Power Bright CW150 User manual
P A G E 2
Welcome
This PowerBright product has been carefully engineered and manufactured to give
you dependable operation. Please read this manual thoroughly before operating your
new PowerBright product, as it contains the information you need to become familiar
with its features and obtain the performance that will bring you continued enjoyment
for many years. Please keep this manual on file for future reference.
About PowerBright Inverters
PowerBright, an innovator in portable inverter design, has developed a new line of
power inverters with the highest surge capability in the industry. These extremely
advanced, microprocessor controlled units run cooler and more reliable than any in
their class. They also boast the highest efficiency available (up to 90%), which
translates into longer running time and extended battery life.
We hope you enjoy your new PowerBright inverter.
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Important Safety Information
Misusing or incorrectly connecting the PowerBright inverter may damage the
equipment or create hazardous conditions for users. Read the following
safety instructions and pay special attention to all Caution and Warning
statements in the guide.
Warnings identify conditions that may result in personal injury or loss of life.
Cautions identify conditions or practices that may damage the unit or other
equipment.
Warnings and Cautions
WARNING
Keep children away from the PowerBright inverter. The inverter generates the same
potentially lethal AC power as a normal household wall outlet.
WARNING: Temperature
The PowerBright inverter housing may become uncomfortably warm, reaching 140° F
(60° C) under extended high power operation. During operation, keep it away from
materials that may be affected by high temperatures.
Do not use the PowerBright inverter in the presence of flammable fumes or gases,
such as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near propane tanks. Do not use the
PowerBright inverter in an enclosure containing automotive-type, lead-acid batteries.
These batteries, unlike sealed batteries, vent explosive hydrogen gas, which can be
ignited by sparks from electrical connections.
WARNING: Shock hazard
Use caution when inserting an AC plug into the three-prong AC outlet. The prongs of
an AC plug can become bent from misuse. If an AC plug is improperly inserted into the
AC outlet, a bent prong can slip outside the inverter and become a shock hazard.
Grip the inverter carefully when inserting or removing an AC plug. Keep your fingers
clear of the AC outlet. Ensure that your fingers do not contact the prongs of an AC plug
when the plug is partially inside the inverter.
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CAUTION: Output non-sinusoidal
Some chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to
the PowerBright inverter. Do not use the inverter with the following appliances:
• Small battery-operated appliances like rechargeable flashlights, some rechargeable
shavers, and night lights that are plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
• Battery chargers used in hand power tools. These chargers display a warning label
stating that dangerous voltages are present at the charger battery terminals.
CAUTION
Do not connect live AC power to the PowerBright inverter’s AC outlets. This will
damage the inverter, and the damage is not covered by warranty. Do not connect any
AC load that has its neutral conductor connected to ground to the PowerBright
inverter.
Additional Safety Guidelines
• Do not insert foreign objects in the PowerBright inverter outlets or other
openings.
• Never connect the inverter to power utility AC distribution wiring.
• Do not use the PowerBright inverter in temperatures over 100° F (40° C).
• Do not expose the PowerBright inverter to water, rain, snow, or spray.
Failure to follow these safety guidelines may cause personal injury and/or
damage to the PowerBright inverter. It may also void your product warranty.
Safety Features
These advanced safety features are built into the PowerBright inverter:
• Electronic overload protection with automatic shutdown
• Low battery voltage shutdown
• High-input voltage protection with automatic shutdown
• Overheat protection with automatic shutdown
• Output short circuit protection.
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P A G E 6
Using the Inverter
The PowerBright inverter is capable of powering continuously most 120 V AC
products that use 130 W or less. The PowerBright inverter can also power or
charge most consumer electronics that have USB power ports.
The PowerBright inverter’s AC output waveform, called “modified sine wave,”
is designed to function similarly to the sine wave shape of utility power.
Using the DC Cable with Cigarette Lighter Plug and
airline adapter
1. Plug the DC cable into the DC cable port on the PowerBright inverter.
2. Insert the cigarette lighter plug into the 12 V outlet.
3. Plug the device you want to operate into the PowerBright inverter.
4. Press the ON/OFF button.
5. When the power inverter is not in use, unplug it from the 12 V outlet to
prevent slight discharge of the battery.
