Xantrex xPower 300 Owner's Manual
Owners Guide
TM
xPower 300
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 grid-connected 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
xPower300 Owners Guide © May 2001 Xantrex International.
Disclaimer
UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, XANTREX
TECHNOLOGY INC. (XANTREX)
(a) MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY
OR SUITABILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION
PROVIDED IN ITS MANUALS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION.
(b) ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR
DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
INCIDENTAL, WHICH MIGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH
INFORMATION. THE USE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE
ENTIRELY AT THE USERS RISK.
Date and Revision
May 2001, Revision 2
Part Number
445-0092-01-01
Contact Information
Tel: 604.422.8595
1.800.670.0707
Fax: 604.420.1591
1.800.994.7828
Email: support.xpower@xantrex.com
Web: www.xantrex.com
Contents
Safety First 1
1 Introduction 3
2 Quick Start Guide 4
Overview .......................................................................................... 4
An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life ......................... 5
Operating 115-Volt AC Products ...................................................... 5
Operating 12-Volt DC Accessories ................................................... 6
Recharging xPower300 ..................................................................... 6
Using xPower300 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle .................................. 6
3 Indicators, Controls and Connectors 7
Display Panel ................................................................................... 7
Battery Level Indicator ........................................................................... 7
Recharge Indicator .................................................................................. 7
Charger Input Socket .............................................................................. 8
DC Power Socket ................................................................................... 8
AC Inverter ...................................................................................... 8
High-Power DC Connector ............................................................... 8
4 Powering 115-Volt AC Products 9
General Information ......................................................................... 9
Connecting Your AC Products......................................................... 9
Automatic Protection: Overload, Overheating and Low Battery ... 10
Interference with Electronic Equipment ......................................... 10
Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems ......................................................... 10
Television Interference .......................................................................... 11
Battery Operating Times ................................................................ 11
5 Powering 12-Volt DC Accessories 12
Connecting 12-Volt DC Accessories .............................................. 12
xPower300 Emergency Light .......................................................... 12
Battery Operating Times ................................................................ 13
6 Vehicle or Boat Engine Starting Assistance 14
Jump-Starting Direct to the Battery ............................................... 14
Jump-Starting via a Vehicles Lighter Plug Socket ......................... 15
7 Recharging xPower300 16
General Information on Batteries and Charging ............................. 16
Charging Options ................................................................................. 16
Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life .................................................... 16
Battery Replacement ............................................................................ 16
Recharging with the AC Charger ................................................... 17
Recharging from Your Vehicle ........................................................ 17
Recharging with a Generators 12-Volt DC Power Outlet ............... 18
Recharging with a Solar Panel........................................................ 18
8 Connecting to an External Battery 20
Extended Operating Time ............................................................... 20
Connecting an External Battery ..................................................... 20
9 Troubleshooting 2 1
10 Specifications 23
11 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) 24
12 Out-of-Warranty Service Information 26
13 Other Products from Xantrex 27
Safety First
Misuse of xPower300 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
xPower300 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.
xPower300 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.
xPower300 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 xPower300s AC outlets,
its DC Power Socket, the High Power DC Connector, or the
ventilation holes in its AC inverter. Do not expose xPower300 to
water.
Not for hardwire applications. Do not, under any circumstances,
connect xPower300s AC outlets to AC distribution wiring.
Permanent damage to xPower300 will occur.
Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in personal
injury and/or damage to xPower300.
WARNING! Explosion hazard.
Do not use xPower300 where there are flammable fumes or
gases, such as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near
propane tanks. Do not use xPower300 in an enclosure containing
automotive-type lead acid batteries. These batteries, unlike the
sealed battery in the xPower300, 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.
xPower300s AC inverter chassis may become uncomfortably warm,
reaching 140° F (60° C) under extended high power operation.
Ensure at least 2 in. (5 cm.) air space is maintained on all sides of
xPower300. During operation, keep away from materials that
may be affected by high temperatures such as blankets, pillows
and sleeping bags.
1
CAUTION
Do not expose xPower300 to temperatures in excess of 104°F
(40°C).
CAUTION
Do not connect any AC load, whose neutral conductor is
connected to ground, to xPower300.
CAUTION: Do not use the xPower300 with the following equipment:
Small battery operated products such as rechargeable flashlights,
some rechargeable shavers, and night-lights that are plugged
directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
Certain battery chargers for battery packs used in hand power
tools. These chargers will have a warning label stating that
dangerous voltages are present at the chargers battery terminals.
2
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing xPower300, the 300-watt electronic generator.
Designed for best-in-class performance and value, xPower300 can
temporarily power a wide variety of electrical products and equipment
when utility power is unavailable or during a power outage, and can even
jump-start your car in an emergency.
Read this guide before using xPower300 and save it for future reference.
Be sure to charge xPower300 immediately after purchase (see Section 7).
xPower300s automatic charging system is intended to be left permanently
plugged into a wall outlet, to keep its battery fully charged and ready for
use.
To ensure you enjoy all the features of xPower300, the following topics are
covered in this guide:
How to use xPower300 as a source of 115-volt AC power
to run household or workplace products.
How to use xPower300 as a source of 12-volt DC power
to run typical auto or marine accessories.
How to use xPower300 to jump-start a vehicle.
How to recharge xPower300s battery.
3
2 Quick Start Guide
Overview
The following basic instructions are intended to provide a
brief overview of xPower300s key features. For complete
information, be sure to read this guide fully. The diagram
below shows xPower300s key features and accessories.
Figure 1 - Key Features
4
An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life
AC powered products are rated by how much electrical power
(in watts) they consume. xPower300s AC inverter is capable
of generating a maximum of 300 watts to power AC products
plugged into the AC receptacles. As an example, a 40 watt
light bulb can be operated from xPower300 for up to 3½ hours
when xPower300s internal battery is fully charged.
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. The small 12-volt
fluorescent light included draws less than 0.7 amps. When
connected to the xPower300s DC Power Socket, this light
could be expected to operate up to 25 hours with its switch set
to II, or about 50 hours with its switch set to I before
xPower300s battery needs recharging. xPower300 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 xPower300 will operate
before recharging is required.
Operating 115-Volt AC Products
1. Ensure xPower300 battery is fully charged. See Section 7 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 product(s) you wish to operate into the AC outlet(s)
and switch the product(s) ON, one at a time. xPower300 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 4 - Automatic Protection
Overload, Overheating and Low Battery for details.
5. Fully recharge xPower300s battery as soon as possible after
each use.
5
Operating 12-Volt DC Accessories
1. Ensure xPower300s battery is fully charged. See Section 7 for
details.
2. Plug the accessory into xPower300s DC Power Socket, and
switch the accessory on (if required). xPower300 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
xPower300s 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 5 - Connecting 12-
Volt DC Accessories for details.
Recharging xPower300
1. The batterys charge level may be seen by pressing the Battery
Status Button on xPower300s 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
xPower300s display panel. The Recharge Indicator will change
from amber to green when charging is complete (typically after
35 hours). It is safe (and recommended) to leave the AC Charger
connected indefinitely.
3. Charging may also be done from an automobile lighter socket.
See Section 7 - Recharging from Your Vehicle for details.
CAUTION: Do not use xPower300 to operate any AC products
or DC accessories while charging with the AC Charger.
Using xPower300 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle
Due to potential dangers, see Section 6 for a detailed
explanation.
6
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