Item NIN40003
400 Watt Power Inverter
For Technical Questions, Call: 800-837-5994
5. OPERATING THE INVERTER
Operation of the USB Charging Port
1. Connect the inverter to a functioning 12V DC power source as described in
this instruction manual. If using the 12V DC vehicle accessory adapter,
rotate the vehicle accessory plug slightly to make sure there is good
contact. Make sure there is adequate space for proper inverter ventilation.
• Plug the USB-powered device into the inverter's USB charging port and
operate normally.
NOTE: This unit’s USB charging port does not support data
communication. It only provides 5V / 2.1A DC power to an external
USB-powered device. Remember to disconnect the inverter from any
power source when not in use.
NOTE: Not all mobile phones are provided with a charging cable; they are
normally data cables which are not supported by this device. Please check
with your mobile phone manufacturer for the correct charging cable.
Connecting the Power Inverter
CAUTION: The Power Inverter must only be connected to a battery
that has a nominal output of 12V. It will not operate if connected to a 6V
battery and may be damaged if connected to a battery with 16V or more.
You must use the battery clips that are provided with the unit to connect to
a 12V battery if you are going to operate the inverter with loads greater than
100W continuously. When the inverter is connected this way, you can
operate loads of any size up to 400W continuously.
CAUTION: REVERSE POLARITY DAMAGE
Power connections of the 12V DC battery to the Power Inverter must be
positive to positive and negative to negative. A reverse polarity connection
(positive to negative) will blow a fuse in the inverter and may permanently
damage the unit. Damage caused by a reverse polarity connections is not
covered by your warranty.
CAUTION: Make sure you connect red cable to positive port (+) and
black cable to negative port (-), and make sure the cables rings are securely
fastened to the terminals.
Choosing a Location
For best performance, place the inverter on a at surface in a location that is:
DRY Do not expose the inverter to water, rain, snow or spray.
COOL Operate the inverter in ambient temperature between
32°F and 104°F (0°C and 40°C). Keep it away from
heating vents and direct sunlight.
WELL‐VENTILATED For proper cooling, allow at least 2” (5 cm) of clearance
around the inverter.
CLEAN / FREE OF Choose a location that is free of any debris that could get
DUST AND DIRT into the inverter.
SAFE Do not install the inverter in a compartment with batteries or
ammable liquids, such as gasoline, or explosive vapours.
1. Place the inverter on a at surface such as the oor of your vehicle.
2. Make sure that the unit is off by verifying no LEDs are glowing.
3. TO POWER LOAD UNDER 100W:
Take DC cable with the lighter plug, connect the cable rings to the terminals
on the back of the inverter.
TO POWER LOAD OVER 100W:
Take the DC cable with battery clamps, connect the cable rings to the
terminals on the back of the inverter. See Figure 1.
4. Place the lighter plug in the vehicle’s lighter socket or 12V outlet or fasten
the positive (red) clamp to the positive battery post, and then fasten the
negative (black) clamp to the negative battery post.
5. Turn the unit ON by pressing the switch located on bottom of the unit.
LED indicator will turn green, showing that the unit is ON.
6. Plug in the AC product you want to operate.
7. When not in use, always turn the inverter OFF by pushing the switch until
the LED indicator turns OFF.
WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD
Batteries contain corrosive materials and present an electrical shock hazard.
To prevent irritation and burns, wear protective eyewear and clothing when you
install the inverter or work with the batteries. Take special care to ensure that
metal tools and personal metal objects like ring and bracelets do not contact
the battery terminals.
Inverter Operation
When you connect the inverter to the vehicle’s lighter socket or directly to a
12V battery and turn on the unit, the LEDs will illuminate and AC power is
available at the outlets. You can now plug in your AC products and turn them
on one at a time. Plug the device(s) that you wish to operate into the AC outlet,
and switch the device(s) on (if necessary).
Operating Guidelines
• As the battery is used, its voltage will begin to fall. When the Power Inverter
determines that the voltage at its DC input has dropped to 10 ‐11V, the
inverter will automatically shut down and the light will glow red, indicating a
fault. This prevents the battery from being damaged. If this occurs, turn off
any devices that are being powered by the Power Inverter.
IMPORTANT: Vehicle batteries are designed to provide brief periods of
very high current needed for engine starting. They are not designed to
handle constant deep discharge. Operating the Power Inverter from a
vehicle battery regularly, until low‐voltage shutdown occurs, will shorten the
life of the battery.
• If an AC device that is rated higher than 400W is plugged into the
Power
Inverter, the inverter will shut down, and the red fault light will come on.
• If the power Inverter exceeds a safe operating temperature due to
insufcient ventilation or a high‐temperature environment, it will
automatically shut down, and the red fault light will come on.
• If a defective battery charging system causes the battery voltage to rise to
dangerously high levels, the power Inverter will automatically shut down,
and the red fault light will come on.
CAUTION: Although the Power Inverter provides protection against
over‐voltage, it may still be damaged if the input voltage exceeds 16V. In the
event of an overload, low battery voltage, or overheating, the Power Inverter
will automatically shut down.
CAUTION: To prevent overheating, ensure that all the ventilation
openings on the unit are kept clear.
