Samlexpower PST-15S-12A User manual

PURE SINE WAVE
MODEL: PST-15S-12A
DC-AC INVERTERS
OWNERS MANUAL
Please read this manual before operating your inverter.
AC POWER SOURCE

INDEX
Page 2
Contents
General Safety & Installation ............................ 3
Warning ......................................................... 4
Description & Application ................................. 5
Installation ..................................................... 6
Making Connections ........................................ 6
Operating the Inverter ..................................... 7
Protections against abnormal conditions............ 8
Troubleshooting Guide ..................................... 9
Specifications................................................. 10
Limited Warranty............................................11

Warning! Exclamation mark ! indicates fundamental
safety measures to be observed when using
electrical equipment to avoid the danger of:
- electric shocks
- fire
- injury
General Safety and Installation Information
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING
THIS INVERTER!
 Do not connect the output to other power sources!
 The inverter must only be used for the purpose specified by the manufacturer!
 When woking on the inverter, always disconnect it from the mains!
 A failure of the protective device means that danger is still possible from parts which remain
under voltage during repair!
 Do not operate the inverter if housing or cables are damaged!
 Do not expose the inverter to direct sunlight in order to avoid additional heating!
 The inverter must be positioned and fixed in such a way that it cannot fall over or fall down!
 The inverter must be kept in a safe place out of the reach of children!
 The inverter must not be operated in a damp or wet environment!
 Air intake and outlets must not be blocked!
 Ensure good ventilation!
1.2 Cables:
•If cables have to be inserted through metal walls or other sharp-edged materials, use a cable
duct or cable bushing!
 Do not lay cables loosely or in sharp bends in electrically conductive materials!
 Do not pull the cables!
 Do not lay 115/230 VAC mains cable and 12/24 V DC cable together in the same cable duct!
 The specified minimum cable cross-section must be complied with!
 Fix cables properly!
 Lay cables in such a way that no one can trip over them!
 Lay cables in such a way that they are not exposed to the risk of damage!
1.1 About the unit itself:
1.3 Installation on Boats:
 Wrong installation of electrical units on a boat may lead to corrosion of the boat. Therefore,
please let a boat electrician carry out the installation of the inverter.
Page 3

PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAU-
TIONS. FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RE-
QUIREMENTS WILL VOID WARRANTY.
2.1 Never parallel the 115V AC output of the inverter with
the output from a generator or electric mains, or with the
output of another inverter. This will instantly burn the
inverter.
Although this inverter has an input OVER VOLTAGE SHUT DOWN at 15V,
input voltages higher than 15V will cause permanent damage. Ensure the
following when the battery is being charged simultaneously (the output
voltage of the charging device will be fed to the inverter):
nEnsure that the charging voltage of the alternator has not been set
above 15V.
nDo not use an unregulated solar panel. It’s voltage can reach up to 18V
on a very cold day. When using a regulated solar panel, its voltage
should not be set beyond 15V.
nDo not connect to a 24V battery.
nEnsure that the voltage of the battery charger does not exceeed 15V in
any condition.
2.2 Do not reverse the polarity fo the input connections.
This will permanently damage the inverter.
2.3 Do not connect the inverter to positive grounded
vehicle.
Page 4
WARNING

3.1 This inverter converts 12V DC from 12V battery system into
115V AC, 60Hz. The wavefrom of its AC output voltage is pure sine
wave like the wave form of the electric utility power supply.
(Cheaper commercial grade inverters have a quasi-sinewave
output wave form which is not suitable for sensitive equipment.)
Typical applications of this are:
DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION
•Sensitive radio equipment
•Precision equipment
•Home theater
•Laser printers, Fax machines
•Radios, TV’s
•Recording equipment
•Musical instruments
•High-end stereos
•Computers
•Power Tools
3.2 The maximum continuous power rating of this inverter is 150
watts. It can provide a surge power of 300 watts (for a few
seconds) to start motor driven loads.
•Please note that motor driven loads (e.g.
power tools, pumps, compressors, refrigerator
etc.) require 5 to 10 times their normal running
power for initial starting. Ensure that the
starting power of these loads is not more than
300 watts.
•Please also note that the output power
indicated for microwave ovens is generally the
“cooking power”. The electrical input power in
this case will be almost 2 times the “cooking
power”. Ensure that the “electrical power” of
the microwave is less than the “continuous
power” output of the inverter.
REMARKS:
Page 5

