Portawattz POWER PAC Owners Man
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction........................................................................ 1
2.0 Safety First Before You Use the PowerPAC .................. 2
3.0 Quick Start Guide .............................................................. 3
3.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 3
3.2 An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life ...................................... 4
3.3 Operating 115 Volt AC Appliances and Equipment ..................................... 4
3.4 Operating 12 Volt DC Accessories............................................................. 5
3.5 Recharging the PowerPAC ........................................................................ 5
3.6 Using the PowerPAC to Jump-Start Your Vehicle ....................................... 5
4.0 Indicators, Controls and Connectors................................ 6
4.1 Display Panel ........................................................................................... 6
4.1.1 The Battery Level Indicator ............................................................. 6
4.1.2 The Recharge Indicator .................................................................. 6
4.1.3 The Charger Input Socket .............................................................. 7
4.1.4 The DC Power Socket .................................................................... 7
4.2 The AC Inverter ........................................................................................ 7
4.3 The High-Power DC Connector ................................................................. 7
5.0 Powering 115 Volt AC Appliances and Equipment ........... 8
5.1 General Information .................................................................................. 8
5.2 Connecting Your AC Appliances and Equipment ........................................ 8
5.3 Automatic Overload, Overheating and Low Battery Protection .................... 9
5.4 Interference with Electronic Equipment.....................................................10
5.4.1 Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems .................................................. 10
5.4.2 Television Interference .................................................................. 10
5.5 Battery Operating Times .......................................................................... 11
6.0 Powering 12 Volt DC Accessories ...................................12
6.1 Connecting 12 Volt DC Accessories .........................................................12
6.2 Battery Operating Times .......................................................................... 13
7.0 Vehicle or Boat Engine Starting Assistance .................. 14
7.1 Jump-Starting Direct to the Battery .......................................................... 14
7.2 Jump-Starting via a Vehicles Lighter Plug Socket ....................................15
PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC is a trademark of Statpower Technologies Corporation. Copyright © 1999 Statpower
Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved.
8.0 Recharging the PowerPAC .............................................. 16
8.1 General Information on Batteries and Charging .........................................16
8.1.1 Charging Options ......................................................................... 16
8.1.2 Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life ............................................16
8.2 Recharging with the AC Charger ..............................................................16
8.3 Recharging from Your Vehicle ..................................................................17
8.4 Recharging with a Generators 12 Volt DC Power Outlet............................ 17
8.5 Recharging with a Solar Panel..................................................................18
9.0 Connecting to an External Battery .................................19
9.1 Extended Operating Time .........................................................................19
9.2 Connecting an External Battery ................................................................ 19
10.0 Troubleshooting ............................................................. 20
11.0 Specifications ................................................................ 21
12.0 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) .................... 22
13.0 Other Products from Statpower Technologies .............24
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PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC Owners Manual
1.0 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Statpower PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC
(PowerPAC). The PowerPAC is designed for best performance and value in
a portable backup power source. It will temporarily power a wide variety of
appliances and equipment when utility power is unavailable or during a power
outage, and will even jump-start your car in an emergency.
Read this manual before using the PowerPAC and save it for future
reference.
Be sure to charge the PowerPAC immediately after purchase (see Section
8.0). The PowerPACs automatic charging system is intended to be left
permanently plugged into a wall outlet, to keep its battery fully charged and
ready for use.
The following main topics are covered in this manual:
How to use the PowerPAC as a source of 115 volts AC to
run household or workplace appliances.
How to use the PowerPAC as a source of 12 volts DC to
run typical auto or marine accessories.
How to use the PowerPAC to jump-start a vehicle.
How to recharge the PowerPAC battery.
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PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC Owners Manual
2.0 Safety First Before You Use the
PowerPAC
Misuse of the PowerPAC may result in danger to the user. We urge you to
pay special attention to all CAUTION and WARNING statements. CAUTION
statements identify conditions or practices that may result in damage to the
PowerPAC or to other equipment. WARNING statements identify conditions
that may result in personal injury or loss of life.
WARNING! Shock hazard. Keep away from children.
The PowerPAC generates the same potentially lethal AC power as a
normal household wall outlet. Treat it with the same respect that you
would any AC outlet.
Do not insert any objects into the PowerPACs AC outlets, its DC
Power Socket, or the ventilation holes in its AC inverter. Do not expose
the PowerPAC to water.
Do not, under any circumstances, connect the PowerPAC AC
receptacle to power utility AC distribution wiring.
Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in personal
injury and/or damage to the PowerPAC.
WARNING! Explosion hazard.
Do not use the PowerPAC where there are flammable fumes or gases,
such as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near propane
tanks. Do not use the PowerPAC in an enclosure containing
automotive-type lead acid batteries. These batteries, unlike the sealed
battery in the PowerPAC, vent explosive hydrogen gas which can be
ignited by sparks from electrical connections.
When working on electrical equipment, always ensure someone is
nearby to help you in an emergency.
WARNING! Heated surface.
The PowerPACs AC inverter chassis may become uncomfortably
warm, reaching 60° C (140° F) under extended high power operation.
