Xantrex XPower 1500 Owner's Manual

Owners Guide

TM

xPower1500

Portable Household Power

About Xantrex

Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power electronics with a
product line that ranges from 50-watt mobile units to 1 MW utility-scale systems for
wind, solar, batteries, fuel cells, microturbines and backup power applications in both grid­connected and stand-alone systems. Xantrex products include inverters, battery chargers,
programmable power supplies, and variable speed drives that convert, supply, control,
clean and distribute electrical power.

Trademarks

xPower, PORTAWATTZ, TRUECHARGE are trademarks and PROsine is a registered
trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex is a registered trademark of Xantrex
Technology Inc.

© 2001 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.

Notice of Copyright

xPower1500 Owners Guide © May 2001 Xantrex International.

Disclaimer

While every precaution has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this
guide, Xantrex International assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Note as
well that specifications and product functionality may change without notice.

Date and Revision

May 2001, Revision 1

Part Number

445-0127-01-01

Contact Information

Tel: [phone]

1.800.670.0707

Fax: [phone]

1.800.994.7828

Email: [e-mail]

Web: www.xantrex.com

Contents

Safety First  1

1 Introduction 2

2 Quick Start Guide 3

Overview ............................................................................................. 3

Assembling xPower1500s Handle ......................................................... 4

An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life ................................ 4

Operating 115-Volt AC Products............................................................ 5

Operating 12-Volt DC Accessories ........................................................ 5

Recharging xPower1500 ........................................................................ 6

Using xPower1500 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle ....................................... 6

3 Indicators, Controls and Connection Points 7

AC Power Panel .................................................................................... 7

Battery Status Switch / Battery Level Indicator ......................................... 8

AC Outlets Switch / POWER Light / AC Outlets ...................................... 8

FAULT Light .......................................................................................... 8

DC Power Panel .................................................................................... 9

High Power 12-Volt DC Terminals ........................................................ 10

4 Powering 115-Volt AC Products 11

Connecting Your AC Products............................................................ 11

Automatic Protection: Overload, Overheating and Low Battery .......... 12

Interference with Electronic Equipment ............................................... 12

Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems ............................................................ 12

Television Interference ............................................................................. 13

Battery Operating Times ..................................................................... 13

5 Powering 12-Volt DC Accessories 14

Connecting 12-Volt DC Accessories .................................................... 14

Battery Operating Times ..................................................................... 15

6 Vehicle or Boat Engine Starting Assistance 16

Jump-Starting Directly to the Battery .................................................. 16

Jump-Starting via a Vehicles Lighter Plug Socket ............................... 17

7 Recharging xPower1500 18

Charging Options ............................................................................... 18

Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life .................................................. 18

Recharging with the AC Charger......................................................... 18

Recharging From Your Vehicle ............................................................ 19

Recharging with a Generators 12-Volt DC Power Outlet ...................... 20

Recharging with a Solar Panel ............................................................. 20

8 Connecting to an External Battery 21

Extended Operating Time ................................................................... 21

Preparing the Cables ........................................................................... 21

Connecting the Cables ....................................................................... 22

9 Battery Replacement 23

Replacing xPower1500s Internal Battery Pack..................................... 23

Obtaining a Replacement Battery ........................................................ 24

10 Troubleshooting 26

11 Specifications 27

12 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) and

Out-of-Warranty Service Information 28

13 Other Products from Xantrex 31

Safety First 

Misuse of xPower1500 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
xPower1500 or to other equipment. WARNING statements identify
conditions that may result in personal injury or loss of life.

WARNING! Not for use with medical or life-support equipment.

· xPower1500 will run a wide variety of consumer electronics, power
tools and household appliances. This product is not designed for use
with medical or life-support equipment.

WARNING! Shock hazard. Keep away from children.

· xPower1500 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 foreign objects into xPower1500s AC outlets, its DC
Power Socket, or the ventilation holes. Do not remove the covers on
the High Power DC Terminals, unless connecting cables. Do not expose
xPower1500 to water.

· Do not, under any circumstances, connect xPower1500s AC receptacle
to power utility AC distribution wiring.

· Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in personal
injury and/or damage to xPower1500.

WARNING! Explosion hazard.

· Do not use xPower1500 where there are flammable fumes or gases,
such as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near propane tanks.
Do not use xPower1500 in an enclosure containing automotive-type
lead acid batteries. These batteries, unlike the sealed battery pack in
the xPower1500, 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.

· xPower1500s internal inverter components may become uncomfortably
warm, reaching 140°F (60°C) under extended high power operation.
Ensure at least 15 cm (6 in) of air space is maintained on all sides and on
top of xPower1500. 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 xPower1500.

