Samlexpower VR175 User manual

SAMLEX
20 Years focused on power inverters
VR Series
POWER INVERTER
OWNER’S MANUAL
For models:
VR175…… 175W
VR250…… 250W
VR400…… 400W
With Advanced Technology!!!
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING
SAFETY, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE OF THIS
PRODUCT. BEFORE USE, READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL CAUTIONS,
WARNINGS, INSTRUCTIONS AND PRODUCT LABELS, PLUS YOUR
VEHICLE’S BATTERY MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES. FAILURE TO DO
SO COULD RESULT IN INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure reliable service, your power inverter must be installed and used
properly. Please read the installation and operating instructions thoroughly prior
to installation and use. Pay particular attention to the WARNING and CAUTION
statements in this manual. The CAUTION statements advise against certain
conditions and practices that may result in damage to your inverter. The
WARNING statements identify conditions or practices that may result in personal
injury. Read All Instructions Before Using This Power Inverter!
WARNINGS:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, EXPLOSION OR INJURY:
1. Do not connect to AC distribution wiring.
2. Remove appliance plug from outlet strip or turn off inverter before working on
the appliance. Multiple outlet power strips with switches and circuit breakers
only interrupt power to the “hot” receptacle terminals. The “neutral” terminals
remain powered with respect to the “ground” terminals.
3. Do not make any electrical connections or disconnections in areas
designated as IGNITION PROTECTED. This includes 12 volt DC cigarette
plug connections, and terminal connections.
4. This is not a toy - keep away from children.
5. DO NOT install object into air vents.
CAUTIONS:
1. Do not use with positive ground electrical systems (the majority of modern
automobiles, RVs, trucks and boats are negative ground). Reverse polarity
connection will result in a blown fuse and may cause permanent damage to
the inverter.
2. This inverter will not operate high wattage appliances over the output power
limit or surge power limit.
3. Grounding the neutral will cause the inverter to shut down. Do not operate
this inverter if it is wet. Do not install in engine compartment – install in a well
ventilated area.
4. This inverter is not tested for use with medical devices.
IMPORTANT CABLE INFORMATION
Substantial power loss and reduced battery operating time results from inverters
installed with cables that are not able to supply full power. Symptoms of low
battery power can result from cables that are either excessively long or an
insufficient gauge. The installer/operator should be especially aware of the
requirements to maintain secure, tight, water-resistant electrical connections
and to provide for strain relief for DC cables and appliance wiring. Cable
insulation must be the appropriate type for the environment.
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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………4
2. CONTROLS, INDICATORS AND CONNECTORS………………..5
3. HOW YOUR INVERTER WORKS…………………………………..6
3.1 Principle of Operation…………………………………………….6
3.2 The Output Waveform………………………………………….6
4. INSTALLATION/ENVIRONMENTS……………………………….7
4.1 Power Source Requirements…………………………………….7
4.2 Connection to Power Source………………………………….7,8
4.3 Connection to Load………………………………………………9
4.4 Placement of Inverter…………………………………………….9
5. OPERATING TIPS…………………………………………………..10
5.1 Rated Versus Actual Current Draw of Equipment……………10
5.2 Battery Operating Time…………………………………………10
6. PROTECTIVE FEATURES OF THE INVERTER…………………11
7. COMMON PROBLEMS……………………………………………..12
8. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE………………………………………13
9. FUSE REPLACEMENT…………………………………………….14
10. SPECIFICATIONS…………………………………………………..14
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1．INTRODUCTION
Your new SAMLEX VR-Series power inverter is one in a series of the most
advanced DC to AC inverters available today. With proper care and
appropriate usage, it will give you years of dependable service in your car,
truck, RV or boat.
VR series inverters are designed with a universal protection circuit that provide
added safety features include automatic shutdown, earth fault protection and a
low battery alarm to prevent damage to your battery.
This power inverter is configured with the latest low interference technology
(L.I.T.), Universal Protection Circuit (UP-Circuit) and Soft
Start circuit
to improve inverter operation.
UP-Circuit provides full automatic inverter and battery protection. This
includes overheat protection, battery protection, overload protection, short
circuit protection and earth fault protection.
L.I.T. greatly improves the interference problems of common power inverter.
Before introduction of L.I.T., signal interference may occur on TV pictures,
audio system or radio equipments. Now you can enjoy a clean and powerful
AC source!
