OWNER’S GUIDE INSTALLATION GUIDE 150 watt POWER INVERTER with GAME PLATE MODEL VDC301 © 2006 Directed Electronics, N89222 01-06
Table of Contents Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Non-Transferable Limited Consumer Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Principle of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Inverter Output Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caution: Low Battery Alarm .................................................22 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Automatic Protective Features of the Inverter ........................23 Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Problem: Lack of power output ............................................
Non-Transferable Limited Consumer Warranty Directed Electronics, Inc.
tions, accidental spills or customer applied cleaners, damage due to environmental causes such as floods, airborne fallout, chemicals, salt, hail, windstorms, lightning or extreme temperatures, damage due to accidents, road hazards, fire, theft, loss or vandalism, damage due to improper connection to equipment of another manufacturer, modification of existing equipment, use of a faulty tape cartridge or cleaning of the VCR head, or Product which has been opened or tampered with for any reason or which has b
Cautions WHEN CONNECTING DIRECTLY TO A BATTERY OR OTHER POWER SOURCE OBSERVE PROPER POLARITY. DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM INPUT VOLTAGE 15 ±0.3 VDC (DIRECT CURRENT). ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE INPUT TO THE INVERTER WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE. REGULARLY CHECK THAT THE INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS ARE TIGHT. LOOSE CONNECTIONS CAN GENERATE HARMFUL HEAT AND/OR DAMAGE THE INVERTER OR POWER SOURCE. IMPROPER USE OF THE DEVICE CAN CAUSE DAMAGE OR INJURY AND EVEN LOSS OF LIFE.
What’s Included 150W Power Inverter Game Plate (4) screws to mount Inverter Fuse ATC 10 amp (4) Rubber Feet (4) screws to mount Game Plate (4) screws to mount Rubber Feet Principle of Operation The inverter converts power in two stages. The first stage is a DC to DC converter, which raises the low voltage DC at the inverter input to 145 volts DC. The second stage is the actual inverter stage. It converts the high voltage DC into 115 volts, 60Hz AC.
Inverter Output Waveform The AC output waveform of the Inverter is called a "quasi-sine wave" or a "modified sine wave". It is a stepped waveform that is designed to have characteristics similar to the sine wave shape of utility power. A waveform of this type is suitable for a wide variety of applications. The modified sine wave produced by the Inverter is designed to have a RMS (root mean square) voltage of 115 volts, the same as standard household power.
Power Source The power source must provide between 9.5 and 15 ±0.3 volts DC and must be able to supply sufficient current to operate the load. The power source may be a battery or a well regulated DC power supply. As a rough guideline, divide the power consumption of the load (in watts) by 12 (the input voltage) to obtain the current (in amperes) the power source must deliver. Example: Load is rated at 140 watts. Power source must be able to deliver: 140/12= 11.
Installation of rubber mounting feet 1. Locate plastic bag containing 4 rubber mounting feet and 4 new screws. Remove from bag. 2. Remove bottom most end cap screws from inverter housing, 2 from each side. See pictures for reference. Discard old screws.
Remove both these screws 3. Attach rubber feet to inverter housing end caps using new screws from bag. Do not over tighten screws, the housing is aluminum and will strip out easily. Refer to the pictures below for reference.
Mount feet on both ends Placement of Inverter For best operating results, the Inverter should be placed on a flat surface, such as the floor or seat of a vehicle. Approximately 20" of cord have been provided for this purpose.
DRY - do not allow water to drip or splash on the Inverter. COOL - ambient air temperature should be between 50 and 80 F. Do not place the Inverter on or near a heating vent or any piece of equipment, which is generating heat above room temperature. Do not place the Inverter in direct sunlight. VENTILATED - allow at least one inch of clearance around the Inverter for airflow. Do not place items on or over the Inverter during operation. Make sure that air is allowed to circulate freely around the unit.
Electrical Connections The Inverter comes with a cigarette lighter plug adapter for connection to the power source. The tip of the plug is positive and the side contact is negative. Connect the plug to the cigarette lighter socket by pushing in firmly to insure proper contact. The majority of modern automobiles, RVs, and trucks are negative ground. Do not use the Inverter with positive ground vehicle electrical systems. CAUTION: DO NOT USE WITH POSITIVE GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS.
TEMPORARY BATTERY CONNECTION To make a direct connection, follow these steps: CAUTION: THE ALLIGATOR CLAMPS COULD COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING POSSIBLE MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. Convert the 12-volt car cord into a hard wired connection, by connecting a cigarette lighter socket to alligator clamps (not supplied) for temporary use (do not leave alligator clamps on when the vehicle is being driven). Then, make a good connection to the power source terminals using alligator clips.
