Xantrex Portawattz 300 User manual

Owner’s Manual
300
POWER INVERTER
DC to AC
TM

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 300 ....... 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 300 ............................................... 13
8.0 Troubleshooting ................................................................... 17
9.0 Limited Warranty and Performance Guarantee ................. 20
10.0 Specifications ..................................................................... 25
11.0 Other Products from Xantrex ............................................ 26

1
1.0 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the PORTAWATTZ 300 Power Inverter. The
PORTAWATTZ 300 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, or
directly from a 12 Volt battery, the PORTAWATTZ 300 will efficiently and
reliably power a wide variety of household AC products, such as most
TVs, computers, fluorescent lights, soldering irons, etc. The
PORTAWATTZ 300 employs reliable solid state power electronics for
years of safe, trouble free operation and includes a built-in cooling fan
and automatic safety monitoring circuitry to protect it, and your battery,
from inadvertent overload conditions.
Read this manual before installing or using the PORTAWATTZ 300
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 300
Incorrect installation or misuse of the PORTAWATTZ 300 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 300 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 300 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 300s AC
outlets.
·Do not expose the PORTAWATTZ 300 to water, rain, snow or
spray.
·Do not, under any circumstances, connect the PORTAWATTZ
300 to power utility AC distribution wiring.
·Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in
personal injury and/or damage to the PORTAWATTZ 300.

3
WARNING! Heated surface.
·The PORTAWATTZ 300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 300. During operation, keep away
from materials that may be affected by high temperatures.
CAUTION!
·Do not connect any AC product to the PORTAWATTZ 300, whose
neutral conductor is connected to ground.
·Do not expose the PORTAWATTZ 300 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 300s key features. For complete information about the
PORTAWATTZ 300, it is important to read this manual fully. The diagram
below shows the PORTAWATTZ 300s key features.
Figure 1. Key Features

5
3.2 Operating 115 V AC Products
1. For products rated at 150 Watts or less, plug the PORTAWATTZ
300 DC lighter plug into a vehicles cigarette lighter or 12 Volt
outlet. For products rated between 150 and 300 Watts, connect
directly to a 12 Volt battery (See section 6.2).
2. Turn the PORTAWATTZ 300 ON/OFF switch ON. The green
POWER light indicates AC power is available at the AC outlets.
3. Plug the AC products you wish to operate into the AC outlet(s)
and switch them on, one at a time.
4. In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or overheating,
the PORTAWATTZ 300 will automatically shut down. (See
section 7.0)

6
4.0 Design Features
4.1 Switchmode Power Conversion Technology
The PORTAWATTZ 300 employs advanced high frequency
switchmode power conversion circuitry. This results in a smaller,
lighter, more efficient and quieter 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
300.
·Electronic overload protection with automatic shutdown.
·Built-in internal backup DC fuse provides added safety.
·Low battery voltage warning followed by automatic shutdown.
·Overheat shutdown protection.
·High input voltage protection.
·Manual reset eliminates unexpected restarting.