Cobra IG20SI User manual

4-Stroke Engine
INVERTER GENERATOR
USER MANUAL
Model：IG20SI

●Cobra reserves the right of modification of product and revision of the manual without any notice.
●Take this manual as a part of the generator. If the generator is resold, it is required to take the manual along
with the generator.
●This manual contains how to correctly operate the generator, please read carefully before using the generator.
Correct and safe operation will guarantee your safety and extend the working life of generator.
●Cobra will continuously innovate and develop its products both in design and quality. The content of this
manual may have minor difference from the updated product. Please contact your supplier for further support.
Thank you for purchasing a Cobra Inverter Generator
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE:
The emission of engines contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Use the generator
only outdoors and away from people.
NEVER use petrol powered equipment in a home, garage, tent, camper-van,
caravan, motor-home or boat. Even if doors, windows or vents are open. Only use
outdoors, well away from doors, widows and openings. Prevent inhaling exhaust
fumes.

CONTENT
22
22
23
25
26
28
30
31
32
33
04
06
08
08
09
10
10
11
12
13
15
17
18
19
20
20
07
33
34
36
Hourmeter

1.SAFETY INFORMATION
•Read and understand the user manual before
using the generator.
•The emission of engine contains poisonous
carbon monoxide. Use the generator in the
ventilated condition.
•Do not touch the hot muffler, when the generator
is running, or before cooling.
•Petrol is explosive and flammable in the
specified conditions when refueling, the
generator needs to be stopped and be kept
cigarette and fire source away.
•Do not connect to the building’s electrical system
or other generator, in order to avoid the electric
shocks and fires.
•The running generator must keep one meter
To ensure personal and property safety, please
carefully read the following information.
<<04>>
WARNING
distance with constructions and other
electrical appliances at least.
•Place the generator on the leveled surface, in
order to avoid overturning or spilling fuel.
•Children and pets should be keep away the
operation area.
•Do not operate with wet hand.
•Do not expose the generator to rain, moisture
or snow.
•Place the generator at least 1 m away from
buildings or other equipments during
operation.
•The major repair work should be carried out
only by professionally trained person.
•Do not use the generator in underground
working
•Do not use the generator in potentially
explosive atmospheres
•Use personal protective equipment: glove,
mask, earplugs, when you operate or maintain
the generator

<<05>>
SAFETY LABEL:

<<06>>
2. SAFETY LABLE LOCATIONS

<<07>>
CHOKE
KNOB
FUEL CAP
VENT LEVER
FUEL CAP
AIR CLEANER
MAINTENANCE COVER
STARTER GRIP
CONTROL
PANEL
SPARK PLUG
MAINTENANCE
COVER MUFFLER
3. C IDENTIFICATIONOMPONENTS
FUEL SWITCH
ENGINE SWITCH
ECON. SW

3.1) Control Panel
<<08>>
3.2) ECON. SW (Economy control switch):
“ON”()
•When the economy control switch is turned to
“ON”( ),the engine keeps running at idle state
automatically when the electrical appliance is
disconnected,and it will return to the proper speed
with the requirement of electrical load.
ONOFF
ECON. SW
DC Circuit Protector
DC Receptacle
Ground Terminal
AC Receptacle
Hourmeter
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Engine Switch
Fuel Switch
ECON. SW
●The “ON”( ) is recommended to minimize the fuel

•Under the condition of protection, the overload
indicator light(red) is on, the "RESET" button can
recover the output of the generator, and
unnecessary to restart engine overall.
•Press and hold the “RESET” button for one second,
until the overload indicator light (red)
<<09>>
NOTE
•When a high load electrical appliance is
connected instantaneously, in order to reduce
voltage change, turn the economy control switch
to the“OFF”( )position.
•In DC operation, turn the economy control switch
to the “OFF”( )position.
•Connect both AC load and DC load, turn the
economy control switch to the “OFF”( ) position.
NOTE
•For protection condition, the output indicator
light (green) is off, and the overload indicator
light (red) is on.
•Every starting the engine the "RESET" button is
available within 5 times. Otherwise, you need
restart the engine.
“OFF” ( )
When the economy control switch turns to the “OFF”
( ) position engine runs at high speed.
will be off, and output indicator light (green)
will be on.
•Under the non-overloading condition, the
"RESET" is supposed to be ineffective.
•Press DISP; then lighten the backlight.
•Display voltage/frequency, engine speed,
cumulative working time in turn.
NOTE
3.3) Hourmeter
•No button in 10S, the backlight shut off.
RESET DISP
backlight

