Xantrex PROwatt 600 User manual

Owners Manual

Contents
1.0 Introduction ........................................................................ 1
2.0 Safety First  Before You Use xPower 600 ...................... 2
3.0 Quick Start Guide .............................................................. 3
3.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 3
3.2 An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life ...................................... 4
3.3 Operating 115 Volt AC Products ................................................................ 4
3.4 Operating 12 Volt DC Accessories ............................................................. 4
3.5 Recharging xPower 600............................................................................ 5
3.6 Using xPower 600 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle ........................................... 5
4.0 Indicators, Controls and Connection Points .................... 6
4.1 AC Power Panel ........................................................................................ 6
4.1.1 Battery Status Switch / Battery Level Indicator ............................... 6
4.1.2 AC Outlets Switch / POWER Light / AC Outlets ............................... 7
4.1.3 FAULT Light ................................................................................... 7
4.2 DC Power Panel ....................................................................................... 8
4.3 High Power 12 Volt DC Terminals .............................................................. 9
5.0 Powering 115 Volt AC Products ...................................... 10
5.1 General Information .................................................................................10
5.2 Connecting Your AC Products ..................................................................10
5.3 Automatic Protection: Overload, Overheating and Low Battery ..................11
5.4 Interference with Electronic Equipment .....................................................12
5.4.1 Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems..................................................12
5.4.2 Television Interference .................................................................. 12
5.5 Battery Operating Times .......................................................................... 13
6.0 Powering 12 Volt DC Accessories ................................... 14
6.1 Connecting 12 Volt DC Accessories .........................................................14
6.3 Battery Operating Times .......................................................................... 15
7.0 Vehicle or Boat Engine Starting Assistance .................. 16
7.1 Jump-Starting Direct to the Battery .......................................................... 16
7.2 Jump-Starting via a Vehicles Lighter Plug Socket .................................... 17
xPower600 is a trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex is a registered trademark of Xantrex Technology Inc.
Copyright © 2000 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.

8.0 Recharging xPower 600 ................................................... 18
8.1 General Information on Batteries and Charging .........................................18
8.1.1 Charging Options ......................................................................... 18
8.1.2 Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life ............................................18
8.2 Recharging with the AC Charger ..............................................................18
8.3 Recharging from Your Vehicle .................................................................. 19
8.4 Recharging with a Generators 12 Volt DC Power Outlet ............................ 20
8.5 Recharging with a Solar Panel .................................................................. 20
9.0 Connecting to an External Battery ................................. 21
9.1 Extended Operating Time ......................................................................... 21
9.2 Connecting an External Battery ................................................................ 21
10.0 Battery Replacement ..................................................... 22
10.1 General Information About Battery Life .................................................... 22
10.2 Replacing xPower 600s Internal Battery .................................................22
10.3 Obtaining a Replacement Battery ............................................................ 24
11.0 Troubleshooting ............................................................. 25
12.0 Specifications ................................................................ 26
13.0 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) .................... 27
14.0 Other Products from Xantrex ........................................ 29

1
xPower600 Owners Manual
1.0 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing xPower600
,
the 600-watt electronic generator thats portable
and rechargeable. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, xPower600 can run a
wide range of electrical products  from power tools to entertainment equipment, and
even small appliances. xPower600s rugged, cart-like design gives you go-anywhere
AC power and its plug-in-and-forget charging system keeps it fully charged and ready
for use any time the power goes out. With an optional set of jump-start cables,
xPower600 can even start a vehicle or boat.
Read this manual before using xPower600 and save it for future reference.
Be sure to charge xPower600 immediately after purchase (see Section 8.0).
xPower600s plug-in-and-forget charging system is intended to be left permanently
plugged into a wall outlet and will keep its battery fully charged and ready for use.
The following main topics are covered in this manual:
· How to use xPower600 as a source of 115 Volts AC to run
household or workplace products.
· How to use xPower600 as a source of 12 Volts DC to run typical
auto or marine accessories.
· How to use xPower600 to jump-start a vehicle.
· How to recharge xPower600s battery.