Page 6
INSTALLATION & MAKING CONNECTIONS
1 115V AC output
2 LED indicator
3 On/Off switch
4 Cigar Lighter Plug (back of unit -not shown)
5 Grounding lug (back of unit - not shown)
21
3
CAUTION!
Reverse polarity of input connection will blow
the fuse inside the inverter and may cause
permanent damage. Ensure that the cigar
lighter socket used for powering the inverter
has the correct polarity with respect to the
cigar lighter plugs, positive (+) & negative (-)
contact points. The contact at the tip of the
cigar lighter plug is positive(+) and the two
spring loaded bow type contacts on the sides
are negative(-). Damage due to reverse
polarity is not covered by warranty.
4.1 Ensure that the power ON/OFF switch is turned off.
4.2 Place the inverter in a dry, clean, cool & ventilated space.
4.3 Insert the cigar lighter plug into the cigar lighter socket
of the vehicle. In some vehicles, it may be necessary to turn
the ignition key to ON or ACCESSORY to feed power to
the cigar lighter socket. The bow type side contacts of the
cigar lighter plug is the negative (-) and the center tip is the
positive(+)
4.4 Ground the inverter using the Grounding Lug at the rear
of the unit.

Page 7
OPERATING THE INVERTER
5.1 Switch off all loads connected to the output of the
inverter.
5.2 Push the power ON/OFF switch to ON position. The
L.E.D will turn green and AC output voltage will be available
under normal conditions.
5.3 Now switch on the load.
5.4 When running on full load for longer duration, keep the
vehicles engine running to prevent batteries from discharg-
ing.
5.5 CAUTION! Do not start the vehicles engine with the
inverter in ON condition. The inverter may shut down
during cranking due to drop in the battery voltage below the
inverters low battery shut down threshold of 10V.

Page 8
PROTECTIONS AGAINST ABNORMAL CONDITIONS
6.1 LOW BATTERY ALARM: In case the battery voltage
drops below 10.7V, a buzzer alarm will be sounded.
6.2 LOW BATTERY SHUTDOWN: In case the battery
voltage further drops to 10V or below, the inverter will shut down
the output voltage. Buzzer will be sounded and the LED will turn
Orange.
6.3 INPUT OVERVOLTAGE SHUT-DOWN: In case the
input voltage is 15V or higher, the output voltage will be shut
down. The LED will turn Orange. (CAUTION! This condition may
cause permanent damage.)
6.4 OUTPUT OVER-LOAD OR SHORT: If there is overload
or short in the output, the output voltage pulses will be clipped
and the voltage will drop. The LED will remain Green
6.5 REVERSE POLARITY SHUT-DOWN: In case the
positive (+) or negative(-) connections on the input side are
reversed, the 20A fuse inside the unit will blow. The LED will be
OFF. (CAUTION! This condition may cause permanent damage.)
6.6 OVER TEMPERATURE SHUT-DOWN: In case the unit
gets overheated due to inadequate cooling, the ouptut voltage will
be shut-sown. The buzzer will be sounded and the LED will turn
Orange. Switch off the unit. Determine and remove the cause of
oveheating . Switch on again when the unit has cooled down.
NOTE: Check the Troubleshooting Guide for possible
remedies to prevent the above abnormal condi-
tions.

Page 9
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
7.1 PROBLEM: No output. LED is OFF. Buzzer is OFF.
• No power to the cigar lighter socket
• Poor contact of cigar lighter plug
• Fuse in the cigar lighter socket circuit is
blown
• 20A fuse inside the inverter is blown due to
reverse polarity or defect in the unit.
• Turn the ignition to “ON” / “ACCESSORY”
• Insert the plug firmly
• Check to replace fuse
• Replace the fuse. If blows again, the unit needs
to sent for repair.
7.2 PROBLEM: Output voltage is low. LED is GREEN.
Buzzer is OFF
REASON POSSIBLE REMEDY
• Output voltage pulses clipped due to
overload or short circuit in output • Reduce load/ Remove short
7.3 PROBLEM: No output. LED is ORANGE. Buzzer is ON
• Low battery shut-down due to discharged
battery or excessive voltage drop in the
cabling from the battery to the cigar ligher
socket
• Over temperature shut down.
•Re-charge the battery
Ensure cable from battery to cigar lighter socket
is thick enough to carry 15A
Ensure contact between the cigar lighter plug
and the socket is firm
•Switch off the unit to cool down.
Improve ventiliation.
Reduce load.
7.4 PROBLEM: No output. LED is ORANGE. Buzzer is OFF
Shut down due to input voltage beyond 15V. (CAUTION! This may
permantly damgae the inverter.)
•Inverter wrongly connected to 24V Battery
instead of 12V Battery.
•Charging alternator’s voltage has been set
beyond 15V, or it’s regulator has become
defective.
•Batteries are being charged simultaneously
from an unregulated solar panel set beyond
15V
•Batteries are connected to a battery charger
with its boost voltage set beyond 15V
•Ensure battery is 12V
•Set the voltage correctly or repair the alternator
•Ensure that the voltage of solar panel does not
exceed 15V
•Ensure that the boost voltage of the battery
charger is less than 15V
7.5 PROBLEM: No output when load is switched on. LED is GREEN
•The starting current required by the load is
higher than the surge rating of 300 watts •Use inverter with appropriate surge rating.
7.6 PROBLEM: There is no output when the vehicles engine is cranked.
•On cranking, the battery voltage drops
below 10V •Switch OFF the inverter when cranking the engine.