Soft Start Circuit provides three major features. First, gradual
voltage ramp-up during inverter start-up. This eliminates failed cold starts
under load. Second, output that momentarily dips in voltage and quickly
recovers. This eliminates most shutdowns from momentary overloads. Last,
the inverter automatically re-starts when an overload that caused inverter
shutdown is removed.
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2．CONTROLS, INDICATORS AND CONNECTORS
Figure 1 & 2 detail the front & back panel of the inverter. The front panel
provides two LED indicators. A green LED shows proper operation when lit.
The red LED shows inverter shutdown from overload, over voltage or over
temperature. Power is supplied through one worldwide universal outlet. The
outlet accommodates either two or three pin AC plugs. An ON/OFF switch
turns the inverter circuitry ON and OFF. The switch is used to force reset of
inverter circuits if it is switched OFF, then ON.
ONE Universal AC Outlet
ON/OFF SWITCH
Red LED ÆFAULT
Green LED ÆPOWER
(+) DC Power Connection
[400W Only]
(-) DC Power Connection
[400W Only]
Turbo Cooling Fan
FIGURE 1:
FIGURE 2:
12V DC PLUG
Parts for 175W & 250W
O
p
tional
p
arts for 400W
FIGURE 3:
175W AND 250W 5

3．HOW YOUR INVERTER WORKS
The inverter converts low voltage DC (Direct Current) from a battery or other
power source to standard 230 volt AC (Alternating Current) household power.
3.1 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The inverter converts power in two stages. The first stage is a DC to DC
conversion process that raises the low voltage DC at the inverter input to 280
volts DC. The second stage is the actual inverter stage that converts the high
voltage DC into 230 volts, 50 Hz AC(rms). The DC-to-DC converter stage uses
modern high frequency power conversion techniques that have replaced the
bulky transformers found in less technologically-advanced models. The
inverter stage uses advanced power MOSFET transistors in a full bridge
configuration.
3.2 THE OUTPUT WAVEFORM
The AC output waveform of the VR-series inverter is known as “modified sine
wave”. It is a waveform that has characteristics similar to the sine wave shape
of utility power. This type of waveform is suitable for most AC loads, including
linear and switching power supplies used in electronic equipment,
transformers, and motors. (See Figure 4).
The modified sine wave produced by the VR175/VR250/VR400 inverter has an
RMS (root mean square) voltage of 230 volts, which is the same as standard
household power. Most AC voltmeters (both digital and analog) are sensitive to
the average value of the waveform rather than the RMS value. They are
calibrated for RMS voltage under the assumption that the waveform measured
will be a pure sine wave. These meters will not read the RMS voltage of a
modified sine wave correctly. They will read about 20 to 30 volts low when
measuring the output of the inverter. For accurate measurement of the output
voltage of this unit, use a true RMS reading voltmeter such as a Fluke 87III,
Fluke 8060A, Fluke 77/99 series or Beckman 4410.
FIGURE 4: Modified Sine Wave and Sine Wave Comparison
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4．INSTALLATION / ENVIRONMENTS
4.1 POWER SOURCE REQUIREMENTS
The power source must provide between 10.5 and 15.5 volts DC and must be
able to supply the necessary current to operate the load. The power source
may be a battery or a well-regulated DC power supply. To obtain a rough
estimate of the current (in amperes) the power source must deliver, simply
divide the power consumption of the load (in watts AC) by 10.
Example: lf a load is rated at 100 watts AC, the power source must be able to
deliver: 100 divided by 10=10 amperes
CAUTION: The SI-A2-VR175/VR250/VR400 must be connected only to
batteries with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The unit will not operate
from a 6 volt battery, and will sustain permanent damage if connected to a 24
volt battery.
4.2 CONNECTION TO POWER SOURCE
The 175W & 250W inverters come equipped with a 12 volt DC plug for
connection to the power source: [Figure 3]
CAUTION: Do not use with positive ground electrical systems. (The majority of
modern automobiles, RVs, and trucks are negative ground).
CONNECTING TO POWER SOURCE USING 12 VOLT DC PLUG:
The 12 volt DC plug is suitable for operating the inverter at power outputs up to
175 watts. The tip of the plug is positive and the contact is negative. Connect
the inverter to the power source by inserting the 12 volt DC plug (cigarette plug)
firmly into the 12 volt DC socket of a vehicle or other DC power source.
