Tripp Lite APSRM4 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

Reliable Emergency Backup Power

Congratulations! You've purchased the most advanced, feature-rich Inverter/Charger designed as an alternative energy source during utility power failures. Tripp Lite APS Inverter/Chargers keep your equipment up and productive through all utility power problems (blackouts, brownouts and overvoltages) by inverting DC power from user-supplied batteries into AC power. When utility power is present, APS Inverter/Chargers automatically pass through power to your equipment while simultaneously recharging your connected battery bank. Built-in surge suppression provides an additional level of equipment protection. APS Inverter/Chargers are the quiet alternative to gas generators for emergency backup applications. You get AC electricity anywhere and anytime you need it—with no fumes, fuel or noise!

Better for Your Equipment Premium Protection Levels

• Built-In ISOBAR®Surge Protection

• Automatic Overload Protection

Ideal Output for All Loads

• Frequency-Controlled Output

• Automatic Load Switching

• Balanced Load Sharing

Better for Your Batteries Faster Battery Recharge

• High-Amp, 3-Stage Battery Charger (adjustable)

Critical Battery Protection

• Battery Charge Conserver (Load Sense)

• Battery Temperature Sensing

• High-Efficiency DC-to-AC Inversion

Better for You Quiet, Simple, Maintenance-Free Operation

• Multi-Function Lights & Switches

• Moisture-Resistant Construction*

Safety 2 Feature Identification 3 Operation 4-5 Configuration 5-7 Battery Selection 8 Mounting 9

Battery Connection 10 AC Input/Output Connection 11 Service/Maintenance 11 Troubleshooting 12 Warranty/Warranty Registration 12

Español 13

PowerVerter

APS Series DC-to-AC

Inverter/Charger

Input Output

Invert: 12 VDC 120V, 60 Hz. AC Charge: 120V, 60 Hz. AC 12 VDC

1111 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609 USA

Customer Support: (773) 869-1234

www.tripplite.com

* Inverter/Chargers are moisture-resistant, not waterproof.

and Isobar®are registered trademarks of Tripp Lite.

Contents

WARRANTY

REGISTRATION

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Important Safety Instructions

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

This manual contains important instructions and warnings that should be followed during the installation, operation and storage of this product.

Location Warnings

• Install your Inverter/Charger in a location or compartment that minimizes exposure to heat, dust, direct sunlight and moisture.

• Although your Inverter/Charger is moisture resistant, it is NOT waterproof. Flooding the unit with water will cause it to short circuit and could cause personal injury due to electric shock. Never immerse the unit, and avoid any area where standing water might accumulate. Mounting should be in the driest location available.

• Leave a minimum of 2" clearance at front and back of the Inverter/Charger for proper ventilation. To avoid automatic Inverter/Charger shutdown due to overtemperature, any compartment that contains the Inverter/Charger must be properly ventilated with adequate outside air flow. The heavier the load of connected equipment, the more heat will be generated by the unit.

• Do not install the Inverter/Charger directly near magnetic storage media, as this may result in data corruption.

• Do not install near flammable materials, fuel or chemicals.

• Do not mount unit with its front or rear panel facing down (at any angle). Mounting in this manner will seriously

inhibit the unit's internal cooling, eventually causing product damage not covered under warranty.

Battery Connection Warnings

• The Inverter/Charger will not operate (with or without utility power) until batteries are connected.

• Multiple battery systems must be comprised of batteries of identical voltage, age, amp-hour capacity and type.

• Because explosive hydrogen gas can accumulate near batteries if they are not kept well ventilated, your batteries should not be installed (whether for a mobile or stationary application) in a “dead air” compartment. Ideally, any compartment would have some ventilation to outside air.

• Sparks may result during final battery connection. Always observe proper polarity as batteries are connected.

• Do not allow objects to contact the two DC input terminals. Do not short or bridge these terminals together. Serious personal injury or property damage could result.

Equipment Connection Warnings

• Use of this equipment in life support applications where failure of this equipment can reasonably be expected to cause the failure of the life support equipment or to significantly affect its safety or effectiveness is not recommended. Do not use this equipment in the presence of a flammable anesthetic mixture with air, oxygen or nitrous oxide.

