Vector MAXX SST 3000 VEC051, MAXXSST 2200, MAXXSST 3000 Owner's Manual

VEC051

OWNER’S MANUAL

THIS MANUAL CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SAFETY, OPERATION,

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE OF THIS PRODUCT. TO AVOID POSSIBLE INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE,

PLEASE READ THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT.

MAXXSSTTM3000

POWER INVERTER

3000 WATT CONTINUOUS / 6000 WATT PEAK

CONVERTS 12 VOLT DC TO 110 VOLT AC

ADVANCED

MOSFET

TECHNOLOGY

VECTOR “GOLD SEAL” 2/4 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PROGRAM

This limited warranty program is the only one that applies to this product and it sets forth all the
responsibilities of Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. regarding this product. There is no other warranty
other than those described herein.

This Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. product is warranted, to the original purchaser only, to be free of
defects in materials and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase without additional
charge. This warranty may be extended to four years from date of purchase by paying an
Extended Warranty fee (see below). The warranty does not extend to subsequent purchasers or
users. Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. will not be responsible for any amount of damage in excess of
the retail purchase price of the product under any circumstances. Incidental and consequential
damages are specifically excluded from coverage under this warranty.

This product is not intended for commercial use. This warranty does not apply to accessories or
damage to units from misuse or incorrect installation. Misuse includes wiring or connecting to
improper polarity power sources.

RETURN/REPAIR POLICY: Defective products, other than accessories, may be returned postage pre­paid to Vector Manufacturing. Any defective product, other than accessories, that is returned to
Vector Manufacturing within 30 days of the date of purchase will be replaced free of charge. If
such a product is returned more than 30 days but less than two years from the purchase date,
Vector Manufacturing will repair the unit or, at its option, replace it free of charge. If The Extended
Warranty was activated, this repair or replacement period extends to four years from the purchase
date.

If the unit is repaired, new or reconditioned replacement parts may be used, at Vector
Manufacturing’s option. A unit may be replaced with a new or reconditioned unit of the same or
comparable design. The repaired or replaced unit will then be warranted under the terms of the
remainder of the warranty period. The customer is responsible for the shipping charges on all
returned items. During the warranty period, Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. will be responsible for the
return shipping charges.

LIMITATIONS: This warranty does not cover accessories, bulbs, fuses and batteries, defects resulting
from normal wear and tear (including chips, scratches, abrasions, discoloration or fading due to
usage or exposure to sunlight), accidents, damage during shipping to our service facility,
alterations, unauthorized use or repair, neglect, misuse, abuse, failure to follow instructions for
care and maintenance, fire, flood and acts of God.

If your problem is not covered by this warranty, call our Technical Support Department at
[phone] Ext. 19 for general repair information and charges if applicable.

STATE LAW RIGHTS: This warranty gives you specific legal rights. Some states do not allow
limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental
or consequential damages, so the exclusions or imitations stated herein may not apply. This
warranty gives the purchaser specific legal rights. Other rights, which vary from state to state, may
apply.

TO REQUEST WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THIS PRODUCT: Contact Vector Manufacturing Technical
Support by telephone, fax or mail. We suggest that you keep the original packaging in case you
need to ship the unit. When returning a product, include your name, address, phone number,
dated sales receipt (or copy) and a description of the reason for return and product serial number.
After replacing the unit, we will attempt to return it to you within four weeks.

WARRANTY ACTIVATION: Please complete Warranty Activation Card and mail to Vector
Manufacturing. If activating Additional Extended Two Year Warranty, (total two years) enclose
check or money order for $150.00 Enter “VEC051” as Model and Power Inverter as “Product
Type”. All Vector Manufacturing, Ltd. products must be registered within (30) days of purchase. To
activate this warranty, mail completed registration form, a copy of the original sales receipt and
required fee (if activating extended warranty) to:

WARRANTY REGISTRATION
VECTOR MANUFACTURING, Ltd.
4140 S.W. 28th Way; Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

4140 S.W. 28th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Toll Free: [phone]

www.vectormfg.com

PROBLEM: LOW POWER OUTPUT

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SUGGESTED SOLUTION

Inverter overloaded. Reduce current load to 3000 watts

maximum for continuous operation.

Input Voltage below 11.5 VDC. Recharge or replace battery (batteries).

Input 12 VDC cable is not heavy Correct cable problem with heavier .
gauge, and/or cable run is too long. gauge wire.

PROBLEM: LOW BATTERY ALARM SOUNDS CONTINUOUSLY

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SUGGESTED SOLUTION

Inadequate power or Clean and reconnect cables and
excessive voltage drop. reduce input cable length.Use

correct gauge and length wire.

28

9.0 MAINTENANCE

The MAXXSST

™

3000 inverter requires minimal maintenance. However, for

optimum performance, perform the following as required.

