Xantrex XPower 200 User manual

by
XPower Micro Inverter
200, 400 and 800
Owner’s Manual
XPower micro_200-400-800.book Page i Friday, July 11, 2003 4:19 PM

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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.
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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.
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XPower Micro Inverter 200, 400 and 800 Owner’s Manual
© July 2003 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.
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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.
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(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.
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July 2003 Revision B
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Telephone: [phone] (toll free in North America)
1-360-435-8826 (direct)
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.xantrex.com
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XPower micro_200-400-800.book Page iv Friday, July 11, 2003 4:19 PM

Table of Contents
1
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About the XPower Micro Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Additional Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. XPower Micro Inverter Features. . . . . . . . . . . 7
AC (Front) Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
DC (Back) Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Types of Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
XPower Micro Inverter Accessories . . . . . . . . . . 16
4. Connecting the XPower Micro Inverter . . . . 17
Choosing a Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting for Loads Under 150 Watts . . . . . . . . 19
Connecting for Loads Over 150 Watts . . . . . . . . . 21
5. Operating the XPower Micro Inverter . . . . . 25
Operating Conditions and Guidelines . . . . . . . . . 25
Shutting the Inverter Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Operating Normal Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Operating Loads With High Surge Requirements . 28
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2
6. Maintaining Battery Condition . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7. Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Buzz in Audio Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Television Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Troubleshooting Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
8. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
9. Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Return Material Authorization Policy . . . . . . . . . 50
Out of Warranty Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
10. Other Xantrex Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
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1
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Xantrex XPower Micro
Inverter 200, 400 or 800. The XPower Micro Inverter
200, XPower Micro Inverter 400 or XPower Micro
Inverter 800 are part of a family of ultra-compact,
light-weight and modern power inverters from
Xantrex, the leader in high frequency inverter design.
About the XPower Micro Inverter
Connected to the 12 volt outlet in your car, truck, boat,
RV, or directly from a dedicated 12 volt battery (400
and 800 watt only), the XPower Micro Inverter
efficiently and reliably powers a wide variety of
household AC products, such as portable stereos,
laptop computers, TVs, VCRs, and other similar
products.
The XPower Micro Inverter uses reliable solid state
power electronics for years of safe, trouble-free
operation and includes the following automatic
features to ensure safe and trouble-free operation:
•Low battery alarm (400 and 800 watt only)
•Low voltage shutdown
XPower micro_200-400-800.book Page 1 Friday, July 11, 2003 4:19 PM

2
•High voltage shutdown
•Overload shutdown
•Over temperature shutdown
•Short circuit protection
About This Manual
To get the best performance from your XPower Micro
Inverter, Xantrex recommends that you read this
manual before connecting and using the inverter, and
then save it for future reference.
This manual contains:
•Important safety information (page 3)
•Instructions for connecting the inverter (page 17)
•Operating guidelines (page 25)
•Troubleshooting guidelines (page 33)
•Specifications (page 41)
•Warranty and service information (page 44)
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3
2 Important Safety Information
Misusing or incorrectly connecting the XPower Micro
Inverter 200, XPower Micro Inverter 400 or XPower
Micro Inverter 800 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 manual.
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: Shock hazard
Keep children away from the XPower Micro
Inverter . The inverter generates the same
potentially lethal AC power as a normal household
wall outlet. Treat the outlet with respect!
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4
WARNING: Heated surface
The XPower Micro 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: Explosion hazard
Do not use the XPower Micro 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 Micro
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.
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5
WARNING - Crash hazard
Vehicle driver’s should not configure or
troubleshoot the XPower Micro Inverter while they
are driving the vehicle.
CAUTION - Output non-sinusoidal
Some chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries
can be damaged if connected to the XPower Micro
Inverter. Do not use the XPower Micro Inverter
with the following equipment:
•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.
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6
Additional Safety Guidelines
•Do not insert foreign objects in the XPower
Micro Inverter outlets or ventilation openings.
•Never connect the inverter to power utility AC
distribution wiring.
•Do not use the XPower Micro Inverter in
temperatures over 104°F (40°C).
•Do not expose the XPower Micro Inverter to
water, rain, snow, or spray.
Failure to follow these safety guidelines may cause
personal injury and/or damage to the XPower Micro
Inverter. It may also void your product warranty.
CAUTION
Do not connect live AC power to the XPower Micro
Inverter’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
Micro Inverter.
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7
3XPower Micro Inverter
Features
This section describes the main features of the
XPower Micro Inverter.
AC (Front) Panel
Figure 1 shows the AC panel of the XPower Micro
Inverter 200. Use Table 1 to identify the function of
items.
Figure 1 AC Panel of XPower Micro Inverter 200
3
2
1
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Figure 2 shows the AC panel of the XPower Micro
Inverter 400. Use Table 1 to identify the function of
items.
Figure 2 AC Panel of XPower Micro Inverter 400
3
2
1
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9
Figure 3 shows the AC panel of the XPower Micro
Inverter 800. Use Table 1 to identify the function of
items.
Figure 3 AC Panel of XPower Micro Inverter 800
32
1
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10
Table 1 AC Panel Functions
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1AC Outlets
XPower Micro Inverter 200
An AC receptacle is located on one end of the
XPower Micro Inverter 200. You can plug in
120-volt appliances with a combined total
continuous power consumption of 160 watts or
less when the inverter is turned on.
XPower Micro Inverter 400
Two AC receptacles are located on one end of the
XPower Micro Inverter 400. You can plug in
120-volt appliances with a combined total
continuous power consumption of 320 watts or
less when the inverter is turned on.
XPower Micro Inverter 800
Two AC receptacles are located on one end of the
XPower Micro Inverter 800. You can plug in
120-volt appliances with a combined total
continuous power consumption of 600 watts or
less when the inverter is turned on.
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11
2On/Off Switch
When the On/Off switch is on, AC power is
available at the AC outlet.
3STATUS LED
The green light is on all the time when the On/Off
switch is on.
The red light indicates that the inverter has shut
down. Shutdown is caused by low or high battery
voltage, overload, or excessively high temperatures.
Audible Alarm (400 and 800 watt only)
An audible alarm warns of an impending low
voltage shutdown.
Ventilation Openings
To prevent overheating, ensure that all the
ventilation openings on the unit are kept clear.
Table 1 AC Panel Functions
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12
DC (Back) Panel
Figure 4 shows the DC panel of the XPower Micro
Inverter 200. Use Table 2 to identify the function of
items.
Figure 4 DC Panel of XPower Micro Inverter 200
1
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13
Figure 5 shows the DC panel of the XPower Micro
Inverter 800, which is very similar to the XPower
Micro Inverter 400. Use Table 2 to identify the
function of items.
Figure 5 DC Panel of XPower Micro Inverter 800
2A
1
2B
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14
Table 2 DC Panel Functions
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1Fan and Ventilation Openings
The cooling fan on the XPower Micro Inverter
200 is designed to operate whenever the inverter
in turned on. The cooling fan on the XPower
Micro Inverter 400 and XPower Micro Inverter
800 units are designed to operate only when
output power is greater than approximately 50
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.
2A) Positive and B) Negative Cabling Terminals
For XPower Micro Inverter 400 and XPower
Micro Inverter 800, 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.
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