m-Dimension 12/300 User manual

DC to AC Power Inverters
OWNERS MANUAL for Model:
Form121539
121539D
12/300
Including Options: I, L and T
ISO 9001:2000 Certified Company
OWNERS MANUAL JANUARY 2007
Manufacturer of DimensionsTM Inverters
4467 White Bear Parkway
St. Paul, MN 55110
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.dimensions.sensata.com

OWNERS MANUAL
FOR SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES
DIMENSIONS INVERTERS
Model 12/300
Including Options: I, L and T
Table of Contents
Page
1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Description . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4. Start Up/Operation. . . . . . 4
5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . 4
6. Installation Figure 1 . . . . . 5
7. Limited Warranty . . . . . . . 6
CAUTION: Working in the vicinity of lead - acid
batteries is dangerous. Batteries generate explo-
sivegasesduringoperation.Thereisariskofacid
exposure. There is also a risk of high current
discharge from shorting the battery that can
cause fire and explosion.
CAUTION: Besure boththe inverterand, ifused,
the external AC input circuit breaker or fuse are
turned "OFF" during installation.
2. DESCRIPTION
2.01 The inverter converts 12 VDC to 120
VAC, 60 HZ, having a quasi-sine wave form.
2.02 The inverter has a controlled frequency
at 60 HZ + 0.6Hz.
2.03 The inverter has internal protection
against output short circuit, output overload and
high temperature conditions.
2.04 The inverter is U.L. Listed for land
vehicle use, including recreational vehicle, and is
Canadian U.L. Listed for use in Canada.
2.05 The inverter is designed to operate any
120 VAC, 60 HZ, single phase equipment within
its power ratings, unless specifically designed for
a pure sine waveform.
Inverter Rating
Inverter Input Output_____
Model (VDC) (ADC) (RMS, VAC) (Watts)
12/300 12.6 30 120 300
12.6 40 120 400*
*Thisinvertercan deliver400Wattsofpowerfor
a period of 20 minutes. The continuous output
power rating is 300 Watts.
3. INSTALLATION
3.01Thefollowing instructionsshouldbe thor-
oughly read and understood before installation.
3.02
CAUTION: Inverters produce hazard-
ousvoltages. Toavoidriskofharmorfiretheunit
must be properly installed.
CAUTION: Damage to the inverter will occur if
correct polarity is not observed when installing
the DC input cables.
CAUTION: Damagetotheinverterwilloccurifan
Page 2
1. GENERAL
1.01Dimensionsinvertershavebeendesigned
andmanufacturedformanyuserapplicationsand
longlife.Theyutilizepatentedconstructionmeth-
ods and high technology electronic parts and
circuitry.
1.02
CAUTION: Inverters produce hazardous
voltage. Toavoidriskofharmorfiretheunitmust
beproperlyinstalled. Therearenouserservicable
parts inside, do not remove the cover.
CAUTION: The inverter should not be mounted
ina locationthatmaybeexposedtorainorspray.
CAUTION: The inverter should not be installed in
a zero clearance enclosure.
CAUTION: Damage to the inverter will occur if
correct polarity is not observed when installing
the DC input cables.
CAUTION: Damage to theinverterwill occurifan
externalACpowersourceisappliedtotheinverter’s
AC output or its hardwire output.
CAUTION: The invertercontainsacircuitbreaker
and capacitor that may produce a
spark. Do not mount in a confined battery or gas
compartment.