SPECIFICATIONS
8.1 Input Voltage............................................ 10 to 15 V DC
8.2 Input Current at No Load ..........................500 milliamps
8.3 Output Voltage..................................... 115 V AC +/- 3%
8.4 Output Frequency ................................................. 60 Hz
8.5 Output Voltage Waveform.....................Pure Sine Wave
8.6 Total Harmonic distortion ..........................Less than 3%
8.7 Output Power
-Continuous ................................................... 150 Watts
-Surge (for few seconds) .............................................. 300 Watts
8.8 Low Battery Alarm .............................................. 10.7 V
8.9 Low Battey Shutdown ............................................ 10 V
8.10 Operating Ambient Temp. ..........................50oC +/- 5oC
8.11 Efficiency ............................................ Higher than 90%
8.12 Connection
-Input ...................................................Cigar lighter plug
-Output .................. Standard North American Outlet (NEMA 5-15R)
8.13 Fuse (Input side).............................................. 32V,20A
8.14 Dimensions( L x W x H)................... 190 x 120 x 62mm
8.15 Weight .................................................. 1.2 kg / 2.6 lbs.
Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Page 10

1 YEAR Limited Warranty
This DC-AC inverter manufactured by Samlex America, Inc. ( the “ Warrantor “ ) is warranted to be
free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use and service. This warranty is in
effect for 1 year from the date of purchase by the user ( the “ Purchaser “ )
For a warranty claim, the purchaser should do the following :
1. Prepare a written statement of the nature of the defect to the best of the Purchaser’s knowl-
edge, and include the date of purchase, the place of purchase, and the Purchaser’s name,
address and telephone number.
2. Call Samlex America, Inc. 1-800-561-5885 or 1 [phone] and request a Returning Mer-
chandise Authorization Number ( RMA ).
3. Return the defective part or unit along with the statement at the Purchaser’s expense to the
Warrantor ; Samlex America Inc., #110 - 17 Fawcett Road, Coquitlam, B.C. V3K 6V2 Canada.
The RMA number must be marked clearly on the outside of the packaging.
If upon the Warrantor’s examination, the defect proves to be the result of defective material or work-
manship, the equipment will be repaired or replaced at the Warrantor’s option without charge, and
returned to the Purchaser at the Warrantor’s expense.
No refund of the purchase price will be granted to the Purchaser, unless the Warrantor is unable to
remedy the defect after having a reasonable number of opportunities to do so.
Warranty service shall be performed only by the Warrantor. Any attempt to remedy the defect by
anyone other than the Warrantor shall render this warranty void.
There shall be no warranty for defects or damages caused by faulty installation or hook-up, abuse or
misuse of the equipment including exposure to excessive heat, salt or fresh water spray, or water
immersion.
No other express warranty is hereby given and there are no warranties which extend beyond those
described herein. This warranty is expressly in lieu of any other expressed or implied warranties,
including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for the ordinary purposes for which such
goods are used, or fitness for a particular purpose, or any other obligations on the part of the Warran-
tor or its employees and representatives.
There shall be no responsibility or liability whatsoever on the part of the Warrantor or its employees
and representatives for injury to any persons, or damage to person or persons, or damage to property,
or loss of income or profit, or any other consequential or resulting damage which may be claimed to
have been incurred through the use or sale of the equipment, including any possible failure of mal-
function of the equipment, or part thereof.
The Warrantor assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damages of any kind.
Page 11

Version 2 PST-15S-091102
110-17 Fawcett Road, Coquitlam
B.C., Canada V3K 6V2
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.samlexamerica.com
1-800-561-5885