Xantrex Technology RC, RC7, GS User Manual

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RC/GS Remo te Control/Gen Starting

RV Series
Remote Control

RC/GS
RC7

Owner’s Manual

Manual Type

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RV Series Remote
Controls

RC/GS, RC7

Owner’s Manual

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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 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

RV Series Remote Control 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

RV Series Remote Control Owner’s Manual © June 2005 Xantrex International.
All rights reserved.

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

June 2005 Revision A

Part Number

975-0210-01-01

Contact Information

Telephone: [phone] (toll free North America)

Fax: [phone] (direct)

Email: [e-mail]

Web: www.xantrex.com

1 360 925 5097 (direct)

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About This Manual

Purpose

The purpose of this Owner’s Manual is to provide
explanations and procedures for installing and operating the
RV Series Remote Controls—RC/GS and RC7.

Scope

The Manual provides safety guidelines, planning and setup
information, installation procedures, as well as information
about operating the unit. It also contains information about
configuring and operating the RV Series Inverter/Charger
with the RC/GS or RC7.

Audience

The Manual is intended for anyone who needs to install and
operate the RC/GS or RC7. Installers should be certified
technicians or electricians.

Organization

This Manual is organized into four chapters.

Chapter 1 contains information about the function and
features of the RV Series Remote Controls.

Chapter 2 contains information and procedures to install the
RV Series Remote Controls.

Chapter 3 contains information about configuring the RV
Series Remote Controls.

Chapter 4 contains information and procedures to operate the
RV Series Remote Control.

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About This Manual

Conventions Used

The following conventions are used in this guide.

WARNING

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

CAUTION

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

Important:

an item that you must pay attention to.

These notes describe an important action item or

Related Information

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

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Important Safety Instructions

WARNING: Save these instructions

This Owner’s Manual contains important safety and operating
instructions. Before using your RV Series Remote Control, be sure
to read, understand, and save these safety instructions.

WARNING: Restrictions on use

The RC/GS or RC7 shall not be used in connection with life
support systems or other medical equipment or devices.

General Precautions

1. Before installing and using the RC/GS or RC7, read all
appropriate sections of this guide and any cautionary
markings on the device and the devices to which it
connects.

2. If the product has been damaged, see “Warranty and
Return Information” on page 49.

3. Do not dismantle the product; it contains no user
serviceable parts. See “Information About Your System”
on page 54 for instructions on obtaining service.

4. Protect the product from rain, snow, spray, and water.

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Safety

Explosive gas precautions

WARNING: Explosion hazard

This equipment is not ignition protected. To prevent fire or
explosion, do not install the RC/GS or RC7 in compartments
containing flammable materials or in locations that require ignition­protected equipment. This includes any space containing gasoline­powered machinery, fuel tanks, as well as joints, fittings, or other
connections between components of the fuel system.

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Contents

Important Safety Instructions

1

Introduction

Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2
Indicators and Controls - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4

2

Installation

Installing the RC/GS and RC7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6

Materials and tools required - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6
Choosing a location- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7
Mounting and Connecting - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7

3

Configuration

Viewing the Setup Menu - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12
Changing Settings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12
Configuring the RC/GS and RC7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13

Set Idle - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13
Battery Capacity- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13
Battery Type - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14
Max Charge Rate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15
Set Shore Power - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15
Remote Setup- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
LCD Contrast- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Set Clock (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Select Genset (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Generator Start (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Generator Stop (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
Thermostat Start Enable and Disable (RC/GS Only)- - - - - - 20
Begin Gen Quiet and End Gen Quiet (RC/GS Only)- - - - - - 21
Saving Setup Choices - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - v

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Contents

RC/GS and RC7 Setup Menu Summary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23

RV Series Inverter/Charger and RC/GS and RC7 Setup - - - 23
Auto Gen Start Setup (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24

4

Operation

Indicators and Controls - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26

Status LEDs- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26

Inverter LED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27
Charge LED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27
Batt. Full LED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 28