 Do not expose xPower1500 to temperatures in excess of 104°F (40°C).

1

1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing xPower1500, the 1500-watt electronic generator
thats portable and rechargeable. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use,
xPower1500 can run a wide range of electrical products  from power tools to
entertainment equipment, and even refrigerators. xPower1500s rugged, cart­like design gives you go-anywhere AC power and its plug-in-and-forget
charging system keeps it fully charged and ready for use any time the power
goes out. With an optional set of jump-start cables, xPower1500 can even
start a vehicle or boat.

Read this guide before using xPower1500 and save it for future reference.

Be sure to charge xPower1500 immediately after purchase (see Section 7).
xPower1500s plug-in-and-forget charging system can be left permanently
plugged into a wall outlet to keep its battery pack fully charged and ready for
use.

To ensure you enjoy all the features of xPower1500, the following topics are
covered in this manual:

· How to use xPower1500 as a source of 115-volt
AC power to run household or workplace
products.

· How to use xPower1500 as a source of 12-volt
DC power to run typical auto or marine
accessories.

· How to use xPower1500 to jump-start a
vehicle.

· How to recharge xPower1500s internal battery
pack.

· How to connect an external battery to
xPower1500.

2

2 Quick Start Guide

Overview

A brief overview of xPower1500s features is provided below. For
complete information, be sure to read this manual fully. Figure 1
below shows xPower1500s key features and accessories.

Figure 1 - Key Features and Accessories

3

Assembling xPower1500s Handle

Figure 2 shows how to assemble the handle and attach it to
xPower1500.

Figure 2 - Handle Assembly

An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery
Life

AC powered products are rated by how much electrical power (in
watts) they consume. xPower1500 is capable of generating a
maximum of 1350 watts (maximum continuous) to power AC products
plugged into the AC outlets. As an example, a lamp with a 40-watt
light bulb can be operated from xPower1500 for up to 9½ hours when
xPower1500s internal battery pack is fully charged.

4

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. For example, a small 12-volt fluorescent light
draws less than 0.7 amps. When connected to xPower1500s DC
Power Socket, this light could be expected to operate for about 75
hours before xPower1500s battery pack needs recharging.
xPower1500 is designed to supply up to 12 amps from its DC Power
Socket.

Remember: The fewer watts an AC product uses, or the fewer amps
a DC accessory draws, the longer xPower1500 will operate before
recharging is required.

Operating 115-Volt AC Products

1. Ensure xPower1500s battery pack is fully charged. See Section 7
for details.

2. Turn the AC Outlets switch ON. The green POWER light
indicates AC power is available at the AC outlets.

3. Plug the AC product(s) you wish to operate into the AC outlet(s)
and switch the product(s) ON, one at a time. xPower1500 will
operate most devices rated up to 1350 watts.

4. In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or overheating,
the AC outlets will automatically shut down and the red FAULT
light will illuminate. See Section 4 - Automatic Protection:
Overload, Overheating and Low Battery for details.

5. Fully recharge xPower1500s battery pack as soon as possible
after each use.

Operating 12-Volt DC Accessories

1. Ensure xPower1500s battery pack is fully charged. See Section 7
for details.

2. Plug the accessory into xPower1500s DC Power Socket, and
switch the accessory on (if required). xPower1500 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 directly to
xPower1500s internal battery pack, extended operation of a 12­volt accessory may result in excessive battery discharge.

IMPORTANT: Care must be taken to ensure the battery pack does
not become totally discharged. See Section 5 for details.

NOTE: The internal cooling fan is thermally activated whenever the
AC Outlets switch is ON. The cooling fan helps maintain
xPower1500s output power when products with high power
requirements are run.

5

Recharging xPower1500

1. The batterys charge level may be seen by pressing the Battery
Status switch on the AC Power Panel.

2. To recharge, plug the AC Charger into a standard 115-volt AC
outlet and the DC plug into the DC Power Socket (located on the
DC Power Panel). The Recharge Indicator on the AC Charger will
change from amber to green when charging is complete (up to 15
hours). It is safe (and recommended) to leave the AC Charger
connected indefinitely.

IMPORTANT: Review the safety information in the AC Charger
Owners Guide (also enclosed) before recharging xPower1500.

3. Charging may also be done from an automobile lighter socket.
See Section 7 for details.

Using xPower1500 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle

Due to potential dangers, see Section 6 for a detailed explanation.

6

3 Indicators, Controls and

Connection Points

AC Power Panel

As shown in Figure 3 below, the AC Power Panel contains the
Battery Status Switch, Battery Level Indicator, AC Outlets Switch,
AC Power Light, Fault Light, and dual AC Outlets.

Figure 3 - AC Power Panel

7