VEC1043_ManualEN_091505 1/17/06 5:49 PM Page 8
VEC1043
Fa u lt Pro te ctio n Co d e a n d Tro u b le sh o o tin g Gu id e
INVERTER POWER SWITCH TURNED ON
Tro ub le / In d ica tio n
Po ssib le Ca use
Sug g e ste d Re m e d y
No AC output — yellow
LED lit
DC input is below
10 volts
Recharge or replace the
battery.
7 5 0 Wa t t
No AC output — red LED
lit
Excessive appliance
load
Reset unit by turning OFF,
then back ON.
Po w e r In v e r te r
Inverter hot
Disconnect load from
Ve h icle Po w e r Syste m
Co n v e r ts DC Ve h icle Po w e r
inverter. Operate inverter
without load for a few
minutes. Reconnect load.
to 1 1 5 Vo lt AC Ho u se h o ld Po w e r
No AC output — green
LED not lit
Bad connection or
wiring
Tighten all DC connections.
Low battery alarm sounds
Low battery voltage
Recharge battery. Remove
load from inverter while
recharging battery.
Motorized power tool will
not operate
Excessive start-up load If appliance does not start,
appliance is drawing too
much voltage and will not
work with this inverter.
Motorized power tool
does not operate at
correct speed
Purely inductive load
Make the load not purely
inductive (i.e., operate an
incandescent lamp at the
same time as power tool).
Television/ radio
interference
Snow in picture,
“buzzing” sound
Keep inverter and antenna
distant from each other.
Use shielded antenna.
Connect antenna to
amplifier.
SPECIFICATIO N S
Output Connection:
Output Voltage:
Output Current:
North American standard outlet
Approx. 115 volts AC, RMS 60 Hz
6.5 amps Max
USER’ S M ANUAL
& WARRANTY INFO RM ATIO N
Output Waveform:
Input Voltage:
Modified Sine Wave
12.5 volts DC
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, USER MUST READ AND UNDERSTAND
THIS INSTRUCTIO NAL MANUAL. THIS MANUAL CO NTAINS IMPO RTANT
INFORMATION REGARDING THE OPERATION AND WARRANTY OF THIS
PRODUCT. PLEASE RETAIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Low Voltage Alarm:
11.0 volts DC
No Load Input Current: 0.7 amps max.
Input Fuses:
Internal
Input Cables:
Battery clip cables
Additional Protection: Overload, overvoltage, overheating
w w w . v e ct o r m fg . co m
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VEC1043_ManualEN_091505 1/17/06 5:49 PM Page iv
IN TRO DUCTIO N
TABLE O F CO NTENTS
Your new VEC1 0 4 3 7 5 0 Wa tt Po w e r In ve rte r Ve h icle Po w e r Syste m is one
in a series of the most advanced DC to AC inverters available. With proper care and
appropriate usage, it will give you years of dependable service in your car, truck, RV
or boat.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls, Indicators and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How This Inverter Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principle of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power Inverter Output Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protective Features of the Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation and Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Source Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connection to a Power Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connection to Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Placement of the Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common Audio/ Visual Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fault Protection Code and Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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The VEC1 0 4 3 supplies 750 watts of continuous power, in the form of two standard
North American household outlets that are ready to deliver 115 volt AC power
whenever and wherever you need it! The heavy-duty inverter has enough power to
run most household or electronic appliances. It also comes equipped with battery
clips to handle higher amperage/ load applications, such as: power tools, stereo
amplifiers, vacuums, etc. Added safety features include automatic shutdown and a
low battery alarm to prevent damage to your battery.
This Vector Power Inverter is configured with the latest Soft Start Technology (SST).
Before introduction of Soft-Start, high start-up currents from large inductive loads could
shut down the inverter. Soft Start improves inverter operation. Three major features
incorporated in SST include: First, gradual voltage ramp-up during inverter start-up.
This eliminates failed cold starts under load. Second, output that momentarily dips in
voltage and quickly recovers to allow large motorized loads to start. This eliminates
almost all shutdowns from momentary overloads. Last, the inverter needs to be turned
off then turned on once the overload that caused the inverter shutdown is removed.
