Schumacher PI-1500 User manual

00-99-000628/0206
OW NER'S M A NUA L
1500 Watt DC to AC Power Inverter
Converts 12V DC Battery Power
to 110V AC Home Power
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
The recommended source of power is a 12-volt deep-cycle battery
due to their high reserve power capacity. Automotive batteries
are recommended for only a short period of time of an hour or less.
MODEL PI-1500

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The advanced surge capacity of the PI-1500 power
inverter gives it the means to start most electrical devices
including: color televisions, TV/VCR/DVD combinations,
small microwaves, refrigeration electric coolers, small air
conditioners.
Warning: Handling the cord on this product or cords
associated with accessories sold with this product, may
expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Important Safety Measures
Precautions to keep in mind before and while using
your power inverter:
• For the most effective use, place the power inverter on a
at surface.
• Keep the inverter dry.
• DO NOT allow it to come into contact with rain or moisture.
• DO NOT operate the inverter if you, the inverter, the device
being operated or any other surfaces that may come in
contact with any power source are wet. Water and many
other liquids can conduct electricity, which may lead to
serious injury or death.
• Do not place the inverter on or near heating vents, radia-
tors or other sources of heat.

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• Do not place the inverter in direct sunlight. The ideal air
temperature for operation is between 30º and 105ºF.
• Keep the inverter well ventilated in order to properly dis-
perse heat generated while it is in use.
• While in use, make sure there are several inches of clear-
ance around the top and sides of the inverter.
•Do not use the inverter near ammable materials.
• Do not place or install the inverter in areas such as bat-
tery or engine compartments where fumes or gases may
accumulate.
• Only connect the power inverter to a 12-volt battery. Con-
necting to a 6V or 16V battery will cause damage to the
inverter.
• Only connect the power inverter to a 12-volt battery with
the supplied 12-volt power cords. Make sure the cord
connections to the inverter are tight.
• Do not modify the positive and negative cables or plug in
any way.
• Make sure the power consumption of the device or equip-
ment you want to operate is compatible with the capacity
of the inverter, and does not exceed 1500 watts.
• If you are using the power inverter to operate battery
charger, monitor the temperature of the battery charger for
about 10 minutes. If the battery charger becomes abnor-
mally warm, disconnect it from the inverter immediately.

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• If you are powering the inverter with an automobile or ma-
rine battery, start the engine every 30 to 45 minutes and
let it run for about 10 minutes to recharge the battery.
• If you hear a continuous alarm or automatic shut down, turn
the inverter OFF immediately. Do not restart the inverter
until the source of the problem has been identied and
corrected.
• Disconnect the inverter when not in use in order to avoid
battery drain.
Before Using PI-1500
It is important to know the continuous wattage of the
device you plan to use with the inverter. The PI-1500
must be used with devices drawing 1500 watts or less. If
the wattage is not marked on the device, an estimate can
be made by multiplying the AC input current (Amps) by
the AC voltage (110V).
Devices like TVs, fans or electric motors require addi-
tional power to start (commonly known as the “starting
or peak power”). The PI-1500 can supply a momentary
surge in wattage; however even devices rated less than
the maximum 1500 watts can exceed the inverters surge
capability and cause an automatic overload shutdown.
Make sure the device you are using is compatible with a
modied sine wave inverter.
Attention: Always run a test to establish whether the invert-
er will operate a particular piece of equipment or device.

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In the event of a power overload, the inverter is designed
to automatically shut down. This safety feature prevents
damaging the inverter while testing devices and equip-
ment within the 1500-watt range.
If a device will not operate properly when rst connected
to the inverter, turn the inverter rocker switch ON (I), OFF
(O), and ON (I) again in quick succession. If this proce-
dure is not successful, it is likely that the PI-1500 inverter
does not have the required capacity to operate the device
in question.
Important: Make sure you connect your inverter to a
12-volt power supply only. Connecting to another voltage
including any AC power source, will result in damage.
• Do not try extending or otherwise changing the 12-volt
power cord of your inverter.
• Install in negative ground applications only.
• Incorrect operation of your inverter may result in
damage and personal injury. Electrical current on a
110-volt circuit can be very dangerous.
Fastening the PI-1500 to a Flat Surface
For convenience, the PI-1500 can be fastened to a at
surface, horizontally or vertically. The area where the
inverter is to be fastened must be dry, well ventilated and
away from any combustible products or fumes.
1. Turn off the PI-1500.

