Xantrex XPower 3000 User manual

TM
TM
XPower™Inverter 3000
Owner’s Guide

About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology Inc. (www.xantrex.com), a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, is a world leader in
the development, manufacturing and marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for
the renewable and mobile power markets. The company's products convert and control raw electrical
power from any central, distributed, renewable, or backup power source into high-quality power
required by electronic equipment and the electricity grid. Xantrex is headquartered in Vancouver,
Canada, with facilities in the United States, Germany, Spain, India, and a joint venture in China.
Trademarks
Xantrex, XPower, and Smart choice for power are trademarks of Schneider Electric International
Services sprl, registered in the U.S. and other countries. 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 3000 Owner’s Guide © February 2010 Xantrex Technology Inc. All rights reserved. No
part of this document may be reproduced in any form or disclosed to third parties without the express
written consent of: Xantrex Technology Inc., 161-G South Vasco Road, Livermore, California, USA
94551. Xantrex Technology Inc. reserves the right to revise this document and to periodically make
changes to the content hereof without obligation or organization of such revisions or changes unless
required to do so by prior arrangement.
Exclusion for Documentation
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 LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR EXPENSES, WHETHER
SPECIAL, 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’SRISK; AND
(C)REMINDS YOU THAT IF THIS MANUAL IS IN ANY LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, ALTHOUGH
STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE ACCURACY OF THE TRANSLATION, THE ACCURACY CANNOT
BE GUARANTEED. APPROVED XANTREX CONTENT IS CONTAINED WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
VERSION WHICH IS POSTED AT WWW.XANTREX.COM.
Date and Revision Part Number Product Number
February 2010 Revision B975-0555-01-01 813-3000-UL
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone] (toll free North America)
1 408 987 6030 (direct)
Fax: [phone] (toll free North America)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.xantrex.com

iii
About This Guide
Purpose
The purpose of this Owner’s Guide is to provide explanations and
procedures for operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the XPower
Inverter 3000.
Scope
The Guide provides safety guidelines, as well as information about
operating and troubleshooting the inverter. It does not provide details
about particular brands of batteries. You need to consult individual
battery manufacturers for this information.
This Guide does not provide installation instructions. Installation should
be handled by qualified installers including licensed technicians and
electricians. Qualified installers have knowledge and experience in
installing electrical equipment, knowledge of the applicable installation
codes, and awareness of the hazards involved in performing electrical
work and how to reduce those hazards.
Qualified installers are to use the XPower Inverter 3000 Installation
Guide (doc. part number: 975-0556-01-01).
Audience
The Guide is intended for users and operators of the XPower Inverter
3000.

About This Guide
iv 975-0555-01-01
Organization
This Guide is organized into four chapters and one appendix.
Chapter 1 describes the standard features of the XPower Inverter 3000, as
well as its protection features.
Chapter 2 provides information on the different parts of the XPower
Inverter 3000.
Chapter 3 describes the operational procedures for using the XPower
Inverter 3000.
Chapter 4 contains information and procedures for troubleshooting the
XPower Inverter 3000.
Appendix A contains physical and electrical specifications of the XPower
Inverter 3000.
Conventions Used
The following conventions are used in this guide.
Related Information
You can find more information about Xantrex Technology Inc. as well as
its products and services at www.xantrex.com
WARNING
Warnings identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life
CAUTION
Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the unit or
other equipment.
Important: These notes describe things which are important for you to know,
however, they are not as serious as a caution or warning.

v
Important Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT: Read and save this Owner’s Guide for
future reference.
This chapter contains important safety instructions for the XPower
Inverter 3000.
1. Before using the XPower Inverter 3000, READ ALL instructions and
cautionary markings on or provided with the XPower Inverter 3000,
the batteries, and all appropriate sections of this guide.
2. DO NOT OPERATE this product unless it has been installed by a
qualified installer in accordance with the XPower Inverter 3000
Installation Guide.
3. Do not expose the XPower Inverter 3000 to rain, snow, spray, or bilge
water. This product is not intended for marine applications.
4. To reduce risk of fire hazard, do not cover or obstruct the ventilation
openings. Overheating may result.
5. To avoid a risk of fire and electric shock, make sure that wiring is in
good condition, adequately rated, and not undersized. Do not operate
the XPower Inverter 3000 with damaged or substandard wiring.
6. Do not operate the XPower Inverter 3000 if it has received a sharp
blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way. If the XPower
Inverter 3000 is damaged, see the Warranty section.
7. Do not disassemble the XPower Inverter 3000. It contains no user-
serviceable parts. See Warranty for instructions on obtaining service.
Attempting to service the XPower Inverter 3000 yourself may result
in a risk of electrical shock or fire. Internal capacitors remain charged
after all power is disconnected.
8. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, disconnect DC power from the
XPower Inverter 3000 before attempting any maintenance or cleaning
or working on any circuits connected to the XPower Inverter 3000.
Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.
WARNING: Shock, fire, and heat hazard. Risk of
injury to persons.