1. Turn OFF the converter using the front panel ON/OFF switch.

2. Disconnect the inverter by removing the DC power fuse.

3. Check and tighten all electrical connections including the ground.

4. Using a non-metallic vacuum cleaner hose, vacuum the fan area and other
air slots.

5. Clean any dirt and dust from the outside of the unit with a damp cloth.

6. Reconnect the fuse and resume operation

IMPORT

ANT SAFETY INFORMATION

To ensure reliable service, your power inverter must be installed and used properly.
Please read the installation and operating instructions thoroughly prior to installation
and use. Pay particular attention to the WARNING and CAUTION statements in
this manual. The CAUTION statements advise against certain conditions and
practices that may result in damage to your inverter. The WARNING statements
identify conditions or practices that may result in personal injury.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS POWER INVERTER

WARNINGS

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, EXPLOSION OR INJURY:

• Do not connect to AC distribution wiring

• Remove appliance plug from outlet strip or turn off inverter before
working on the appliance

• DO NOT locate inverters in an area, room or compartment where
explosive or flammable fumes might be present

• Unplug appliances when servicing

• KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN—THIS IS NOT A TOY

Multiple outlet power strips with switches and circuit breakers only interrupt
power to the “hot” receptacle terminals. The “neutral” terminals remain
powered with respect to the “ground” terminals

CAUTIONS

• NO USER-SERVICEABLE COMPONENTS INSIDE. OPENING UNIT
WILL VOID WARRANTY

• Do not use with positive ground electrical systems (the majority of
modern automobiles, RVs, and trucks and boats are negative ground)
Reverse polarity connection will result in a blown fuse and may cause
permanent damage to the inverter and will void the warranty

•Grounding the Neutral will cause the inverter to shut down

• Do not operate this inverter if it is wet

•Do not install in engine compartment - install in a well ventilated area

•Not approved for use in conjunction with medical equipment

IMPORTANT CABLE INFORMATION

Substantial power loss and reduced battery operating time results from
inverters installed with cables that are not able to supply full power. Symptoms
of low battery power can result from cables that are either excessively long or
an insufficient gauge. The installer/operator should be especially aware of
the requirements to maintain secure, electrical connections. Cable insulation and
ampacity (ampere capacity) must be the appropriate type for the environment. If
you went to purchase a prepared cable and fuse set contact Technical Support at
[phone] or toll free at [phone], ext. 19.

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 Basic Tour of Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.2 MAXXSST

™

3000 Safety Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.3

Warnings, Cautions and Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.0 INVERTER APPLICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2 AC Transfer Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.0 THEORY OF OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.0 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.1 Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.2 Determining Battery Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.3 Battery Operating Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.4 Controls, Indicators and Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

5.0 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

5.1 Input Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

5.2 Operating Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

5.3 Installation Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

5.4 Quick Operational Checkout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

5.5 Permanent Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

5.6 Connection To High Output Terminal Block . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

6.0 SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

7.0 SERVICE & REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

8.0 TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

8.1 Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

8.2 Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

9.0 MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

10.0 WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

27

8.2 Troubleshooting Guide

PROBLEM: NO 110/120-VAC POWER OUTPUT

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SUGGESTED SOLUTION

Inverter switch in OFF position. Turn inverter ON.

Poor contact with 12-VDC battery supply. Switch OFF the inverter; clean input

terminals, reconnect input terminals
and cable ends; reconnect cables.

Input power source below 10-VDC. Recharge or replace power

source batteries.

Total appliance current draw Reduce appliance load to 3000

watts maximum.

Inverter in thermal shutdown condition. Allow inverter to cool down; ensure

adequate air circulation around
unit; reduce current load to 3000
watts maximum.

DC fuse is open (blown) Ensure inverter is properly connected

to12 VDC power source with
correct polarity. Call Vector™
Customer Support. Remove
overload from inverter. If resetting
the front-panel mounted circuit
breaker(s) does not resolve the
problem, the inverter MUST be
returned to the manufacturer for
professional inspection of the internal
circuitry and internal fuses. DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN UNIT:
THIS WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

Tripped circuit breakers on front panel Inspect circuit breakers.
of inverter Reset circuit breaker(s).

Excessive input voltage. Ensure that inverter is connected

to a 12 VDC to 15 VDC
power source.

Short circuit or neutral is grounded. Correct wiring. Inspect internal

circuit. Correct wiring.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Your new Vector MAXXSST

™

3000 inverter is one in a series of the most

advanced DC to AC inverters available. With proper care and appropriate
usage, it will give you years of dependable service in your car, truck, RV or
boat.

The MAXXSST

™

3000 supplies 3000 watts of continuous power, with a 6000

watt peak, in the form of three household-type outlets that are ready to deliver
110 volt AC power whenever and wherever you need it! The heavy-duty
inverter has enough power to run most household or electronic appliances. It
also comes equipped with battery clips to handle higher amperage/load
applications, such as power tools, stereo amplifiers, vacuums, etc. Added
safety features include automatic shutdown and a low battery alarm to prevent
damage to your battery.