This power inverter also incorporates a new cooling technology that directly benefits
our customers. The new design more efficiently cools the power transistors, and
combined with Soft Start, dramatically increases reliability and the life of the product.
CO N TRO LS, IN DICATO RS AN D CO N N ECTO RS
details the front panel, featuring the unit’s 115 volt AC Outlets. Power is
supplied through two standard North American outlets that can accommodate either
two- or three-pin AC plugs.
Fig ure 1 Fro n t Pa n e l
AIR VEN T
1 1 5 VO LT
AC O UTLETS
shows the back panel of the inverter, where the DC Power Connections and
high speed cooling fan are located.
Fig ure 2 Ba ck Pa n e l
N EGATIVE DC PO W ER
CO N N ECTIO N
PO SITIVE DC PO W ER
CO N N ECTIO N
HIGH SPEED CO O LIN G FAN
details the top panel of the inverter, featuring the ON/ OFF Pushbutton and
three LED indicators. The green LED indicates power and proper operation of the
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VEC1043_ManualEN_091505 1/17/06 5:49 PM Page 2
inverter, the red LED indicates inverter shutdown from an over-load or over-
temperature fault and the yellow LED indicates an input fault. In addition to turning
the unit ON and OFF, the ON/ OFF Pushbutton can be used to force reset of the
inverter circuits.
not read the RMS voltage of a modified sine wave correctly. They will read about 20
to 30 volts low when measuring the output of the inverter. For accurate measurement
of the output voltage of this unit, use a true RMS reading voltmeter such as a Fluke
179, Fluke 79 III series, Beckman 4410, or Triplett 4200.
Fig ure 3 To p Pa n e l
Mo d ifie d Sin e Wa ve a n d Sin e Wa ve Co m p a riso n
PO W ER
O UTPUT FAULT
IN PUT FAULT
PRO TECTIVE FEATURES O F THE IN VERTER
O N / O FF
PUSHBUTTO N
The Power Inverter monitors the following potentially hazardous conditions:
This condition is not harmful to the inverter, but could damage
the power source. An alarm will sound when input voltage drops below 11 volts. The
Power Inverter automatically shuts down when input voltage drops below 10 volts.
When the condition is corrected, the inverter can be reset by turning OFF, then back
ON.
HO W THIS IN VERTER W O RKS
The power inverter converts low voltage DC (direct current) from a battery or other
power source to standard 115 volt AC (alternating current) household power.
The Power Inverter will automatically shutdown when the
input voltage exceeds 15.5 volts DC.
Prin cip le o f O p e ra tio n
The inverter converts power in two stages. The first stage is a DC to DC conversion
process that raises the low voltage DC at the inverter input to 145 volts DC. The
second stage is the actual inverter stage that converts the high voltage DC current into
115 volts, 60 Hz AC current.
The unit will automatically shut down when the continuous
draw exceeds 750 watts. Reduce the load and manually reset using the inverter’s
ON/ OFF Pushbutton.
If the temperature inside the Power Inverter reaches
150°F, the unit will automatically shut down. Allow the unit to cool for at least 15
minutes before restarting after a heat-related shutdown. Unplug the unit while cooling.
The DC-to-DC converter stage uses modern high frequency power conversion
techniques that have replaced the bulky transformers found in less technologically-
advanced models. The inverter stage uses advanced power MOSFET transistors in a
full bridge configuration. This ensures excellent overload capacity.
If the low voltage alarm sounds when the battery is fully charged, follow the steps
outlined in the “Troubleshooting” section of this User’s Manual. The alarm will sound
if there is an excessive voltage drop between the battery and the inverter.
N o te s: It is n o rm a l fo r th e a la rm to so u n d w h ile th e u n it is b e in g co n n e cte d to , o r
d isco n n e cte d fro m , th e p o w e r so u rce . Th is is n o t in d ica tive o f a p ro b le m .
