Vector Power On Board VEC031POB Instruction Manual

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VEC031POB
OWNER’S MANUAL
& WARRANTY INFORMATION
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 POSSIBLE INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
4140 SW 28TH WAY, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33312
TEL [phone] • FAX [phone]
400 WATT
POWER INVERTER
800 WATT
PEAK
™

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 or loss of life.
KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
WARNINGS:
•Do not connect to Household AC distribution wiring
•
Remove appliance plug from outlet strips or turn off inverter
before working on appliances
. 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.
CAUTIONS:
•Connectdirectlytopower sourcewith battery clipcables (included)
when operating above 150 watts
•Do not use with positive ground electrical systems. (the majority of
modern automobiles, RVs and trucks are negative ground)
Reverse polarity connection will result in a blown fuse and may
cause permanent damage to the inverter and will void warranty
• This inverter will not operate high wattage appliances or
equipment that produce heat, such as hair dryers, microwave
ovens and toasters.
•Groundingthe neutralterminals willcause theinverterto shutdown
•Do not operate inverter near water
•Do not install in Engine Compartment – Install in a cool,
well-ventillated area

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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................ 4
2. How Your Vector Inverter Works ..................................4,5
2.1 Principle of Operation ................................................4,5
2.2 Vector Power-On-Board™ 400 Output Waveform ........... 5
3. INSTALLATION............................................................... 6
3.1 Power Source Requirements ...........................................6
3.2 Connection to Power Source .......................................6-8
3.3 Connection to Load .......................................................8
3.4 Fuse Replacement.......................................................... 8
3.5 Placement of the Inverter................................................ 9
4. OPERATING TIPS ...................................................... 9,10
4.1 Rated Versus Actual Current Draw of Equipment ......... 9,10
4.2 Battery Operating Time ...............................................10
5. PROTECTIVE FEATURES OF THE POWER-ON-BOARD™ 350 .. 10,11
6. COMMON PROBLEMS............................................ 11,12
7. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ................................... 12,13
8.SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................... 13
WARRANTY................................................................ 14,15

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1. INTRODUCTION
Your new Vector® Power-On-Board™ 400 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.
The Power-On-Board™ 400 supplies 400 watts of continuous power,
with a 800 watt peak, in the form of two household-type outlets that are
ready to deliver 110 volt AC power whenever and wherever you need
it! The heavy-duty inverter has enough power to run almost any house-
hold or electronic appliance, including color TVs (up to 25"), TV/VCR
combinations,laptop computers,camcorders, cellularphone,camcorder,
power tool chargers, lamps and many more. It also comes equipped
with battery clips to handle higher amperage/load applications, such
as;power tools, stereo amplifiers (up to 300 watt RMS), vacuums, etc.
Added safety features include automatic shutdown and a low battery
alarm to prevent damage to your battery.
This power inverter incorporates a new cooling technology that directly
benefits our customers. The new design more efficiently cools the power
transistors and thereby increases reliability and the life of the product.
Givenproper careand appropriate use,your inverter iscovered by a120
day initial warranty. You may extend the warranty to two full years by
payingasmallfee.Seethe WarrantyInformationat the endofthismanual.
2. HOW YOUR VECTOR INVERTER WORKS
The inverter converts low voltage DC (direct current) from a battery or
other power source to standard 110 volt AC (alternating current) house-
hold power.
2.1 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
145 volts DC. The second stage is the actual inverter stage that converts
the high voltage DC into 110 volts, 60 Hz AC.
The DC-to-DC converter stage uses modern high frequency power con-
version 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. This ensures
excellent overload capability and the ability to operate reactive loads
like lamp ballasts and small induction motors.

