CHEROKEETM
Titanium SST
Super Surge Technology
Model: TS-1500
1500 Watt
DC to AC Power Inverter
User's Manual
CherokeeTM Power Inverters
A Division of
Wireless Marketing Company
1212 Remington Rd.
Schaumburg, IL USA 60173
1
HOW TO USE YOUR
CHEROKEETM
Titanium SST
Model: TS-1500
1500 Watt
DC to AC Power Inverter
Introduction
3
How Your Power Inverter Works
4
Safety Information
5
Features
6
Installation
8
Operation
13
Applications and Limitations
14
Batteries and Alternators
15
About Power and Appliances
16
Low Battery Alarm
16
Do's and Don'ts
17
Troubleshooting
18
Glossary
20
Specifications
21
Warranty
22
If You Need Service
24
2
Introduction
CONGRATULATIONS .... You have just purchased one of the world's foremost DC to
AC Power Inverters, the Cherokee TM Titanium Super Surge Technology (SST) Model: TS-1500.
This technological wonder combines superior product quality with innovative circuitry and
advanced design that make it the premier power inverter available today. SST greatly
enhances the higher starting current applications where the power inverter can be used. To
maximize the life and use of your inverter, proper installation is critical. Make
sure that whoever does the installation reads the entire manual before starting the
installation.
Pay special attention to CAUTION and WARNING
statements:
CAUTION statements help avoid situations that could result in
damage to the power inverter or connected equipment.
WARNING statements alert you to avoid conditions that can cause
injury or loss of life.
PLEASE READ THE MANUAL
COMPLETELY BEFORE USING THE
POWER INVERTER.
3
How Your Power Inverter Works
A Power Inverter is an electronic product that is designed to convert the 12
volts of direct current (DC) usually from a battery into 120 volts of alternating current
(AC). This conversion enables the use of household products and power tools away from the
normal AC power sources (wall outlets). Suddenly cars, trucks, boats and other vehicles
can use TV's and other appliances like microwave ovens. Lighting and tools can be used in
remote locations.
The conversion process first changes the 12 volts DC to a much higher DC
voltage. The high DC voltage is then outputted in a forward and then in a reverse
direction. The output wave form is called a modified sine wave because it mimics the
normal AC voltage but does not exactly match.
Since power comes from the product of current and voltage, even a small AC
appliance that requires only a few amperes of AC current will draw a large DC current from
your battery. Remember to use the cables that come with the power inverter.
The vast majority of appliances and power tools have no problems with the
modified sine wave current. However, some DC chargers, a few TV's and VCR'S, and some
compressor-driven products require a pure sine wave for proper operation. Sine wave power
inverters are available. Please consult your appliances' operation manual and call us at
1-800-259-0959 if you need assistance.
4
Safety Information
The Power Inverter must be connected ONLY to batteries or power sources that
have a normal output voltage of positive 12 volts DC. Do not use a 6-volt or 24 volt
battery as a source of power.
WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL THE POWER INVERTER IN A POSITIVE GROUND DC
SYSTEM.
To identify a positive ground system, look for the positive (+) terminal of the
battery to be connected to the chassis of the vehicle or to a central grounding point.
WARNING: DO NOT PLACE THE INVERTER ANYWHERE NEAR FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES.
Fumes and/or gases that could come into contact with the inverter could cause an
explosion and/or fire that could result in injury or possible death.
WARNING: ALWAYS TAKE CARE WHEN WORKING WITH ELECTRICITY.
The human body does not respond well to electricity. It is best to keep a
healthy respect of electrical energy. Use insulated tools for installation.
WARNING: In RV and Marine systems, always disconnect the AC output of
the power inverter before connecting another AC power source such as household current or
a generator.
Failure to disconnect will destroy the power inverter and start a fire.
Caution: Observe the correct battery polarities.
Reversed connections will permanently damage the power inverter.
Caution: Check and recheck that the battery connection cables are
tightened.
The connections can work loose. Loose connections generate heat and will melt
the terminals.
5
Features
(Front Panel)
- ON/OFF Power switch: This switch turns the output of the power
inverter ON or OFF. Note: Even in OFF position the power
inverter draws a small amount of current from the battery.
- OVER TEMPerature Indicator: When lit, the temperature of the
internal circuitry has risen above 150 F. The power inverter will shut off when this light
comes on. Turn OFF and let the power inverter cool.
