Xantrex XPower Powerpack 300 PLUS User Guide

Owner’s Guide

XPower Powerpack

300 and 300 PLUS

About Xantrex

Xantrex Technology Inc. develops, manufactures and markets leading advanced power electronic and control products for the Distributed, Mobile, and Programmable Power markets. The company’s enabling technology converts raw electrical power from any central, distributed, or backup power source into highquality power required by electronic and electrical equipment. Its products are sold under the Xantrex, Trace, Heart and Statpower brands.

Trademarks

XPower 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

XPower™ Powerpack 300 and 300 Plus Owner’s Guide

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

May 2002, Revision 1

Part Number

445-0170-01-01

Contact I nformation

Phone	1-800-670-0707 (toll free in North America)
	1-604-420-1585 (outside North America)
Fax:	1-800-994-7828 (toll free in North America)
	1-604-420-1591 (outside North America)
Email:	CustomerService@Xantrex.com
Web:	www.xantrex.com

About This Guide

Conventions Used

The following conventions are used in this guide.

WARNI NG

Warnings identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life.

CAUTI ON

Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the XPower™ Powerpack unit or to other equipment.

Important: These notes describe an important action item or an item that you must pay attention to.

Note: Notes describe additional information which may add to your understanding of how to use the XPower Powerpack.

About This Guide

References to XPow er Pow erpack

In this guide, both the XPower Powerpack 300 and the XPower Powerpack 300 Plus (with the air compressor) are referred to as XPower Powerpack when the information applies to both models. However, when the information is specific to one model, then reference is made specifically to the XPower Powerpack 300 or to the XPower Powerpack 300 Plus.

Related I nformation

You can find more information about Xantrex Technology Inc. as well as its products and services at www.xantrex.com

I mportant Safety I nformation

The XPower Powerpack generates a similar type of AC power as a normal household wall outlet. Operating the XPower Powerpack incorrectly or misusing it may damage the equipment or create hazardous conditions for the user.

Important: Before using your XPower Powerpack, be sure to read and save these safety instructions.

Warnings and Cautions

WARNI NG: Shock hazard. Keep Aw ay from Children.

The XPower Powerpack generates the same potentially lethal AC power as a normal household wall outlet. Do not insert foreign objects into the AC Outlet, the DC Power Socket, the Jumper Cable Port, or the ventilation holes. Do not expose this product to water, rain, snow, or spray.

Do not open the XPower Powerpack except to replace the internal battery. Have a qualified technician complete any service work.

CAUTI ON

Do not connect any AC appliance with the neutral conductor connected to ground to the XPower Powerpack.

Warnings and Cautions

CAUTI ON

Do not expose the XPower Powerpack to temperatures over 104 °F (40 °C).

WARNI NG: Explosion hazard

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

WARNI NG: Heated surface

Ensure at least 2 inches (5 cm) air space is maintained on all sides of the XPower Powerpack. During operation, keep away from materials that may be affected by high temperatures such as blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.

CAUTI ON

The jump-start feature is designed for short term operation only—less than 4 seconds. Operating the jump-start feature for more than 4 seconds may cause damage to the unit. Allow the XPower Powerpack to cool down for 3–4 minutes after each jump start.

CAUTI ON: XPow er Pow erpack 300 Plus

The compressor is designed for short term operation only. Operating the compressor over an extended period of time will cause the compressor unit to overheat and may cause damage. Allow the compressor to cool down for 10 minutes after each 10 minutes of continuous operation.

Precautions When Working With Batteries

Precautions When Working With

Batteries

WARNI NG: Explosion and Fire Hazard

1.Follow all instructions published by the battery manufacturer and the manufacturer of the equipment in which the battery is installed.

2.Make sure the area around the battery is well ventilated.

3.Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of the engine or batteries.

4.Be careful not to drop a metal object on the battery or allow a metal tool to simultaneously touch the positive and negative cable ends or battery terminals. It might spark or short-circuit the battery or other electrical parts and cause an explosion.

5.Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery produces a short circuit current high enough to weld a ring or other similar objects to metal, causing a severe burn.

6.If you need to remove a battery, always remove the positive terminal from the battery first. Make sure all accessories are off so you don’t cause an arc.

