Cobra CPI490 User manual

Operating Instructions
400 WATT POWER INVERTER
CPI 490 Printed in China
Part No. 480-994-P
Version B
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

A1
Customer Assistance
Our Thanks to You
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Cobra Power
Inverter CPI490. Properly used, this Cobra product
will give you many years of reliable service.
How Your Cobra Power Inverter Works
The Cobra power inverter is an electronic product that
has been designed and built to take low voltage DC (Direct
Current) power from your automobile or other low voltage
power supplies and convert it to standard 115 Volt AC
(Alternating Current) power like the current you have in
your home. This conversion process thereby allows you
to use many of your household appliances and electronic
products in automobiles, RVs, boats, tractors, trucks and
virtually anywhere else.
Customer Assistance
Should you encounter any problems with this product,
or not understand its many features, please refer to this
owner’s manual. If you require further assistance after
reading this manual, Cobra Electronics offers the
following customer assistance services:
For Assistance in the U.S.A.
Automated Help Desk English only.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week 773-889-3087 (phone).
Customer Assistance Operators English and Spanish.
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday
(except holidays) 773-889-3087 (phone).
Questions English and Spanish.
Faxes can be received at 773-622-2269 (fax).
Technical Assistance English only.
www.cobra.com (on-line: Frequently Asked Questions).
English and Spanish. [e-mail] (e-mail).
For Assistance Outside the U.S.A.
Contact Your Local Dealer
©2014 Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, Illinois 60707 USA
www.cobra.com

POWER /
FAULT
POWER
USB
Cooling Fan
A2
Product Features
Introduction
On/Off
Power Switch
AC Outlet
Positive Battery
Cable Terminal
(Red)
Protection and
Power Indicator
Features
OTwo AC Receptacles
O5V/2.1 USB Output
OAutomatic Thermal
Protection/Shutdown
OReverse Polarity Protection
OLow Battery Alarm
OLow Battery Shutdown
Negative Battery
Cable Terminal
(Black)
USB Outlet
AC Outlet

A3
Introduction Contents
Introduction
Our Thanks to You.................. A1
Customer Assistance ................ A1
Product Features ................... A2
Important Safety Information........... 1
Quick Evaluation Before Installation...... 3
Installation
Installation Requirements ............. 5
Mounting .......................... 6
Connecting Cables ................... 6
Power Consumption ................ 10
Operation
Turning Your Inverter On or Off........ 11
Power and Protection Indicators ....... 12
Operating Limits ................... 13
Troubleshooting Guide............... 14
Specifications...................... 15
Warranty
Warranty ......................... 16
Customer Assistance
Maintenance....................... 17
Product Service .................... 17

1
Introduction
Important Safety Information
Important Safety Information 
Before installing and using your Cobra power inverter,
please read these general precautions and warnings.
Caution and Warning Statements
To make the most of this inverter, it must be installed and
used properly. Please read the installation and operating
instructions carefully before installing and using it. Special
attention must be paid to the CAUTION and WARNING
statements in the manual.
CAUTION Statements specify conditions which
could cause damage to the unit or other equipment.
WARNING Statements identify conditions that
could result in personal injury or loss of life.
General Precautions
1. Never install the inverter in a boat’s
engine compartment where gas and
battery fumes are present.
2. Do not operate the inverter if it has been
dropped or damaged in any way.
3. Do not open the inverter; it contains no user-
serviceable parts. Attempting to service unit
could cause electrical shock.
NOTE Internal components remain
charged after all power is disconnected.
4. Do not expose the inverter to rain, snow,
bilge water or spray.
5. Do not obstruct the ventilation openings.
6. Do not install the inverter in zero-clearance
compartment.
CAUTION This inverter should be used in
negative ground applications only.
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

