Power equipment and appliances which operate with motors or tubes require an initial surge of power
to get them up and running. This power surge is referred to as the "starting load" or "surge/peak load."
(By comparison devices such as standard light bulbs do not require a starting load). Once the
equipment or appliance has been powered up, it settles down to a slower pace and requires far less
electrical power to operate. This lower power requirement is referred to as the "continuous load."
In order to ensure that the capacity of your power inverter is sufficient to meet the required start up
load, you must first determine the power consumption of the equipment or appliance you plan to
operate.
Power consumption is rated either in wattage or in amperage and information regarding the required
"watts" or "amps" generally is stamped or printed on most appliances and equipment. If this information
is not indicated on the appliance or equipment, check the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.
If the power consumption is rated in amps, multiply the number of amps by 115 (AC voltage) to
determine the comparable wattage rating. As a general rule, you can determine the required start up
load
by multiplying the wattage rating by 10. It is the start up load of the equipment or appliance you
plan to operate that will determine whether or not your inverter has the required capacity to power it.
For further information on the fundamental operating principles of inverters and related data, see
"Technical Information Section" on page 12.
Don’t Over Load Your Inverter!
Although your power inverter has the capacity to provide power output (excess current) equal to
approximately two times its rated wattage capacity for a very brief period, it is designed to operate
equipment and appliances with start up load wattage ratings no higher than its own maximum continu-
ous wattage rating.
For example, the PSE-12175A model has a maximum continuous rating of 1750 watts. Although this
model has the capacity to briefly provide up to 3500 watts of surge power (that is, excess current), it is
designed to operate equipment and appliances with start up load requirements of 1750 watts or less.
Consequently, if the start up load rating of your equipment or appliance is the same or approximately
the same as the maximum continuous rating of the inverter, the inverter may not have the capacity to
provide the required start up load.
To determine whether your inverter will operate a particular piece of equipment or appliance, run a test.
The inverter is designed to automatically shut down in the event of a power overload and testing
equipment and appliances with start up load ratings comparable to the maximum wattage rating of the
inverter will not damage it.
Some refrigerators, freezers, pumps and other similar equipment and appliances require very high start
up loads to operate. Before attempting to power up this type of equipment or appliance, make
especially certain that all connections have been properly made and that the power source is fully
charged.
Once those conditions have been checked, turn the inverter switch ON and monitor the Battery Voltage
Indicator (See Operating Guidelines & Safety Features). If the Voltage Indicator confirms that the input
voltage is in the acceptable range, turn the inverter switch OFF, ON, OFF and ON again in quick
succession. If this procedure is unsuccessful, it is likely that the inverter does not have the required
start up capacity to operate the equipment or appliance in question.
If the Voltage indicator reading falls below 11 volts during the start up process, a battery with greater
CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) may be required.
GETTING STARTED
Page 3