CAUTION: Connect directly to power source when operating above 175 watts.
NOTE: Most automobile 12 volt DC circuits use fuses rated at 15 to 20 amps
or greater. To operate at full 175 watts output, make sure the DC power source
can deliver 20 amps. A 15 amp circuit can only deliver 150 watts from the
inverter.
CAUTION: Loose connectors may cause overheated wires and melted
insulation. Check to make sure you have not reversed the polarity. Reverse
polarity connection will result in a blown fuse and may cause permanent
damage to the inverter.
For VR250 / VR400:
CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE USING PROVIDED CABLES:
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If the inverter is to be used for extended periods at power levels above 175
watts, direct connection to the power source is required. Use the provided
cables to connect the VR250/VR400 directly to the 12 volt power source using
the following guidelines:
1. Check to be sure the inverter power switch is turned off and that no
flammable fumes are present.
2. Connect the black cable to the black post marked “(-)” on the back of
the inverter. Connect the battery clip to the negative terminal of the
battery.
3. Connect the red cable to the red post marked “(+)” on the back of the
inverter. Connect the battery clip to the positive terminal of the battery.
4. Check to be sure that all connections between battery clips and
terminals are secure and tight.
Use # 10 AWG wire if the inverter to power source connection is 4meters or
less. For longer cable lengths use #8 AWG wire. In either case, protect the
positive (+) wire from shorts by installing a fuse or circuit breaker close to
the DC power source (battery) terminal. The fuse should choose 30A for
VR250, 50A for VR400.
1. Check to be sure the inverter’s power switch is turned off and that no
flammable fumes are present.
2. Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) DC power source (battery)
terminals.
3. Install a fuse holder or breaker close to the positive (+) terminal of the
DC source (battery).
4. Connect a length of wire on one side of the fuse holder or circuit
breaker. Connect the other end if the wire to the positive (+) terminal of
the inverter.
5. Connect a length of wire between the inverter’s negative (-) terminal
and the DC power source negative (-) terminal.
6. Connect a short length of wire to the other terminal of the fuse holder
or circuit breaker. Mark it “POSITIVE” or “+”.
7. Connect the free end of the fuse or breaker wire to the positive terminal
of the DC power source (battery).
8. Insert a 30/50A fuse in the fuse holder.
9. Check to be sure that all connections between battery clips, terminals
and fuse are secure and tight.
10. Test the inverter by turning it on and plugging in a 100 watt lamp or
equipment.
11. If the inverter is not properly operating, then refer to the
troubleshooting sections of this manual.
CAUTION: Loose connectors may cause overheated wires and
melted insulation. 8

4.3 CONNECTION TO LOAD
The inverter is equipped with a universal AC power receptacle. Plug the cord
from the equipment you wish to operate into the AC receptacle. The green
LED indicator lights to indicate that the inverter is functioning. Make sure the
combined load requirement of your equipment does not exceed inverter’s
output rating.
The inverter is engineered to be connected directly to standard electrical and
electronic equipment in the manner described above. Do not connect the
power inverter to household or RV AC distribution wiring. Do not connect the
power inverter to any AC load circuit in which the neutral conductor is
connected to ground (earth) or to the negative of the DC (battery) source.
WARNING: Do not connect to AC distribution wiring.
CAUTION: RECHARGEABLE APPLIANCES
Certain rechargeable devices are designed to be recharged by plugging them
directly into an AC receptacle. These devices may damage the inverter. Do not
use the inverter to recharge items that can be plugged directly into an AC
receptacle.
This problem does not occur with the majority of battery-operated equipment.
Most of these devices use a separate charger or transformer that is plugged
into an AC receptacle. The inverter is easily capable of running most chargers
and transformers.
4.4 PLACEMENT OF INVERTER
For best operating results, the inverter should be placed on a flat surface, such
as the ground, car floor, or other solid surface. The power cord allows easy
positioning of the inverter. The inverter should only be used in locations that
meet the following criteria:
DRY- Do not allow water and/or other liquids to come into contact with the
power inverter.
COOL – Ambient air temperature should be between 30 degrees F (-1 degree
C) non-condensing, and 105 degrees F (40 degrees C). Do not place the
inverter on or near a heating vent or any piece of equipment which is
generating heat above room temperature. Keep the inverter away from direct
sunlight, if at all possible.