auxiliaryfusetobeinstalledwithin18inchesofthe
battery.
3.05.4 NOTE: Using smaller input cable
or longer length will greatly degrade the inverter
peak performance.
NOTE FOR VEHICLE INSTALLATION: Do not
use the vehicle chassis as the negative return in
place of a return cable. Use the same size cable
as the positive connection and run directly to the
battery.
3.05.5 Install the cables on the battery,
inverter and then fuse holder. Make sure that
tight, clean connections are made. Use care not
totouchthepositive and negative wires together.
This will result in a violent spark and could result
in exploding batteries and fire.
3.05.6
CAUTION: Connecting the inverter
incorrectly to the battery with the polarity re-
versed will cause damage that is not covered
under warranty!
3.05.7 Connect the White cable to the
negative(-)postonthebattery. ConnecttheRed
cable through the fuse to the positive (+) post on
the battery. A mounting spark may result when
connecting the battery wire.
3.06 Remote ON/OFF Switch - Fig. 1
3.06.01 If not used, no connection is
necessary to the violet wire. The remote "On/Off"
feature (violet wire) is not available with the "L"
option.
NOTE: Connectingthiswiretochassisgroundwill
cause damage not covered under warranty!
3.06.2 All material used for the remote
switch should be UL listed and installed per code.
3.06.3 The remote switch should be single
pole, single throw with at least a 1 Amp rating.
The wire used should be at least 18 gauge.
3.06.4 The switch should be mounted at a
convenient location with approved strain relief.
3.06.5 The remote switch should be con-
nected to the violet wire extending from the unit,
using the furnished connector. Connect the wire
totheloadsideoftheswitch. Connectthelineside
of the remote switch to fused, positive battery.
externalACpowersourceisappliedtotheinverter’s
AC outlet or its hardwire output.
CAUTION: Be sure both the inverter and the
external AC input circuit breaker or fuse are
turned “OFF” during installation.
NOTE: AllwiringmustfollowtheNationalElectric
Code, Provincial or other codes in effect at the
time of installation, regardless of suggestions in
this manual. All wires should be copper conduc-
tors.
3.03 Mounting
3.03.1 Locate a suitable, secure flat mount-
ing surface as close to the battery as possible
without being in the same compartment. The
maximum recommended distance between the
mounting location and the battery is 20 feet.
3.03.2 The location should have adequate
ventilation and clearance to maintain room tem-
perature while the unit is operating. At least 1/2
inch of clearance is required on all sides.
3.03.3 Secure the unit with #8 or larger
screws or bolts in the mounting slots on the
flanges of the chassis.
3.04 Chassis Bonding Lug - FIG. 1
3.04.1 Connect a #8 gauge or greater cop-
per wire between the bonding lug on the inverter
and the earth grounding system or the vehicle
chassis.
3.05 Battery Wiring - FIG. 1
3.05.1
CAUTION: Make sure that hydrogen
gas does not accumulate near the battery by
keeping the area well ventilated. A spark may
result when connecting the battery wiring due to
an initial charging of the internal input capacitor.
3.05.2 The recommended stranded cop-
per cable gauge between the battery and the
inverterandthenecessarylinefuseareindicated:
Battery to Inverter Distance (feet)
1-10 11 to 15 16-20
Cable 8 awg 6 awg 6 awg
Fuse 100A 150A 150A
3.05.3 U.L. codes require the use of an
Page 3

The actual load draw through the remote switch
is less than .1 amp. The fuse should not be larger
thantheampcapacityoftheswitchor thehookup
wire. ArecommendedfuseisaBussmanSFE-4or
Littlefuse 311-004.
3.07 120 VAC Output
3.07.1 The 120 VAC output of the inverter is
provided through the Ground Fault Circuit Inter-
rupter to the output on the back of the inverter.
The GFCI test and reset is located at the front of
the inverter.
3.07.2 The 120 VAC output is also pre-
sented in of the AC wiring compartment for direct
hardwire. The hot terminal is for the black field
wire.TheNeutralterminalisforthewhitefieldwire.
The ground terminal is for the green wire. The
Romex strain relief should be used to secure the
fieldwires.
3.07.3 The remote AC outlets should be
mountedat aconvenientlocationina listedoutlet
box with approved strain relief.
3.08 120 VAC input - Fig. 1 ("T" option)
3.08.1120 VAC power from the electric utility
or generator can be connected to the inverter by
plugging in the AC line cord if the inverter has the
"T" option. This cord should be plugged into a
grounded receptacle.
3.08.2 When the external 120 VAC is sup-
plied, the internal transfer switch is automatically
activated, the ext. Power LED will light and the
inverterwillturnoff.Theinvertercannotbeturned
on when the transfer switch is activated.
3.09 Ignition Control Option - FIG. 1
("I" Option)
3.09.1 If not used, no connection is
necessary to the pink wire.
NOTE:Connectingthiswiretochassisgroundwill
cause damage not covered under warranty!
3.09.2 The pink wire should be connected
to the load side of the ignition switch or relay
controlledbytheswitch.Thereshouldbe+12VDC
when the ignition switch is "On" and no voltage
when the ignition switch is "Off".
3.09.3 Normally, this option is used when a
inverter powered TV is viewable by the vehicle
driver.TheTVispluggedintothe"switchedoutlet"
andthepinkwireisconnectedtotheignitionswitch
orrelay.Whentheignitionison,theignitionoption
turnsthe switchedoutletoff andthedriver cannot
watch TV.
4. START UP/OPERATION
4.01 To operate the inverter turn the On/Off
switchto“ON”. Makesurethattheoutputbreaker
and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter are reset.
4.02 If installed and used, turn the remote
switch to "On" position. The green LED on the
inverter will light. The inverter On/Off switch and
the remote switch are not interconnected. You
must turn the inverter “Off” from the same switch
that turned the inverter "On".
4.03 The inverter should be turned "Off"
when not in use.
5. TROUBLESHOOTING
5.01 Sensata offers free phone consultation
concerninginstallationortroubleshooting. Callthe
Customer Service Department at: 800-553-6418
or 651-653-7000,
Fax: [phone];
e-mail: [email protected]
5.02 If the inverter fails to operate, use the
following troubleshooting procedure.
5.02.1Connect a 100 watt light bulb to the
inverter output.
5.02.2 Make sure that the inverter is
turned on, the output circuit breaker is reset and
that the line fuse is good.
5.02.3 Observe the fault indicating light
on the front of the inverter. If the low battery light
is lit, turn inverter “Off” for 5 seconds, then turn
“On”again. Ifthelowbatterylightturns onagain,
check battery wiring, battery state-of-charge and
voltage.
5.02.4 If the inverter feels hot, it may
haveshutdownbyovertemperature.Theinverter
must be left to cool to 40 C (104 F). Check to
see that the inverter is not in a closed compart-
ment.
5.02.5 If the above steps are completed
and
the inverter still will not operate satisfactorily
call Sensata for a return authorization number.
Page 4