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2. Place the back of the PI-1500 with the mounting bracket
against a secure and at surface.
3. Attach the inverter to the at surface using corrosion
resistant screws.
Inverter Features:
A. ON/OFF Rocker Switch – Turns inverter on and off.
B. LED Indicator Light – (Green = power ON, Red =
Overload, interruption in power).
C. Two, 110V GFCI AC Outlets
D. One Pair, 12-Volt Power Cords
E. Two, High Speed Cooling Fans – keeps inverter cool.
The speed of the fan is faster as the load increases. Fan
does not run when inverter turned off.
F. Analogic Output Power Display - shows 110V AC
continuous power consumed.
G. Positive Battery Cable Terminal (Red) – accepts positive
connector cable.
H. Negative Battery Cable Terminal (Black) – accepts
negative connector cable.
I. Ground Terminal – grounds inverter to reduce electrical
shock.

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Grounding the PI-1500
To avoid electrical shock, it is necessary to ground the
PI-1500 Inverter as well as the device powering it. The
inverter should be grounded using #8 AWG copper wire
(not included).
NOTE: Do not turn on the inverter or the power source
until the inverter and the power source are grounded.
1. Turn off the PI-1500.
2. Locate the chassis ground screw underneath the
negative terminal on the left side of the inverter. Unscrew
the two hex nuts and one washer.
3. Strip the insulation of the wire back 1.5 inches and in
between the two washers, wrap the bare end of the
#8 AWG copper wires around the threaded screw
extension.
4. Holding the wire in place, screw the hex nut on the
threaded screw extension and then screw on the last
hex nut to secure the wire connection.
5. Using the other washer and hex nut, secure the opposite
end of the wire and attach it appropriately so the inverter
is grounded correctly.
a. Vehicle – connect to the chassis or unpainted frame
part or engine block of vehicle.
b. Boat – connect to boat grounding system.
c. Fixed location – connect to a ground rod or other
appropriately rated ground.

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Connecting Inverter Cables
The inverter and the power source must be in the OFF
mode.
Inverter Connection:
1. Locate the positive and negative plastic terminals
located on the left side of the inverter. Using a athead
or standard screwdriver, unscrew the positive (red) and
negative (black) terminal screws just enough to be able
to insert the bare end of the connector cables.
2. Insert the bare end of the positive (red) cable into the
positive terminal and bare end of the negative (black)
cable into the negative terminal. Tighten each terminal
screw so the cable cannot come loose.
Connecting Inverter Cables To 12V Battery Or 12V
Power Source
1. Keep hands, hair, clothing and jewelry clear of battery
terminals.
2. Wear protective eye and clothing protection.
3. Connect the negative (black) inverter terminal cable to
the power source negative battery terminal. Connect
the positive (red) inverter terminal cable to the power
source positive terminal. Make sure the connections are
secure.
NOTE: Failure to make the correct connections will result in
blown fuses and permanent damage to the inverter.

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Connecting Your PI-1500
To Turn ON:
1. Push the rocker switch, located on the right side, to the
“ON” (I) position. The LED indicator light should glow
GREEN verifying the inverter is receiving power and can
deliver power to your device. (A brief audio alarm may
sound or red LED may ash. This is normal.)
2. Turn on the power source or device to be powered.
NOTE: If more than two devices are to be powered, start
one device at a time to avoid a power surge and overload-
ing the inverter. The surge load of each device should not
exceed 1500 watts.
You can use an extension cord from the inverter to the
device without signicantly decreasing the power being
generated by the inverter. For best operating results, the
extension cord should be no longer than 50 feet.
To Turn OFF:
1. Push the rocker switch, located on the right side, to the
“OFF” (O) position.
2. Turn off the power source and the device.
3. Disconnect inverter from power source and device.
4. Wait for the inverter to be cool to the touch before
disconnecting it from the power source.
NOTE: The PI-1500 inverter and device should always
be unplugged when not in use.