• Only connect your Inverter/Charger to a properly grounded AC power outlet or hardwire power source. Do not plug the unit into itself; this will damage the device and void your warranty.

• You may experience uneven performance if you connect a surge suppressor, line conditioner or UPS system to the output of your Inverter/Charger.

Operation Warnings

• Your Inverter/Charger does not require routine maintenance. Do not open the device for any reason. There are no user serviceable parts inside.

• Potentially lethal voltages exist within the Inverter/Charger as long as the battery supply and/or AC input are connected. During any service work, the battery supply and AC input connection (if any) should therefore be disconnected.

• Do not connect or disconnect batteries while the Inverter/Charger is operating in either inverting or charging mode. Operating Mode Switch should be in the DC OFF position. Dangerous arcing may result.

Caution: Your Inverter/Charger has a failsafe AC pass-through feature. The AC output will be live (if AC input is available) even though the operating mode switch is set to DC OFF.

Feature Identification

Identify the premium features on your specific model and quickly locate instructions on how to maximize their use.

Configuration DIP Switches: optimize Inverter/Charger operation depending on your application. See Configuration section for setting instructions.

Operating Mode Switch: controls Inverter/Charger operation. The “AUTO/REMOTE” setting ensures your equipment receives constant, uninterrupted AC power. It also enables the Inverter/Charger to be remotely monitored and controlled with an optional remote module (Tripp Lite model APSRM4, sold separately). The “CHARGE ONLY” setting allows your batteries to return to full charge faster by turning the inverter off which halts battery discharging. Setting the Operating Mode Switch to the "DC OFF" (center) position will de-energize the unit and connect "AC OUT" to "AC IN." See Operation section for setting instructions.

“LINE”, “INVERT”, “LOAD” LEDs: intuitive “traffic light” signals show whether the Inverter/Charger is operating from AC line power or DC battery power. It also warns you if the connected equipment load is too high. See Operation section for instructions on reading the indicator lights.

"BATT VOLTAGE" LEDs: these three lights will turn on in several sequences to show approximate battery level. See Operation section for instructions on reading the indicator lights.

DC Power Terminals: connect to your battery terminals. See Battery Connection section for instructions.

Hardwire AC Input/Output Terminals: securely connect the Inverter/Charger to vehicle or facility electrical system input and output. See AC Input/Output Connection section for instructions.

Resettable Circuit Breakers: protect your Inverter/Charger against damage due to overload or charger failure. See Operation section for resetting instructions.

Remote Control Module Connector: allows remote monitoring and control with an optional module (Tripp Lite model APSRM4, sold separately). See remote module owner’s manual for connection instructions.

Battery Charge Conserver (Load Sense) Dial: conserves battery power by setting the low-load level at which the Inverter/Charger’s inverter automatically shuts off. See Configuration section for setting instructions.

Main Ground Lug: properly grounds the Inverter/Charger to vehicle grounding system or to earth ground. See Battery Connection section for instructions.

Multi-Speed Cooling Fan: quiet, efficient fan prolongs equipment service life.

Hardwire AC Input/Output Cover Plate

Battery Temperature Sensing Connector (side mounted, not shown): prolongs battery life by adjusting charge based on

battery temperature. Use with included cable. See Configuration section for details.

DC Power Terminal Cover Plate

Front View

Rear View

OUTPUT/NEUTRAL

OUTPUT/HOT

GROUND

INPUT/NEUTRAL

INPUT/HOT

“FOR USE WITH COPPER WIRE ONLY”

24 3

8 91114

6 12

Switch Modes

After configuring, mounting and connecting your Inverter/Charger, you are able to operate it by switching between the following operating modes as appropriate to your situation:

AUTO/REMOTE: Switch to this mode when you need constant, uninterrupted AC power for connected appliances and equipment. The Inverter/Charger will continue to supply AC power to connected equipment and to charge your connected batteries while utilityor generator-supplied AC power is present. Since the inverter is ON (but in Standby) in this mode, it will automatically switch to your battery system to supply AC power to connected equipment in the absence of a utility/generator source or in over/under voltage situations. “AUTO/REMOTE” also enables an optional remote control module (Tripp Lite model APSRM4, sold separately) to function when connected to the unit.

