Xantrex XPower Pocket Inverter 175 User manual

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 Pocket Inverter 175 Owner’s Guide
© October 2005 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.
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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.
Date and Revision
October 2005 Revision B
Part Number
975-0237-01-01
Contact Information
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.xantrex.com/support
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Contents
iii
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Additional Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3. Safety Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4. Inverter Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5. Using the Inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using the DC Cable with Cigarette Lighter Plug . 10
Using the DC Cable with Airplane Power Plug . . 12
Airline Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6. Inverter Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Operating Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Battery Operating Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Interference with Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . 16
Buzzing sound in audio systems and radios. . . . . . 17
Television interference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Replacing the Fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
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iv
8. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
AC Power Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
USB Power Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
DC Power Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Physical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
9. Warranty and Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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1
1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the XPower Pocket Inverter
175. 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 loads through both the AC outlet and
USB port.
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)
• Inverter features (page 9)
• Instructions for connecting the inverter (page 10)
• Operating guidelines (page 14)
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• Troubleshooting information (page 18)
• Specifications (page 21)
• Warranty and service information (page 23)
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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!
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4
WARNING
The XPower inverter housing may become
uncomfortably warm, reaching 140° F (60° C) under
extended high power operation. 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.
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5
WARNING: Shock hazard
Use caution when inserting an AC plug into the
three-prong AC outlet. The prongs of an AC plug
can become bent from misuse. If an AC plug is
improperly inserted into the AC outlet, a bent prong
can slip outside the inverter and become a shock
hazard.
WARNING: Shock hazard
Grip the inverter carefully when inserting or
removing an AC plug. Keep your fingers clear of
the AC outlet. Ensure that your fingers do not
contact the prongs of an AC plug when the plug is
partially inside the inverter.
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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. This will damage the inverter,
and the damage is not covered by warranty.
Do not connect any AC load that has its neutral
conductor connected to ground to the XPower
inverter.
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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.
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3 Safety Features
These advanced safety features are built into the
XPower inverter:
• Electronic overload protection with automatic
shutdown
• User-replaceable 20 A fuse
• Low battery voltage shutdown
• High-input voltage protection with automatic
shutdown
• Overheat protection with automatic shutdown
• Output short circuit protection.
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4 Inverter Features
Figure 1 Features and Accessories
Airplane
power plug
AC outlet
Power/Fault light
Fuse
Cigarette lighter
plug adapter
USB power port
DC cable por
t
Ventilation openings
DC Cable
Pocket Inverter 175
Accessory bag
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5 Using the Inverter
Through its AC outlet, the XPower inverter is capable
of powering most 120 V AC products that use 140 W
or less. The XPower inverter can also power or charge
most consumer electronics that have USB power
ports.
The XPower inverter’s AC output waveform, called
“modified sine wave,” is designed to function
similarly to the sine wave shape of utility power.
Using the DC Cable with Cigarette
Lighter Plug
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 140 W
(about 1.15 A) or less.
1. Attach the cigarette lighter plug adapter to the DC
cable. See Figure 2 on page 11.
2. Plug the DC cable into the DC cable port on the
XPower inverter. Observe correct polarity. See
Figure 2.
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11
3. Insert the cigarette lighter plug into the 12 V
outlet.
4. Plug the device you want to operate into the
XPower inverter. See “Inverter Operation” on
page 14.
5. When the power inverter is not in use, unplug it
from the 12 V outlet to prevent slight discharge of
the battery.
CAUTION: Reverse polarity damage
When plugging in the DC cable, ensure that the plug
aligns with the DC cable port. Failure to do so will
result in reverse polarity and a blown fuse.
Figure 2 Connecting the Adapter and DC Cable
Press latch
to remove
adapter.
Align plug
correctly
(green line to
green line).
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Using the DC Cable with Airplane Power
Plug
1. Plug the DC cable into the DC cable port on the
XPower inverter. Observe correct polarity. See
Figure 2.
2. Insert the airplane power plug into the 12 V
outlet.
3. Plug the device you want to operate into the
XPower inverter. See “Inverter Operation” on
page 14.
CAUTION: Reverse polarity damage
When plugging in the DC cable, ensure that the plug
aligns with the DC cable port. Failure to do so will
result in reverse polarity and a blown fuse.
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Airline Compatibility
Table 1 provides a list of airlines, aircraft, and
passenger classes that have DC power sockets
compatible with the XPower Pocket Inverter 175.
Table 1 Airline Compatibility
Airline Aircraft Passenger Class
Air Canada A330, A340 Business Class
Air China 747-400 Business Class
Air France A330-200 1st Class, Business
American DC-10 1st Class, Business
American 727-200, 737-800, 767-300,
MD-80, MD-11 All Classes
Cathay Pacific 747-400, 777-200, A330 All Classes
Continental 767-200, 767-400 Business Class
Delta 737-800, 767-400 All Classes
Qantas 747-400 1st Class, Business
Swiss Air MD-11 1st Class, Business
United 767-300 1st Class
Virgin 747-200, A340-300 1st Class
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6 Inverter Operation
1. When properly connected to a 12 V outlet, the
light will glow blue, indicating the inverter is
ready.
2. Plug the product(s) you want to operate into the
AC outlet or USB port and switch them on (if
necessary).
Operating Guidelines
• As the battery is used, its voltage begins to fall.
When the XPower inverter senses that the voltage
at its DC input has dropped to 10.5 V, the inverter
automatically shuts down and the light glows red,
indicating a fault. This prevents the battery from
being damaged. Turn off any devices that the
XPower inverter is powering.
Important:
Vehicle batteries are designed to provide
brief periods of very high current needed for engine
starting. They are not intended for constant deep discharge.
Regularly operating the XPower inverter from a vehicle
battery until low-voltage shutdown occurs will shorten the
life of the battery.
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• If an AC product rated higher than 175 W is
plugged into the XPower inverter, the inverter
will shut down. The red fault light comes on.
• If the XPower inverter exceeds a safe operating
temperature, due to insufficient ventilation or a
high-temperature environment, it automatically
shuts down. The red fault light comes on.
• Should a defective battery charging system cause
the battery voltage to rise to dangerously high
levels, the XPower inverter automatically shuts
down. The red fault light comes on.
• In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or
overheating, the XPower inverter automatically
shuts down.
CAUTION
Although the XPower inverter incorporates
protection against over-voltage, it may still be
damaged if the input voltage exceeds 16 V.
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Battery Operating Time
Operating time will vary depending on the charge
level of the battery, its capacity and the power level
drawn by the particular AC load, USB load, or
combination of both. With a typical vehicle battery
and a 140 W load, an operating time of 2 to 2.5 hours
or more can be expected.
When using a vehicle battery as a power source, it is
strongly recommended to start the vehicle every hour
or two to recharge the battery before its capacity drops
too low. The XPower inverter can operate while the
engine is running, but the normal voltage drop that
occurs during starting of the engine may trigger the
inverter’s low voltage shutdown feature.
Interference with Electronic Equipment
Generally, most AC products operate with the XPower
inverter just as they would with household AC power.
Below is information concerning two possible
exceptions.
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