Xantrex XPower 175 PLUS User manual

XPower Inverter
175, 300, 700
Owner's Guide
by
975-0172-01-01 REV. A Printed in China
t 1-800-394-0440 (toll free in North America)
1-604-422-2777 (direct)
f 1-604-420-2145
e [email protected]
www.xantrex.com
ARTWORK NO. 975-0172-01-01 REV. A 2004-10-22

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
XPower by Xantrex 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 Inverter 175, 300, 700 Owner’s Guide
© October 2004 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
October 2004 Revision A
Part Number
975-0172-01-01
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone] (toll free North America)
1 360 925 5097 (direct)
Fax: [phone] (toll free North America)
1 360 925 5143 (direct)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.xantrex.com

Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Additional Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. Safety Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. Installation Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Selecting a suitable location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5. Using the Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Using the DC cable with cigarette lighter plug (300 W
unit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using the DC cable clips (300 and 700 W units) . 11
6. Indicators and Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7. Inverter Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Battery Operating Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Interference with Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . 18
Buzzing sound in audio systems and radios. . . . . . 19
Television interference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8. Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
10. Warranty and Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

1
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Xantrex XPower
inverter. The XPower inverter is part of a family of
advanced high-performance power inverters from
Xantrex, the leader in high frequency inverter design.
Connected to the 12 volt outlet in your vehicle, the
XPower inverter efficiently and reliably powers a
wide variety of AC loads, such as compact TVs and
VCRs, laptops, camcorder and cell phone chargers,
compact fluorescent lights, and soldering irons.
The XPower inverter uses 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 guide before connecting or using the
XPower inverter, and save it for future reference. The
main topics in the guide are:
• Safety information (page 3)
• XPower inverter features (page 13)
• Instructions for connecting the inverter (page 8)

2
• Operating guidelines (page 15)
• Troubleshooting information (page 20)
• Specifications (page 25)
• Warranty and service information (page 27)
• Overload shutdown
• Over temperature shutdown
• Short circuit protection

3
2 Important Safety Information
Misusing or incorrectly connecting the XPower
inverter 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 unit or other equipment.
Warnings and Cautions
WARNING
Keep children away from the XPower inverter. The
inverter generates the same potentially lethal AC
power as a normal household wall outlet. Treat the
outlet with respect!

4
WARNING
The XPower inverter 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
Do not use the XPower inverter in the presence of
flammable fumes or gases, such as in the bilge of a
gasoline powered boat, or near propane tanks. Do
not use the XPower inverter in an enclosure
containing automotive-type, lead-acid batteries.
These batteries, unlike sealed batteries, vent
explosive hydrogen gas, which can be ignited by
sparks from electrical connections.

5
CAUTION: Output non-sinusoidal
Some chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries
can be damaged if connected to the XPower
inverter. 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
inverter’s AC outlets. The inverter will be damaged
even if it is switched OFF.
Do not connect any AC load that has its neutral
conductor connected to ground to the XPower
inverter.

6
Additional Safety Guidelines
• Do not insert foreign objects in the XPower
inverter outlets or other openings.
• Never connect the inverter to power utility AC
distribution wiring.
• Do not use the XPower inverter in temperatures
over 100° F (40° C).
• Do not expose the XPower inverter to water, rain,
snow, or spray.
Failure to follow these safety guidelines may cause
personal injury and/or damage to the XPower inverter.
It may also void your product warranty.

7
3 Safety Features
These advanced safety features are built into the
XPower inverter:
• Electronic overload protection with automatic
shutdown
• Built-in internal backup DC fuse
• Low battery voltage warning followed by
automatic shutdown
• High-input voltage protection with automatic
shutdown
• Overheat protection with automatic shutdown
• Output short circuit protection

8
4 Installation Guidelines
Selecting a suitable location
For safe and optimum performance, install the
XPower inverter in a location that is:
Dry Do not expose to water drip or spray.
Cool Operate only in ambient temperatures
between 0°C (32°F) and 40°C (104°F).
Keep away from furnace heating vents or
other heat producing equipment.
Well
ventilated Allow at least 2" (5 cm) clearance above and on all sides of the unit for proper cooling.
Safe
Do not install the power inverter in a
compartment with batteries or flammable
liquids, such as gasoline, or explosive vapors.
Cleanand
free of
dirt
This is especially important if the power
inverter is used in a work environment.

