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Cobra Power 500W DC to AC power inverter with 500-watt continuous power output

Item # 036500W

Convert your vehicle's DC voltage to safely power or charge AC accessories.

Convert your vehicle's DC voltage to safely power or charge AC accessories.

Item # 036500W

Every order includes

  • Free lifetime tech support
  • 60-day price-drop protection
  • 60-day returns
In stock
$59.95

Get questions answered fast & free

Expert help 400+ hours training Virginia-based

About the Cobra Power 500W

Dave Delamere

Product highlights:

  • portable DC to AC power inverter
  • 500 watts of continuous AC power (1000 watts surge)
  • 90% efficient modified sine wave output
  • outputs:
    • two 3-prong GFCI AC outlets
    • one Fast Charge USB-C port, one Fast Charge USB-A port
  • Pentagon Protection circuitry protects from over-temperature, reverse polarity, and overload protection
    • includes high/low voltage shutoff and cooling fan
  • 16" detachable 12-volt power port cord (terminated by power rings)
  • 16" detachable #10 AWG power/ground cables for direct connection to vehicle battery (terminated by power rings and clamps)
  • inverter on/off switch with LED input/output indicators
  • compatible with Cobra On/Off Remote with Fast Charging USB ports
  • dimensions: 7.01"W x 2.86"H x 5.41"L (without cables)
  • weight: 1.41 lbs
  • warranty: 2 years
  • MFR # CPI500W
  • Item # 036500W

What's in the box:

Cobra Power 500W owner's manual

If you need assistance accessing this owner's manual, please give us a call.
  • 500W Power inverter
  • Two 16" jumper cables
  • 12V Power adapter with attached 16" cable
  • Quickstart guide (En & Sp)
  • Registration and warranty information
  • Important safety notice

More details on the Cobra Power 500W

Russ B.

Product Research

Features

500 Watt Power Inverter: The Cobra POWER 500W (CPI500W) power inverter can provide up to 500 watts of continuous AC power, with a high-surge capacity of up to 1000 watts, from a connected 12V electrical system. Outputting a 90% efficient modified sine wave, the power inverter can provide longer run times for your connected devices while extending your vehicle battery life. The POWER 500W features two GFCI AC outlets along with USB-A and USB-C Fast Charge ports for charging portable devices.

Note: The Cobra POWER 500W is designed to work with 12V batteries and is not compatible with 6V or 24V electrical systems.

Applications: The POWER 500W power inverter is perfect for providing power for a multitude of devices such as fans, tools, entertainment devices, small appliances and LCD TVs, and more.

12V Power Port or Battery Power: The Cobra POWER 500W has the option to plug into your vehicle's 12-volt lighter/power port or connect directly to your vehicle battery for power. It includes a 16" lighter/power socket cable, along with 16" power/ground cables to connect directly to the battery via attached clamps. Both sets of cables are terminated in ring-terminals for connection to the inverter. The POWER 500W can operate on DC input voltage from 10-15 V.

AC & USB Power: The POWER 500W features two GFCI protected AC outlets and two USB power ports.

  • DC Input Voltage Range: 10-15 VDC
  • Output Voltage (Nominal): 115 VAC, 60 Hz, 4.3A, 500 W (maximum)
  • USB Outputs:
    • USB-A: 5V/3A, 9V/1.67A (Fast Charge)
    • USB-C: 5V/3A, 9V/1.67A (Fast Charge)

Notes:

  • Some chargers for small nickel cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the Cobra POWER 500W inverter, including small flashlights, razors, and night lights that can plug directly into an AC outlet. This also includes some chargers for hand power tool battery packs that warn of dangerous voltages present at the terminals.
  • The Cobra POWER 500W outputs a "modified sine wave" (stepped waveform) that's suitable for most AC loads including linear and switching power supplies used in most electronic equipment, transformers and motors. However, some very sensitive electronics and medical equipment may not operate properly on a modified sine wave. In these cases, the Cobra PURE SINE 400W may be an ideal alternative.

Battery Operating Time: The operating time of your connected equipment will vary depending on the charge level of the vehicle battery, its capacity and power level drawn by the particular AC load. Care should be taken to calculate the total amperage draw of your connected equipment in order to determine the amp-hour rating for the battery (how long the equipment can run without draining the battery). The POWER 500W user manual provides step-by-step instructions for calculating the amp-hours, including the Starting Load surge. When using a vehicle battery as a power source, it's recommended to start the vehicle every 1-2 hours to recharge the battery before its capacity drops too low. A low-voltage alarm will let you know when the battery drops to approximately 10.5 V and will cut off power consumption completely at 9.5 V.

Optional Remote Controller: The Cobra POWER 500W can be remotely controlled using the optional Cobra Remote Controller (sold separately). The Remote Controller connects to the POWER 500W's RJ-45 socket using the 15' cable that's included with the remote. It can then be mounted in a convenient location, letting you power the inverter on/off remotely. A 2-line LCD on the remote will display an error message if a problem with the inverter should arise, and USB-A and USB-C ports provide convenient device charging.

Power Switch & Indicator: The inverter includes an On/Off switch and Power LED to indicate when the unit is active. The Power LED will light Green under normal conditions and light Red if a fault arises.

Fan Cooled: A built-in high-speed cooling fan helps protect the inverter from over-heating.

Pentagon Protection & Safety Shut-Off: The Cobra POWER 500W inverter provides 5 levels of protection and will shut down and/or sound an audible alarm if it detects one of the following: Over-Temperature, Reverse Polarity, Over-Voltage, Low-Voltage Alarm, and Low-Voltage Cutoff. The inverter can provide 500 watts for approximately 60 minutes before needing to cool down. A 15 minute cool-down will be required to resume operation at 500 watts.

Specifications:

  • Input Voltage: 10-15 VDC
  • Output Voltage: 115 VAC, 60 Hz, 4.3 A (500 W)
  • Output Waveform: Modified sine wave (MSW)
  • Continuous Output Power: 500 W
  • Surge Power: 1000 W
  • Effeciency: 90% (maximum)
  • No-Load Current Draw: <0.6 A
  • Low Voltage Alarm: 10.5 V
  • Low Voltage Cutoff: 9.5 V
  • USB-A Output: 5V/3A, 9V/1.67A (Fast Charge)
  • USB-C Output: 5V/3A, 9V/1.67A (Fast Charge)
  • AC Output Sockets: 2 Standard North American 3-prong sockets
  • Operating Temperature: 14° F to 104° F
  • Dimensions: Width: 5.41", Height: 2.86", Depth: 7.01"
  • Weight: 1.41 lbs.

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The Cobra PRO 1500W offers these features:
  • four 3-prong GFCI AC outlets
  • 48" detachable #4 AWG power/ground cables for direct connection to vehicle battery (no 12-volt outlet connections)
  • LED display shows voltage, kilowatts. watts, and error codes
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