CHARGE ONLY: Switch to this mode when you are not using connected appliances and equipment in order to conserve battery power by disabling the inverter. The Inverter/Charger will continue to supply AC power to connected equipment and charge connected batteries while utility- or generator-supplied AC power is present. However, since the inverter is OFF in this mode, it WILL NOT supply AC power to connected equipment in the absence of a utility/generator source or in over/under voltage situations.

DC OFF: Switch to this mode to shut down the Inverter/Charger, preventing the inverter from drawing power from the batteries, and preventing utility AC from charging the batteries. The "DC OFF" position connects AC OUT to AC IN, providing failsafe pass-through power. Use this switch to automatically reset the unit if it shuts down due to overload or overheating. First remove the excessive load or allow the unit to sufficiently cool (applicable to your situation). Switch to "DC OFF", then back to "AUTO/REMOTE" or "CHARGE ONLY" as desired. If unit fails to reset, remove more load or allow unit to cool further and try again. Use an optional remote control module (Tripp Lite Model APSRM4, sold separately) to reset unit after shutdown due to due to overload or overheating.

Caution: Your Inverter/Charger has a failsafe AC pass-through feature. The AC output will be live (if AC input is available) even though the operating mode switch is set to DC OFF.

Indicator Lights

Your Inverter/Charger (as well as an optional Tripp Lite Remote Control Module, sold separately) is equipped with a simple, intuitive, user-friendly set of indicator lights. These easily-remembered “traffic light” signals will allow you, shortly after first use, to tell at a glance a wide variety of operating details.

“LINE Green LED”: If the operating mode switch is set to “AUTO/REMOTE”, this light will ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY when your connected equipment is receiving continuous AC power supplied from a utility/generator source.

If the operating mode switch is set to “CHARGE ONLY”, this light will BLINK to alert you that the unit’s inverter is OFF and will NOT supply AC power in the absence of a utility/generator source or in over/under voltage situations.

“INV” (Inverting) Yellow LED: This light will ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY whenever connected equipment is receiving battery-supplied, inverted AC power (in the absence of a utility/generator source or in over/under voltage situations). This light will be off when AC power is supplying the load. This light will BLINK to alert you if the load is less than the Battery Charge Conserver (Load Sense) setting.

“LOAD” Red LED: This red light will ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY whenever the inverter is functioning and the power demanded by connected appliances and equipment exceeds 100% of load capacity. The light will BLINK to alert you when the inverter shuts down due to a severe overload or overheating. If this happens, turn the operating mode switch “OFF”; remove the overload and let the unit cool. You may then turn the operating mode switch to either “AUTO/REMOTE” or “CHARGE ONLY” after it has adequately cooled. This light will be off when AC power is supplying the load.

“BATT VOLTAGE” LEDs: If the operating mode switch is in the "AUTO/REMOTE" or "Charge Only" position, the LEDs indicate the approximate charge level and voltage of your connected battery bank and alert you to several fault conditions. See Chart for charge and voltage levels.

LED Function with Switch in “AUT

O/REMOTE” or

“CHARGE ONLY” Position

Approximate Battery Charge Level*

LEDs Battery Capacity Illuminated (Charging/Discharging)

Green 91%–Full Green & Yellow 81%–90% Yellow 61%–80% Yellow & Red 41%–60% Red 21%–40% All three lights off 1%–20% Flashing red 0% (Inverter

shutdown)**

* Charge levels listed are approximate. Actual conditions vary depending on battery condition and load. ** Inverter shutdown protects battery against damage due to excessive discharge.

Fault Condition

LEDs Fault Illuminated Condition

All three lights Excessive discharge flash slowly* (Inverter shutdown)

All three lights Overcharge (Charger flash quickly** shutdown)

*Approximately ½ second on, ½ second off. See Troubleshooting section. Inverter shutdown protects battery against damage due to excessive discharge.** Approximately ¼ second on, ¼ second off. Charger shutdown protects battery against damage due to overcharge. May also indicate a battery charger fault exists. See Troubleshooting section.

Operation

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