- OVER LOAD Indicator: When lit, indicates that the device
connected to the power inverter needs more than 1500 watts to operate. The power inverter
will shut off when this light comes on. Turn OFF and remove the overloading device.
- BATTERY Voltage and Current Indicator Meters: Indicate the level
of the DC input voltage and the input current (amps.) that are being drawn.
- Dual AC Outlets: Designed to the North American Standard, they
provide the ability to connect two separate devices. Please note that the combined
required wattage must not exceed the capacity of the inverter.
(Back Panel)
6
- Battery Cable Connection Posts (+ and -): Allows for the connection of the cables
from the power to battery of the vehicle that is supplying the power.
Caution: Be careful to observe the correct polarities. Red is for positive
(+). Black is for negative (-).
- High Speed Cooling Fan: Allows for the cooling of the internal circuitry of the
power inverter.
Note: The Fan is thermostatically controlled. The fan will not turn on
until the power inverter is hot.
- Earth/Chassis Ground Terminal: Allows for the grounding of the metal chassis for
proper permanent installation. When connecting, use an 8 AWG cable or larger.
- Power Cables: One set of 4 AWG cables with battery clips is supplied to attach to
the battery for temporary installation. Please refer to the Installation section.
- Over and Under Voltage Protection: Automatically shuts the power inverter off
when the input battery voltage exceeds 14.7 volts or drops below 10.5 volts.
- Thermal Protection: Automatically shuts the power inverter when internal
temperature rises above 150 F.
- Overload Protection: Automatically shuts off the power inverter when the load
exceeds the continuous capacity: 1500 Watts.
- Short Circuit Protection: Automatically shuts off the power inverter when the
output is shorted.
7
Installation
A) Selecting. the Battery Power Source:
The input power source you are connecting to the power inverter must have a minimum
voltage of 10.5 volts to a maximum of 14.5 volts DC. The power source most likely
will be a combination a vehicle's battery and alternator (when the vehicle's motor is
running).
WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL THE POWER INVERTER IN A POSITIVE GROUND DC
SYSTEM.
The 1500 Watts that your power inverter is capable of supplying requires 150
amperes of input current. This means that in order to avoid draining the battery, the
alternator must be able to provide at least 150 amps. Most passenger car and small truck
alternators are not this large. Large over-the-road truck alternators are 200 amps or
larger.
CAUTION: The power inverter must be connected ONLY to batteries
or power sources that have a normal or average voltage of 12 volts. The power inverter
will not operate from a 6 volt or a 24 volt power source.
B) Placement of the Power Inverter:
Placement of the inverter is important for maximizing the usefulness and life of
the power inverter. For the best results, the inverter should be placed on a sturdy, flat
surface.
Note: The power inverter can be mounted in any position: vertical, horizontal,
upright or inverted.
Consider the following criteria when choosing a permanent location:
- Ventilation: Make sure there is at least one inch of clearance around the power
inverter for maximum airflow. This is especially important when permanent mounting is
being considered. Do not place objects on or over the power inverter during use. Air must
be able to circulate. The built-in cooling fan (thermostatically controlled to turn on
when needed) provides cooling, but must have sufficient open space to operate properly. In
the event that internal temperature exceeds 150 F, the power inverter will automatically
shut off.
8
- Dry: Keep liquids, water or any other type of wet substance away from the power
inverter. When choosing a permanent location, stay away from spill areas.
- Cool: Best operating temperature range is between 45 and 85 F. Do not place the
power inverter in a location that could be affected by a heating duct or any other heat
source that would increase the normal operating temperature of the power inverter.
- Safety: Do not place the inverter near flammable substances!!! Fumes and gases
could cause and explosion or fire that would result in severe damage and possible death.
C) Cables Connecting the Inverter to the Battery:
Your choice of cable is the single most important factor in the proper operation
of the power inverter. It does not pay to purchase low-cost inexpensive cables and expect
good performance.
Your power inverter comes with #4 AWG stranded copper wire with good quality
insulation. The insulation of the wire from the negative terminal of the battery should be
black in color that is the most common color for the negative terminal in vehicles. The
insulation of the wire from the positive terminal of the battery should be red or orange
in color.
The size of the ground wire from the chassis of the vehicle to the ground lug of
the power inverter should be no smaller than #8 AWG stranded wired with good quality
installation.
Remember to mount the power inverter as close as possible to the battery to give
best performance.