Error LED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 28
LCD Screen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 28
Buttons - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29

On/Off - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29

Meter Mode - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29

System Status Displays - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30

AC Source Messages- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30

Waiting for AC- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30

Genset Status: Pending, Cranking and Restart

(RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30

Starter Cooldown and Gen Start (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - 31
Genset Error Messages (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32

Gen Won’t Start - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32

Gen Quiet Fault - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32
Inverter Mode Messages - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34
Charger Mode Messages - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35

Bulk Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35

Absorption Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35

Float Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36

Equalizing Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36
Inverter/Charger Error Messages- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37

Over Temperature - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38

Overload - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38

High Battery Voltage- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39

Low Battery Voltage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39

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Charger Fault - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 40
Meters Display - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41

Average Shunt Amps- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41

Battery Voltage- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41

Inverter/Charger Current - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42

AC Output Voltage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42

AC Input Amps - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42
System Status Messages - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43

Battery State of Charge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43

Set Shore Power - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44

Generator Start/Stop (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44

Storage Checklist - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45

Preparation for Storage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45

RC/GS and RC7 User’s Menu Summary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46

System Status Messages - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
Generator Status Messages (RC/GS Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
System Status Display - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47
Meters Display - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47

Contents

Warranty and Return Information

975-0210-01-01 ix

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 49

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Introduction

1

Chapter 1 contains information about the function and

features of the RV Series Remote Controls.

Topics in this chapter are organized as follows:

• “Features” on page 2

• “Indicators and Controls” on page 4.

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Introduction

Features

The RC/GS and RC7 are control panels that allow remote

operation of a RV Series Inverter/Charger.

Features of the RC/GS and RC7 include:

• Simple menu-driven programming for full control of all
inverter/charger functions

• A three-level menu to prevent accidental setting changes

• Meters to display voltage and current

• An intelligent battery fuel gauge displaying estimated
battery capacity

• Error message and information displays used to optimize
system performance

• Remote ON/OFF inverter operation.

• RJ11 phone jack connection to inverter/charger.

RC/GS Remote Control/Gen Starting

Figure 1-1

2 975-0210-01-01

RC/GS Front Panel

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Connection cable requirements

The RC7 and RC/GS use a telephone-style cord to connect to
the RV Series Inverter/Charger (models RV2012GS,
RV2012GS-15/20B, RV2012GS-20B, RV2512GS, and
RV3012GS).

Use only Xantrex-recommended accessories:

Part number Cable Length

31-6257-00 25 feet

31-6262-00 50 feet

31-6275-00 70 feet

To connect the RC/GS or RC7 to a non-GS series RV Series
Inverter/Charger, use a data-standard RJ11 cable. This cable
is sold separately in 25-foot (order #392-9) or 50-foot (order
#392-5) lengths.

Features

Note: The RC/GS functions with non-GS series inverter/

chargers. However, not all the generator start features of the RC/
GS are compatible with non-GS series inverter/chargers.

Telephone-style cable

Figure 1-2

975-0210-01-01 3

Remote Control Cable Types

Data standard cable

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Introduction

Indicators and Controls

All operating controls and indicators are located on the front
panel of the remote control.

N/OFF Control The inverter portion of the inverter/

O

charger can be switched
The standby charger in the inverter is automatic and always
ready and available for charging whenever AC power is
applied.

Meters The RC/GS and RC7 feature several meters that
monitor the operating conditions of the power center. These
meters include: Average Shunt Amps, Battery Voltage,
Inverter/Charger Current, AC Output Voltage, AC Input
Amps, and Estimated Battery Capacity.

Controls The RC/GS and RC7 allow the inverter to be
switched
The RC/GS and RC7 can be used to configure the inverter/
charger to the specific system and preferences including
Battery Capacity, Battery Type, Charger Rate, Shorepower
Amps, and LCD screen Contrast. In addition, the RC/GS
starts and stops the generator automatically or manually,
allows the setting of generator make and model, sets a “quiet
time” during which the generator will not start automatically,
and has manual overrides for auto gen start.

