445-0215-98-01 REV. 1 DEC 12, 2002 Owner’s Guide XPower Inverter 175 PLUS 400 PLUS 700 PLUS t 1-800-670-0707 (toll free) t 604-422-2777 f 604-420-2145 e customerservice@xantrex.com www.xantrex.
XPower Inverter 175 Plus, 400 Plus, 700 Plus Owner’s Manual
About Xantrex Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power electronics and controls with products from 50 watt mobile units to 1 MW utilityscale systems for wind, solar, batteries, fuel cells, microturbines and backup power applications in both grid-connected and standalone systems. Xantrex products include inverters, battery chargers, programmable power supplies, and variable speed drives that convert, supply, control, clean, and distribute electrical power.
Disclaimer WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO BY IT IN WRITING, XANTREX a) MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED IN MANUALS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED BY IT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCT; AND b) ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR EXPENSES, WHETHER SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL, WHICH MIGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH INFORMAT
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Table of Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 About the XPower Plus Inverters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2. Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Additional Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3. XPower Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Operating the XPower Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating Conditions and Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. Maintaining Battery Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troubleshooting Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. Limited Warranty . . . . . .
1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing an XPower Plus Inverter. The XPower 175 Plus, XPower 400 Plus, and XPower 700 Plus are part of a family of ultra compact and highly portable power inverters from Xantrex Technology Inc., the leader in high-frequency inverter design.
• • • • • • Low battery alarm Low voltage shutdown High voltage shutdown Overload shutdown Over temperature shutdown Short circuit protection About This Guide To get the best performance from your XPower inverter, Xantrex recommends that you read this guide before connecting and using the inverter, and then save it for future reference.
2 Important Safety Information Misusing or incorrectly connecting the XPower 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 conditions that may result in personal injury or loss of life. Cautions identify conditions or practices that may damage the XPower or other equipment.
Warning! Heated Surface The XPower 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! Explosion Hazard. Do not use the XPower in the presence of flammable fumes or gases, such as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near propane tanks.
Caution! Some chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if connected to the XPower. 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. • Battery 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’s AC outlets. The inverter will be damaged even if it is switched OFF. Do not connect any AC load, which has its neutral conductor connected to ground, to the XPower. Additional Safety Guidelines • • Do not insert foreign objects in the XPower outlets. Never connect the inverter to power utility AC distribution wiring. • Do not use the XPower in temperatures over 104° F (40° C). • Do not expose the XPower to water, rain, snow, or spray.
3 XPower Features This section describes the main features of the XPower inverters. AC (Front) Panel Figure 1 shows the AC panel of the XPower 175 Plus inverter.
Figure 2 shows the AC panel of the XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus inverters. 1 2 3 4 Figure 2 AC Panel of XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus 1 AC Outlets XPower 175 Plus An AC receptacle is located on one end of the XPower 175 Plus. You can plug in any 120-volt appliances with a combined total power consumption of 150 watts or less when the inverter is turned on.
XPower 400 Plus Two AC receptacles are located on one end of the XPower 400 Plus. You can plug in any 120-volt appliances with a combined total power consumption of 320 watts or less when the inverter is turned on. XPower 700 Plus Two AC receptacles are located on one end of the XPower 700 Plus. You can plug in any 120-volt appliances with a combined total power consumption of 560 watts or less when the inverter is turned on. 2 On/Off Switch When the On/Off switch is on, AC power is available at the outlet.
Ventilation Openings To prevent overheating, ensure that the ventilation openings on the front and back panels are kept clear. DC (Back) Panel Figure 3 shows the DC panel of the XPower 175 Plus inverter.
Figure 4 shows the DC panel of the XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus inverters. 1 2 3 Figure 4 DC Panel of XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus 1 Fan and Ventilation Openings: The cooling fan on the XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus units are designed to operate only when output power is greater than approximately 100 watts. When the inverter is turned on, the fan may operate momentarily. The ventilation openings should not be covered at any time the inverter is operating.
2 Positive and 3 Negative Cabling Terminals: For XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus, you connect the ring terminals on the power cables to these terminals. To ensure correct polarity, red must be connected to red and black must be connected to black.
Figure 6 Cable for Direct Connection to 12 Volt Battery Caution! The XPower 175 Plus can not power loads over 150 watts, so it is not equipped with cabling terminals and can not be run from a 12 volt battery.
Types of Connections Cable Clamps/Battery Connection Product Lighter Plug Connection XPower 175 Plus Available - A cable is permanently attached to the inverter. Figure 5. Not Available XPower 400 Plus Available - You must connect a separate lighter plug cable (included). Figure 5. Available - You must connect a separate cable clamp cable (included). Figure 6. XPower 700 Plus Not Available Available - You must connect a separate cable clamp cable (included). Figure 6.