CAUTION: Although the Inverter can supply momentary surge power
up to 800W, some appliances may exceed the capabilities of the Inverter
and trigger the safety overload shutdown circuit. This shutdown is
intermittent. It will automatically restart, then shutdown like a ashlight.
We recommend you to check the output of your appliance.
CAUTION: The ideal conditions to operate the unit is when the
ambient temperature is around 77°F (25°C), this will help to prevent an
overheat shutdown caused by high temperatures.
Battery Operating Time
Operating time will vary depending on the charge level and capacity of the
battery and the power level that is being drawn by the particular AC load. An
operating time of 4 to 5 hours or more can be expected with a typical vehicle
battery and a 400W load. When using a vehicle’s battery as a power source, it
is strongly recommended that the vehicle be started every hour to two in order
to recharge the battery before its capacity drops too low. The Power Inverter
can operate while the engine is running, but the normal voltage drop that
occurs when the engine is started may trigger the inverter’s low voltage
shutdown feature.
Interference with Electronic Equipment
Most AC devices operate with the Power Inverter just as they would with
household AC power. Two possible exceptions are described below:
Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems and Radios
Some inexpensive stereo systems and AM‐FM radios have inadequate internal
power supply ltering, and may buzz slightly when powered by the Power
Inverter. Generally, the only solution is to use an audio device that has a higher
quality lter.
Television Interference
The Power Inverter is shielded in order to minimize its interference with
television signals. However, in the case of weak TV signals, interference may
be visible in the form of lines scrolling across the screen. The following actions
should minimize or eliminate the problem:
• Increase the distance between the Power Inverter and the TV, antenna and
cables.
• Adjust the orientation of the Power Inverter and the television, antenna and
cables.
• Maximize the TV signal strength by using a better antenna, using shielded
antenna cable whenever possible.
6. TROUBLESHOOTING
POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY
PROBLEM: AC product will not operate, no inverter lights are on.
Battery is defective. Check battery and replace if required.
Loose connections. Check connections.
PROBLEM: Measured inverter output is too low.
Battery voltage is too low. Recharge battery.
PROBLEM: The AC device will not operate and the red fault light is on.
Connected AC devices are rated Use a device that has a power rating
at more than the inverter’s continuous that is less than the inverter’s
power rating; an overload shutdown continuous power rating.
has occurred.
The AC device's starting power ratings The AC device's starting power
is higher than inverter's surge power ratings must be lower than inverter's
ratings; an overload shutdown occurs surge power ratings.
because of higher starting surge power.
The battery is discharged. Recharge the battery.
The inverter has overheated due to Unplug the inverter from the DC
poor ventilation, and has shut down. socket, and allow it to cool
for 15 minutes. Remove any objects
that may be covering the inverter.
Move the inverter to a cooler place.
Reduce the load if continuous
operation is required. Restart.
7. SPECIFICATIONS
Specications are subject to change without notice.
AC OUTPUT VOLTAGE (NOMINAL) 115V AC
USB OUTPUT 5V/2.1A
DC INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE 11 ‐15V DC
MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS AC OUTPUT POWER 400W
MAXIMUM AC OUTPUT SURGE POWER 800W
AC OUTPUT FREQUENCY 60+/‐1 HZ
AC OUTPUT WAVEFORM WAVE MODIFIED SINE WAVE
NO LOAD CURRENT DRAW ≤ 0.3A (AT 12V INPUT)
EFFICIENCY (MAXIMUM) >85%
AMBIENT OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE 32 ‐104°F (0 ‐40°C)
LOW VOLTAGE ALARM 10.5 - 11.0V
LOW VOLTAGE SHUTDOWN 10.0 - 11.0V
HIGH VOLTAGE SHUTDOWN 15.0 - 16.3V
DIMENSIONS (L X W X H) 7.9" x 4.0" x 2.1"
201 x 102 x 53 MM
WEIGHT 1.37 LB (0.62KG)
Failure to follow these safety guidelines may result
in personal injury and/or the damage to the unit. It
may also void the warranty.
Figure 1
Connecting the
Inverter to DC
cable with
lighter plug.
rev. 091112
WARRANTY
POWERSTATION, LLC WARRANTS TO ITS CUSTOMERS THAT THE COMPANY’S
NOS® BRANDED PRODUCTS ARE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN WORKMANSHIP AND
MATERIALS.
PowerStation, LLC will repair or replace its NOS®branded products which fail to
give satisfactory service due to defective workmanship or materials, based upon the
terms and conditions of the following described warranty plans attributed to that
specic product. This product carries a ONE-YEAR warranty. During this warranty
period, PowerStation, LLC will repair or replace at our option any part or unit which
proves to be defective in material or workmanship.
Other Important Warranty Information:
This warranty does not cover damage to equipment or tools arising from alteration,
abuse, misuse, damage and does not cover any repairs or replacement made by
anyone other than PowerStation, LLC. The foregoing obligation is PowerStation,
LLCs’ sole liability under this or any implied warranty and under no circumstances
shall we be liable for any incidental or consequential damages.
Note: Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
If you have any questions about warranty service, please contact PowerStation, LLC.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
PowerStation, LLC
800-837-5994
Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm EST
P.O. Box 1203
Travelers Rest, South Carolina 29690
NOS®and the NOS®logo are
registered trademarks of Holley
Performance Products Inc.