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FIGURE 1
Principle of Operation
2.2 THE POWER-ON-BOARD™ 400 OUTPUT WAVEFORM
The AC output waveform of the Power-On-Board™ 400 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.
The modified sine wave produced by the Power-On-Board™ 400
inverter has an RMS (root mean square) voltage of 110 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 87, Fluke
8060A, Fluke 77/99 series, Beckman 4410, or Triplett 4200.
FIGURE 2:
Modified Sine Wave
and Sine Wave Comparison
SINE WAVE
110 VAC
MODIFIED
SINE WAVE
110 VAC

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3. INSTALLATION
3.1 POWER SOURCE REQUIREMENTS
The power source must provide between 11 and 14.5 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: If a load is rated at 400 watts AC, the power source must be
able to deliver:
400 ÷10 = 40 amperes
CAUTION: The Power-On-Board™ 400 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.
3.2 CONNECTION TO POWER SOURCE
The Power-On-Board™ 400 comes equipped with a cigarette lighter
plug and battery clip cables for connection to the power source:
CAUTION: Do not use with positive ground electrical systems. (the
majorityof modern automobiles,RVs, andtrucks arenegative ground)
Connecting to Power Source Using Cigarette Lighter Plug:
The cigarette lighter plug is suitable for operating the inverter at power
outputs up to 150 watts. The tip of the plug is positive and the side
contactisnegative. ConnectthePower-On-Board400to thepowersource
by inserting the cigarette lighter plug firmly into the cigarette lighter
socket of a vehicle or other DC power source.
CAUTION: Connect directly to power source when operating above
150 Watts.
NOTE: Most automobile cigarette lighter circuits use fuses rated at 15
to 20 Amps or greater. To operate at full 400 watts output, either use
the battery clip cable (supplied) or directly wire to the power source
with user supplied wire and fuse.

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CAUTION: Reverse polarity connection will result in a blown fuse and
may cause permanent damage to the inverter.
Connecting to a Power Source Using Provided Cables:
If the inverter is to be used for extended periods at power levels above
150 watts, direct connection to the power source is recommended. Use
the provided cables to connect the Power-On-Board™ 400 directly to
the 12 volt power source using the following guidelines:
1.Check to be sure the Power-On-Board™ 400 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.
Direct Hardwiring to Power Source:
Use #10 AWG wire if the inverter to power source connection is 10 feet
or less. For longer cable lengths use #8 AWG wire. In either case, pro-
tect the positive (+) wire from shorts by installing a 40 Amp fuse or
circuit breaker close to the DC power source (battery) terminal.
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 he 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).

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8.Insert a 40 Amp fuse in the fuse holder.
9.Test the inverter by turning it on and plugging in a 100 watt lamp
or equipment.
10.If the inverter is not properly operating, then refer to the trouble-
shooting sections of this manual.
CAUTION: Loose connectors may cause overheated wires and melted
insulation. Check to make sure you have not reversed the polarity.
Damage due to reversed polarity is not covered by our warranty.
3.3 CONNECTION TO LOAD
ThePower-On-Board™400 isequippedwithdual standard North Ameri-
can AC power receptacles. Plug the cord from the equipment you wish
to operate into the AC receptacle(s). The green LED indicator will light to
indicate that the unit is functioning. Make sure the combined load re-
quirement of your equipment does not exceed 400 watts.
The Power-On-Board™ 400 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 Power-On-Board™ 400 is
easily capable of running most chargers and transformers.
3.4 FUSE REPLACEMENT
If the inverter is overloaded and the spade type fuses are blown, flip up
the fuse replacement covers on the back of the Power-On-Board™ 400
and replace the blown fuses with new spade type, 25 Amp fuses.
Determine the cause of the short before restarting the inverter.