145VDC to
115VAC
CONVERSION
12VDC to
145VDC
CONVERSION
Re ve rse p o la rity o r sh o rt circu it co n d itio n m a y ca u se e x te rn a l o r in te rn a l fu se s
to o p e n a n d m a y ca u se irre ve rsib le d a m a g e to th e Po w e r In ve rte r. Ta k e e x tra
ca re to e n su re a p ro p e r p o la rity h o o k -u p .
12VDC
Input
Internal
Fuses
115VAC, 60Hz
to AC appliances
AC
Outlet
IN STALLATIO N AN D O PERATIN G IN STRUCTIO N S
Po w e r So u rce Re q u ire m e n ts
Th e Po w e r In ve rte r O u tp u t Wa ve fo rm
The AC output waveform of the Power Inverter is known as “modified sine wave.” It
is a waveform that has characteristics similar to the sine wave shape of utility power.
This type of waveform is suitable for most AC loads, including linear and switching
power supplies used in electronic equipment, transformers, and motors.
The power source must provide a nominal voltage of 12.5 volts DC and must be able
to supply the necessary current to operate the load. The power source may be a
battery or a well-regulated DC power supply. To obtain a rough estimate of the current
(in amperes) the power source must deliver, simply divide the power consumption of
the load (in watts AC) by 10.
The modified sine wave produced by the Power Inverter has an RMS (root mean
square) voltage of 115 volts, which is the same as standard household power. Most
AC voltmeters (both digital and analog) are sensitive to the average value of the
waveform rather than the RMS value. They are calibrated for RMS voltage under the
assumption that the waveform measured will be a pure sine wave. These meters will
Example: If a load is rated at 750 watts AC, the power source must be able to deliver:
750 divided by 10 = 75 amperes.
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9. Test the inverter by turning it on and plugging in a 100 watt lamp or equipment.
CAUTIO N
10. If the inverter is not operating properly, then refer to the “Troubleshooting” section
of this manual.
Th e Po w e r In ve rte r m ust b e co n n e cte d o n ly to b a tte rie s w ith a n o m in a l
o utp ut vo lta g e o f 1 2 vo lts. Th e un it w ill n o t o p e ra te fro m a 6 vo lt
b a tte ry a n d w ill susta in p e rm a n e n t d a m a g e if co n n e cte d to a 2 4 vo lt
b a tte ry.
CAUTIO N S
• Lo o se co n n e cto rs m a y ca u se o ve rh e a te d w ire s a n d m e lte d
in sula tio n .
Co n n e ctio n to a Po w e r So u rce
The Power Inverter comes equipped with battery clip cables for connection to a power
source.
• Ch e ck to m a k e sure yo u h a ve n o t re ve rse d th e p o la rity. Da m a g e d ue
to re ve rse d p o la rity is n o t co ve re d b y o ur w a rra n ty.
CAUTIO N S
Co n n e ctio n To Lo a d
• Do n o t use w ith p o sitive g ro un d e le ctrica l syste m s.
The Power Inverter is equipped with a standard North American three-prong type
outlet. Plug the cord from the equipment you wish to operate into the AC outlet. Make
sure the load requirement of your equipment does not exceed 750 watts.
• Re ve rse p o la rity co n n e ctio n w ill re sult in a b lo w n fuse a n d m a y
ca use p e rm a n e n t d a m a g e to th e in ve rte r.
N o te s: Mo st ve h icle a cce sso ry o u tle t circu its h a ve fu se s ra te d a t 1 5 to 2 0 a m p s o r
g re a te r. To o p e ra te a t fu ll w a tta g e , e ith e r u se th e b a tte ry clip ca b le (su p p lie d )
o r d ire ctly w ire to th e p o w e r so u rce w ith u se r-su p p lie d w ire a n d fu se .
The Power Inverter is engineered to be connected directly to standard electrical and
electronic equipment in the manner described above. Do not connect the Power
Inverter to household or RV AC distribution wiring. Do not connect the Power Inverter
to any AC load circuit in which the neutral conductor is connected to ground (earth)
or to the NEGATIVE of the DC (battery) source.