WARNING Power inverters contain components
that can produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire
or explosion, do not install the inverter in areas or
compartments containing batteries or flammable
materials or in locations that require ignition-
protected equipment.
WARNING To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover
or obstruct the ventilation openings. Do not install
inverter in zero-clearance compartment.
Proposition 65: Warning: Wash Hands After
Handling Power Cord
The power cord on this product contains lead, a chemical
known in the state of California to cause birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
Caution: Rechargeable Appliances
Certain chargers for small nickel cadmium batteries can be
damaged if connected to the Cobra 400 watt inverter. Two
particular types of equipment are prone to this problem:
1. Small battery-operated appliances
such as flashlights, razors, and
night lights that can be plugged
directly into an AC receptacle to
recharge.
2. Certain battery chargers for
battery packs used in hand power
tools. These chargers have a
WARNING label stating that
dangerous voltages are present
at the battery terminals.
This problem does not occur with the vast majority of
battery operated equipment. Most use a separate charger
or transformer that is plugged into the AC receptacle
and produces a low voltage output. If the label on the AC
adapter or charger states that it produces a low voltage
AC or DC output (less than 30 volts), the inverter will
have no problem powering the adapter safely.
Plug In Directly
Dangerous
Voltages
2
Important Safety Information
Introduction

3
Output Waveform
Some very sensitive electronic equipment may not operate
satisfactory on “square wave” or “modified sine wave.”
The output waveform is referred to as “square wave” or
“modified sine wave.” It is a stepped waveform designed to
have characteristics similar to the sine wave shape of utility
power. A waveform of this nature is suitable for most AC
loads (including linear and switching power suppliers used
in electronic equipment, transformers and motors).
Quick Evaluation Before Installation 
This section provides you with basic information about the
inverter and how to check its performance before installation.
Be sure to have on hand:
}A 12 volt DC power source (such as a vehicle battery).
The power source must provide
between 11 and 15 volts DC and
be able to supply enough current to
run the test load. As a rough guide,
divide the wattage of the test load by
10 to get the current (in amperes)
the power source must deliver.
}The provided two foot cigarette lighter cable and
two foot direct-to-battery 12 gauge cable.
Only use the cables provided with your inverter.
The cigarette lighter cable is suitable for operating the
inverter at loads up to 150 watts. Connect by securely
inserting the plug into the cigarette lighter socket.
CAUTION Do not use the cigarette lighter cable
for loads higher than 150 watts. When connecting
loads larger than 150 watts, please connect the
inverter directly to the battery.
Quick Evaluation
Before Installation
Introduction
Power Supply
Cig. Lighter Cable 12 Gauge Cable
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

}A test load that can
be plugged into the AC
receptacle on the inverter
for short term testing at
a low power level.
To check your inverter’s performance before installation:
1. Turn the inverter off (see page 11
for details). If the power source is
a DC power supply, switch it off
as well.
2. Connect cables to power
input terminals (see page 6
for details).
3. Connect cable to power source
(see page 8 for details).
4. Check to make sure all
connections are secure.
5. Turn the inverter on. If the
power source is a DC power
supply, switch it on first.
6. Plug in the test load.
The inverter should supply power
to the load. If the inverter is not
working properly, refer to the
troubleshooting guide on page 14
or power and protection indicators
section on page 12.
4
Quick Evaluation
Before Installation
Introduction
Connect Terminals
Connect Power Source
FAULT
POWER
On/Off Switch to Off
Test Load
POWER /
FAULT USB
USB Connection
POWER /
FAULT
POWER
Connect Test Load
FAULT
POWER
On/Off Switch to On

5
Installation Requirements
Installation
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®
Installation Requirements 
The inverter must be installed in an area that meets
all of the following requirements:
A. Dry
Do not place in an area where water can drip
or splash on the inverter.
B. Cool
Ambient air temperature should be between 30°F
and 105°F (0°C and 40°C). The cooler the better.
C. Ventilate
Allow at least one inch (three cm) of clearance around
the inverter for proper airflow. Make sure that ventilation
openings on the ends of the unit are not obstructed.
D. Safe
Do not install the inverter in the same compartment
as a battery or in any compartment that contains
flammable liquids such as gasoline.
E. Close to Battery
Install unit as close to battery as possible (without
being in the same compartment) to minimize the
length of cable required to connect the inverter to
the battery. It is better and cheaper to run longer
AC wires than longer DC wires (cables).
CAUTION To avoid fire, do not cover or obstruct
ventilation openings. Do not install inverter in a zero-
clearance compartment. Overheating may result.
CAUTION The inverter must only be connected to
batteries with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts.
It will not work with a 6 volt battery, and will be
damaged if it is connected to a 16 volt battery.
WARNING This unit contains components which
can produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or
explosion, do not install in compartments containing
a battery or flammable materials, or in a location
which requires ignition protected equipment.

