the Canadian
Standard Association, and the National Electrical Code.
(See Outlets for 2-Prong Plug.)
Double insulated tools may be used in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in the
preceding illustration. (See Outlets for 2-Prong Plug.)
Extension Cords
Grounded tools require a three wire extension cord. Double Insulated tools
can use either a two or three wire extension cord.
As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge
extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a
serious drop in voltage, resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage.
(See Table A.)
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
1.
2.

Page 7SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
The smaller the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity of the cord.
For example, a 14 gauge cord can carry a higher current than a 16 gauge cord.
(See Table A.)
When using more than one extension cord to make up the total length, make
sure each cord contains at least the minimum wire size required. (See Table A.)
If you are using one extension cord for more than one tool, add the nameplate
amperes and use the sum to determine the required minimum cord size.
(See Table A.)
If you are using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is marked with the
sufx “W-A” (“W” in Canada) to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.
Make sure the extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualied
electrician before using it.
Protect the extension cords from sharp objects, excessive heat, and damp or
wet areas.
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS* (120 VOLT)
NAMEPLATE
AMPERES
(at full load)
EXTENSION CORD LENGTH
25 Feet 50 Feet 75 Feet 100 Feet 150 Feet
0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16
2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14
3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12
5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12
7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 -
12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - -
16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - -
TABLE A * Based on limiting the line voltage drop to ve volts at 150% of the rated amperes.
Symbology
Double Insulated V~ Volts Alternating Current
Canadian Standards Association AAmperes
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. n0xxxx/min. No Load Revolutions per Minute
(RPM)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Page 8SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous Power 1,000 Watts
Peak Power 2,000 Watts
Input Voltage 12 Volts Nominal DC (11-15 Volts possible)
Outlet Voltage 115 VAC at 60 Hz
AC Receptacles Three 3-Prong, Grounded, Polarized Outlets
Fuse 40 Amps, 4 Qty
(internal, for replacement by a qualied technician only)
Thermal Overload 155° F (68° C)
Low Voltage Alarm 10.5V
Automatic Shut Down 10V
Recommended Input Cord Battery Cables (not included)
#2 AWG or larger cables recommended
UNPACKING
When unpacking, check to make sure that the item is intact and undamaged. If
any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number shown
on the cover of this manual as soon as possible.
SET UP INSTRUCTIONS
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the
beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein
before set up or use of this product.
Risk of Fire. The positive battery terminal connection must
be the LAST connection made and must be done with the
Inverter’s power switch Off.
This Inverter must only be connected 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 batteries must
be connected in a parallel circuit; batteries connected in a
series circuit will produce too much voltage.
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).
WARNINGWARNING
CAUTIONCAUTION

Page 9SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Positive Negative
Ground
Place the Power Inverter on a at surface that has adequate ventilation and is
not in direct sunlight. Fasten the inverter securely to the surface, using screws
or some other means. If holes are to be drilled, follow safe, proper installation
techniques. Verify that installation surface has no hidden utility lines before
drilling or driving screws.
Connect the Battery Cable (not included; #2 AWG or larger cables) lugs to the
(Positive) red and (Negative) black terminals on the back of the Inverter, see
above. Connect the Ground Cable (not included; #4 AWG or larger cable) lug to
the Ground terminal, see picture above. Securely tighten.
The Power Inverter can be used either while the engine is running or off.
Connect the Battery Cables (not included) to the Negative (black) and Positive
(red) terminals of the battery.
Connect the Ground Cable to the appropriate location below:
If this unit is mounted within a vehicle with a grounded metal chassis, attach
the Ground Cable to a nearby location on the chassis.
If this unit is mounted in a boat or vehicle with an ungrounded chassis, attach
the Ground Cable to the vehicle’s grounding system.
Only if this unit is being used outside a vehicle, attach the Ground Cable to
the Negative Terminal of the Inverter.
OPERATION
NEVER operate this inverter unless it is properly grounded.
Plug the 115 VAC device(s) you wish to power into the 3-prong AC Receptacles.
See illustration on the next page. The appliance(s) must not use more than
1,000 (total) watts during continuous operation, otherwise it may overload the
Inverter.
1.
2.
3.
4.
•
•
•
1.
WARNINGWARNING

Page 10SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
CAUTION! Some rechargeable appliances may damage the Power In-
verter 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.
Outlets
Power Switch
Flip the Power Switch to the ON position to turn on. Do not use the appliance
until the switch illuminates.
Turn on appliance. If an alarm sound is heard, turn off the appliance and see
the Troubleshooting section.
CAUTION! It is recommended that the vehicle be started every hour
to recharge the battery. 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. Due to the risk of carbon mon-
oxide inhalation do not run the vehicle’s engine within an enclosed area.
After use, disconnect the appliances and ip the Switch to the OFF position.
Clean, then store the tool indoors out of children’s reach.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
Risk of serious personal injury from accidental starting or
electric shock. Turn the Power Switch of the tool to the
“OFF” position and disconnect the tool from the battery
before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.
Damaged equipment can fail, causing serious personal
injury. Do not use damaged equipment. If abnormal noise
or vibration occurs, have the problem corrected before
further use.
2.
3.
4.
5.
WARNINGWARNING

Page 11SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Cleaning, maintenance, and lubrication
BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the general condition of the tool. Check for loose
screws, misalignment or binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts and
any other condition that may affect its safe operation.
AFTER USE, clean external surfaces of the tool with clean, moist cloth.
Due to the sensitive wiring and electrical circuits within this device, and the
possibility of injury, the fuses inside this unit are to be replaced only by a
qualied technician. Also, this unit must have all energy storing electronics
discharged before opening; test for voltage to verify that the unit is safe before
opening.
Troubleshooting
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 10 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.
4. If your audio system buzzes while using this inverter, it is because some sound
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.
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 battery connection. You may need to
clean the connectors.
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 950 watts. Also, keep input
voltage above 10.5 volts to maintain a constant ow 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. 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.
1.
2.
3.

Page 12SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. 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.
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

Page 13SKU 97047 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Record Product’s 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
available individually as replacement parts.
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 product
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 EXPRESSLY 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
complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection veries the defect, we
will either 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 repaired 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]