2
xPower600 Owners Manual
2.0 Safety First  Before You Use
xPower600
Misuse of xPower600 may result in danger to the user. 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 xPower600 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.
· xPower600 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 any objects into xPower600s AC outlets, its DC Power Socket,
or the ventilation holes. Do not remove the covers on the High Power DC
Terminals, unless connecting cables. Do not expose xPower600 to water.
· Do not, under any circumstances, connect xPower600s AC receptacle to
power utility AC distribution wiring.
· Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in personal injury
and/or damage to xPower600.
WARNING! Explosion hazard.
· Do not use xPower600 where there are flammable fumes or gases, such as
in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near propane tanks. Do not use
xPower600 in an enclosure containing automotive-type lead acid batteries.
These batteries, unlike the sealed battery in the xPower600, vent explosive
hydrogen gas, which can be ignited by sparks from electrical connections.
· When working on electrical equipment always ensure someone is nearby to
help you in an emergency.
WARNING! Heated surface.
· xPower600s internal inverter components may become uncomfortably warm,
reaching 140°F (60°C) under extended high power operation. Ensure at least
15 cm (6 in) of air space is maintained on all sides and on top of xPower600.
During operation, keep away from materials that may be affected by high
temperatures such as blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.
CAUTION:
 Do not connect any AC load, whose neutral conductor is connected to ground,
to xPower600.
 Do not expose xPower600 to temperatures in excess of 100°F (40°C).

3
xPower600 Owners Manual
3.0 Quick Start Guide
3.1 Overview
The following basic instructions are intended to provide a brief overview
of xPower600s key features. For complete information, be sure to read
this manual fully. Figure 1 below shows xPower600s key features and
accessories.
Figure 1 - Key Features and Accessories

4
xPower600 Owners Manual
3.2 An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery
Life
AC powered products are rated by how much electrical power (in Watts)
they consume. xPower600 is capable of generating a maximum of 600
Watts (maximum continuous) to power AC products plugged into the AC
outlets. As an example, a lamp with a 40 Watt light bulb can be operated
from xPower600 for up to 6½ hours when xPower600s internal battery
is fully charged.
12 Volt DC auto and marine accessories are generally rated according
to how much electrical current (in amperes or Amps) they draw from
the battery. For example, a small 12 Volt fluorescent light draws less
than 0.7 Amps. When connected to xPower600s DC Power Socket, this
light could be expected to operate for about 50 hours before xPower600s
battery needs recharging. xPower600 is designed to supply up to 12
Amps from its DC Power Socket.
Remember: The fewer Watts an AC product uses, or the fewer Amps a
DC accessory draws, the longer xPower600 will operate before recharging
is required.
3.3 Operating 115 Volt AC Products
1. Ensure xPower600s battery is fully charged. See Section 8.0 for
details.
2. Turn the AC Outlets switch ON. The green POWER light indicates
AC power is available at the AC outlets.
3. Plug the AC product(s) you wish to operate into the AC outlet(s)
and switch the appliance(s) ON, one at a time. xPower600 will
operate most devices rated up to 600 Watts.
4. In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or overheating, the
AC outlets will automatically shut down and its red FAULT light will
illuminate. See Section 5.3 for details.
5. Fully recharge xPower600s battery as soon as possible after each
use.
3.4 Operating 12 Volt DC Accessories
1. Ensure xPower600s battery is fully charged. See Section 8.0 for
details.
2. Plug the accessory into xPower600s DC Power Socket, and switch
the accessory on (if required). xPower600 will operate any 12 Volt
DC auto or marine accessory that draws 12 Amps or less.

5
xPower600 Owners Manual
3. Because the DC Power Socket is internally wired direct to
xPower600s battery, extended operation of a 12 Volt accessory
may result in excessive battery discharge. Important: Care must
be taken to ensure the battery does not become totally discharged.
See Section 6.1 for details.
3.5 Recharging xPower600
1. The batterys charge level may be seen by pressing the Battery
Status switch on the AC Power Panel.
2. To recharge, plug the AC Charger into a standard 115 Volt AC
outlet and the DC plug into the DC Power Socket (located on the
DC Power Panel). The Recharge Indicator on the AC Charger will
change from amber to green when charging is complete (8 to 10
hours). It is safe (and recommended) to leave the AC Charger
connected indefinitely.
3. Charging may also be done from an automobile lighter socket.
See Section 8.3 for details.
3.6 Using xPower600 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle
Due to potential dangers, see Section 7.0 for a detailed explanation.