9
D) Grounding the Inverter:
The power inverter has a screw-on lug on the rear panel called "Earth
Ground." This terminal allows the inverter to be connected to a proper grounding
point to insure proper operation. The source for the grounding point will vary, depending
on where the inverter will be installed. Examples of grounding locations:
| Installed Location |
Where to Ground |
| Vehicle |
Directly to Chassis |
| Boat |
Directly to the Boat's Grounding System |
| Open or Fixed Location |
Directly to Earth |
It is important to ground the inverter, as the Neutral (Common)
conductor of the power inverter's AC output is connected directly to the chassis ground.
Once the power inverter is properly grounded, then the AC output circuit is also properly
grounded. This is required to conform to electrical code regulations.
WARNINGS:
- DO NOT INSTALL THE POWER INVERTER IN A POSITIVE GROUND DC SYSTEM.
To identify a positive ground system, look for the positive (+) terminal of the
battery connected to the chassis of the vehicle or to a central grounding point.
- DO NOT OPERATE THE POWER INVERTER WITHOUT GROUNDING PROPERLY. SEVERE
ELECTRICAL SHOCK MAY RESULT.
E) Fusing:
The power inverter has internal fuses for protection. However, we urge the use
of an additional fuse in series with the positive wire as close to the battery as
possible. This will prevent a fire in case the insulation of the wire is cracked and
shorts to the vehicle chassis.
The recommended fuse size is one-tenth of the capacity of the power inverter:
150 Amp fuse for the 1500-watt power inverter. Large fuses can usually be purchased at
building supply stores.
10
F) Connecting to the Power Source:
At full power of 1500 watts, the power inverter will be drawing 130 amps from
the chosen power source. The usual power source is a battery (or group of batteries) which
is recharged by an alternator driven by an engine. Other sources of recharging such as
wind or solar power is possible but requires careful design.
- Make sure the power switch on the inverter is turned off and no liquids are near.
- Make sure the inverter is properly grounded.
- Insert the stranded wire ends of the supplied cable to their respective terminals
on the power inverter. Black cable goes into the (-) negative post and the other color
(yellow/orange/red) cable goes into the (+) positive post. Tighten the screws securely to
hold the cables in place. Do not over-tighten and damage the wire. Note: Please re-tighten
regularly (once a week) to insure good connection. Loose connections will generate heat
and melt the connections.
- Connect the black cable from the negative (-) terminal of the power inverter to
the negative terminal of the power source. A firm, secure connection here is very
important, as loosely tightened connections will result in excessive voltage drop and may
cause overheated wires and melted insulation.
- At this point, make sure that you have properly connected the negative terminal
of the inverter to the negative terminal of the power source.
WARNING: REVERSING THE POLARITY CONNECTIONS WILL CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE
POWER INVERTER.
- Connect the cable from the positive terminal of the inverter to the positive
output terminal of the power source. It is important to make a secure connection.
WARNING: You may observe a small spark when you make this connection since
current may flow from the power source and charge the capacitors in the inverter. Make
sure that no flammable liquids, or fumes, as an explosion may result.
- Turn the POWER switch to the ON position. The BATTERY indicators should come on.
Since the fan is thermostatically controlled, it will not come on until the power inverter
is very warm to the touch.
- Turn the POWER switch to OFF. The BATTERY indicators will go off and an internal
alarm may sound. The internal circuitry is resetting itself for the next operation.
12
Operation
- Plug the AC power cord of the item to be powered by the power inverter into one
of the AC outlets. Make sure the power of the connected product is turned OFF.
Important: If two products are to be powered, make sure that the total wattage does
not exceed the total capacity of the power inverter.
- Turn ON the power inverter.
- Now turn on your connected product. If you have two products connected, make sure
that you turn them on separately. This will insure that the power inverter does not have
to deliver the "peak" start-up power to two units at the same time.
13
Applications and Limitations
The TS-1500 will operate most AC products that fall within its power rating of
1500 Watts. In the event that you accidentally overload the power inverter, it will
automatically shut down, protected by the built-in overload circuitry. Once the overload
is removed, the inverter will resume normal operation.
Most electronic products have a power consumption rating label that rates the
power needs in either watts or amps. If the rating is given in amps, multiply the amps
rating by 100 to find the wattage. If more than one product is to be powered, add the
wattage requirements of both units. The total must not exceed the capacity of the power
inverter.
If you plan to use the TS-1500 to power a microwave oven, please remember that
the commonly advertised rating for a microwave refers to the "Cooking Power"
delivered to the food. The electrical power required is usually twice the cooking power.