CAUTION: Reverse polarity damage
When plugging in the DC cable, ensure that the plug aligns with the DC cable port.
Failure to do so will result in reverse polarity and a blown fuse.
P A G E 7
PROBLEM: AC product will not operate, red FAULT light ON.
Possible cause Remedy
AC product(s) connected are rated Use a product with a power rating
at more than the inverter’s continuous less than the inverter’s continuous
power rating; overload shutdown has power rating.
occurred.
AC product is rated less than the Product exceeds inverter’s surge
inverter’s continuous power rating; capability. Use a product with starting
high starting surge has caused surge power within the inverter’s
overload shutdown. capability.
Battery is discharged. Recharge battery.
The inverter has overheated due to Unplug inverter from DC socket and
poor ventilation and has shut down. allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Remove objects covering unit. Move the
inverter to a cooler place.
Reduce load if continuous operation is
required. Restart.
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Inverter Operation
1. When properly connected to a 12 volt outlet, and when the ON/OFF switch is
in the ON position, the light will glow blue, indicating that the PowerBright
inverter is ready.
2. Plug the product(s) you want to operate into the AC outlet or USB port and
switch them on (if necessary)
Operating Guidelines
• As the battery is used, its voltage begins to fall. When the PowerBright
inverter senses that the voltage at its DC input has dropped to 10.5 V, the
inverter automatically shuts down and the light glows red, indicating a fault.
This prevents the battery from being damaged. Turn off any devices that the
PowerBright inverter is powering.
Important: Vehicle batteries are designed to provide brief periods of very high
current needed for engine starting. They are not intended for constant deep discharge.
Regularly operating the PowerBright inverter from a vehicle battery until low-voltage
shutdown occurs will shorten the life of the battery.
• If an AC product rated higher than 150 W is plugged into the PowerBright
inverter, the inverter will shut down. The red fault light comes on.
• If the PowerBright inverter exceeds a safe operating temperature, due to
insufficient ventilation or a high-temperature environment, it automatically
shuts down. The red fault light comes on.
• Should a defective battery charging system cause the battery voltage to rise
to dangerously high levels, the PowerBright inverter automatically shuts
down. The red fault light comes on.
• In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or overheating, the
PowerBright inverter automatically shuts down.
CAUTION
Although the PowerBright inverter incorporates protection against over-voltage, it may
still be damaged if the input voltage exceeds 16 V.
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Battery Operating Time
Operating time will vary depending on the charge level of the battery, its
capacity and the power level drawn by the particular AC load, USB load, or
combination of both. With a typical vehicle battery and a 130 W load, an
operating time of 2 to 2.5 hours or more can be expected.
When using a vehicle battery as a power source, it is strongly recommended
to start the vehicle every hour or two to recharge the battery before its
capacity drops too low. The PowerBright inverter can operate while the
engine is running, but the normal voltage drops that occurs during starting of
the engine may trigger the inverter’s low voltage shutdown feature.
Interference with Electronic Equipment
Generally, most AC products operate with the PowerBright inverter just as
they would with household AC power.
Below is information concerning two possible exceptions.
Buzzing sound in audio systems and radios
Some inexpensive stereo systems and AM-FM radios have inadequate
internal power supply filtering and “buzz” slightly when powered by the
PowerBright inverter. Generally, the only solution is an audio product with a
higher quality filter.
Television interference
The PowerBright inverter is shielded to minimize its interference with TV
signals. However, with weak TV signals interference may be visible in the
form of lines scrolling across the screen. The following should minimize or
eliminate the problem:
• Increase the distance between the PowerBright inverter and the TV,
antenna and cables.
• Adjust the orientation of the PowerBright inverter, television, antenna and
cables.
• Maximize TV signal strength by using a better antenna and use shielded
antenna cable where possible.
P A G E 10
Troubleshooting
PROBLEM: AC product will not operate, no inverter lights are ON.
Possible cause Remedy
Battery is defective. Check battery Loose connections. Check connections.
and replace if required.
PROBLEM: Measured inverter output is too low.
Possible cause Remedy
Standard “average reading” AC Inverter’s “modified sine wave”
voltmeter used to measure output output requires “true RMS” voltmeter
voltage, resulting in an apparent for accurate measurements.
reading 5 to 15 V too low.
Battery voltage is too low. Recharge battery.
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