Product Manual

12
1-2019
Copyright © 2019 Cummins Inc.
A062R852 (Issue 1)
OPERATION
POWER OUTPUT AND DEMAND
120-Volt AC devices have two dierent electric power
demands that must be taken into consideration, namely
the running power and the starting/peak power. Both are
measured in Watts (typically abbreviated as “W”).
The steady state continuous load is the running power
demand and this is often marked on the device near its
model number or serial number. Sometimes the device
might only be marked with its voltage (i.e. 120 V) and
current draw (e.g. 6 Amp or 6 A), in which case the running
power demand in Watts can be obtained by multiplying the
voltage times the current, e.g. 120 V
× 20 A = 2,400 W.
Simple resistive 120-Volt AC devices such as incandescent
bulbs, toasters, heaters, etc. have no extra power demand
when starting, and so their starting power demands are the
same as their running power demands.
More complex 120-Volt AC devices containing inductive
or capacitive elements such as electric motors have a
momentary extra power demand when starting, which can
be up to seven times the running power demand or more.
Manufacturers of such devices rarely publish this starting
power demand and so it’s often necessary to estimate it.
A rule of thumb for devices tted with an electric motor
is to apply a starting power multiplier of 1.2 for small
hand-held or portable devices and a value of 3.5 for larger
stationary devices. For example, a 900 W angle grinder can
be assumed to have a starting power demand of at least
1.2 × 900 W, which equals 1,080 W. Similarly, a 1,650 W
air compressor can be assumed to have a starting power
demand of at least 3.5 × 1,650 W, which equals 5,775 W.
To prevent overloading of the inverter’s 120-Volt
AC system:
1. Add up the running power demand of all the 120-Volt
AC devices that will be connected to the inverter at one
time. This total must not be greater than the inverter’s
specied running power output.
2. Add up the running power demand again, but for the
largest motor-driven device use the value of its starting
power demand instead of its running power demand.
This total must not be greater than the inverter’s
specied starting power output.
3. The total running power demand of all the devices that
will be connected to any one of the inverter’s outlets
must not exceed the inverter’s specied running power
output.
TRANSPORTING THE INVERTER
The inverter should be stopped and the fuel control
switch should be turned to the OFF position before
transporting the inverter. Keep the unit level during
transport to minimize the possibility of fuel leakage or, if
possible, drain out the fuel prior to transport.
If the inverter has been operating, allow the unit to cool
down before loading it onto the transport vehicle.
The P4500i’s wheels are only intended for ease of moving
the inverter around by hand. The wheels are not suitable
for towing the inverter either on or o-road.
Use only the inverter’s xed handle(s) for lifting the unit or
attaching any load restraints such as ropes or tie-down
straps. Do not attempt to lift or secure the inverter by
holding onto any of its other components.
The P4500i is also equipped with an extendable handle.
To deploy it, push on the locking button and pull on the
handle until it’s fully extended. To stow it, push on the
locking button and push on the handle until it’s fully
retracted. Only extend or retract the handle while the
inverter is stationary and resting on a horizontal surface.
Locking Button
Handle Grip
The extendable handle is intended for ease of wheeling
the inverter around by hand. Do not use the extendable
handle to lift the inverter entirely o the ground, tow it or
up-end it.