This Power Inverter is configured with the latest Soft Start Technology (SST).
Before introduction of Soft-Start, high startup currents from large inductive loads
could shut down the inverter. Soft Start improves inverter operation. Three
major features incorporated in SST include: First, gradual voltage ramp-up dur­ing inverter startup. This eliminates failed cold starts under load. Second, out­put that momentarily dips in voltage and quickly recovers to allow large motor­ized loads to start. This eliminates almost all shutdowns from momentary over­loads. Last, the inverter automatically re-starts when an overload that causes
inverter shutdown is removed. Previously, manual reset was required.

This power inverter also incorporates a new cooling technology that directly
benefits our customers. The new design more efficiently cools the power tran­sistors, and combined with Soft Start, dramatically increases reliability and the
life of the product.

1

“Buzzing” Sound in Audio Systems and/or Snow in TVs
The MAXXSST

™

3000 inverter is shielded to minimize interference with TV

signals. Ensure that the ground screw on the High Output Terminal is wired to chassis
ground. Ensure that the TV antenna provides an adequate “snow free” signal and
that the antenna cable is high quality and shielded without the inverter operating.
The problem may not be with the inverter. However, in some cases, some
interference may be visible, particularly with weak TV signals. Try the following
corrective measures:

• Position the TV and antenna further away from the inverter if it is the cause of
interference. Adjust the antenna or use commercial cable hookup (if possible)
for best results

• Do not operate high-power appliances or tools when you are watching TV

Inverter Shuts Down or Battery Fuse Opens
The MAXXSST

™

3000 inverter will continuously deliver 3000 watts or 27.5

amps of AC power. It will deliver up to 6000 watts or 54 amps for short
periods of time. After a few seconds at this power output level, the inverter may
shut itself down or the battery fuse will open. Replace the battery fuse, if opened.
Reduce the load on the inverter. Allow the inverter to cool for at least 15 minutes
before attempting to start or run a high current draw device.

26

2

1.1 BASIC TOUR OF THE

MAXXSST™3000 INVERTER

AC power is supplied via two standard North American grounded,household-type
receptacles (U-ground) as shown in FIGURE 1 (THE FRONT PANEL). This allows the
connection and operation of most 110 VAC-powered electrical and/or electronic
appliances using a standard plug. Each U-ground receptacle is separately protected
by a 15-amp circuit breaker. For heavy duty applications, appliances or electrical
distribution circuits can be wired directly to the High Output Terminal Block. The terminal
block wires are color-coded: black-hot, white-neutral and green-ground. Note that
the High Output Terminal Block MUST be wired to a user-supplied dual ganged
30 Ampere, 110 volt AC circuit breaker if the terminal block is used. For safety
reasons, the circuit breaker can be a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) breaker if the
distribution wiring AC outlets are located near plumbing or where unsupervised
small children will have access to them.

Figure 1. Front Panel.

The rest of the front panel items are: One vertically mounted LED bar voltmeter that
indicates battery voltage measured at the inverter’s DC terminals. One vertically
mounted LED bar ammeter that indicates battery current drawn by just the inverter.
An ON/OFF switch that turns off the inverter circuitry, the cooling fan and AC out­put. A high-temp LED indicator and Overload LED indicator. If either of these light,
the inverter will automatically shut down until the condition improves.

FIGURE 2 shows the back panel DC connectors and fan locations. Note that
the fan only operates when the inverter temperature rises. It shuts off when cooling
is not required.

GROUNDING
TERMINAL

Figure 2. Back Panel.

25

6.0 SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum Continuous Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3000 Watts

Surge Capacity (Peak Power) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6000 Watts

No Load Current Draw (switch ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 amps

Max. Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . approx. 90%

Input Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-15 VDC

Output Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 VAC 60 Hz

Low Voltage Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.6 Volts

Low Voltage Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.0 Volts Auto Reset

Thermal Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Auto Reset

Wave Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modified Sine Wave (MSW)

Front Panel Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dual 15-amp

Output Receptacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Two U-ground, 15 ampere,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North American Standard

High Output Terminal Block . . . . . Supplies up to 30 amps to screw terminals

Power Transistor Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MOSFET

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.8 lbs. (10.8 kg)

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.8 in. (53 cm)

Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.8 in. (20 cm)

Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.30 in. (16 cm)

7.0 SERVICE & PARTS

For service on the MAXXSST

™

3000, or to purchase a prepared cable set, fuse,

fuse holder, and terminal connectors required for installation, contact the Customer
Service Department at: VECTOR Manufacturing, Ltd. 4140 S.W. 28th Way, Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33312 Tel. [phone] • Fax [phone]

8.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

8.1 Common Problems:

Power Tools and Microwave Ovens Won’t Start

Read the information panel on each power tool carefully to accurately determine
the tool’s input wattage. The MAXXSST

™

3000 wattage output is sufficient to

operate most power tools and microwave ovens but remember that the power
needed to start the power tool may be as much as 2 to 6 times its continuous
wattage requirements.