VENTILATED – Keep the area surrounding the inverter clear to ensure free air
circulation around the unit. Do not place items on or over the inverter during
operation. A fan is helpful if the inverter is operating at maximum power
outputs for extended periods of time. The unit will shut down if the internal
temperature exceeds operating temperatures. The unit will restart after it
cools.
SAFE – Do not use the inverter near flammable materials or in any locations
that may accumulate flammable fumes of gases. 9

5．OPERATING TIPS
5.1 RATED VERSUS ACTUAL CURRENT DRAW OF EQUIPMENT
Most electrical tools, appliances and audio/video equipment have labels that
indicate the power consumption in amps or watts. Be sure that the power
consumption of the item you wish to operate is rated at 175/250/400 watts or
less. (If the power consumption is rated in amps AC, simply multiply by the AC
volts (230) to determine the wattage). The inverter has overload protection, so
it is safe to try to operate equipment rated at 175/250/400 watts or less. The
inverter will shut down if it is overloaded. The overload must be removed
before the inverter will restart. Resistive loads are the easiest for the inverter to
run. However, larger resistive loads, such as electric stoves or heaters, usually
require more wattage than the inverter can deliver. Inductive loads, such as
TV’s and stereos, require more current to operate than do resistive loads of the
same wattage rating. Induction motors, as well as some televisions, may
require 2 to 6 times their wattage rating to start up. The most demanding in this
category are those that start under load, such as compressors and pumps.
Testing is the only definitive way to determine whether a specific load can be
started and how long it can run. The unit will simply shut down if it is
overloaded. To restart the unit after a shutdown due to overloading, remove
the overload if necessary turn the power switch OFF then ON.
CAUTION: This inverter will not operate high wattage appliances or equipment
that produce heat, such as hair dryers and ovens.
5.2 BATTERY OPERATING TIME
With a typical fully charged vehicle battery, a nominal operating time of 2 to 3
hours can be expected for 150watt output. In most instances, 5 to 10 hours of
operating time is achievable for lower loading. However, SAMLEX
recommends that the operator start the vehicle every 2 to 3 hours to recharge
the battery system. This will guard against any unexpected shut-down of the
equipment and will ensure that there is always sufficient battery capacity to
start the vehicle’s engine. The inverter will sound its alarm when DC voltage
drops to 10.6 volt.
The inverter may be used whether or not the vehicle’s engine is running.
However, the inverter may not operate while the engine is starting since the
battery voltage can drop substantially during cranking.
The inverter draws less than 0.4 ampere from the battery when it is not
supplying power to a load and power switch is in the ON position. In most
instances, the inverter can be left connected to the battery when not in use,
make sure power switch is in the OFF position. However if the vehicle is to
remain unused for several days, disconnect the inverter from the battery. 10

6. PROTECTIVE FEATURES OF THE INVERTER
Your inverter monitors the following potentially hazardous conditions:
OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION – If the temperature inside the inverter
is too high, the unit will automatically shut down. Allow the unit to cool for at
least 15 minutes before restarting after a heat-related shutdown. Unplug unit
while cooling.
LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE PROTECTION - This condition is not harmful to the
inverter but could damage the power source. The inverter automatically shuts
down when input voltage drops to 10.0 volts. When the condition is corrected,
the unit may be restarted.
OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION – The inverter will automatically shut down
when the input voltage exceeds 15.5 volts DC. Input voltage exceeds 16 volts
could damage the inverter.
OVERLOAD PROTECTION – The inverter will automatically shut down when
the continuous draw exceeds rated watts, and the inverter will auto reset.
SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION – The inverter will shut down. Remove the
short circuit and the inverter will auto reset.
EARTH FAULT PROTECTION – This inverter comply with the standard current
leakage allowance. When large current leakage to earth terminal occurs, the
protection circuit activated and shut down the inverter, which prevent electric
shock to human. Turn OFF the inverter, unplug the fault AC appliance and then
turn ON is the only way to restart it.
LOW BATTERY ALARM – An alarm will sound when the voltage from the
battery drops to 10.6 volts. This is an indication that the battery needs to be
recharged. The user should stop operation of the electronic device at this time
since the inverter will shut down automatically shortly thereafter, when the
battery voltage drops to 10 volts. Start your engine to recharge the battery.