Safety
vi 975-0555-01-01
Precautions When Working With Batteries
1. Follow all instructions published by the battery manufacturer and the
manufacturer of the equipment in which the battery is installed to
reduce the risk of battery explosion.
2. Working in the vicinity of lead-acid batteries is dangerous. Batteries
generate explosive gases during normal operation. Therefore, you
must read this guide and follow the instructions exactly before
installing or using your XPower Inverter 3000.
3. This equipment contains components which tend to produce arcs or
sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not operate the XPower
Inverter 3000 in compartments containing batteries or flammable
materials, or in locations that require ignition-protected equipment.
This includes any space containing gasoline-powered machinery, fuel
tanks, as well as joints, fittings, or other connections between
components of the fuel system.
4. Make sure the area around the battery is well ventilated.
5. Never smoke or allow a spark or flame near the engine or batteries.
6. Use caution to reduce the risk or dropping a metal tool on the battery.
It could spark or short circuit the battery or other electrical parts and
could cause an explosion.
7. If you need to remove a battery, always remove the ground terminal
from the battery first. Make sure all accessories are off so you don’t
cause a spark.
8. Remove all metal items, like rings, bracelets, and watches when
working with lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries produce a short
circuit current high enough to weld metal to skin, causing a severe
burn.
9. Have someone within range of your voice or close enough to come to
your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
WARNING: Explosion or fire hazard
WARNING: Risk of personal injury due to burns or
battery acid

Safety
975-0555-01-01 vii
10. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid
contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.
11. Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid
touching your eyes while working near batteries.
12. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap
and water. If acid enters your eye, immediately flood it with running
cold water for at least twenty minutes and get medical attention
immediately.
Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances
Most rechargeable battery-operated equipment uses a separate charger or
transformer that is plugged into an AC receptacle and produces a low
voltage charging output.
Some chargers for small rechargeable batteries can be damaged if
connected to the XPower Inverter 3000. Do not use the following with the
XPower Inverter 3000:
• Small battery-operated appliances like flashlights, razors, and night
lights that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
• Some chargers for battery packs used in power hand tools. These
affected chargers display a warning label stating that dangerous
voltages are present at the battery terminals.
CAUTION: Risk of equipment damage
The output of the XPower Inverter 3000 is not sinusoidal and may not be
compatible with all loads. Follow the recommendations below.

viii

975-0555-01-01 ix
Important Safety Instructions
Precautions When Working With Batteries - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - vi
Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -vii
1 Introduction
Quality Power - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–1
Ease of Use - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–2
Comprehensive Protection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–2
2 Features
AC Panel - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–2
DC Panel - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–4
Remote Switch - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–5
3 Operation
Turning the Inverter On and Off - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–2
Operating Several Loads at Once - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–2
Testing the GFCI - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–3
Operating Limits - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–3
Power Output - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–3
Input Voltage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–3
Inverter Loads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
High Surge Loads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
Trouble Loads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
Routine Maintenance- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–5
Recharging Your Batteries - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–5
Recycling - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–5
Contents

Contents
x975-0555-01-01
4 Troubleshooting
Common Problems- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–1
Buzz in Audio Equipment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–1
Television Reception - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–1
Troubleshooting Reference - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–2
A Specifications
Electrical Performance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–1
Physical Specifications - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
Accessory - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
Regulatory Approvals - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
Warranty and Return Information - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WA–1

1–1
1Introduction
The XPower Inverter 3000 has been designed to give you quality power,
ease of use, and reliability.
Please take a few moments to read this chapter to familiarize yourself
with the main performance features and protection features.
Quality Power
The XPower Inverter 3000 is designed for use in recreational vehicles
(RVs), light and heavy duty truck applications, and other in-vehicle
applications.
• The inverter provides up to 2500 W of continuous power. It is
designed to handle loads such as microwaves, refrigerators, freezers,
circular saws, and small air compressors.
• The inverter’s high surge capability lets you handle many hard-to-
start loads, including large TVs, refrigerators, and freezers.
• The cooling fan in the inverter is thermally activated and comes on
when the inverter becomes warm. The fan turns off automatically
after the inverter has cooled.

Introduction
1–2 975-0555-01-01
Ease of Use
Superior features and rugged durability have been combined with ease of
use:
• The inverter is compact, lightweight, and easy to operate.
• Loads can be powered directly from the AC outlets.
• Easy-to-read indicators on the front panel let you monitor system
performance at a glance.
•RemoteO
N/OFF switch (part number: 100-0864-01-01) lets you
control the inverter from a convenient location—up to 20 feet (6 m)
away—while the inverter itself is mounted out of sight.
Comprehensive Protection
The inverter is equipped with numerous protection features to guarantee
safe and trouble-free operation:
Low battery alarm Alerts you if the battery has become discharged to
11.0 V or lower.
Low battery voltage shutdown Shuts the inverter down automatically
if the battery voltage drops below 10.5 V. This feature will limit battery
discharge.
High battery voltage shutdown Shuts the inverter down automatically
if the input voltage rises to 15 V or more.
Overload and short-circuit shutdown Shuts the inverter down
automatically if a short-circuit is detected in the load connected to the
inverter’s output, or if the loads connected to the inverter exceed the
inverter’s operating limits.
Over-temperature shutdown Shuts the inverter down automatically if
its internal temperature rises above an acceptable level.

