Xantrex XPower Inverter 300 User Guide

t 1-800-394-0440 (toll free in North America) 1-604-422-2777 (direct) f 1-604-420-2145 e customerservice@xantrex.com

www.xantrex.com

975-0172-01-01 REV. A Printed in China

XPower Inverter

175, 300, 700

Owner's Guide

About Xantrex

Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power electronics and controls with products from 50 watt mobile units to one 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 by Xantrex is a trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex is a registered trademark of Xantrex International.

Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and product names are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

Notice of Copyright

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 USER’S RISK.

Date and Revision

October 2004 Revision A

Part Number

975-0172-01-01

Contact Information

Telephone: 1 800 394 0440 (toll free North America)

Fax: 1 800 994 7828 (toll free North America)

Email: customerservice@xantrex.com Web: www.xantrex.com

1 360 925 5097 (direct)

1 360 925 5143 (direct)

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2. Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Additional Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3. Safety Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4. Installation Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Selecting a suitable location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

5. Using the Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using the DC cable with cigarette lighter plug (300 W

unit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Using the DC cable clips (300 and 700 W units) . 11

6. Indicators and Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

7. Inverter Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Battery Operating Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Interference with Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . 18

Buzzing sound in audio systems and radios. . . . . . 19

Television interference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8. Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

9. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

10. Warranty and Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Xantrex XPower inverter. The XPower inverter is part of a family of advanced high-performance power inverters from Xantrex, the leader in high frequency inverter design.

Connected to the 12 volt outlet in your vehicle, the XPower inverter efficiently and reliably powers a wide variety of AC loads, such as compact TVs and VCRs, laptops, camcorder and cell phone chargers, compact fluorescent lights, and soldering irons.

The XPower inverter uses reliable solid state power electronics for years of safe, trouble-free operation and includes automatic safety monitoring circuitry to protect it, and your battery, from inadvertent overload conditions.

Read this guide before connecting or using the XPower inverter, and save it for future reference. The main topics in the guide are:

• Safety information (page 3)

• XPower inverter features (page 13)

• Instructions for connecting the inverter (page 8)

• Operating guidelines (page 15)

• Troubleshooting information (page 20)

• Specifications (page 25)

• Warranty and service information (page 27)

• Overload shutdown

• Over temperature shutdown

• Short circuit protection

2 Important Safety Information

Misusing or incorrectly connecting the XPower inverter may damage the equipment or create hazardous conditions for users. Read the following safety instructions and pay special attention to all Caution and Warning statements in the guide.

Warnings identify personal injury or loss of life.

Cautions identify conditions or practices that may damage the unit or other equipment.

Warnings and Cautions

WARNING

Keep children away from the XPower inverter. The inverter generates the same potentially lethal AC power as a normal household wall outlet. Treat the outlet with respect!

conditions that may result in

WARNING

The XPower inverter housing may become uncomfortably warm, reaching 140° F (60° C) under extended high power operation. Ensure that at least 2 inches (5 cm) of air surround the inverter. During operation, keep it away from materials that may be affected by high temperatures.

WARNING

Do not use the XPower inverter in the presence of flammable fumes or gases, such as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near propane tanks. Do not use the XPower inverter in an enclosure containing automotive-type, lead-acid batteries. These batteries, unlike sealed batteries, vent explosive hydrogen gas, which can be ignited by sparks from electrical connections.

CAUTION: Output non-sinusoidal

Some chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the XPower inverter. Do not use the inverter with the following appliances:

• Small battery-operated appliances like rechargeable flashlights, some rechargeable shavers, and night lights that are plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.

• Bat t ery chargers used in hand power tools. These chargers display a warning label stating that dangerous voltages are present at the charger battery terminals.

CAUTION

Do not connect live AC power to the XPower inverter’s AC outlets. The inverter will be damaged even if it is switched OFF. Do not connect any AC load that has its neutral conductor connected to ground to the XPower inverter.

Additional Safety Guidelines

• Do not insert foreign objects in the XPower inverter outlets or other openings.

• Never connect the inverter to power utility AC distribution wiring.

• Do not use the XPower inverter in temperatures over 100° F (40° C).

• Do not expose the XPower inverter to water, rain, snow, or spray.

Failure to follow these safety guidelines may cause personal injury and/or damage to the XPower inverter. It may also void your product warranty.

3 Safety Features

These advanced safety features are built into the XPower inverter:

• Electronic overload protection with automatic shutdown

• Built-in internal backup DC fuse

• Low battery voltage warning followed by automatic shutdown

• High-input voltage protection with automatic shutdown

• Overheat protection with automatic shutdown

• Output short circuit protection

4 Installation Guidelines

Selecting a suitable location

For safe and optimum performance, install the XPower inverter in a location that is:

Dry Do not expose to water drip or spray. Cool Operate only in ambient temperatures

Well ventilated

Safe

Clean and free of dirt

between 0°C (32°F) and 40°C (104°F). Keep away from furnace heating vents or other heat producing equipment.

Allow at least 2" (5 cm) clearance above and on all sides of the unit for proper cooling.

Do not install the power inverter in a compartment with batteries or flammable liquids, such as gasoline, or explosive vapors.

This is especially important if the power inverter is used in a work environment.

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