If the low voltage alarm sounds when the battery is fully charged, follow the
steps for solving lack of output power in the Troubleshooting guide. The alarm
will sound when the inverter is overloaded, in thermal shutdown, or if there is
an excessive voltage drop between the battery and inverter.
NOTE: It is normal for the alarm to sound while the unit is being connected to,
or disconnected from, the power source. This is not indicative of a problem.
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7. COMMON PROBLEMS
“BUZZING” SOUND IN AUDIO SYSTEMS:
Some inexpensive stereo systems and “boom boxes” emit a buzzing sound
from their speakers when operated from the power inverter. This occurs
because the power supply in the electronic device does not adequately filter
the modified sine wave produced by the inverter. The only solution to this
problem is to use a higher quality sound system that incorporates a higher
quality power amplified supply.
TELEVISION INTERFERENCE:
The inverter is shielded to minimize interference with TV signals. However, in
some instances, some interference may still be visible, particularly with weak
TV signals. Try the following corrective measures:
- Position the inverter as far as possible from the television, the antenna and
the antenna cables. Use an extension cable, if necessary.
- Adjust the orientation of the inverter, the antenna cables and the TV power
cord to minimize interference.
- Make sure that the antenna feeding the television provides an adequate
(“snow free”) signal and that high quality, shielded antenna cable is used.
By the advanced technology of SAMLEX, L.I.T greatly reduces the
possibility of interference with TV signals and audios.
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8. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
TABLE 1 – INVERTER POWER SWITCH TURNED ON
TROUBLE/ INDICATION POSSIBLE CAUSE SUGGESTED REMEDY
DC input below 10 volts Recharge or replace
battery
No AC output;
Red LED lit
Green LED not lit Inverter
overheatÆthermal
shutdown
Remove or reduce load,
wait for inverter to cool.
No AC output;
Red & Green LED not lit
Inverter fuses open Contact technical support
Non-continuous AC output;
Red LED lit on & off
Green LED lit
Inverter output power
limited by overload / short
circuit protection circuit
Reduce load or remove
short circuit.
No AC output (latch up);
Red LED lit
Green LED lit
Earth fault protection is
activated by excessive
current leakage from the
load.
Unplug the faulted load.
Low battery alarm sounds
abnormal
Bad connection or wiring Tighten all DC connections
Low battery alarm sounds Low battery voltage Recharge or replace
battery
Motorized power tool
won’t start
Excessive start-up load If appliance does not
start, then appliance is
drawing excessive
wattage and will not work
with inverter
Motorized power tool
does not operate at
correct speed
Purely inductive load Make the load not purely
inductive. Operate an
incandescent lamp at
same time as motor
TV/ Radio interference;
Snow in picture, buzz in
speaker
Appliance too close to
inverter
Keep inverter and
antenna distant from
each other. Use shielded
antenna cable. Connect
antenna with amplifier.
13

9．FUSE REPLACEMENT
This inverter is protected by our integral electronic circuit and will automatically
reset.
More than that, this inverter is equipped with a fuse that is located inside the
inverter. Normally, this fuse will not blow unless there is a serious problem
occurs. Please DO NOT replace the fuse yourself, we recommend you
contact technician to find and fix the problems. High voltage and high
temperature inside!
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE COMPONENTS INSIDE. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE INVERTER.
10. SPECIFICATIONS
Output Connection……………….…………..… One Universal AC Receptacle
Output Voltage………………………………….. Approx 230 volt AC RMS 50 Hz
Output Waveform…………………………………….Modified Sine Wave (filtered)
Max. Efficiency……………………………………………………Approximately 90%
Input Voltage Range…………………………….….……………10.5 to 15.5 volt DC
Low Voltage Alarm……………………………….……………….……..10.6 volt DC
Low Voltage Shutdown………………………………………………..…10.0 volt DC
No Load Input Current (switch on)……………….………………….…….0.4 amps
Input Fuse……………………………………………………………………..Internal
Thank you for using SAMLEX power inverter!
Please feel free to let us know your comment
By email: [e-mail]
© 2006 SAMLEX ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED
Units 10, 11, 27/F Cable TV Tower, No.9, Hoi Shing Rd., Tsuen Wan, N. T.,
Hong Kong
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