Vector VEC024 Supplement

VEC024
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 INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
4140 SW 28TH WAY, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33312
TEL [phone] • FAX [phone] • TOLL-FREE 866-584-5504
www.vectormfg.com
400 WATT
POWER INVERTER
800 WATT
PEAK
NEW
SOFT START
TECHNOLOGY

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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 plug
connections, and ring terminal connections.
4. This is not a toy - keep away from children.
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 and will void warranty.
2. This inverter will not operate high wattage appliances or equipment that
produce heat, such as hair dryers, microwave ovens and toasters.
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 ..................4,5
3. HOW YOUR INVERTER WORKS..............................................5
3.1 Principal of Operation ......................................................5
3.2 The MaxxSST 400 Output Waveform ....................................6
4. INSTALLATION..............................................................6
4.1 Power Source Requirements ............................................6,7
4.2 Connection to Power Source............................................7,8
4.3 Connection to Load ........................................................8,9
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 INVERTER ........................11
7. COMMON PROBLEMS ..............................................12
8. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................12,13
9. FUSE REPLACEMENT ..................................................13
10. SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................14
11. WARRANTY ........................................................14,15

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1. INTRODUCTION
Your new Vector MAXX 400 SST inverter is one in a series of the
mostadvanced DC to AC inverters available today. With proper
careandappropriate usage, it will give you years of dependable service in
your car, truck, RV or boat.
The MAXX 400 SST 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 most household or electronic
appliances, including color TVs (up to 25"), TV/VCR combinations, laptop
computers, camcorders, cellular phone, 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
275 watt RMS), etc. Added safety features include automatic shutdown
and a low battery alarm to prevent damage to your battery.
This power inverter is configured with the latest soft start technology (SST)
to improve inverter operation. Before introduction of soft-start, high start-
up currents from large inductive loads could shut down the inverter. Three
major features are incorporated in SST. First, gradual voltage ramp-
upduring inverter start-up. This eliminates failed cold starts underload.
Second, output that momentarily dips in voltage and quickly recovers. This
eliminates most shutdowns from momentary overloads. Last, the inverter
needs to be turned off then turned on to re-start the inverter when an
overload that caused inverter shutdown is removed.
This power inverter also incorporates a new cooling technology that
directly benefits our customers. The new design more efficiently cools the
power transistors, and combined with soft start dramatically increases
reliability and the life of the product.
2. CONTROLS, INDICATORS AND CONNECTORS
Figure 1 details the front 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 two grounded standard North American outlets.
Outlets accommodate 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.

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FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
3. 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) 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
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
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.
FIGURE 3 - Principle of Operation
1. HIGH SPEED COOLING FAN
2. (+) DC POWER CONNECTION
3. (–) DC POWER CONNECTION
1. RED SHUT DOWN LED
2. GREEN OPERATING LED
3. 2 110 VAC RECEPTACLES
4. ON/OFF SWITCH
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2
3
4
1
3
2
12VDC TO
145VDC
CONVERSION
145VDC TO
110VAC
CONVERSION
Internal
Fuses ONE AC Outlet
12VDC
Input 110 VAC, 60Hz To AC Appliances