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Using GFCI Outlet
The GFCI (Ground Fault Interrupter) must be tested before
each use. To test:
1. Turn the inverter ON.
2. Push the "RESET" button located on the GFCI receptacle,
rst to assure normal GFCI operation.
3. Plug a nightlight (with an "ON/OFF" switch) or other
product (such as a lamp) into the GFCI receptacle and
turn the product "ON."
4. Push the "TEST" button located on the GFCI receptacle.
The nightlight or other product should go "OFF."
5. Push the "RESET" button, again. The light or other
product should go "ON" again.
NOTE: If the light or other product remains "ON" when
the "TEST" button is pushed, the GFCI is not working
properly and should not be used. Call Customer Service.
The PI-1500 includes two, "GFCI" (Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter) outlets located on the right side of the invert-
er. The purpose of a GFCI outlet is to quickly stop the
ow of electricity in the event a ground fault occurs on the
device plugged into the inverter’s GFCI outlet. Use only a
3-prong grounded plug when using the GFCI outlet.
NOTE: The GFCI outlet could have been shipped in the
“tripped” position. It needs to be “reset” to ensure safe
electrical operation. The inverter needs to be ON, con-
nected to a power source and a device plugged into the

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inverter to reset. To reset: press the “TEST” button (stops
ow of electricity to outlet) on the outlet face. Next, press
the “RESET” button (restores ow of electricity to outlet)
on the outlet face.
LEDs and Audio Alarms
Green – Power On
Red Light and/or Audio Alarm
Current Overload – Red LED glows for a short time and
inverter shuts down. Current load too high for inverter.
Reduce current demand.
Voltage Overload – Red LED glows and inverter shuts
down. Voltage range of 15.5V ± 0.5V DC too high for
inverter. Voltage exceeding 16 volts may damage the
inverter. Reduce voltage range to 12 volts to 14 volts.
Voltage Shortage – Alarm sounds indicating voltage is
getting low (10.5V ± 0.3V DC). Inverter shuts down and
red light glows when voltage falls below 10.0V ± 0.3V DC.
Inverter needs voltage source between 12 volts and 14
volts.
Temperature Overload – Red LED glows for a short time
and inverter shuts down. Provide ample ventilation for
inverter to restart.
Analogic Output Power Display - shows AC continuous
power consumed. Five lights indicate half of the continu-
ous output power and ten lights indicate full continuous

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power consumption. When the inverter is OFF, no lights
appear.
Using the Inverter to Operate a TV or Audio Device
The inverter is shielded and ltered to minimize signal
interference. Despite this, some interference may occur
with your television picture, especially with weak signals.
Below are some suggestions to try and improve reception.
Make sure the television antenna produces a clear signal
under normal operating conditions (i.e., at home plugged
into a standard 115V AC wall outlet). Also, ensure that the
antenna cable is adequately shielded and of good quality.
Try altering the positions of the inverter, antenna cables,
and television power cord. Add an extension cord from
the inverter to the TV so as to isolate its power cord and
antenna cables from the 12-volt power source.
Try coiling the television power cord and the input cables
running from the 12 -volt power source to the inverter.
Afx one or several "Ferrite Data Line Filters" to the tele-
vision power cord. Ferrite Data Line Filters can be pur-
chased at most electronic supply stores including Radio
Shack - Part Number 273-105.
Attention: You may hear a "buzzing" sound being emit-
ted from inexpensive sound systems when operated with
the inverter. This is due to ineffective lters in the sound
system. This problem can only be resolved by purchasing
a sound system with a higher quality power supply.

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Blown Fuse
A blown fuse is usually caused by reverse polarity or a
short circuit within the device or equipment being operated.
If the fuse blows, take the inverter to a qualied techni-
cian for repair.
Power Source
Your average automobile or marine battery will provide an
ample power supply to the inverter for 30 to 45 minutes
even when the engine is off. The actual length of time the
inverter will function depends on:
1. Age and condition of the battery.
2. Power demand being placed by the equipment being
operated with the inverter.
If you decide to use the inverter while the engine is off:
turn OFF the device plugged into the inverter before
starting the engine. Start the engine every hour and let it
run for approximately 10 minutes to recharge the battery.
Attention: Although it is not necessary to disconnect the
inverter when starting the engine, it may briey cease
to operate as the battery voltage decreases. When
the inverter is not supplying power, it draws a very low
amperage from the battery. The inverter may be left con-
nected to the battery for up to three hours. It is recom-
mended that the inverter always be disconnected when
not in use.