6
Mounting 
To mount your inverter:
1. Place the inverter on a flat surface with the mounting
bracket against the mounting surface.
2. Mount to secure surface using mounting hardware
that is corrosion resistant (not included).
The inverter can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
Connecting Cables 
Power wire and wiring are very important to the
performance of the inverter. Because the inverter has a
low voltage, high current input, low resistance wiring is
essential between the battery and inverter. This is so it
can deliver the maximum amount of energy to the load.
Only use the cables provided with your power inverter.
To connect the cables between
the inverter and the battery:
1. Turn the On/Off Switch on the
inverter to the off position. If
the power source is a DC power
supply, switch it off as well.
Mounting and
Connecting Cables
Installation
RTER
15V/60HZ
00
Mounting Brackets
Mounting Hardware
FAULT
POWER
On/Off Switch to Off

7
Connecting Cables
Installation
2. Connect cable to the Power Input Terminals on
right side panel of the inverter. The red terminal is
positive (+) and the black terminal is negative (-).
Insert the ends of the cables onto the terminals
and tighten the screws to clamp the cables safely.
3. Connect cable to your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket.
NOTE If the inverter is to be used at levels above
150 watts for extended periods of time, a direct
connection to the battery is recommended. Do
not use the cigarette cord for loads higher than
150 watts. Please contact your local dealer or
customer assistance for the proper cord for
direct to battery connections.
CAUTION Reverse polarity connections (positive
to negative) will blow inverter fuses and may
permanently damage the unit. Such damage
is not covered by the warranty.
CAUTION Remove any jewelry (watch, ring, etc.).
Be careful not to short circuit the battery with any
metallic object (wrench, etc.).
Connect Terminals
Connect Power Source
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

8
WARNING You may observe a spark when making
the connection because current can flow to charge
the capacitors in the inverter. Do not make this
connection in the presence of flammable fumes.
Explosion or fire may result. Thoroughly ventilate
the battery compartment before making this
connection.
3. Connect cable to the power source:
a. Connect the cable from the Negative (Black)
Terminal of inverter to the Negative Terminal
of the power source. Make a secure connection.
b. Connect the cable from the Positive (Red) Terminal
of the inverter to the Positive Terminal of the power
source (the battery’s main fuse or the battery
selector switch, if you are using one). Make a
secure connection.
You might observe a spark when you make this connection
since current can flow to charge capacitors in the inverter.
All power connections to your Cobra inverter must
be Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative.
Connecting Cables
Installation
Connect Power Source

9
CAUTION Do not connect the inverter and another
AC source (such as a generator or utility power)
to the AC wiring at the same time. The inverter
will be damaged if its output is connected to
AC voltage from another source. Damage can
even occur if the inverter is switched off.
CAUTION Do not connect the inverter to an AC
branch circuit that has high-power consumption loads.
It will not operate electric heaters, air conditioners,
stoves, and other electrical appliances that consume
more than 400 watts.
CAUTION Loose connectors result in excessive
voltage drop and may cause over heated wires
and melted insulation.
CAUTION Reverse polarity connections (positive
to negative) will blow external fuse in the inverter
and may permanently damage the unit. Such
damage is not covered by the warranty.
CAUTION Remove any jewelry (watch, ring, etc.).
Be careful not to short circuit the battery with
any metallic object (wrench, etc.).
WARNING 115 volt AC power is potentially lethal.
Do not work on AC wiring when it is connected to
the inverter (even if it is switched off) unless the
DC power source is physically disconnected from
the inverter. Also, do not work on AC wiring if it is
connected to another AC power source such as
a generator or the utility line.
WARNING You may observe a spark when making
the connection because current can flow to charge
the capacitors in the inverter. Do not make this
connection in the presence of flammable fumes.
Explosion or fire may result. Thoroughly ventilate the
battery compartment before making this connection.
Connecting Cables
Installation
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