7.Someone should be within range of your voice, or close enough to come to your aid when you work near a leadacid battery.

8.Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, and eyes.

9.Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching your eyes while working near batteries.

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Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances

10.If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters your eye, immediately flood it with running cold water for at least twenty minutes and get medical attention immediately.

11.Keep a supply of baking soda on hand in the area of the batteries. Baking soda neutralizes lead-acid battery electrolyte.

Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances

Most rechargeable battery-operated equipment uses a separate charger or transformer that is plugged into an AC receptacle and produces a low voltage charging output.

Some chargers for rechargeable batteries can be damaged if connected to the XPower Powerpack.

Do not use the following with the XPower Powerpack:

•Small battery-operated appliances like flashlights, razors, and night lights that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.

•Some chargers for battery packs used in hand power tools. These affected chargers display a warning label stating that dangerous voltages are present at the battery terminals.

Note: If you are unsure about using your rechargeable appliance with the XPower Powerpack, contact the equipment manufacturer to determine the rechargeable appliance’s compatibility with the modified sinewave AC waveform of the XPower Powerpack.

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Contents

I mportant Safety I nformation
Warnings and Cautions- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	- v
Precautions When Working With Batteries - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	vii
Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances - - - - - - - - - - -	viii

1 I ntroduction

About the XPower Powerpack - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

Comprehensive Protection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

2 Features

Materials List - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 XPower Powerpack Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Front Panel Detail - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Air Compressor (XPower Powerpack 300 Plus only)- - - - - - - - - - 6 Right Side View - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 Left Side View - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 Accessories- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9

3 Operation

Operating Conditions and Guidelines - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11 Choosing a Location - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 Using XPower Powerpack for the First Time - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13 Recharging with the AC Charger - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13 Operating AC Appliances - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

Understanding AC Appliances - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

Contents

Operating an AC Appliance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16 Operating 12 Volt DC Appliances - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 Jump-starting a Vehicle Engine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19 Using the Air Compressor: XPower Powerpack 300 Plus - - - - - - 21 Inflating Tires- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21 Inflating Small Sports Equipment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22 Connecting to an External Battery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23

4 Maintenance

Battery Maintenance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25 Recharging the XPower Powerpack Battery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26 Recharging with the AC Charger - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27 Recharging with the DC Charging Cable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 28 Recharging with a Generator’s Regulated 12 Volt DC Outlet - - 29 Recharging From a Solar Panel - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 Replacing the Internal Battery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 Battery Life - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 Obtaining a Replacement Battery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 Replacing the Battery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 Replacing the Fluorescent Tubes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34 Replacing the External Fuse - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34

5 Troubleshooting

Common Problems - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36

Buzz in Audio Equipment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36

Television Interference - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36

Troubleshooting Reference - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36

6 Specifications

Electrical Specifications - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41

Physical Specifications - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43

Contents

7 Warranty and Product I nformation

Warranty Information- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45

Returning a Product - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47

Out of Warranty Service - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 48

Contacting Xantrex Customer Service- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 49

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1 I ntroduction

About the XPow er Pow erpack

Thank you for purchasing the XPower™ Powerpack.

Easy to use and designed for years of reliable service, the XPower Powerpack can run many AC appliances and 12 volt DC appliances whenever you need power for work or play, at home or on the road.

XPower Powerpack:

•Powers 115 volt AC appliances

•Powers 12 volt DC appliances

•Jump-starts vehicle engines

•Provides fluorescent lighting for emergency use

In addition, the XPower Powerpack 300 Plus with air compressor inflates tires and small sports equipment.

Comprehensive Protection

Automatic overload

The XPower Powerpack has built-in protection against output overload. If you connect an appliance to the AC Outlet that draws more than 250 watts, or one which draws excessive surge power, the power to the AC Outlet automatically shuts off.

Overheating

The XPower Powerpack is protected from overheating. If the inverter exceeds a safe temperature, power to the AC Outlet automatically shuts off.

Low Battery Protection

Low battery protection protects the internal battery from excessive discharge and possible damage. When the AC Outlet On/Off switch is turned on, an audible alarm alerts you when the internal battery is nearly discharged (10.7 volts DC) and the unit turns off at 10.0 volts DC.