Status Monitoring The RC/GS and RC7 monitor operating
conditions, including the AC supply, inverter operation,
charger operation, battery condition, and (on the RC/GS
only) generator condition.

ON or OFF with the press of a button on the remote.

OFF or ON using the remote control.

4 975-0210-01-01

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Installation

2

Chapter 2 contains information and procedures to install
the RV Series Remote Controls.

Topic in this chapter are organized as follows:

• “Materials and tools required” on page 6

• “Choosing a location” on page 7

• “Mounting and Connecting” on page 7.

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Installation

Installing the RC/GS and RC7

The RC/GS and RC7 are designed to be flush mounted
through an opening in a wall and secured with four screws.

The RC/GS and RC7 require no connections other than one
cable that plugs into the back of the unit. Because you cannot
access the cable jack once the unit is mounted, the cable
needs to be routed through the wall before securing the
remote.

All operating power for the RC/GS and RC7 is provided by
the RV Series Inverter/Charger through the cable.

CAUTION

Allow at least 2 ¼ inches (57 mm) of space behind the wall to
accommodate the depth of the unit and allow room for the cable to
bend.

Materials and tools required

You will need these materials and tools to complete the
installation:

❐ level, measuring tape, and pencil

❐ four #6 screws and appropriate screwdriver

❐ jigsaw or small keyhole saw

❐ power drill with 1/16" bit (optional)

❐ RC/GS and RC7 remote cable (telephone-style cable if

connecting to a GS-series inverter/charger, data-standard
cable if connecting to a non-GS series inverter/charger).

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Choosing a location

Choose a location that is easily accessible. The RC/GS and
RC7 should be mounted where they are clearly visible, with
unobstructed access to the screen and buttons.

The location should be indoors, dry, and free from corrosive
or explosive fumes.

Mounting and Connecting

WARNING: Fire hazard

The RC/GS and RC7 are not ignition protected. Do not install in
areas requiring ignition-protected equipment.

WARNING: Shock hazard

Before making an opening in a wall, bulkhead, or panel, ensure
there is no wiring or other obstruction within the wall.

Installing the RC/GS and RC7

To i ns ta ll th e re mo te :

1. Refer to Figure 2-1 for hole and cutout dimensions or
install the remote in a standard double-gang outlet box.

2. Pilot-drill the mounting holes (if necessary, depending on
your mounting surface) and, using a jigsaw, cut out the
hole in which the remote will be inserted.

4-1/8"

4"

Figure 2-1

CUT OUT THIS AREA

FRONT VIEW

PHONE

JACK

5-3/16" c-c

Installation Dimensions

975-0210-01-01 7

4-1/4" c-c

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Installation

3. Run the cable between the remote and the RV Series
Inverter/Charger.

4. Place the
Charger to the

ON/OFF switch on the RV Series Inverter/

OFF position and disconnect the AC power.

5. Connect the communications cable into the RJ11 port on
the inverter/charger marked “Remote Control” (Figure 2-2).

Figure 2-2

Remote Control port

ON/OFF switch

RV Series Inverter/Charger Front Panel

6. Connect the other end of the cable into the jack on the
remote (Figure 2-3).

Remote
cable jack

Figure 2-3

RC/GS and RC7 Back View

7. Secure the remote to the wall or outlet box using the
appropriate screws (4 required).

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8. Wait for the screen to show the message “Waiting for
AC.”

9. Place the
Charger to the

ON/OFF switch on the RV Series Inverter/

ON position.

Installing the RC/GS and RC7

Important:

Charger if the

The remote will not operate the RV Series Inverter/

ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position.

10. Reconnect the RV Series Inverter/Charger to the AC
source. After a brief delay, the remote will display a
system status message similar to Figure 2-4.

System Status:
AC Available

Figure 2-4

System Status Message

975-0210-01-01 9