Power Consumption 
For each piece of equipment you will be operating from the
inverter, you must determine the battery’s reserve capacity
(how long the battery can deliver a specific amount of
current — in automotive batteries, usually 25 amperes)
or ampere-hour capacity (a measure of how many amperes
a battery can deliver for a specified length of time).
Example – Reserve capacity: a battery with a reserve
capacity of 180 minutes can deliver 25 amperes for 180
minutes before it is completely discharged.
Example – Ampere-hour capacity: a battery with an
ampere-hour capacity of 100 ampere-hours can deliver 5
amperes for 20 hours before it is completely discharged.
To determine the battery ampere-hour
capacity you require:
1. Determine how many watts each piece of equipment
consumes. This can normally be found on the product
label. If only the current draw is given, multiply the
current draw by 115 to get the watt consumption.
2. Estimate the time (in hours) that each piece of equipment
will be running between battery charging cycles.
3. Calculate the total watt-hours of energy consumption
(power x operating time) using the average power
consumption and the total estimated running time
(in hours). Power x Operating Time = Watt-Hours.
4. Divide the watt-hours by 10 to determine how many
power supply’s (12 volt) ampere-hours will be consumed.
10
Installation Power Consumption
Laptop
50 watts x 2 hours
= 100 watt-hours
Blender
300 watts x 15 minutes
= 75 watt-hours

11
Turning Your Inverter On or Off 
Be sure to have your power inverter properly installed before
attempting to turn the unit on (see installation page 5).
To turn the power inverter on:
1. If a DC power supply is being
used as the power source, switch
it on.
2. On the left side panel, switch the
On/Off Switch to on.
The inverter is now ready to deliver AC power to your loads.
If several loads are to be operated by the inverter, turn them
on separately, after the inverter has been turned on. This
will ensure that the inverter does not have to deliver the
starting currents required for all the loads at once.
To turn the power inverter off:
1. On the left side panel,
switch the On/Off Switch
to off.
NOTE The On/Off Switch turns the control circuit
in the inverter on and off. It does not disconnect
power from the inverter.
When the switch is in the off position, the inverter
draws no current from the battery. When it’s in the
on position, but no power is being supplied to the
load, the inverter draws less than 500 milliamperes
from the battery. This is low current draw. It would
take more than a week to discharge a 100 ampere-
hour battery at this rate depending on the age of
the battery.
Power On and Off
Operation
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®
FAULT
POWER
On/Off Switch to Off
FAULT
POWER
On/Off Switch to On

12
Power and Protection Indicators 
The power and protection indicator includes a dual color
green and red light, and an alarm.
Green Light
Power on – The green light should remain on steady.
Red Light and/or Alarm
Current overload – The red light will blink continuously,
then the inverter will shutdown. The inverter will continue
to check for appropriate current levels while trying to
restart the load.
DC input voltage overload – The red light will turn on and
the inverter will shutdown. The inverter will continue to
check for appropriate voltage levels while trying to restart
the load.
DC input voltage shortage – As a warning that the voltage
is getting low, the internal alarm will sound. When the
voltage is too low, the inverter will shutdown and the
light will turn red. The inverter will continue to check for
appropriate voltage levels while trying to restart the load.
Temperature overload – The red light will blink, then the
inverter will shutdown. The inverter will continue to check
for appropriate temperature levels while trying to restart
the load.
NOTE A momentary sound of the internal alarm
and/or flash of the red light is normal at start up.
Power and Protection
Indicators
Operation

13
Operating Limits
Operation
Operating Limits 
Power Output
The inverter can deliver 400 watts for about 60 minutes.
The inverter must cool for 15 minutes before it can
resume operation at 400 watts. Note: The wattage
rating applies to resistive loads.
The inverter will operate most AC loads within its power
rating. Some induction motors used in freezers, pumps,
and other motor-operated equipment require very high
surge currents to start. The inverter may not be able
to start some of these motors even though their rated
current draw is within the inverter’s limits. The inverter
will normally start single phase induction motors rated
at one-half HP or less.
Input Voltage
The inverter will operate from input voltage ranging
from 10 volts to 15 volts. Optimum performance will
occur when the voltage is between 12 volts and 14 volts.
If the voltage drops below 10.5V+/-0.3V, an audible low
battery warning will sound. The inverter will shut down if
the input voltage drops below 9.5V+/-0.3V. This protects
the battery from being over-discharged. It will restart when
the input voltage exceeds 12V+/-0.3V.
The inverter will also shut down if the input voltage
exceeds 15.75V+/-0.75V. This protects the inverter
against excessive input voltage. Although the inverter
has protection against over-voltage, it may still be
damaged if the input voltage were to exceed 16 volts.
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

