Portawattz I50 User manual

Owner’s Manual
150
POWER INVERTER
DC to AC

PORTAWATTZ is a trademark and Statpower is a registered trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex
is a registered trademark of Xantrex Technology Inc. © 2000 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.
Contents
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................. 1
2.0 Safety First  Before You Use the PORTAWATTZ 150 ....... 2
3.0 Quick Start Guide ................................................................... 4
4.0 Design Features ...................................................................... 6
5.0 Placement Guidelines ............................................................ 7
6.0 Operating 115 Volt AC Products and Equipment ................ 8
7.0 Using the PORTAWATTZ 150 ................................................ 11
8.0 Troubleshooting ................................................................... 14
9.0 Limited Warranty and Performance Guarantee ................. 17
10.0 Specifications ..................................................................... 22
11.0 Other Products from Xantrex ............................................ 23

1
1.0 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the PORTAWATTZ 150 Power Inverter. The
PORTAWATTZ 150 is part of an advanced family of high performance
power inverters from Xantrex, the leader in the field of high frequency
inverter design. From the 12 Volt outlet in your vehicle or boat, the
PORTAWATTZ 150 will efficiently and reliably power a wide variety of
household AC products, such as compact TVs and VCRs, laptop
computers, camcorder and cellphone chargers, fluorescent lights,
soldering irons, etc. The PORTAWATTZ 150 employs 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 manual before installing or using the PORTAWATTZ 150
and save it for future reference.
The following main topics are covered in this manual:
·Important safety information
·Installation and operating instructions
·General principles of operation
·Warranty and service information

2
2.0 Safety First  Before You Use the
PORTAWATTZ 150
Incorrect installation or misuse of the PORTAWATTZ 150 may result in
danger to the user or hazardous conditions. 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
the PORTAWATTZ 150 or to other equipment. WARNING statements
identify conditions that may result in personal injury or loss of life.
WARNING! Shock hazard. Keep away from children.
·The PORTAWATTZ 150 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 foreign objects into the PORTAWATTZ 150s AC
outlet.
·Do not expose the PORTAWATTZ 150 to water, rain, snow or
spray.
·Do not, under any circumstances, connect the PORTAWATTZ
150 to power utility AC distribution wiring.
·Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in
personal injury and/or damage to the PORTAWATTZ 150.

3
WARNING! Heated surface.
·The PORTAWATTZ 150s housing 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 the PORTAWATTZ 150. During operation, keep away
from materials that may be affected by high temperatures.
CAUTION!
·Do not connect any AC product to the PORTAWATTZ 150, whose
neutral conductor is connected to ground.
·Do not expose the PORTAWATTZ 150 to temperatures in excess
of 100°F (40°C).

4
3.0 Quick Start Guide
3.1 Overview
These basic instructions are intended to provide a brief overview of the
PORTAWATTZ 150s key features. For complete information about the
PORTAWATTZ 150, it is important to read this manual fully. The diagram
below shows the PORTAWATTZ 150s key features.
Figure 1. Key Features

5
3.2 Operating 115 VAC Products
1. Plug the PORTAWATTZ 150 DC lighter plug into a vehicles
cigarette lighter or 12 Volt outlet.
2. Turn the PORTAWATTZ 150 ON/OFF switch ON. The green
POWER light indicates AC power is available at the AC outlet.
3. Plug the AC products you wish to operate into the AC outlet and
switch it on.
4. In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or overheating,
the PORTAWATTZ 150 will automatically shut down. (See
section 7.0)

6
4.0 Design Features
4.1 Switchmode Power Conversion Technology
The PORTAWATTZ 150 employs advanced high frequency
switchmode power conversion circuitry. This results in a smaller,
lighter, more efficient and completely silent inverter.
4.2 High Surge Power Capability
High performance Power FETs (Field Effect Transistors) are
employed for high surge power capability.
4.3 Safety Features
These advanced safety features are built into the PORTAWATTZ
150.
·Electronic overload protection with automatic shutdown.
·Automatic low voltage shutdown.
·Overheat shutdown protection.
·High input voltage protection.
·Manual reset eliminates unexpected restarting.