MSI120C 120W Power Inverter - Owner's Guide
General Safety Rules
WARNING: Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
- Avoid dangerous environments. Don't use appliances in damp or wet locations. Don't use appliances in the rain. Keep away from children.
- Store the inverter carefully when not in use. When not in use, appliances should be stored indoors in a high and dry locked area - out of reach of children.
- Use the inverter for its intended purpose ONLY. Do not overload the inverter. Trying to power an appliance that draws wattage larger than inverter's capability will result in damage to the inverter.
- Use the right appliance. Do not use the appliance for any job except that for which it is intended.
- Disconnect appliances. Disconnect the appliance from inverter when not in use.
- Proper cooling is essential when operating the inverter. Do not place the unit near the vehicle's heat vent or in direct sunlight.
- Use of accessories and attachments. Do not use any accessories or attachments that are not recommended to use with your appliance. The result could be hazardous and damage the unit.
Safety Guidelines: Definitions
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, if you don't follow the guidances on the manual or ignore the safety alert symbol and keep in use, may result in injury or property damage.
General Warnings and Cautions
WARNING: Keep away from WATER, FIRE and SMOKE!
CAUTION: The inverter has protection functions such as over input voltage shut off, low input voltage shut off, over heating self-lock, overload self-lock and short circuit protection. The red LED indicator will light up when any protection functions are activated.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
For safe and optimum performance, the inverter must be installed and used properly. Carefully read and follow the guidelines in this guide and pay special attention to the Caution and Warning statements.
CAUTION: Instructions provide information that could damage your inverter or equipment connected to it.
WARNING: Instructions provide information on conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life. Avoid dangerous environments. Don't use appliances in damp or wet locations. Don't use appliances in the rain.
WARNING: Shock hazard! Keep away from children.
WARNING: The inverter produces the same potentially lethal 110V/AC power as a normal household outlets. It is suggested that you treat it as normal 110V/AC outlet.
WARNING: The case of the unit may become very warm under high power operation, reaching 140°F. Be sure that there is at least 2" of unobstructed air space around the entire surface of the inverter at all times. During use, do not place materials that could be damaged by heat near the unit.
WARNING: Do not operate the unit near flammable fumes or gases such as the cabin of a gasoline power boat or near propane tanks.
WARNING: Do not operate the unit in an enclosed area that contains lead-acid batteries for automotive use. This type of battery emits explosive hydrogen gas which can be ignited by sparks.
WARNING: Always make all AC connections before making DC connections, or the components built into the inverter can become energized, producing an electrical shock hazard. Never work on the AC wiring without first physically disconnecting the DC connections.
CAUTION: Do not connect the unit to live AC power circuits, or there would be damage to the inverter. Do not connect any AC device which has its neutral conductor connected to ground to the unit.
CAUTION: Some chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the unit.
CAUTION: Do not use the unit on the following items:
- Small battery-operated appliances such as flashlights, razors, and night lights. Those should be plugged directly into an AC outlet to recharge.
- Certain battery chargers for battery packs used in hand power tools. These chargers will have a warning label indicating that dangerous voltages are present at the battery terminals.
CAUTION: When connecting the inverter to a 12V battery, your inverter works properly under input voltage 11V to 15V.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
- Do not put anything on the unit outlets, vents, or fan openings.
- Do not expose the unit to rain, water, or any other liquids.
- Do not connect the unit to any utility power distribution systems or branch circuits.
- Do not use the inverter in temperatures over 104°F or under 32°F.
- Failure to follow these safety guidelines will result in personal injury and/or damage to the unit. It may also void the warranty.
Features
The inverter features a removable smartphone holder at the top. Below this are the AC socket, a USB port, and a USB-C™ port. A power/fault indicator light is also present, along with a 12-Volt DC plug cable for connection to a vehicle's power outlet.
- 1. Removable Smartphone holder
- 2. AC socket
- 3. USB and USB-C™ ports
- 4. Power/fault indicator
- 5. 12-Volt DC plug cable
Operating Tips
The inverter should only be operated in locations that are:
- a. Dry: Do not allow water or other liquids to come into contact with the inverter.