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3.5 PLACEMENT OF THE INVERTER
For best operating results, the inverter should be placed on a flat sur-
face, such as the ground, car floor or seat, or other solid surface. A
power cord measuring 3 feet (1.0 meter) has been provided for 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-On-Board™ 400 inverter.
COOL - Ambient air temperature should be between 30°F (-1°C)
non-condensing, and 105°F (40°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 90°C. 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 or gases.
4. OPERATING TIPS
4.1 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
400 watts or less. (If the power consumption is rated in amps AC, simply
multiply by the AC volts (110) to determine the wattage). The inverter
has overload protection, so it is safe to try to operate equipment rated at
400 watts or less. The inverter will shut down if it is overloaded, and will
restart once the overload is removed.
Resistive loads are the easiest for the Power-On-Board™ 400 to run.
However, larger resistive loads, such as electric stoves or heaters,
usually require more wattage than the Power-On-Board(tm) 400 can
deliver on a continuous basis. Inductive loads, such as TV's and stereos,
require more current to operate than do resistive loads of the same

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wattage rating. Induction motors, as well as some televisions, may
require 2 to 6 times their wattage rating to start up. The most demand-
ing 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, momentarily turn off the power to the unit.
CAUTION: This inverter will not operate high wattage appliances or
equipment that produce heat, such as hair dryers, microwave ovens,
and toasters.
4.2 BATTERY OPERATING TIME
With a typical vehicle battery, a minimum operating time of 2 to 3 hours
can be expected. In most instances, 5 to 10 hours of operating time is
achievable. However, Vector 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 it's alarm when DC voltage drops to
10.6V.
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 0.3 ampere from the battery when it is not
supplying power to a load. In most instances, the inverter can be left
connected to the battery when not in use since it draws so little current.
However, if the vehicle is to remain unused for several days, disconnect
the inverter from the battery.
5. PROTECTIVE FEATURES OF THE INVERTER
Your Power-On-Board™ 400 monitors the following potentially hazard-
ous conditions:
Low Battery Voltage - This condition is not harmful to the inverter but
could damage the power source. An audible alarm will sound when
input voltage drops to 10.6. The Power-On-Board™ 400
automatically shuts down when input voltage drops to 10.0 volts. When
the condition is corrected, the unit may be restarted.

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Over Voltage Protection - The Power-On-Board™ 400 will
automatically shut down when the input voltage exceeds 15 volts DC.
Short Circuit Protection - Reverse polarity or a short circuit condition will
usually result in the fuse being blown. Immediately disconnect the shorted
load and replace the fuse as described in section 3.4.
Overload Protection - The inverter will automatically shut down when
the continuous draw exceeds 400 watts.
Over Temperature Protection - When the temperature sensor inside the
Power-On-Board™ 400 reaches 150°F, 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 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 there
after, 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.
6. 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-On-Board™
400 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.

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Television Interference:
The Vector Power-On-Board™ 400 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
7. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE:
TABLE 1 - INVERTER POWER SWITCH TURNED ON
TROUBLE/ INDICATION POSSIBLE CAUSE SUGGESTED REMEDY
No AC output – DC input below 10 Volts Recharge or replace
red LED lit battery
No AC output – Excessive appliance Reduce load-wait for
red LED lit load-thermal shutdown inverter to cool. Turn Off,
then turn On
No AC output Inverter cold Disconnect load from
inverter. Operate inverter
without load for a few
minutes. Reconnect load.
No AC output – Inverter fuses open Open fuse caps in back
Green LED not lit of inverter. Remove fuses
and replace with same
type and rating
Low battery alarm Bad connection or wiring Tighten all DC
sounds continuously connections
Low battery Low battery voltage Recharge battery.
alarm sounds Remove load from
inverter while recharging
battery
Motorized power tool Excessive start-up load Rock the On/Off switch
won’t start several times. If appliance
does not start, then
appliance will not work
with inverter

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TABLE 1 - INVERTER POWER SWITCH TURNED ON CON’T
TROUBLE/INDICATION POSSIBLE CAUSE SUGGESTED REMEDY
Motorized power tool Purely inductive load Make the load not purely
does not operate at inductive. Operate an
correct speed incandescent lamp at
same time as motor
Television/Radio Snow in picture, buzz Keep inverter and
interference in speaker antenna distant from
each other. Use shielded
antenna cable. Connect
antenna to amplifier
8. SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum Continuous Power................................. 400 watts
Surge Capacity (Peak Power) ................................. 800 watts
Maximum Efficiency Approx. ......................................... 90%
No Load Current Draw ................................................ 0.3A
Low Voltage Shutdown Activation ..................... 10.0 volts DC
Low Voltage Alarm Activation .......................... 10.6 volts DC
Wave Form........................................... Modified Sine Wave
No. of AC Receptacles....................................................Two
Fuses.............................................Two 25 Amp (spade-type)
Weight ...................................................... 2.42 lbs. (I.1 kg)
Length .................................................. 6-3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
Width .................................................. 6-1/8 in. (15.6 cm)
Height .................................................... 2-1/8 iri. (5.4 cm)