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Safety Features
The LED Indicator light will turn from GREEN to RED and
the inverter will automatically turn itself off when:
1. The power input from the battery drops to approximately
10 volts. (When the power input drops to approximately
10.5 volts, an alarm will sound for an extended period).
2. The power input from the battery exceeds 15.5 volts.
3. The continuous load demand from the equipment or
device being operated exceeds 1500 watts.
4. The case temperature exceeds 140 ºF.
Attention: The PI-1500 is tted with cooling fans that run
as needed while the inverter is operating. If the cooling
fans are unable to maintain a cool enough temperature
for safe operation, the inverter will automatically shut
down. If the inverter automatically shuts down or a con-
tinuous audible alarm is heard:
1. Turn the inverter rocker switch to the OFF (O).
2. Determine the source of the problem, and resolve it
before continuing to use the inverter.
How Do Power Inverters Work?
There are two stages involved in transforming 12-volt DC
(or battery) power into 110V AC (household voltage):
STAGE 1: The PI-1500 power inverter uses a DC to DC
transformer to increase the 12-volt DC input voltage from
the power source to 145-volts DC.

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STAGE 2: The inverter then converts the 145-volts DC
into 110-volts AC (household voltage) using advanced
MOSFET transistors in a full bridge conguration. A "modi-
ed sine wave" waveform is generated by this conversion.
Troubleshooting
PROBLEM: Low or No Output Voltage
Reason/Solution
1. Poor contact at terminals.
Unhook and rehook the 12-volt connections.
2. Using incorrect type of voltmeter to test output
voltage.
Use a true RMS reading meter.
PROBLEM: Red LED On
Reason/Solution
1. Battery voltage below 11 volts.
Recharge or replace battery.
2. Equipment being operated is drawing too much
power.
Use a higher capacity inverter or do not use this
equipment.
3. Inverter is too hot (thermal shut down mode).
Allow inverter to cool. Check for adequate ventilation.
Reduce the load on the inverter to rated continuous
power output.

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PROBLEM: Audible Alarm On All The Time
Reason/Solution
1. Input voltage below 11 volts.
Recharge or replace battery to maintain adequate power
input.
2. Poor or weak battery condition.
Recharge or replace battery.
PROBLEM: Device Does Not Work
Reason/Solution
1. Device does not turn on.
Try turning the inverter ON, then OFF, then ON again.
Contact the device manufacture for start up surge and/or
if the device is compatible with a modied sine wave.
An inverter producing a larger power out-put may be
required.
2. Inverter may be defective.
See warranty and call customer service.

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SPECIFICATIONS:
Maximum Continuous Power ............................ 1500 watts
Surge Capability (Peak Power) ........................ 3000 Watts
No Load Current Draw ............................................. < 0.6A
Wave form ...........................................Modied Sine Wave
Input Voltage Range....................................10.5V–15V DC
AC outlets..................................................Two, 110V GFCI
LIMITED WARRANTY
Schumacher Electric Corporation warrants your inverter to
be free from defects in material and workmanship, except-
ing abuse or misuse, for a period of one year from the date
of sale to the original user or consumer purchaser. If your
inverter malfunctions or fails within the 12-month warranty
period because of a defect in material or workmanship, we
will repair it without charge or replace it.
This warranty is in lieu of all other express warranties.
The duration of any implied warranty, including but not
limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or t-
ness for a particular purpose made in respect to your
inverter, is limited to the period of the express warranty
set forth above.
For warranty service, return your product, with inverter
as well as proof of purchase to the factory or a desig-
nated agent:

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Schumacher Electric Corporation,
Warranty Service Department
1025 Thompson, Hoopeston, IL 60942
Phone: [phone] (Hours: 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST)
You will be responsible for all insurance and freight or
other transportation charges to the factory or point of
repair. We will return your inverter freight prepaid if repair
is covered under warranty. Your inverter should be prop-
erly packed to avoid damage in transit since we will not
be responsible for any such damage.
In no event shall Schumacher Electric Corporation be liable
for consequential damages. Some states do not allow limita-
tions on the length of the implied warranty or the exclusion
or limitations of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also
have other rights which may vary from state to state.
Schumacher Website: www.batterychargers.com