6
xPower600 Owners Manual
4.0 Indicators, Controls and Connection
Points
4.1 AC Power Panel
As shown in Figure 2 below, the AC Power Panel contains the Battery
Status Switch, Battery Level Indicator, AC Outlets Switch, AC Power
Light, Fault Light, and dual AC Outlets.
Figure 2 - View of AC Power Panel

7
xPower600 Owners Manual
4.1.1 Battery Status Switch / Battery Level Indicator
The Battery Level Indicator shows the state of charge of
xPower600s battery. Its function is similar to the fuel gauge in a
car. When pressing and holding the Battery Status Switch, one or
more of the four lights in the display will illuminate, showing the
approximate amount of charge remaining in the battery. The
following diagram shows the function of each light:
When the battery is fully charged, all four lights will illuminate.
When discharged (empty), only the red light will illuminate and the
battery must be recharged promptly. Figure 3 shows the battery
to be approximately ¾ full.
Battery condition is indicated most accurately when the battery
has been unused for 15 minutes. Pressing the Battery Status Switch
while supplying power to an AC product may result in a false battery
charge level reading.
4.1.2 AC Outlets Switch / POWER Light / AC Outlets
Turning this switch ON supplies power to both AC Outlets. An audio
tone sounds briefly when the AC Outlets are turned on. The
POWER light illuminates to confirm the AC Outlets are on. Turning
this switch OFF cuts power to the AC Outlets. The POWER Light
is off when the AC Outlets are off.
IMPORTANT: The vents around the AC Outlets allow the
xPower600s internal cooling fan to exhaust warm air created by
the circuitry that converts 12 Volts DC into 115 Volts AC. This
area should never be covered or blocked when xPower600 is used.
The internal cooling fan runs any time the AC Outlets Switch is on
and is essential for maintaining optimal performance.
4.1.3 FAULT Light
The FAULT Light illuminates when automatic shutdown occurs as
a result of low battery voltage, over load, or over temperature
conditions. See Section 5.3 for details.
Figure 3 - Battery
Shown at 3/4 Full

8
xPower600 Owners Manual
4.2 DC Power Panel
As shown in Figure 4 below, the DC Power Panel contains the DC Power
Socket, which provides 12 Volts for operating automotive and marine
type products. The DC Power Socket also serves as the input for
recharging with either the AC Charger or DC Charging Cable.See Section
8.0 for details.
IMPORTANT: The vents below the DC Power Socket allow the
xPower600s internal cooling fan to intake air. This area should never be
covered or blocked when xPower600 is used. The internal cooling fan
runs any time the AC Outlets Switch is on and is essential for maintaining
optimal performance.
Figure 4 - View of DC Power Panel

9
xPower600 Owners Manual
4.3 High Power 12 Volt DC Terminals
As shown in Figure 5 below, the High Power DC Termnials are wired
directly to xPower600s battery and supply power for jump-starting a
vehicle. See Section 7.1 for details. These terminals also can be used
to connect an external battery, which can increase xPower600s total
battery capacity and extend operating times. See Section 9.0 for details.
Figure 5 - View of High Power DC Terminals