Th e m a jo rity o f m o d e rn a u to m o b ile s, RVs a n d tru ck s a re n e g a tive g ro u n d .
Co n n e ctin g to a Po w e r So urce Usin g th e Pro vid e d Ca b le s
Use the provided cables and connect the Power Inverter directly to the 12 volt power
source as follows:
WARN IN G
Do n o t co n n e ct to AC d istrib utio n w irin g !
1. Make sure the Power Inverter power is turned OFF and that no flammable fumes
are present in the installation area.
CAUTIO N – Re ch a rg e a b le De vice s
Ce rta in re ch a rg e a b le d e vice s d o n o t o p e ra te w e ll fro m a m o d ifie d sin e
w a ve in ve rte r. Th e y o n ly o p e ra te p ro p e rly fro m a sta n d a rd h o use h o ld
2. Connect the RED cable to the RED post marked (+) on the back of the inverter.
Connect the battery clip to the POSITIVE terminal of the battery.
3. Connect the BLACK cable to the BLACK post marked (–) on the back of the
inverter. Connect the battery clip to the NEGATIVE terminal of the battery.
o u tle t w h ich p ro vid e s
a
p u re sin e w a ve . Th e re fo re , Ve cto r
re co m m e n d s th a t th e se typ e s o f d e vice s b e o p e ra te d fro m a sta n d a rd
h o use h o ld o utle t o n ly, n o t fro m th e in ve rte r.
4. Make sure that all connections between battery clips and terminals are secure.
Th is p ro b le m d o e s n o t o ccur w ith th e m a jo rity o f b a tte ry-o p e ra te d
d e vice s. Mo st o f th e se d e vice s use a se p a ra te ch a rg e r o r tra n sfo rm e r
th a t is p lug g e d in to a n AC o utle t. Th is in ve rte r is e a sily ca p a b le o f
o p e ra tin g m o st ch a rg e rs a n d tra n sfo rm e rs.
Dire ct Ha rd w irin g to Po w e r So urce
Use #8 AWG wire if the inverter to power source connection is 4 feet or less. For
longer cable lengths use #6 AWG wire (to 10 feet). In either case, protect the positive
(+) wire from shorts by installing a 150-200 amp fuse or circuit breaker close to the
DC power source (battery) terminal.
Pla ce m e n t o f th e In ve rte r
1. Check to be sure the inverter’s power switch is turned OFF and that no flammable
fumes are present.
For best operating results, the inverter should be placed on a flat surface, such as the
ground, car floor or seat, or other solid surface. A power cord has been provided for
easy positioning of the inverter. The inverter should only be operated in locations that
meet the following criteria:
2. Identify the POSITIVE (+) and NEGATIVE (–) DC power source (battery) terminals.
3. Install a fuse holder or breaker close to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the DC source
(battery).
DRY – Do not allow water and/ or other liquids to come into contact with the inverter.
4. Connect a length of wire on one side of the fuse holder or circuit breaker.
Connect the other end of the wire to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the inverter.
COOL — Surrounding air temperature should be between –0°C and 40°C — ideally
between 15°C and 25°C (60-80°F). Keep the inverter away from direct sunlight,
when possible.
5. Connect a length of wire between the inverter’s NEGATIVE (–) terminal and the
DC power source NEGATIVE (–-) terminal.
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. A fan is helpful if the inverter is operating at maximum power outputs for
extended periods of time. The unit will restart after it cools.
6. Connect a short length of wire to the other terminal of the fuse holder or circuit
breaker. Mark it “POSITIVE” or “+”.
7. Connect the free end of the fuse or breaker wire to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of
the DC power source (battery).
SAFE – Do not use the inverter near flammable materials or in any locations that may
accumulate flammable fumes or gases.