CONNECTION TO LOAD Once you have determined the proper method of connection to the power source (cigarette lighter or direct to battery with adapter socket), connect the 150W Inverter accordingly, making sure to fully insert the plug into the appropriate socket. Now plug appliance(s) into the receptacle(s) on the Inverter and flip the rocker switch to the (ON) position. The green LED above it and slightly to the right will illuminate.
CAUTION: RECHARGEABLE APPLIANCES Certain rechargeable devices are designed to be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to be recharged. These devices may damage the Inverter. When first using a rechargeable device monitor its temperature for the first 10 minutes to ensure that it does not become abnormally hot. That will be your indication that it should not be used with this inverter. This problem does not occur with the vast majority of battery operated equipment.
Game Plate Installation MOUNTING THE GAME PLATE The front of the game plate snaps off to allow the back portion of the plate to be mounted in a convenient location in the vehicle (such as the back of the front-center seat arm rest). Make sure that the location you pick will allow the AC cord from the plate to reach the inverter.
TYPICAL CONNECTION DIAGRAM The diagram below shows typical types of connections.
Operating Tips RATED VERSUS ACTUAL CURRENT DRAW OF EQUIPMENT Most electrical tools, appliances and audio/video equipment have a label indicating power consumption in amps or watts. Add up the power consumption of those items you will be using simultaneously, keeping the total below the rating of Inverter. If the power consumption is rated in amps, multiply by the AC voltage (115) to determine the wattage. For example, a power drill rated at 3.
The most demanding are those that start under load, i.e. compressors and pumps. Since motor and television characteristics vary widely, only testing will determine if a specific load can be started and how long it can be run. There are no standards for "surge power" partly because this specification cannot be represented accurately by a simple number.
The inverter may be used either while the engine is running or turned off. However, the Inverter may not operate while the engine is being started since the battery voltage can drop substantially during cranking. The Inverter draws less than 0.2 amperes from the battery when it is not supplying power to a load. In most cases the 150W Inverter may be left connected to the battery for up to 3 hours when it is not in use since it draws so little current.
Troubleshooting AUTOMATIC PROTECTIVE FEATURES OF THE INVERTER Your Inverter circuitry constantly monitors the following potentially hazardous conditions: a) Low Battery Voltage - This condition is not harmful to the inverter but could damage the power source. An audible alarm is sounded when input voltage drops to 10.2 volts and the inverter shut down when input voltage drops to 9.5 volts. When the condition is corrected (i.e. alternator charges battery) the unit may be restarted.
Common Problems Televisions will not start, power tools will start but will not continue to run. Certain induction motors (motors without brushes) may require two to six time their wattage ratings to start up. If the power tool runs momentarily then stops when power is applied, try leaving the power to the tool "on" while quickly turning the power switch on the Inverter on and off.
a) Position the Inverter as far as possible from the television, the antenna and the antenna cables. b) Adjust the orientation of the Inverter, the antenna cables, and the TV power cord to minimize interference. c) Make sure that the antenna feeding the television provides an adequate ("snow free") signal and that high quality, shielded antenna cable is used.
The alligator clips of the hard wire adapter are connected incorrectly to the battery terminals. Suggested remedy Some types of loads will not allow the inverter to turn on. These type of loads are inductive (an example would be a fan). Turn the Inverter power switch off and unplug the load(s) from the inverter then turn the inverter On. Now connect the load(s). Turn Inverter power switch off and then on again until the Inverter powers your appliance. Repeat as necessary to get your appliance "started".
PROBLEM: LOW OUTPUT VOLTAGE Possible causes Using average-reading voltmeter. Inverter is overloaded. Input voltage below 9.5 volts. Suggested remedy Use true RMS reading meter for the following: Reduce load to a maximum of 100 watts to maintain regulation. Keep input voltage above 9.5 volts to maintain regulation. PROBLEM: LOW BATTERY ALARM ON ALL THE TIME Possible causes Poor battery condition. Inadequate input power or excessive load. Suggested remedy Replace battery.
Specifications Max. Continuous Power 150 Watt No Load Current Draw less than 0.2Amp Wave form Modified Sine Wave Input Voltage Range 9.5 to 15 (±0.3)VDC AC Receptacles Dual 3 -Prong Fuse 10 Amp (Blade Type) Dimensions 5.2" L x 4.1" W x 2.
© 2006 Directed Electronics - all rights reserved 29
The company behind this system is Directed Electronics. Since its inception, Directed has had one purpose, to provide consumers with the finest vehicle security, car stereo products, rear seat entertainment, and accessories available. The recipient of more than 20 patents in the field of advanced electronic technology, Directed is ISO 9001 registered. Quality Directed Electronics products are sold and serviced throughout North America and around the world.