- b. Cool: Surrounding air temperature should ideally be 32°F and 104°F. Keep the inverter away from direct sunlight, when possible.
- c. Well-Ventilated: Keep the area surrounding the inverter clear to ensure free air circulation around the unit. Do not place items on or over the inverter during operation. The unit will shut down if the internal temperature gets too hot. The inverter will auto-reset after it cools down.
- d. Safe: Do not use the inverter near flammable materials or in any locations that may accumulate flammable fumes or gases. This is an electrical appliance that can briefly spark when electrical connections are made or broken.
Please find the continuous output power of your inverter below.
MSI120C: Continuous output 120W / Surge power 240W
Helpful formulas:
- To convert AMPS to WATTS: AMPS x VOLTS = WATTS
- To convert WATTS to AMPS: WATTS ÷ VOLTS = AMPS
When you turn on an appliance or a tool that operates using a motor or tubes, it requires an initial surge of power to start up. This surge of power is referred to as the "starting load" or "peak load". Once started, the tool or appliance requires less power to continue to operate. This is referred to as the "continuous load" in terms of power requirements.
You will need to determine how much power your tool or appliance requires to start up and its continued running power requirements.
Most often the start-up load of the appliance or power tool determines whether your inverter has the capability to power it.
Your inverter can be used to operate personal electronics as below:
| Appliance | Watt |
|---|---|
| Cellular phone | 3 watts |
| Tablet | 15 watts |
| Glue Gun | 20 watts |
| 7" DVD player | 48 watts |
| Laptop | 60 - 100 watts |
| Video game console | 60 - 300 watts |
| Lamps (Up to 70 watts) | 75 watts |
Some digital appliances are not compatible with modified sine wave inverters. Check with appliance manufacturer for compatibility.
Your Inverter should be connected directly to your vehicle's 12V cigarette or power outlet socket. We recommend that the equipment or appliance switch be in the "OFF" position while you plug into the AC receptacle of the inverter.
- Place the cigarette lighter in the vehicle's 12V cigarette or power outlet socket.
- Plug in the AC product you want to operate.
- Disconnect the unit from the socket when not in use for safety.
CAUTION: When short circuit occurs, the inverter shuts off automatically to protect the inverter from damage.
Operating the Inverter
- Plug the inverter into the cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle.
- Check the connections.
- The glowing LED of your inverter should light up.
- Your inverter can power AC appliances now.
CAUTION: Connect AC appliances one at a time.
Through its AC outlet, the inverter is capable of powering most 110V products at its rated power. The unit will operate from input voltages ranging from 11V to 15V DC.
CAUTION: Most vehicle batteries are designed to provide a short period of very high current for starting the engine. They are not designed for a constant "deep discharge". Constantly operating the unit from a vehicle battery until the low voltage shut off will affect the life of the battery. If you are going to operate electrical products for long periods of time, you should consider connecting the unit to a separate deep discharge battery.
Should a defective battery charging system cause the battery voltage to rise to the range of 15V ~ 16VDC, the inverter automatically shuts down.
CAUTION: Although the inverter incorporates protection against over-voltage, it may still be damaged if the input voltage exceeds 16V.
The unit will shut down automatically if the inverter exceeds a safe operating temperature due to insufficient ventilation or a high-temperature environment.
The Self-Protection of Your Inverter
| Type | Possible Cause | How do you know if the protection is activated? | Solution | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current overload | If the output power exceeds the rated output power 10 to 15%. | The red LED indicator lights up. The inverter will automatically shut off. | Remove all appliances and unplug it. Use smaller power consumption appliances. | |
| Input low voltage | Input voltage lower than 10.5V. | Recharge the battery. Check the battery voltage, make sure it is within 11-15V. | ||
| Input high voltage | Input voltage higher than 15V. | Remove all appliances and unplug it. | Although the inverter has protection against overload, it may still damage the inverter if the input voltage exceeds 16V. Please ensure there is ventilation in the surrounding environment. | |
| Over temperature | The PCB temperature is around 230°F. | Remove all appliances and unplug it. Cool down for 15 minutes before turning on again. | Please ensure there is ventilation in the surrounding environment. |
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. With a typical vehicle battery, an operating time of 4 - 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 1-2 hours to recharge the battery before its capacity drops too low. The inverter can operate while the engine is running, but the normal voltage drop that occurs during starting of the engine may trigger the inverter's low voltage shutdown feature.