4. PRE- OPERATION CHECK
WARNING
Be sure the generator is on the leveled surface and
the generator is stopped.
Remove the oil filler cap, fill the specified amount of
the recommended oil and then tighten the oil filler
cap .
NOTE
•Do not tilt the generator when adding engine
oil. This could result in overfilling and
damage to the engine.
4.1) Check Oil Level
NOTE
•Using non-detergent or 2-stroke oil could
shorten the engine’s working life.
•Using the high quality engine oil with strong
detergents
•Using 4-stroke engine oil, certified to meet or
exceed API standards: SG, SF ,SAE stickiness
rating:
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40℃
15W-40
10W-40
10W-30
5W-30
-20 020 40 60 80 100F
NOTE
Carefully use and store the engine oil, avoid
getting dirt or dust into the engine oil.
Mixing different kinds of engine oil is prohibited.
<<10>>
OIL FILLER
CAP
OIL FILLER HOLE
UPPER LEVEL
OIL POT
Oil Capacity:0.41L

NOTE
•Before the engine oil reduces below the safety
margin, low oil alert system will close the engine
automatically. The oil alert indicator light red
will be on.
•To avoid the inconvenience caused by
unexpected stopping,it is still advisable to
check the engine oil level regularly.
4.2) Check Fuel Level
Fuel recommend: use unleaded Petrol
(Research Octane Number of 91 or higher, Pump
Octane Number of 86 or higher)
Never use stale or contaminated Petrol or an oil/
Petrol mixture,
Avoid getting dirt or water into the fuel tank.
Do not use a mixture Petrol containing ethanol or
methanol; otherwise, it will seriously damage the
engine.
Fuel Capacity: 3.6L
OPEN
FUEL CAP
UPPER LIMIT MARK
WARNING
•Petrol is extremely explosive and flammable.
•Around the refueling area and fuel storage
area, prohibit smoking and firing.
•Do not overfill the fuel tank (no fuel above the
red upper limit mark). After refueling, make sure
the fuel cap is closed properly and securely.
•Do not make fuel spill from fuel tank. (No
residual fuel around the neck of tank, before
starting engine)
•Avoid contacting with skin or breathing the fuel
vapor.
•KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
<<11>>

AIR CLEANER
COVER
AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
COVER SCREW
4.3) Check Air Cleaner
<<12>>
AIR CLEANER
MAINTENANCE COVER
COVER SCREW
b.Loosen the air cleaner cover screw, and remove
the cover
c. Check the element, clean or replace it,if necessary.
NOTE
Do not run engine without the air cleaner element.
Operating the generator without the filter will damage
the engine.
Check the air cleaner element to be sure it is clean
and in good condition.
a.Loosen three screws of the air cleaner
maintenance cover, and remove the cover.
COVER SCREW

5. STARTING THE ENGINE
NOTE
Before starting engine, disconnect load with AC
receptacle.
5.1) Turn the fuel cap vent lever to the “ON”
position.
OFF
ON
ON
FUEL CAP VENT LEVER
NOTE
When transporting generator, turn the fuel cap vent
lever to the “OFF” position.
5.2) Turn fuel switch to the “ON” position.
5.3) Turn the engine switch to “ON” position.
<<13>>
ON
FUEL SWITCH

NOTE
Do not pull out the choke knob, when engine is hot or
ambient temperature is high.
5.5) Pull the starter grip slowly until it is engaged,
then pull it quickly.
NOTE
Return the starter grip slowly by hand. Do not make
the starter grip spring back quickly.
5.6) Push the choke knob to the original position,
when the engine warms up.
<<14>>
5.4) Pull the choke knob fully out.
CHOKE KNOB
STARTER GRIP

NOTE
If the generator stops and can not restart, check
the oil level firstly.
Carburetor Modification for High Altitude
Operation
At high altitude, the standard carburetor air-fuel
mixture will be too rich. Performance will
decrease, and fuel consumption will increase. A
very rich mixture will also foul the spark plug and
cause hard starting.
If the generator operates at high altitude, change the
main nozzle or adjust the idling screw of carburetor
If the generator always operates at altitude above
WARNING
If the carburetor has been modified for high altitude
operation, the air-fuel mixture will be too lean for low
altitude use. Operation at low altitude may cause the
engine to overheat and result in serious engine
damage. The carburetor needs return to original
specifications.
<<15>>
CHOKE KNOB 1000 meters contact an authorized Cobra service
dealer to modify the carburetor.
Generator output power should be modified
according to the altitude and ambient temperature.
The correction factor refers to 13.2