Ensure at least 5 cm. (2 in.) air space is maintained on all sides of the
PowerPAC. During operation, keep away from materials that may be
affected by high temperatures such as blankets, pillows and sleeping
bags.
CAUTION
Do not connect any AC load, whose neutral conductor is connected to
ground, to the PowerPAC.
Do not expose the PowerPAC to temperatures in excess of 40° C or
100° F.
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PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC Owners Manual
3.0 Quick Start Guide
3.1 Overview
The following basic instructions are intended to get those already
familiar with AC inverters and battery packs off to a fast start. But
be sure to fully read this manual later! The diagram below shows
the PowerPACs key features.
Figure 1
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PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC Owners Manual
3.2 An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery
Life
AC powered appliances are rated by how much electrical power
(in watts) they consume. The PowerPACs AC inverter is capable
of generating a maximum of 300 watts to power appliances
plugged into the PowerPACs AC receptacles. As an example, a
40 watt light bulb can be operated from the PowerPAC for up to
3 hours on a fully charged PowerPAC battery.
12 volt DC auto and marine accessories are generally rated
according to how much electrical current (in amperes or amps)
they draw from the battery. A typical small 12 volt fluorescent
light draws 0.7 amps. When connected to the PowerPACs DC
Power Socket, this light could be expected to operate up to 40
hours before the PowerPACs battery needs recharging. The
PowerPAC is designed to supply up to 12 amps from its DC Power
Socket.
Remember: The fewer watts an AC appliance uses, or the fewer
amps a DC accessory draws, the longer the PowerPAC will
operate before recharging is required.
3.3 Operating 115 Volt AC Appliances and
Equipment
1. Ensure the PowerPAC battery is fully charged. See Section
8.0 for details.
2. Turn the AC inverter switch ON. The green POWER light
indicates AC power is available at the AC outlets.
3. Plug the AC appliance(s) you wish to operate into the AC
outlet(s) and switch the appliance(s) ON, one at a time. The
PowerPAC will operate most devices rated up to 300 watts.
4. In the event of an overload, low battery voltage, or
overheating, the AC inverter will automatically shut down and
its red FAULT light will illuminate. See Section 5.3 for details.
5. Fully recharge the PowerPAC battery as soon as possible
after each use.
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PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC Owners Manual
3.4 Operating 12 Volt DC Accessories
1. Ensure the PowerPAC battery is fully charged. See Section
8.0 for details.
2. Plug the accessory into the PowerPACs DC Power Socket,
and switch the accessory on (if required). The PowerPAC
will operate any 12 volt DC auto or marine accessory that
draws 12 amps or less.
3. Because the DC Power Socket is internally wired direct to
the PowerPACs battery, extended operation of a 12 volt
accessory may result in excessive battery discharge.
Important: Care must be taken to ensure the battery does
not become totally discharged. See Section 6.1 for details.
3.5 Recharging the PowerPAC
1. The batterys charge condition may be seen by pressing the
Battery Status Button on the PowerPACs display panel.
2. To recharge, plug the AC Charger into a household AC outlet,
and plug the AC Charger cord into the Charger Input Socket
on the PowerPACs panel. The Recharge Indicator will change
from amber to green when charging is complete (typically
after 30 hours). It is safe to leave the AC Charger connected
indefinitely.
3. Charging may also be done from an automobile cigarette
lighter. See Section 8.3 for details.
3.6 Using the PowerPAC to Jump-Start Your
Vehicle
Due to potential dangers, see Section 7.0 for a detailed
explanation.
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PORTAWATTZ PowerPAC Owners Manual
4.0 Indicators, Controls and
Connectors
Refer to Figure 1 in Section 3.1 for location of the items identified below.
4.1 Display Panel
The display panel is located on the front of the PowerPAC, directly
below its carrying handle. Located on the display panel, you will
find the PowerPACs DC Power Socket, the Charger Input Socket,
a Recharge Status Indicator light, and a Battery Level Indicator
that is actuated by the Battery Status Button.
4.1.1 The Battery Level Indicator
The Battery Level Indicator indicates the state of charge of
the PowerPACs battery. Its function is similar to the fuel
gauge in a car. When pressing and holding the Battery
Status Button, one or more of the displays four lights will
illuminate, showing the approximate amount of charge
remaining in the battery. The following diagram shows the
function of each light:
When the battery is fully charged, all four lights will
illuminate. When discharged (empty), only the red E light
will illuminate and the battery must be recharged promptly.
The diagram shows the battery is approximately ¾ full.
Battery condition is indicated most accurately when the
battery has been unused for several minutes. Pressing the
Battery Status Button while supplying power to an appliance
may result in the battery appearing more empty than it
really is.
4.1.2 The Recharge Indicator
The Recharge Indicator operates only when the battery is
being recharged through the Charger Input Socket. It will
not operate when other charging methods are used. When
charging the battery with the AC Charger, this light will glow
amber, then change to green when the battery is fully
charged and the charging process has automatically
stopped.
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