2–1
2Features
Chapter 2, “Features” describes the main features of the XPower Inverter
3000. Familiarize yourself with them before operating the inverter.
The XPower Inverter 3000 ships with the following items:
•oneXPower Inverter 3000 unit,
• owner’s guide,
• remote on/off switch,
• rubber boots for DC terminals,
• nuts and washers, and
• strain relief clamp for AC input cables.

Features
2–2 975-0555-01-01
AC Panel
Figure 2-1 AC Panel
Feature Description
1AC compartment
Houses the AC terminal block for hardwiring the inverter.
1a AC compartment cover
2GFCI-protected dual AC outlet
3AC knockout
Take cover out when passing cables (wires) through for hardwiring
the inverter.
REMOTE
POWER
PUISSANCE FAULT FAUTE
Non-sinusoidal
output only.
Non seulement de
sortiesinusoïdale.
6
12
87543
1a

975-0555-01-01 2–3
4Reset button
Use to reset the 20 A supplementary (overcurrent) protectors.
5Power light (green)
Indicates the inverter is operating.
6Remote ON/OFF Connector Port
For connecting the Remote ON/OFF Switch.
7Fault light (red)
Indicates that the inverter has shut down due to inverter overload or
over-temperature.
8O
N/OFF Switch
Turns the inverter’s control circuit on and off. This switch is not a
power disconnect switch. Disconnect AC and DC power before
working on any circuits connected to the inverter.
Feature Description

Features
2–4 975-0555-01-01
DC Panel
Figure 2-2 DC Panel
Feature Description
1Negative DC Cabling Terminal
Connects to one end of the negative battery cable. The other end of
the negative battery cable is connected to the negative terminal of
the battery.
2Positive DC Cabling Terminal
Connects to one end of the positive battery cable. The other end of
the positive battery cable is connected to the positive terminal of the
battery.
3Chassis Ground Stud connects to vehicle chassis, DC grounding
bus or to engine’s negative bus.
4Ventilation Openings (fan assembly grille)
Do not obstruct or let any debris accumulate to maintain proper
operation of the inverter. When the inverter is mounted, the
ventilation opening on the DC panel must not point up or down.
BATT.
NEG. BATT. POS.
34
1 2

975-0555-01-01 2–5
Remote Switch
Figure 2-3 Remote Switch
Feature Description
1Remote ON/OFF Switch
Turns the inverter’s control circuit on and off. This switch is not a
power disconnect switch. Disconnect DC power before working on
any circuits connected to the inverter.
2Communications Cable is 20 feet (6 m) long.
12

2–6

3–1
3Operation
Chapter 3 explains how to operate the inverter efficiently and effectively.
Specifically, this chapter:
• Gives procedures for operating the inverter from the front panel
• Discusses operating limits and inverter loads
• Discusses battery charging frequency
• Provides information about routine maintenance and recycling

Operation
3–2 975-0555-01-01
Turning the Inverter On and Off
The ON/OFF switch on the inverter’s front panel is the main ON/OFF
switch that turns the control circuit in the inverter on and off.
To turn the inverter on and off from its front panel:
•MovetheO
N/OFF switch to the On position to turn the inverter on.
•MovetheO
N/OFF switch to the Off position to turn the inverter off.
When the switch is Off, the inverter draws a very low current from
the battery. See important note below.
To turn the inverter on and off from the remote switch:
• Make sure the main ON/OFF switch on the front panel is turned on.
• Move the remote ON/OFF switch to the On position to turn the
inverter on.
• Move the remote ON/OFF switch to the Off position to turn the
inverter off.
When the remote switch is Off, the inverter draws a very low current
from the battery.
Operating Several Loads at Once
If you are going to operate several loads from the inverter, turn them on
separately after you have turned the inverter on.
Turning loads on separately helps to ensure that the inverter does not have
to deliver the starting current for all the loads at once, and will help
prevent an overload shutdown.
Important: TURNING THE INVERTER OFF WHEN NOT IN USE.
The inverter draws less than 600 mA from the battery with the inverter’s main
ON/OFF switch turned on and no load connected, but draws far less than this
with the same switch turned off. If the inverter’s main ON/OFF switch is left on,
even with no loads the inverter will eventually discharge the battery.
To prevent unnecessary battery discharge, turn the inverter off when you are not
using it.
WARNING: Shock and energy hazard
The inverter’s main ON/OFF switch on the front panel and remote ON/OFF switch
does not disconnect DC battery power from the inverter. You must disconnect
DC power before working on any circuits connected to the inverter.