4 Connecting the XPower Plus Inverters Caution! The XPower must only be connected to a battery that has a nominal output of 12 volts. It will not operate if connected to a 6 volt battery and may be damaged if connected to a battery with 16 volts or more. Note: The XPower 700 Plus can not be powered from the lighter socket of a vehicle.
Dry Do not allow water or other liquids to splash on the inverter. Cool Ambient temperatures should be between 32° F and 104° F (0° C and 40° C) - the cooler the better within this range. Keep the inverter away from heating vents. Well ventilated Allow at least 2 inches (5 cm) of clearance all around the inverter, and keep the ventilation openings clear. Safe Do not install the XPower in a compartment with batteries or flammable liquids, such as gasoline, or explosive vapors.
Connecting the XPower 175 Plus and XPower 400 Plus for Loads Under 150 Watts Follow these steps to connect the XPower 175 Plus or XPower 400 Plus inverter: 1. Place the inverter on a flat surface like the floor of your vehicle. 2. Make sure the On/Off switch on the front panel is off. 3. The XPower 175 Plus has a power cord with lighter plug hard-wired into it, so you do not need to complete this step.
4. 5. 6. 7. Place the inverter’s lighter plug in the vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket or a 12 volt outlet. Turn on the front panel On/Off switch. The green POWER light indicates that the XPower is operating normally and that AC power is available at the outlet. Plug in the AC appliance you want to operate. If you disconnect the battery, turn the inverter off first.
Warning! Batteries contain corrosive materials and present an electrical shock hazard. To prevent irritation and burns, wear protective eyewear and clothing when you install the inverter or work with the batteries. Take special care to ensure that metal tools and personal metal objects like rings and bracelets do not contact the battery terminals. Follow these steps to make a direct battery connection: 1. Place the inverter on a flat surface. 2. Make sure the On/Off switch on the front panel is off.
Caution! Reverse Polarity Power connections of the 12 volts DC battery to the XPower must be positive to positive and negative to negative. A reverse polarity connection (positive to negative) will blow a fuse in the inverter and may permanently damage the unit. Damage caused by a reverse polarity connection is not covered by your warranty. 3. Take the cables equipped with battery clips on one end (Figure 6) and place the ring terminals over the two cabling terminals on the back of the inverter.
4. 5. 6. 7. Fasten the positive (red) clip to the positive battery post, and then fasten the negative (black) clip to the negative battery post. Turn on the front panel On/Off switch. The green POWER light indicates that AC power is available at the outlets and that the inverter is operating normally. Plug in the AC loads you want to operate. If you disconnect the battery, turn the inverter off first.
5 Operating the XPower Inverter This section explains how to operate the XPower 175 Plus, XPower 400 Plus and XPower 700 Plus most efficiently. Operating Conditions and Guidelines This section describes normal operation as well as conditions that trigger an alarm or automatically shut down the XPower.
Overload Shutdown If you connect an AC load that is rated too high (see Table 1 on page 30) or a load that draws excessive surge power, the XPower shuts down. The red FAULT light comes on. Over Temperature Shutdown The XPower shuts down automatically if it exceeds its safe operating temperature. The red FAULT light comes on. High Input Voltage Shutdown If a defective battery charging system causes the battery voltage to rise to dangerously high levels, the XPower shuts down automatically.
Table 1 Power and Surge Ratings Inverter 5 minute Max. Power Rating Continuous Power Rating Surge Rating Maximum XPower 175 Plus 175 watts 150 watts 300 watts XPower 400 Plus 400 watts 320 watts 600 watts XPower 700 Plus 700 watts 560 watts 1000 watts The inverter’s AC (“modified-sine wave”) output waveform, is designed to function similarly to the sine wave shape of utility power.
Operating Loads With High Surge Requirements The power, or wattage, rating of AC loads is the average amount of power they use. Some appliances consume more power than their power rating when they are first turned on. TVs, monitors, and electric motors are some products that have high surge requirements at start up.
6 Maintaining Battery Condition The battery operating time of the XPower depends on the charge level of the battery, battery capacity, and the amount of power drawn by the AC loads you are operating.
battery will shorten its life. Therefore, when you are using a vehicle battery as a power source, start the vehicle every hour or two to recharge the battery. • • • The XPower will operate while the engine is running, but the voltage drop that occurs when the engine starts may trigger a low voltage shutdown. Vehicle batteries are designed to provide brief periods of very high current needed for engine starting. They are not intended for constant deep discharge.
7 Troubleshooting This section will help you identify the source of most problems that can occur with the XPower inverter. If you have a problem with the inverter, please review this section before contacting Xantrex Customer Service.
Common Problems Warning! Electrical Shock and Burn Hazard Do not dismantle the XPower. It does not contain any user-serviceable parts. Attempting to service the inverter yourself could result in an electrical shock or burn. Buzz in Audio Systems Some inexpensive stereo systems have inadequate internal power supply filtering and buzz slightly when powered by the XPower. The best solution is to use an audio system with a good quality filter.
