Model STP-600 Power Inverter Titanium Plus Smooth Start Series User’s Manual
IMPORTANT: Sima Products Corporation does not authorize any products to be used in life support systems Date Purchased __________________ © 2003 Sima Products Corporation 140 Pennsylvania Ave., Bldg.
Safety Information IMPORTANT: Read all the Cautions and Warnings before installing and using the power inverter. The inverter must be properly installed. IMPORTANT: If you are not familiar with 12 volt high current wiring, it is recommended that you have a professional automotive installer install the inverter. CAUTION: The power inverter generates 115 VAC power from your 12 volt car battery. Treat the 115 VAC output just like you treat the 115 VAC in your house. Keep children away from the unit.
Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................5 Key Features .......................................................................................5 Package Includes ................................................................................6 Needed for Installation (not included) ................................................6 Overview of the Power Inverter..........................................................
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of a Sima Products Corporation power inverter. It provides 115 VAC anywhere you have 12V DC; in your car, truck, or RV. It is designed to be easy to use and provide years of dependable service. Key Feature High-efficiency operation provides the most output with the least battery power. Advanced protection • Thermal Protection shuts the unit off to guard it against getting too hot. • Overload Protection protects the unit from excessive loads.
Package Includes Inverter (Model STP-600) Cables with alligator clips This manual Needed for Installation (not included) Mounting hardware for the inverter 12 volt DC power wiring, fuse block and connectors Tools – Drill and drill bit, small socket set, wire crimpers, volt meter Optional: wiring kit from Sima page 6
Overview of the Power Inverter The STP-600 power inverter is an electronic devices that converts the low voltage 12 VOLTS DC from a battery or other power source to 115 VAC to run standard household appliances. See the section on How it Works to learn more about the technology used in this power inverter.
Installation Overview Install the power inverter using these three basic steps: 1) Mounting: Mount the inverter securely 2) Wiring: Wire the inverter to a 12 VOLT source 3) Testing: Test for proper operation Step #1: Mounting the Inverter The power inverter should be secured to a solid flat surface capable of handling the weight of the unit.
Caution: The power inverter must be mounted securely in any type of moving vehicle.
Step #2: Wiring Inverter to 12 volt Power The power inverter requires connection to a standard 12 volt DC power source as found in most cars, trucks, RVs and boats. The power source must provide between 11 and 15 volts DC. The power source must be able to provide sufficient current to power the load. See the chart below that shows minimal wire sizing and current draw at full load.
Temporary Wiring The power inverter comes with a set of jumper cables to attach directly to your battery terminals for temporary usage. For permanent installation, you should hardwire the power inverter into your 12 volt system as described below. WARNING When connecting cables, a spark may occur. This is normal.
Permanent Installation Figure 3, Wiring the STP-600 Installation Tip: To minimize electrical interference, keep the DC power cables as short as possible and twist them with 1 to 3 twists per foot. This minimizes radiated interference from the cables.
Wiring Steps • Disconnect the positive battery terminal before doing any wiring to the inverter. • • Using proper sized copper wire and proper terminations, wire the inverter to the electrical system and fuse block. See your local RV dealer or automotive shop for wire, connectors, fuse block and other wiring parts. Tighten all connections firmly, but do not over tighten. Remember to recheck all connections every few months of operation. Use ring type lugs for a ¼” post to attach to the wire.
Advanced Installation Large inverters can draw high currents from your battery and charging system especially when used with appliances and tools that use a lot of power. In these applications, you may need to increase the capacity of your 12 volt system. There are several ways to do this. High Capacity Batteries You can purchase high capacity batteries that are specially designed for deep discharge operation. Contact your automotive or RV specialist for more information.
Step #3: Testing the Power Inverter After you make sure the 12 volt power is wired properly to the power inverter, with nothing plugged into the 115 VAC outlets, turn the power switch on the power inverter to On. The green POWER light will turn on. If the inverter does not operate properly and the POWER light does not illuminate, turn the power switch off and check your wiring and external fuse. With the inverter turned off, plug the appliance you want to use into the 115 VAC power outlet on the unit.
Operation Equipment Power Usage It is important to use only products that draw less than the power rating of the power inverter. Use of products greater than the rated power rating may either cause the protection circuitry of the power inverter to shut down or the fuse to blow. Repeated use of excessive power draw can cause failure of the power inverter. How to calculate power usage. Most products have a power rating on them such as 45 watts. Others may be marked with their current draw, such as .9 amps.
Some products draw a high surge current to start up. If the appliance does not operate and the inverter turns off, you may need a larger inverter. Check that the battery and the wiring to the inverter is large enough to handle the current draw and that the battery is fully charged. Important: Power inverters may not operate some appliances designed to produce heat such as hair dryers, heaters, toasters and coffee makers.
Actual Current Draw Approximate 12 volt current draw is the load in watts divided by 10. Thus a 60 watt light bulb plugged into the inverter will draw 6 amps (60 / 10 = 6) from the 12 volt supply. Batteries are rated in several different ways: Peak cranking amps - Not a useful number for inverter use. Battery reserve capacity - How long a battery can supply a given current, typically 25 amps, before the battery reaches a low voltage.
Lights and Alarms POWER Indicator (Green) This light will turn on when the inverter is turned on and is operating normally. If this light goes out, the 12v power is missing (possible blown fuse). Fault Indicator (Red) Fault conditions include output overload, output short circuit, low input voltage and over temperature of the unit. This can happen if a device has a large turn on surge, if an appliance (like a drill or saw) is stalled or if the inverter does not have a supply of cool air.
Smooth Start The Smooth Start feature of the STP line of power inverters is designed to handle the power surge that is created when some appliances are turned on. This feature helps protect both the appliance and the inverter from excessive power draws and surges. When the power switch is turned on, the STP inverter smoothly brings up the AC power. This circuitry also activates under excessive loads, even short circuits, to quickly turn off power to protect the device and the inverter.
Light Status Chart Power Switch Power Light Beeper Fan Fault Light Off Off Off Off Off Unit is off On On Off On Off Normal Operation On On On On Off On On On On On On On Off On On On On Off On On On Off Off Off Off Low input voltage, 10.2 to 9.7 volts Low input voltage, less than 9.
Troubleshooting Problem Unit does not operate Cause Solution Input voltage is below 10 volts Fuse blown Attach to proper supply Determine cause for fuse blowing and then replace fuse feeding inverter.
Product Specifications (Subject to change without notice) STP-600 12 - 14 volts DC < 0.20 A modified sine wave Input Input no-load current Output type Output, Watts, continuous 10 minutes 550W 600W 1,200W 60 Hz 85 - 90% 2 Output, peak Frequency, +/- 1% Efficiency Outlets Protection Thermal Low battery alarm (10.2v) Low battery shutdown (9.7v) Output short circuit Over voltage (15v) yes yes yes yes yes 3” x 8” x 12” Size (inches) Weight: unit/gross Package Includes: • • • 4.
Limited Warranty Sima Products Corporation (“Company”) warrants that if the accompanying product proves to be defective to the original purchaser in material or workmanship within 90 days from the original retail purchase, the Company will, at the Company’s option, either repair or replace same without charge (but no cash refund will be made).
