OWNER’S MANUAL
Power Inverter PI-140
Converts DC Battery Power to
AC Household Power
CAUTION:
Read all Safety Rules and Operating Instructions,
and follow them with each use of this product.
Schumacher Electric Corporation
Mount Prospect, IL 60056 U.S.A.
Send Warranty Product Repairs to:
Customer Service Returns
P.O. Box 280, 1025 E. Thompson
Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280
Questions? Call Customer Service: 1-800-621-5485
00-99-000666/0606
BEfORE USINg PI-140 POWER INvERTER
It is important to know the continuous wattage of the device
you plan to use with the inverter. The PI-140 must be used
with devices drawing 140 watts or less. If the wattage is not
marked on the device, an estimate can be made by multiply-
ing the AC input current (Amps) by the AC voltage (110V).
Devices like TVs, fans or electric motors require additional
power to start (commonly known as the “starting or peak
power”). The PI-140 can supply a momentary surge in watt-
age; however even devices rated less than the maximum 140
watts can exceed the inverters surge capability and cause
an automatic overload shutdown.
Make sure the device you are using is compatible with a
modified sine wave inverter.
OPERATINg INSTRUCTIONS
1. Push the PI-140 firmly into the 12V accessory outlet. The
LED indicator light should glow GREEN verifying the
inverter is receiving power. (If connecting in a vehicle,
remove the cigarette lighter from its outlet.)
2. Make sure that the device to be operated is turned
OFF.
ꢀ. Plug the device into the PI-140 AC outlet.
4. Turn the device on. If the LED Indicator briefly blinks
ꢀ
when you first plug the inverter in, it is a sign that there
is a short circuit within the power supply. Remove the
12-volt plug from the 12-volt accessory outlet. Firmly
reinsert the plug. If this does not remedy the problem,
try using a different 12-volt accessory power outlet.
NOTE: A ‘’buzzing’’ sound emitted from inexpensive
sound systems is the result of ineffective filters in the
sound system. This can be resolved by purchasing a
sound system with a higher quality power supply or
higher quality filter.
POWER SOURCE
Your average automobile or marine battery at full charge
will provide an ample power supply to the inverter for ap-
proximately ꢀ hours when the engine is off. The actual length
of time the inverter will function depends on the age and
condition of the battery and the power demand being placed
by the device being operated with the inverter.
Turn OFF the device plugged into the inverter before starting
the engine. To maintain battery power, run the engine every
2 to ꢀ hours for approximately 10 minutes to recharge the
battery. While the PI-140 draws very low amperage when not
in use, it should be unplugged to avoid battery drain.
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USAgE EXAMPLES
Device Type
Estimate Wattage
10 watts
Cell Phones, MP ꢀ Players
Portable CD
50 watts
Laptop Computers
Video Games
90 watts
100 watts
LED INDICATOR AND OvERLOAD PROTECTION
The LED glows GREEN automatically when plugged into
a 12V DC source and will not glow under the following
conditions:
1. When the power input from the vehicle’s battery drops
to approximately 10 volts, low battery shutdown occurs
and inverter shuts off.
2. When the power input the vehicle’s battery exceeds
15 volts, high voltage overload protections occurs.
ꢀ. The continuous load demand from the equipment or
device being operated exceeds 140 watts.
4. The case temperature becomes hot (exceeds 145°F).
Reset:
To reset after shutdown occurs, check the source of the
problem and correct. Reinsert the inverter into the 12V ac-
cessory outlet.
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TROUBLESHOOTINg
PROBLEM: Low or No Output voltage
Reason/Solution
1. Poor contact at terminals.
Unplug and reinsert PI-140.
2. Equipment being operated is drawing too much
power.
Use a higher capacity inverter or do not use the
device.
ꢀ. Inverter is too hot (thermal shut down).
Allow inverter to cool. Check for adequate ventila-
tion. Reduced the load on the inverter to rated
continuous power output.
4. fuse blows.
A blown fuse is usually caused by reverse polarity
or a short circuit within the device being operated.
To replace:
• Disconnect the device immediately.
• Find the source of the problem, and repair it.
• Install a new 15-amp fuse. Do not tighten the fuse
cap too far; finger tight is sufficient.
NOTE: Installing a fuse higher than 15-amps may
cause damage to the inverter.
5. Inverter may be defective.
See warranty and call Customer Service 800-621-
5485 (Hours: 7 a.m. – 4:ꢀ0 p.m. CST).
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SPECIfICATIONS
Maximum Continuous Power ..............................140 Watts
Surge Capacity (Peak Power).............................280 Watts
No Load Current Draw .......................................<0.2 Amps
Wave Form..........................................Modified Sine Wave
Input Voltage Range................................. 10.5 – 15.5V DC
Low Battery Alarm........................................................ N/A
Output Voltage ............................................ 110 – 125V AC
Low Battery Shutdown.............................9.9V – 10.8V DC
High Battery Shutdown .......................... 15.0V – 16.0V DC
Optimum Efficiency ....................................................>85%
AC Receptacles.............................One, NEMA 5-15 (USA)
Dimensions..........................................5”H x 2.5”W x 1.5”D
Product Weight................................ Approximately .45 lbs.
AC Outlets...............................................110V AC ꢀ-Prong
Fuse.............................................................15 Amp (250V)
REPLACEMENT PARTS
fuse - 15 Amp (250v)
Can be purchased at most electronic component retailers.
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LIMITED WARRANTy
Schumacher Electric Corporation warrants your inverter to be free
from defects in material and workmanship, excepting abuse or mis-
use, for a period of two years from the date of sale to the original
user or consumer purchaser. If your inverter malfunctions or fails
within the 24-month warranty period because of a defect in material
or workmanship, we will repair it without charge or replace it.
This warranty is in lieu of all other express warranties. The duration
of any implied warranty, including but not limited to, any implied
warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
made in respect to your unit, is limited to the period of the express
warranty set forth above.
For warranty service, return your inverter as well as proof of
purchase to the factory or a designated agent:
Schumacher Electric Corporation,
Warranty Service Department
1025 E. Thompson, P.O. Box 280,
Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280
Phone: 800-621-5485 (Hours: 7 a.m. - 4:ꢀ0 p.m. CST)
You will be responsible for all insurance and freight or other trans-
portation charges to the factory or point of repair. We will return
your inverter freight prepaid if repair is covered under warranty.
Your inverter should be properly packed to avoid damage in transit
since we will not be responsible for any such damage.
In no event shall Schumacher Electric Corporation be liable for
consequential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on
the length of the implied warranty or the exclusion or limitations of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights and you may also have other rights which may vary
from state to state.
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