10
xPower600 Owners Manual
5.0 Powering 115 Volt AC Products
5.1 General Information
xPower600 is capable of powering most 115 Volt AC products and
equipment that use 600 Watts or less. Its AC output waveform, called a
quasi-sine wave or modified sine wave, is designed to function similarly
to the sine wave shape of utility power.
CAUTION: Do not use xPower600 with the following equipment:
· Small battery operated products such as rechargeable
flashlights, some rechargeable shavers, and night-lights that
are plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
· Certain battery chargers for battery packs used in hand power
tools. These chargers will have a warning label stating that
dangerous voltages are present at the chargers battery
terminals.
The power, or wattage, rating of AC products is the power they use.
During the first moments after they are switched on, many products such
as power tools or pumps, consume much more power than their average
rating. Although xPower600 can supply momentary surge power greater
than 600 Watts, some products may exceed its capabilities and trigger
the inverters safety overload shutdown circuit. See details in Section
5.3 for the reset procedure. If this problem occurs when attempting to
operate several products at the same time, try first switching on the AC
Outlets with all products switched off, then one by one switch each on,
starting with the high surge product first.
5.2 Connecting Your AC Products
The following steps assume you have fully charged xPower600s battery.
See Section 8.0.
1. Turn on the AC Outlets Switch located on the AC Power Panel.
The green POWER light illuminates to confirm AC power is now
on and available at the two AC Outlets. See Figure 2 in Section
4.1.
2. Plug the AC product you wish to operate into one of the two AC
outlets and switch the product on. The product should operate
normally, just as it would if plugged into a wall outlet at home.
3. While operating the AC product you can check the level of the
battery as detailed in Section 4.0. This will tell you the approximate
charge level of the battery and whether you are approaching the
point when recharging is required.

11
xPower600 Owners Manual
4. As the battery becomes nearly discharged, or empty, a low voltage
warning will sound. This will give you time to shut down a computer,
for example. If this warning is ignored, the inverter will switch off
automatically a few minutes later to prevent battery damage. See
Section 5.3 for details.
5. Fully recharge xPower600s battery as soon as possible after each
use. See Section 8.0.
5.3 Automatic Protection: Overload, Overheating
and Low Battery
xPower600 has built-in protection against output overload and from
overheating. If an AC product rated higher than 600 Watts (or which
draws excessive surge power at start up) is connected, or if the inverter
exceeds a safe temperature, it will automatically shutdown. The green
POWER light will go off and the red FAULT light will switch on. To reset,
unplug the product and turn the AC Outlets Switch off for 5 seconds,
then turn it back on. Normal operation should resume. If not, turn the AC
Outlets Switch off again and allow xPower600 to cool for several minutes.
While AC power is off, press the Battery Status Switch to make sure the
charge level is sufficient.
If the battery is allowed to discharge excessively, damage may occur. To
prevent this, xPower600 has a built-in audible warning that alerts you
when the battery is nearly discharged and that recharging is needed. If
this warning is ignored, xPower600 will automatically switch off the AC
Outlets and the red FAULT light will illuminate when the battery reaches
empty. xPower600s internal fan will continue running and the FAULT
light will remain on until the AC Outlets Switch is turned off. Promptly
recharge xPower600 to help maintain the internal battery. See Section
8.0.

12
xPower600 Owners Manual
5.4 Interference with Electronic Equipment
5.4.1 Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems
Some inexpensive stereo systems and boom-boxes will emit a
buzzing sound from their loudspeakers when operating from the
AC output of xPower600. This is because the power supply in the
equipment does not adequately filter the modified sine wave
produced by xPower600. Unless the stereo can be operated
directly from xPower600s 12 Volt DC Power Socket, the only
solution is a sound system with a higher quality internal power
filter.
5.4.2 Television Interference
xPower600 is shielded to minimize interference with TV signals.
In some cases, particularly with weak TV signals, some interference
may still be visible in the form of scrolling lines across the screen.
In this case, take the following corrective measures:
1. Use an extension cord to position xPower600 as far away as
possible from the television, antenna, and cables.
2. Adjust the orientation of xPower600, television, antenna, and
cables to minimize interference.
3. Maximize TV signal strength by using a better antenna, and
ensure a shielded antenna cable is used.
4. Try a different TV. Different models of TV sets vary greatly in
their susceptibility to interference.