Television Interference The XPower is shielded to minimize interference with TV signals. If TV signals are weak, you may see interference in the form of lines scrolling across the screen. Try one of these suggestions to minimize or eliminate the problem: • Use an extension cord to increase the distance between the XPower and the TV, antenna, and cables. • Adjust the orientation of the XPower, television, antenna, and cables.
The AC load will not operate. No inverter lights are on. Possible Cause Suggested Remedy Battery is defective. Check battery and replace if required. The inverter has been connected with reverse DC input polarity. Check connection to battery. The inverter has likely been damaged and needs to be repaired. Have the unit repaired (not covered under warranty). Loose cable connections. Check cables and connections. Tighten as required. Inverter will run some small loads, but not larger ones.
Measured inverter output is too low. Possible Cause Suggested Remedy A standard “average-reading” AC voltmeter has been used to measure output voltage, resulting in an apparent reading 5-15 volts too low. For accurate measurement, the XPower modified sine wave output requires a “true RMS” voltmeter for accurate measurements. The battery voltage is too low. Recharge the battery. Alarm is sounding. Possible Cause Suggested Remedy Low voltage shutdown or thermal shutdown has occurred.
Battery run time is less than expected. Possible Cause Suggested Remedy The AC product power Use a larger battery to make up for consumption is higher than rated. the increased power requirement. The battery is old or defective. Replace the battery. The battery is not being charged properly. Some chargers are not able to fully recharge a battery. Make sure that you use a powerful charger. Power dissipation in DC cables. Use shorter/heavier DC cables. The AC load will not operate.
Possible Cause Suggested Remedy The AC product(s) connected are rated at less than the inverter’s continuous power rating; high starting surge has caused overload shutdown. The product exceeds the inverter’s surge capability. Use a product with a starting surge power within the XPower’s capability. Battery is discharged (alarm is sounding). Recharge battery. The inverter has overheated due to poor ventilation and has shutdown (alarm is sounding). Switch inverter OFF and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
8 Specifications Specifications are subject to change without notice.
XPower 175 Plus XPower 400 Plus XPower 700 Plus Efficiency (maximum) 90% 90% 90% Ambient operating temperature range 32° F – 104° F 0° C – 40° C 32° F – 104° F 0° C – 40° C 32° F – 104° F 0° C – 40° C Low battery alarm (nominal) 10.7 volts 10.7 volts 10.7 volts Low battery shutdown (nominal) 10.0 volts 10.0 volts 10.0 volts High battery shutdown point (nominal) 15.0 volts 15.0 volts 15.
9 Limited Warranty What does this warranty cover and how long does it last? This Limited Warranty is provided by Xantrex Technology, Inc. (“Xantrex”) and covers defects in workmanship and materials in your XPower Plus Inverter. This warranty lasts for a Warranty Period of 1 (one) year from the date of purchase at point of sale to you, the original end user customer.
Period or 90 days from the date of the return shipment to the customer, whichever is greater. All replaced products and all parts removed from repaired products become the property of Xantrex. Xantrex covers both parts and labor necessary to repair the product, and return shipment to the customer via a Xantrex-selected non-expedited surface freight within the contiguous United States and Canada. Alaska and Hawaii are excluded.
Direct returns may be performed according to the Xantrex Return Material Authorization Policy described in your product manual. For some products, Xantrex maintains a network of regional Authorized Service Centers. Call Xantrex or check our website to see if your product can be repaired at one of these facilities. In any warranty claim, dated proof of purchase must accompany the product and the product must not have been disassembled or modified without prior written authorization by Xantrex.
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OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCT, HOWEVER ARISING (WHETHER BY CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, PRINCIPLES OF MANUFACTURER’S LIABILITY, OPERATION OF LAW, CONDUCT, STATEMENT OR OTHERWISE), INCLUDING WITHOUT RESTRICTION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Exclusions If this product is a consumer product, federal law does not allow an exclusion of implied warranties. To the extent you are entitled to implied warranties under federal law, to the extent permitted by applicable law they are limited to the duration of this Limited Warranty.
Return Material Authorization Policy Before returning a product directly to Xantrex you must obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number and the correct factory “Ship To” address. Products must also be shipped prepaid. Product shipments will be refused and returned at your expense if they are unauthorized, returned without an RMA number clearly marked on the outside of the shipping box, if they are shipped collect, or if they are shipped to the wrong location.
2. • Include the following: The RMA number supplied by Xantrex Technology Inc. clearly marked on the outside of the box. • A return address where the unit can be shipped. Post office boxes are not acceptable. • A contact telephone number where you can be reached during work hours • A brief description of the problem Ship the unit prepaid to the address provided by your Xantrex customer service representative.
Out of Warranty Service If the warranty period for your XPower Plus Inverter has expired, if the inverter was damaged by misuse or incorrect installation, if other conditions of the warranty have not been met, or if no dated proof of purchase is available, your inverter may be serviced or replaced for a flat fee.