8. Insert a fuse appropriate to the inverter in the fuse holder.
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VEC1043_ManualEN_091505 1/17/06 5:49 PM Page 6
CARE AN D MAIN TEN AN CE
Sto ra g e
O p e ra tin g Tip s
Ra te d Ve rsus Actua l Curre n t Dra w o f Eq uip m e n t
Most electrical tools, appliances and audio/ video equipment have labels that
indicate the power consumption in amps or watts. Be sure the power consumption of
the item you wish to operate is rated at 750 watts or less. (If the power consumption
is rated in amps AC, multiply by the AC volts (115) to determine the wattage).
1. Ideal storage temperature range is 50-68°F (10-20°C).
2. Store and use the inverter in a cool, dry place with adequate ventilation.
3. Avoid locations that are exposed to heating units, radiators, direct sunlight or
excessive humidity or dampness.
The inverter has overload protection, so it is safe to try to operate equipment rated at
750 watts or less. The inverter will shut down if it is overloaded.
Ma in te n a n ce
This unit contains no user-serviceable parts. It is recommended that the unit be
returned to manufacturer for service (see the Warranty for repair/ replacement policy
and contact information).
Resistive loads are the easiest for the inverter to operate. However, large resistive
loads, such as electric stoves or heaters usually require more wattage than this inverter
can deliver on a continuous basis. Inductive loads, such as TVs and stereos require
more current to operate than do resistive loads of the same wattage rating.
Fu se Re p la ce m e n t
Induction motors, as well as some televisions, may require two to six times their
wattage rating to start up. The most demanding in this category are those that start
under load, such as compressors and pumps.
This power inverter is equipped with multiple internal fuses. Normally, these fuses will
not blow unless there is a serious problem inside the unit. Internal fuses are
replaceable, however, only electronically knowledgeable people should attempt fuse
replacement. If the unit is damaged during fuse replacement, the warranty may be
voided. Vector recommends contacting Technical Support for guidance. Call toll free:
(866) 584-5504.
Testing is the only definitive way to determine whether a specific load can be started
and how long it can run.
CAUTIO N
Th is in ve rte r w ill n o t o p e ra te h ig h w a tta g e a p p lia n ce s o r e q uip m e n t
th a t p ro d uce s h e a t, such a s h a ir d rye rs, m icro w a ve ite m s, o r to a ste rs.
TRO UBLESHO O TIN G
Co m m o n Au d io / Visu a l Pro b le m s
“ Buzzin g ” so un d in a ud io syste m s
Ba tte ry O p e ra tin g Tim e
With a typical vehicle battery, a minimum operating time of 2 to 3 hours can be
expected. In most instances, 5 to 10 hours of operating time is achievable. However,
Vector recommends that the operator start the vehicle every half hour to recharge the
battery system. This will guard against any unexpected shut-down of the equipment
and will ensure there is always sufficient battery capacity to start the vehicle’s engine.
The inverter will sound its alarm when DC voltage drops below 11.0 volts.
Some inexpensive stereo systems and “boom boxes” emit a buzzing sound from their
speakers when operated from the Power Inverter. This occurs because the power
supply in the electronic device does not adequately filter the modified sine wave
produced by the inverter. The only solution to this problem is to use a higher quality
sound system that incorporates a higher quality power amplified supply.
The inverter may be used whether or not the vehicle’s engine is running. However, the
inverter may not operate while the engine is starting since the battery voltage can
drop substantially during cranking.
Te le visio n In te rfe re n ce
The Inverter is shielded to minimize interference with TV signals. However, in some
instances, some interference may still be visible, particularly with weak TV signals. Try
the following corrective measures:
The inverter draws less than 0.7 ampere from the battery when it is not supplying
power to a load and ON/ OFF Pushbutton is in ON position. In most instances, the
inverter can be left connected to the battery when not in use since it draws so little
current. However, if the vehicle is to remain unused for several days, disconnect the
inverter from the battery.
• Position the inverter as far as possible from the television, the antenna and the
antenna cables. Use an extension cable, if necessary.
• Adjust the orientation of the inverter, the antenna cables and the TV power cord to
minimize interference.
• Make sure the antenna feeding the television provides an adequate (“snow free”)
signal and that high quality, shielded antenna cable is used.
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