Only microwaves that draw less than 1500 watts will work with this inverters. Most small
microwaves rated at 600 watts or less cooking power will work well.
Some induction motors used in refrigerators, freezers, pumps and other motor
operated equipment require very high surge currents to start operating. Even with the new
Super Surge Technology (SST), the TS-1500 may not be able to start some of these motors,
even though the steady-state rated current drain is lower than the capacity of the
inverter.
If a motor refuses to start, observe the battery voltage while trying to start
the motor. If the battery voltage drops below 11 volts, this may be the cause. Make sure
the battery connections are good and that the battery is fully charged. If the voltage
drops below 11 volts, a larger battery may be needed.
Modified Sine Wave
The AC output voltage simulates the AC power available in the wall outlets of
your home. The output is called "modified" because it is not exactly like normal
AC power. While the vast majority of products will accept this type of power, some TV's,
small product charger's, computers, etc. require true Sine Wave power. Sine Wave power
inverters are available. Please call us at 1-800-259-0959 for more information.
14
About Batteries and Alternators
Batteries that are installed in vehicles store energy developed by a running
engine and alternator to be used in starting the vehicle. The battery instantly delivers
the heavy current to start the engine. After starting, the alternator recharges the
battery for the next starting cycle.
Normal batteries are not designed to provide smaller currents over long periods
of time. This is the reason that we recommend that after 20 minutes of operating a power
inverter, start the engine to recharge the battery and keep the engine and alternator
running to power the power inverter.
The power inverter can be used either while the engine is running or turned off.
However, the power inverter may not operate while the engine is starting, since the
battery voltage can drop substantially during start-up.
Deep cycle marine and RV batteries as well as golf cart batteries are designed
specially for providing power over longer periods of time. These types of batteries are
recommended if the power inverter is to be used for long periods as an alternative to
regular AC power.
Many alternative power systems use solar or wind generators to recharge
batteries to power the power inverter. Please remember that these sources of power as
usually very low current. It could take days of charging for only short periods of use.
15
About Power and Appliances
Electrical power is measured in watts. One thousand watts is a kilowatt. Power
is the product (multiplication) of the voltage (120 volts AC) and the current required
(amperes).
For example an appliance that needs 10 amps of current is asking for 1200 watts
of power (10 times 120).
The 1500-watt power inverter is capable of providing 1500 divided by 120 = 12.5
amperes of AC current.
Therefore, the total requirement for appliances to be powered simultaneously is
1500 watts or 12.5 amperes.
Low Battery Alarm
Built into the power inverter is an alarm that will sound when the voltage drops
to 10.5 volts. Use of the power inverter should stop, as the power inverter will
automatically shut down when the voltage drops to around 10 volt, preventing potential
damage to the battery and allowing enough current to restart the engine.
16
Do's and Don'ts
Do's
Do use either the cables that came with the power inverter or alternative
thicker diameter cables.
Always ground the chassis of the power inverter to the proper grounding point
(chassis or central grounding point) of the vehicle.
Securely mount the power inverter to a secure surface when permanently mounting
the power inverter.
Use a fuse in series with the positive (+) wire as close to the battery as
possible. Take care not to damage the insulation of the cables.
Don'ts
Don't overload the inverter.
Don't use 6 or 24-Volt batteries.
Don't use small diameter cables.
Don't operate near fumes.
Don't drop the inverter.
Don't parallel the output of two power inverters.
Don't allow the power inverter to get wet.
Don't use a wet power inverter or wet cables.
17
Troubleshooting
Common problems
BUZZ IN AUDIO SYSTEMS
Some inexpensive stereo systems and boom boxes will emit a buzzing sound from their
loudspeakers when operated from an inverter. This is caused by the power supply in the
stereo system not adequately filtering the modified sine wave power from the power
inverter. The only possible solution is purchasing an inexpensive AC line filter.
TELEVISION INTERFERENCE
The power inverter is shielded and filtered to minimize interference with TV
signals. In some cases, particularly with weak signals in remote areas, some interference
may still be visible. Try the following measures:
- Position the power inverter as far away from the television, antenna and antenna
cable.
- Adjust the orientation of the power inverter, television power cord and antenna
cables to minimize interference.
- Make sure that the antenna feeding the television provides an adequate
(snow-free) signal and that the antenna cables are shielded.
Problem: Lack of AC Power Output