14
Troubleshooting Guide
Operation
Problem/Symptom
Low output voltage
No output voltage
No output voltage
after prolonged use
No output voltage,
“Protect” indicator
lighted
No output voltage
No power to
inverter
Low battery alarm
on all the time
Possible Causes
Overload
Low input voltage
Thermal
shutdown
High input
voltage
Short circuit
Blown fuse
in CLP
Poor DC wiring
Poor battery
condition
Solution
Reduce the load.
Recharge battery.
Check connections
and cable.
Allow inverter
to cool off.
Reduce load,
continuous
operation input
current required.
Improve ventilation;
Make sure ventilation
openings in the
inverter are not
obstructed.
Reduce ambient
temperature.
Make sure
the inverter is
connected to
12V battery.
Check regulation
of charging system.
Check load for
proper operation.
Replace fuse.
Check
connections.
Make sure battery
is fully charged.
Troubleshooting Guide 

15
Specifications
Operation
Specifications 
Continuous output power (1 hour) ............ 400W
Surge rating (0.1 second) ................... 800W
Peak efficiency (12V – 1⁄2 load) ............. >88%
Efficiency (full load, 12V)................... >83%
No load current draw................ <0.5A (12.6V)
Output waveform (resistive load). . . Modified sine wave
Output frequency .................... 58HZ – 62HZ
Output voltage ...................... 109V – 120V
USB output ................................ 5V
Input voltage ................. 10.4VDC – 14.4VDC
Alarm voltage (unload) ...............10.2V – 10.8V
Shutdown voltage (unload) ............. 9.2V – 9.8V
Operating temperature range.............0°C – 40°C
(32°F – 104°F)
Storage temperature range ............ -40°C – 85°C
(-40°F – 185°F)
Protection ...........
Overload, short-circuit, overtemp,
reverse polarity, under/over voltage
Notes
All protection is automatically recovered.
To protect the battery, if the unit needs to be restarted
after low voltage protection, the voltage of DC input should
be above 12V.
To extend the life of the fan, it will stop when there is no
load. The speed of the fan increases as the load increases.
The unit is completely insulated in input and output for
added safety.
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®

16
Limited Two-Year Warranty 
For Products Purchased in the U.S.A.
Cobra Electronics Corporation warrants that its Cobra power
inverter, and the component parts thereof, will be free of defects
in workmanship and materials for a period of two years from the
date of first consumer purchase. This warranty may be enforced by
the first consumer purchaser, provided that the product is utilized
within the U.S.A.
Cobra will, without charge, repair or replace, at its option, defective
power inverters, products or component parts upon delivery to the
Cobra Factory Service department, accompanied by proof of the
date of first consumer purchase, such as a duplicated copy of a
sales receipt.
You must pay any initial shipping charges required to ship the
product for warranty service, but the return charges will be at
Cobra’s expense, if the product is repaired or replaced under
warranty. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights which may vary from state to state.
Exclusions: This limited warranty does not apply:
1. To any product damaged by accident.
2. In the event of misuse or abuse of the product or
as a result of unauthorized alterations or repairs.
3. If the serial number has been altered, defaced, or removed.
4. If the owner of the product resides outside the U.S.A.
All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose are limited in duration to the
length of this warranty. Cobra shall not be liable for any incidental,
consequential or other damages; including, without limitation, to
damages resulting from loss of use or cost of installation.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied
warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations
may not apply to you.
For Products Purchased Outside the U.S.A.
Please contact your local dealer for warranty information.
Trademark Acknowledgement 
Cobra®, Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra®and the snake design
are registered trademarks of Cobra Electronics Corporation, USA.
Cobra Electronics Corporation™ is a trademark of Cobra
Electronics Corporation, USA.
Warranty and Trademark
Acknowledgement
Warranty