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120 DAY/2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PROGRAM
This limited warranty program is the only one that applies to this product,
and it sets forth all the responsibilities of Vector Manufacturing, Ltd.,
regarding this product. There are no other warranties, other than those
described herein.
This Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. product is warranted, to the original
purchaser only, to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 120
days from the date of purchase without additional charge. This warranty
may be extended to two years from date of purchase by paying an Extended
Warranty fee (see below). The warranty does not extend to subsequent
purchasers or users. Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. will not be responsible for
any amount of damage in excess of the retail purchase price of the product
under any circumstances. Incidental and consequential damages are
specifically excluded from coverage under this warranty.
This product is not intended for commercial use. This warranty does not
apply to accessories or damage to units from misuse or incorrect installation.
Misuse includes wiring or connecting to improper polarity power sources.
RETURN/REPAIR POLICY: Defective products, other than accessories, may
be returned postage prepaid to Vector Manufacturing. Any defective
product, other than accessories, that is returned to Vector Manufacturing
within 30 days of the date of purchase will be replaced free of charge.
If such a product is returned more than 30 days but less than two years from
the purchase date, Vector Manufacturing will repair the unit or, at its option,
replace it free of charge. If The Extended Warranty was activated, this repair
or replacement period extends to four years from the purchase date.
If the unit is repaired, new or reconditioned replacement parts may be used,
at Vector Manufacturing's option. A unit may be replaced with a new or
reconditioned unit of the same or comparable design. The repaired or
replaced unit will then be warranted under the terms of the remainder of the
warranty period.
The customer is responsible for the shipping charges on all returned items.
During the warranty period, Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. will be responsible
for the return shipping charges.
LIMITATIONS: This warranty does not cover accessories, bulbs, fuses and
batteries, defects resulting from normal wear and tear (including chips,
scratches, abrasions, discoloration or fading due to usage or exposure to
sunlight), accidents, damage during shipping to our service facility,
alterations, unauthorized use or repair, neglect, misuse, abuse, failure to
follow instructions for care and maintenance, fire, flood, and Acts of God.

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If your problem is not covered by this warranty, call our Technical Support
Department at [phone] for general repair information and charges
if applicable.
STATE LAW RIGHTS: This warranty gives you specific legal rights. Some states
do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
exclusions or limitations stated herein may not apply. This warranty gives the
purchaser specific legal rights; other rights, which vary from state to state,
may apply.
TO REQUEST WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THIS PRODUCT: Contact Vector
Manufacturing Technical Support by telephone, fax or mail. We suggest that
you keep the original packaging in case you need to ship the unit. When
returning a product, include your name, address, phone number, dated sales
receipt (or copy), and a description of the reason for return and product
serial number. After replacing the unit, we will return it to you within four
weeks.
WARRANTY ACTIVATION: Please complete Warranty Activation Card and
mail to Vector Manufacturing. If activating Additional Extended Two Year
Warranty, (total two years) enclose check or money order for $20.00 Enter
“VEC031POB” as Model and Power Inverter as “Product Type”. All Vector
Manufacturing, Ltd. products must be registered within (30) days of
purchase. To activate this warranty, mail completed registration form, a
copy of the original sales receipt and required fee (if activating extended
warranty) to:
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
VECTOR MANUFACTURING, Ltd.
4140 S.W. 28th Way; Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

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© 2001 VECTOR MANUFACTURING, LTD.
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33312 MADE IN CHINA