Neutral
Ground
Hot
H G N
DC Input Chassis bonding lug
Switched
"I" option
Ext. Power Low Battery On/Off
Green LED Red LED Green LED
5A Breaker
On/Off
Switch
AC Input
120VAC 60Hz
"T" option
Top View
AC Wiring
compartment
Front Internal View
AC wiring compartment
(Internal view)
See below
AC wiring
compartment
detail
__ __
12VDC Battery
Remote
On/Of
switch
Fuse
Fuse
White
Cable
(-)
Red
Cable
(+)
Two-pin
batterycable
Connector
REAR VIEW FRONT VIEW
WIRING DIAGRAM
Fig # 1
Customer installed option
Warning: Connecting the battery with
the wrong polarity to the inverter will
cause damage that is not covered under
the warranty
Violet wire
N: Neutral (White wire)
G: Ground (Green wire)
H: Hot (Black wire)
Page 5
AC Output

Page 6
Limited Warranty Terms & Conditions
SHIPPING TERMS: F.O.B. St. Paul Minnesota. Freight prepaid and billed, subject to prior credit approval.
MINIMUM ORDER: $50.00 Net Price
LOSS OR DAMAGE: Loss or damage in transit are the responsibility of the carrier. Any claim should be filed with the delivering transport
company. Invoice, Bill of Lading and Delivery receipt with damage noted therein must accompany any claims for freight damage. Claims for
shortage and lost shipments must be made in writing to Sensata Technologies, Power Controls White Bear, St. Paul, MN within 10 days of
date of shipment. Claims not reported within this time frame will not be honored.
PRICES: Prices are subject to change without notice. All orders are subject to acceptance at the factory. We reserve the right to invoice
prices in effect at time of shipment.
TERMS: Net 30 days with approved credit, credit card or C.O.D.
RETURNGOODSPOLICY:
•No returned materials will be accepted without an accompanying Returned Materials Authorization Number (RMA) from the factory.
The RMA number must be clearly printed outside the inverter box.
•Credit will be issued for returned goods to the original purchaser within 60 days of purchase, provided the inverter is returned to
Sensata unused and not mounted. The amount of credit will be issued at Sensata's discretion based on the condition of the product.
•Customer must be in good standing with Sensata Technologies.
•Inverters that are discontinued, high-voltage (over 24vdc), special-order or used are excluded and will not be eligible for credit. Non-
inverter items such as cable assemblies, fuses and fuse holders, will not be eligible for credit.
•Support components supplied by Sensata vendors will be covered under that manufacturer's credit return policy.
•Customer pays return freight.
PLEASE SHIP AUTHORIZED RETURNS TO:
Sensata Technologies / Power Controls White Bear / 4467 White Bear Parkway / St. Paul, MN 55110
Return Freight Prepaid
LIMITED WARRANTY:
Sensata Technologies extends the following warranty to the original purchaser of those goods subject to the qualifications indicated.
Sensata warrants to the original purchaser for use that the goods or any component thereof manufactured by Sensata will be free from
defects in workmanship from the date of purchase for the period listed on the product label, provided such goods are installed, maintained
and used in accordance with Sensata and the original manufacturer's written instructions. Damages caused by the misuse, undue care or
obvious wear through use will not be covered by this warranty.
Components not manufactured by Sensata, but used within the assembly provided by Sensata, are subject to the warranty period as
specified by the individual manufacturer of said component, provided such goods are installed, maintained and used in accordance with
Sensata and the manufacturer's written instructions.
Sensata's sole liability and the Purchaser's sole remedy for a failure of goods under this limited warranty and for any and all claims arising
out of the purchase and use of the goods, shall be limited to the repair or replacement of the goods that do not conform to this warranty.
To obtain repair or replacement service under the limited warranty, the purchaser must contact the factory for a Return Material Authori-
zation (RMA). Once obtained, send the Return Material Authorization Number along with the defective part or goods to: Sensata
Technologies, Power Controls White Bear, 4467 White Bear Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55110, Return Freight Prepaid.
THERE ARE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES COVERING THESE GOODS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE. THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE.
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES ASSUMES NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE INSTALLATION OR USE OF THE PRODUCT, EXCEPT AS
STATED IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES WILL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES.
WARNING: LIMITAIONS ON USE: DIMENSIONS brand products are not intended for use in connection with Life Support Systems and
for Avionic use. Sensata Technologies makes no warranty or representation in connection with their products for such uses.
R