13
xPower600 Owners Manual
5.5 Battery Operating Times
Below are typical AC products and equipment that may be operated by
xPower600 with estimated operating times. See Section 9.0 for
information about connecting to an external battery to increase operating
time.
Operating times will vary depending on the battery charge level and the
actual AC product being operated.
xPower600 will not operate AC products rated at more than 600 Watts,
such as hair dryers, toasters, and major appliances or large power tools.
1 Represents actual power consumption as measured on sample products.
Ratings on product labels may vary from actual power consumption.
2 Not recommended for use with laser printers.
3 Assumes 30% duty cycle.
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14
xPower600 Owners Manual
6.0 Powering 12 Volt DC Accessories
6.1 Connecting 12 Volt DC Accessories
xPower600 can operate any accessory that is intended to run from a
vehicles lighter socket. Simply insert the accessorys plug into the DC
Power Socket on xPower600s DC Power Panel. xPower600s DC Power
Socket will operate any 12 Volt DC auto, marine or other 12 Volt accessory
that draws 12 Amps or less. The following steps assume you have first
fully charged xPower600s battery according to instructions in Section
8.0.
1. Plug the accessory into xPower600s DC Power Socket, and switch
the accessory on (if required).
2. The 12 Volt product will operate until the battery runs out of power.
Refer to step 4 (below) to avoid battery damage due to excessive
discharge.
3. If an accessory that draws more than 12 Amps (or which has a
short circuit defect) is connected, xPower600s internal circuit
breaker will immediately switch off power to the accessory. If this
occurs, unplug the accessory and the breaker will automatically
reset after a few seconds.
4. Fully recharge xPower600s battery as soon as possible after each
use.
IMPORTANT: The DC Power Socket does not automatically switch
off the load when the battery is discharged. To protect the battery
against damage resulting from total discharge, it is strongly
recommended that the AC Outlets Switch is turned on, even when
powering 12 Volt accessories only. This will enable the xPower600s
alarm to warn you when the 12 Volt accessory has nearly depleted
the battery. The battery power used by xPower600 to monitor the
batterys voltage level is negligible.

15
xPower600 Owners Manual
6.3 Battery Operating Times
Below are typical DC accessories that may be operated by xPower600
with estimated operating times.
Operating times will vary depending on the battery charge level and the
specific accessory being operated.
1 Represents actual power consumption as measured on sample products.
Ratings on product labels may vary from actual power consumption.
2 Represents talk time available from 24 recharge cycles.
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16
xPower600 Owners Manual
7.0 Vehicle or Boat Engine Starting
Assistance
7.1 Jump-Starting Direct to the Battery
xPower600 may be used to jump-start a 12 Volt vehicle or small boat
engine using standard jump-start cables available from most auto parts
stores.
Jump-starting causes very high current surges and possible sparking.
Unless care is taken, the possibility of battery explosion exists. Read
the safety warnings in Section 2.0 before proceeding, then follow these
instructions exactly. Before proceeding, remove the Terminal Covers
(rotate counter clockwise) and place them in xPower600s Accessory
Storage Compartment.
WARNING: Connect only in the following order and make sure the polarity
is correct. The batterys positive terminal is identified as being larger in
diameter than the negative terminal. In most vehicles it has a red wire
connected to it. Do not proceed until you are sure you have identified the
positive terminal.
1. Turn off the vehicle or boat ignition, and all accessories.
2. Engage the vehicles park or emergency brake and place the
transmission in park (automatic) or neutral (manual).
3. Purge the area where connections will be made of all fumes before
making any connections.
4. Position xPower600 so that it is a convenient distance from the
battery that supplies power to the engine you wish to start, but will
not cause the jump-start cables to come in contact with any moving
parts of the engine. If helpful, remove xPower600s handle to
improve placement.
5. Do not connect the jump-start cables to xPower600 yet. First
connect the cables red positive (+) clamp to the positive (+) terminal
of the engines battery.
6. Making sure the cables are clear of the engines belts and fans,
take the other end of the jump-start cables and connect the red
positive (+) clamp to xPower600s Positive Terminal (red).
7. As far from the battery as possible, connect the cables black
negative (-) clamp to the engine block, cylinder head, or other
stationary heavy metal part of the engine. Do not attach the black
negative clamp to the engines battery terminal.