9
Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra
™
8
Connecting Cables (not included)
•
Power wire and wiring are very important to the
performance of the inverter. Because the inverter has a
low voltage, high current input, low resistance wiring is
essential between the battery and inverter. This is so it
can deliver the maximum amount of energy to the load.
Use only copper wire. Aluminum wire has about one-third
more resistance than copper wire of the same size, plus it
is difficult to make good, low-resistance connections to
aluminum wire.
We recommend #4 AWG copper cable (90°C insulation
rating) as the minimum size for connections between
the battery and inverter.
Keep the cable length as short as possible, no more
than four feet (one and a half meters). This will keep the
voltage drop to a minimum.
If the cable has too much voltage drop, the inverter may
shut down when drawing higher currents because voltage
at the inverter may drop below 10 volts. If you must use
longer cables, choose thicker cables, such as #2 AWG,
and trim the ends of the cable to fit the terminals.
To connect the cables between the
inverter and the battery:
1. Press the Power Button on the inverter to the off
position. If the power source is a DC power supply,
switch it off as well.
2. On the end of the cable that connects to the inverter,
strip back the insulation about one-half inch (one and
one-half cm), exposing the bare copper conductor.
3. Connect cable to the Power Input Terminals on input
end of the inverter. The red terminal is positive (+) and
the black terminal is negative (-). Insert the bare ends
of the cables into the terminals and tighten the screws
to clamp the wires securely.
It is a good idea to check and tighten these screws
from time to time. They can become loose by
vibrations or thermal cycling.
4. Connect cables to the power source:
a. Connect the cable from the Negative (Black)
Terminal of inverter to the Negative Terminal
of the power source. Make a secure connection.
Connecting Cables Connecting Cables
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
N
otes
Notice
Secondary Icons
Caution Warning
Installation
Installation
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
N
otes
Notice
Secondary Icons
Caution Warning
Installation
Installation
Insert Bare Cables
Power Button
Intro Operation Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notes
Notice
M
ain Icons
Secondary Icons
Caution Warning
Installation
Strip the Insulation
10275_CPI1575_PH3 8/14/07 8:38 AM Page 8