9
5 Using the Inverter
The XPower inverter is capable of continuously
powering most 120 V AC products that use 150 W or
less for 175 W unit, 240 W or less for 300 W unit, and
500 W or less for 700 W unit. Its AC output
waveform, called “modified-sine wave,” is designed
to function similarly to the sine wave shape of utility
power.
The power, or “wattage,” rating of AC products is the
average power they use. When most AC products are
first switched on, they initially consume more power
than their power rating. TVs, monitors, and electric
motors are examples of products that have high
“surge” requirements at start up. Although the
XPower inverter can supply momentary surge power
as high as 300 W for the 175 W unit, 500 W for the
300 W unit, and 1000 W for the 700 W unit,
occasionally some products rated less than 150 W for
the 175 W unit, 240 W for the 300 W unit, and 500 W
for the 700 W unit may exceed its surge capabilities
and trigger its safety overload shutdown feature. If
this problem occurs when attempting to operate
several AC products at the same time, first try

10
switching on the inverter with all AC products
switched off, then one by one switch each on, starting
with the high surge product first.
Using the DC cable with cigarette
lighter plug (300 W unit)
Due to the limitations of 12 V outlets in vehicles or
boats, the XPower inverter should only be used to
supply AC power to products that require 150 W
(about 1.3 A) or less. If your application requires more
than 150 W (but less than 240 W continuous) or has a
high start-up surge, see “Using the DC cable clips.”
1. Attach the ring type connector marked with red to
the positive (+) DC terminal on the power
inverter, and attach the ring connector marked
with black to the negative (-) DC terminal.
CAUTION
A reverse polarity connection (positive to negative)
may damage the power inverter. Damage caused by
a reverse polarity connection is not covered under
warranty.

11
2. Tighten the nut on each DC terminal by hand
until it is snug. Do not over-tighten.
3. Insert the plug of this cable into the 12 V outlet
and switch the unit ON.
4. When the power inverter is not in use, unplug it
from the 12 V outlet to prevent slight discharge of
the battery.
Using the DC cable clips (300 and 700 W
units)
By directly connecting the power inverter to a 12 V
battery using the DC cable clips, you can operate
products with power requirements up to 240 W
continuous for 300 W unit and 500 W continuous for
700 W unit.
1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above (Using the DC Cable
with cigarette lighter plug) to attach the ring type
connectors.
2. Attach the negative (black) clip to the negative (-)
battery terminal.
3. Attach the positive (red) clip to the positive (+)
battery terminal. Make sure both clips are
securely connected to the battery terminals, as a

12
loose connection will cause the voltage to drop
and may cause the cables to overheat, resulting in
equipment damage or fire.
4. Switch the power inverter “ON.”
5. When the power inverter is not in use, disconnect
the DC cable clips from the battery to prevent
slight discharge of battery.

13
6 Indicators and Controls
DC cable clips
AC outlets
Power LED Fault LED
ON/OFF switch Fan Negative DC terminal
Positive DC terminal
300 & 700 W
DC cable with
cigarette lighter plug
(with 400 W unit only)
175 W
AC outlet
DC cable with
cigarette lighter
plug

14
• One AC outlet is provided on one end of the
XPower inverter 175 W unit.
• Two AC outlets are provided on one end of the
XPower inverter 300 and 700 W units. Any
combination of 120 V AC products with a total
continuous power consumption of 240 W or less
for 300 W unit, and 500 W or less for 700 W unit
may be plugged in.
• The ON/OFF switch enables output AC power at
the AC outlet(s) when switched ON.
• The green POWER light indicates AC power is
present at the AC outlet(s) and the XPower
inverter is operating normally.
• The red FAULT light indicates inverter shutdown
caused by low or high voltage, overload or
excessive heat.

15
7 Inverter Operation
1. When properly connected to a 12 V outlet or
battery, turning the inverter switch ON, will
illuminate the green POWER light, and deliver
AC power to the outlet(s).
2. Plug the AC product(s) you wish to operate into
the AC outlet(s) and switch them on, one at a
time.
3. As the battery is used, voltage begins to fall.
When the XPower inverter senses that the voltage
at its DC input has dropped to 11 V, an audible
alarm sounds. This allows time for computers or
other sensitive devices to be shut down.
4. If the audible alarm is ignored, the XPower
inverter will automatically shut down when the
battery voltage drops to 10.5 V. This prevents the
battery from being damaged. After auto
shutdown, the red FAULT light illuminates.