NOTE
•The DC receptacle can be used while the AC
power is in use. If use both at same time, be
sure not to exceed the total power for AC and
•(AC:1.6kVA, DC:5A)
•Most of motor appliances require more than
their rated wattage, when starting.
WARNING
•For continuous operation, do not exceed the
rated out-put power of generator.
•Do not make parallel connection with other
generators.
•Do not connect an extension to the exhaust pipe.
•When an extension cable is required, be sure to
use a tough rubber sheathed flexible cable
(according to IEC245 or equivalent standards).
The maxmin length of the
extension cable: 60m for cable of 1.5mm ;
100m for cable of 2.5mm .
•Keep away from other electric cables or wires.
<<16>>
6. GENERATOR USE
WARNING
•Be sure to ground the generator when the
connected electrical appliance is grounded.
•Do not connect to the building’s electrical
system, in order to avoid the electric shocks
and fires.
GROUND TERMINAL
EARTH
MARK

<<17>>
6.1) DC Application
The DC receptacle, 15-30V under no load condition,
may be used for charging 12V battery only.
NOTE
In DC operation, turn the ECON SW to the
“OFF” ( ) position.
6.1.1) Disconnect the vehicle battery ground cable
from the negative battery terminals.
6.1.2) Connect the DC receptacle to battery
terminals with the charging cable
CAUTION
Connect red lead to positive battery terminal and
black lead to negative battery terminal.
6.1.3) Turn ECON SW to “OFF” ( ) position and
then start engine
Disconnecting the charging cable
1)Stop the engine.
2)Disconnect the black lead from the negative
battery terminal.
3)Disconnect the red lead from the positive battery
terminal.
NOTE
Do not start the automobile engine when the
generator is still connected to the battery, otherwise
the generator will be damaged.
CHARGING CABLE

6.2) AC applications
6.2.1) Start engine and make sure the output
indicator light (green) is on.
6.2.2) Confirm all electrical appliances are switched
off, and connect the appliance plugs to the
generator receptacle.
NOTE
To obtain the best working and longest working life of
the generator, a new generator is supposed to run for
20 hours at 50% rated load.
circuit protector, remove load firstly, and
then reset the protector after a few minutes.
ON OFF
<<18>>
WARNING
NOTE
•The DC receptacle can be used while the AC
power is in use .
•When DC circuit overload will trip the DC
DC
RECEPTACLE
DC CIRCUIT
PROTECTOR
4)Reconnect the vehicle battery ground cable.
•The battery can release the explosive gases
• Keep the battery away from spark/fire. Charge
the battery in ventilated condition.
•Battery electrolyte contains sulfuric acid that will
cause severe burn of skin and eyes. Therefore it is
necessary to wear the protective clothing and
mask.
•If battery electrolyte gets into eyes flush
thoroughly with warm water for 15min at least
and call a doctor immediately
•If you swallow a little of battery electrolyte
accidentally flush thoroughly with water your
mouth and then drink large quantities of water or
milk with magnesia or vegetable oil and call a
doctor immediately

indicator light (red) is on. The AC power will be
switched off, but engine is still running.
If the overload indicator light (red) is on,
disconnect the electrical appliances firstly, press
and hold the rest button 1s. If the overload
indicator light (red) is OFF and the output
indicator light (green) is on, reconnect the
electrical appliances. Otherwise stop the engine
and check the generator.
<<19>>
NOTE
Confirm all electrical appliances are in good working
condition before connecting them to the generator. If
an electrical appliance becomes abnormal, sluggish,
or stops suddenly, shut off the generator engine
immediately, and disconnect the appliance.
6.3) Output and Overload Indicator
In normal operating, output indicator light (green)
will remain on.
If the generator is overload (over 1.6 kVA), or the
connected appliance is short-circuit, the output
indicator light (green) is off, and overload
OUTPUT INDICATOR
LIGHT (GREEN)
OVERLOAD INDICATOR
LIGHT(RED)
OUTPUT INDICATOR
LIGHT (GREEN)
PLUG

6.4) Oil alert system
The oil alert system is designed to prevent engine
damage caused by an insufficient amount of oil
in the crankcase. Before the oil level in the
crankcase falls below a safe limit, the oil alert
system will automatically shut down the engine
(the engine switch remains in the “ON“position).
If the oil alert system shuts down the engine, the
oil alert indicator light (red) will be on. Check
the engine oil level.
OIL ALERT INDICATOR
LIGHT ( RED)
7. STOPPING THE ENGINE
To stop the engine in an
emergency, turn the engine
switch to the “OFF”position.
7.1) Switch off the connected
electrical appliances,
and pull out their plugs.
7.2) Turn the engine switch to the “OFF” position.
<<20>>
PLUG