Because the power inverter draws less than 0.4A when it's on with no AC product connected, it has minimal impact on battery operating times.
Interference with Electronic Equipment
Generally, most AC products operate with the inverter just as they would with household AC power. Below is the information concerning two possible exceptions.
BUZZING AND IN AUDIO SYSTEMS AND RADIOS
Some stereo systems and AM-FM radios have inadequate internal power supply filtering and "buzz" slightly when powered by the inverter. Generally, the only solution is an audio product with a higher quality filter.
TELEVISION INTERFERENCE
The 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 inverter and the TV, antenna, and cables.
- Adjust the orientation of the inverter, TV, antenna, and cables.
- Maximize TV signal strength by using a better antenna and use shielded antenna cable where possible.
Specifications
| Model | MSI120C |
|---|---|
| Input | 11-15V DC |
| Output | 115V AC |
| Output Frequency | 58-62Hz |
| Output Waveform | Modified Sine Wave (MSW) |
| Continuous Power | 120W |
| Surge Power | 240W |
| Efficiency | 85% Max |
| No Load Draw | <0.5A |
| Low Battery Shutdown | 10.5±0.3V DC |
| USB Output Port | 2.4A |
| USB-C™ Output Port | 3.0A (15W) |
| AC Output Socket | 1 North American standard socket |
| Internal Fuse/ Replacement Fuse | 12A glass fuse (Replaceable) |
| Operating Temperature | Ideally 32°F-104°F |
| Battery Low Alarm | NA |
| Power Cable Length | 24" |
| Dimensions | 5.43" x 3.15" x 3.0" |
| Net Weight | 10.88 oz |
* If using the 2 USB ports simultaneously, the total output will be 4.8A max.
Product Description: 120W cup power inverter (Convertisseur continu-alternatif en coupelle de 120 W)
- 120W Continuous power
- Dual port -- Standard USB 2.4 AMP and USB-C™ 3.0 AMP port
- Single 3-prong AC outlet
- Removable smartphone/tablet holder
- High/low voltage, overtemp and overload protection
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No power, no indicator | Battery is defective. | Replace battery. |
| Blown fuse. | Check and replace fuse. | |
| Loose connections. | Check connections, be sure the ports and plugs come into contact with each other. | |
| The Red LED indicator lights up. The inverter is shut off. | The actual output power is higher than rated power of inverter, Overload protection has occurred. | Reduce load to have the actual output lower than rated power of inverter. |
| The actual output is less than rated power, but high starting surge has caused overload shutdown. | Use a product with starting surge power within the inverter's capability. | |
| The voltage input is too low. | Charge the battery. | |
| The Red LED indicator lights up. The inverter is shut off. | Inverter is overheated due to poor ventilation and has shut down. | Disconnect the inverter from battery or DC socket and allow to be cooled for 15 minutes. Please ensure to remove objects covering unit. |
| Water entered the unit. | Disconnect the inverter and wipe immediately with a dry cloth, or permanent damage can occur from liquids. | |
| Inverter runs small loads but not large loads | Low voltage battery. | Charge the battery. |
| Measured inverter output is too low | Standard "average-reading" AC voltmeter used to measure output voltage, resulting in an apparent reading 5 to 15V too low. | Inverter's "modified sine wave" output requires "true RMS" voltmeter for accurate measurements. |
| Battery run time is less than expected | Battery voltage is too low. | Recharge battery. |
| AC product power consumption is higher than rated. | Use a larger battery to make up for increased power requirement. | |
| Battery is old or probably defective. | Replace battery. | |
| Battery is not being properly charged. | Some chargers are not able to fully recharge a battery. Make sure you use a powerful charger. |
One-Year Limited Warranty
For product information, technical support and warranty information, please visit www.roadprobrands.com
CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT/CUSTOMER SERVICE
BEFORE RETURNING THE ITEM TO THE STORE
Phone: 1-866-622-7979
Email: techsupport@roadprobrands.com
Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Time.
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