Jump-start Cables Safety Feature and Reverse Polarity Detection

The XPower Powerpack has a special jump-start safety feature that eliminates the sparking that sometimes occurs when the jump-start cables are connected to a battery. The XPower Powerpack can also detect a reverse polarity connection and notifies you with an audible alarm and a Battery Clips Connected Improperly (red light).

The battery to be jump-started must have a terminal voltage of at least 4 volts in order to work with the XPower Powerpack.

2 Features

Chapter 2 describes the main features of the XPower Powerpack. Xantrex recommends that you familiarize yourself with these features before operating the unit.

Materials List

Your XPower Powerpack package includes these items:

XPower Powerpack 300 or XPower Powerpack 300 Plus

Owner’s Guide

AC Charger

DC Charging Cable

Jump-start Cables

Accessory bag

The XPower Powerpack 300 Plus also includes:

Two nozzle adaptors for the compressor

One sports needle adaptor for the compressor

If any of these materials are missing or are unsatisfactory in any way, please contact Customer Service. See “Contacting Xantrex Customer Service” on page 49 of this guide.

XPower Powerpack Features

XPow er Pow erpack Features

Front Panel Detail





Feature	Description	Note

	Battery Level indicators	Battery Level indicators are
	illuminate when you press the	accurate only when the
	Battery Status button.	XPower Powerpack has been
	• 4 lights indicates full charge	disconnected from all
	• 3 lights indicates 3/4 charge	appliances and all charging
	• 2 lights indicates 1/2 charge	sources for fifteen minutes.

•1 light (red light): the battery is discharged (empty) and must be recharged promptly.

			Front Panel Detail

Feature	Description		Note
Feature	Description		Note

	Battery Status Button indicates		Battery Level indicators are
	the charge state of the battery.		inaccurate if you press the
			Battery Status Button while
			the XPower Powerpack is
			running an appliance or is
			being recharged.

	Recharge Indicator illuminates		Recharging with the AC
	only when the battery is being		Charger is a true “plug-in-and-
	recharged through the Charger		forget” charging method.
	Input Socket and not through the		Xantrex recommends leaving
	DC Charging Cable. The light is		the AC Charger connected
	amber when charging, and green		when the XPower Powerpack
	when the battery is fully charged.		is stored.

	Vehicle Jump-Start Features
	•	Reverse Polarity Alarm	XPower Powerpack can detect
		sounds and the Battery Clips	a reverse polarity condition
		Connected Improperly (red	(caused by incorrectly
		light) illuminates when the	connecting the jump-start
		jump-start cables are	cables to a battery) and
		incorrectly connected to the	automatically stops the flow
		battery terminals.	of current.
	•	Battery Clips Connected	The jump-start safety feature
		Properly (green light)	prevents sparking at the
		illuminates if jump-start cables	battery terminals and prevents
		are correctly connected to the	potential damage to your
		positive and negative terminals	vehicle’s electrical system.
		of the vehicle battery being	The battery to be jump-started
		boosted.	must have a terminal voltage
			of at least 4 volts in order to
			work with the XPower
			Powerpack.

Not	Audible alarm (inside the unit)
shown	sounds in the event of overheating,
	low battery protection, and reverse
	polarity jump-start connection.

Air Compressor (XPower Powerpack 300 Plus only)

Air Compressor ( XPow er Pow erpack 300 Plus only)

Feature Description

On/Off switch turns the compressor unit on and off.

	Pressure gauge shows the PSI (lb/in2)

	Nozzle Adaptor Compartment

Valve connector with connector cord

Right Side View

Feature Description

DC Power Socket can:

•Power 12 volt DC auto, RV or marine appliances

•Recharge XPower Powerpack from a 12 volt outlet in a vehicle using the DC Charging Cable

AC Outlet On/Off switch illuminates when switch is turned On.

AC Outlet is a standard 3-prong outlet supplying 115 volts AC power for running an AC appliance.

Charger Input Socket for use with the AC Charger supplied.

External replaceable fuse is a 40 amp 32 VDC automotive blade-type fuse which is available at many automotive parts stores.

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