Xantrex XPower 300 User manual

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
445-0092-01-01 PRINTED IN CHINA
t 1 800 670 0707
f 1 800 994 7828
support.xpower xantrex.com
www.xantrex.com
xPower 300TM
Portable Household Power
Owners Guide

About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power
electronics with a product line that ranges from 50-watt mobile units to 1 W
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, PORTAWATTZ, TRUECHARGE are trademarks and PROsine is a registered
trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex is a registered trademark of Xantrex
Technology Inc.
© 2001 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.
Notice of Copyright
xPower300 Owners Guide © ay 2001 Xantrex International.
Disclaimer
UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, XANTREX
TECHNOLOGY INC. (XANTREX)
(a) AKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY
OR SUITABILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFOR ATION
PROVIDED IN ITS ANUALS OR OTHER DOCU ENTATION.
(b) ASSU ES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR
DA AGE, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
INCIDENTAL, WHICH IGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH
INFOR ATION. THE USE OF ANY SUCH INFOR ATION WILL BE
ENTIRELY AT THE USERS RISK.
Date and Revision
ay 2001, Revision 2
Part Number
445-0092-01-01
Contact nformation
Tel: [phone]
1.800.670.0707
Fax: [phone]
1.800.994.7828
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.xantrex.com

Contents
Safety First  1
1 Introduction 3
2 Quick Start Guide 4
Overview .......................................................................................... 4
An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life ......................... 5
Operating 115-Volt A Products ...................................................... 5
Operating 12-Volt D Accessories ................................................... 6
Recharging xPower300 ..................................................................... 6
Using xPower300 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle .................................. 6
3 Indicators, Controls and Connectors 7
Display Panel ................................................................................... 7
Battery Level Indicator ........................................................................... 7
Recharge Indicator .................................................................................. 7
Charger Input Socket .............................................................................. 8
DC Power Socket ................................................................................... 8
A Inverter ...................................................................................... 8
High-Power D onnector ............................................................... 8
4 Powerin 115-Volt AC Products 9
General Information ......................................................................... 9
onnecting Your A Products ......................................................... 9
Automatic Protection: Overload, Overheating and Low Battery ... 10
Interference with Electronic Equipment ......................................... 10
Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems ......................................................... 10
Television Interference .......................................................................... 11
Battery Operating Times ................................................................ 11
5 Powerin 12-Volt DC Accessories 12
onnecting 12-Volt D Accessories .............................................. 12
xPower300 Emergency Light .......................................................... 12
Battery Operating Times ................................................................ 13

6 Vehicle or Boat En ine Startin Assistance 14
Jump-Starting Direct to the Battery ............................................... 14
Jump-Starting via a Vehicles Lighter Plug Socket ......................... 15
7 Rechar in xPower300 16
General Information on Batteries and harging ............................. 16
Charging Options ................................................................................. 16
Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life .................................................... 16
Battery Replacement ............................................................................ 16
Recharging with the A harger ................................................... 17
Recharging from Your Vehicle ........................................................ 17
Recharging with a Generators 12-Volt D Power Outlet ............... 18
Recharging with a Solar Panel ........................................................ 18
8 Connectin to an External Battery 20
Extended Operating Time ............................................................... 20
onnecting an External Battery ..................................................... 20
9 Troubleshootin 21
10 Specifications 23
11 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) 24
12 Out-of-Warranty Service Information 26
13 Other Products from Xantrex 27

1
Safety First 
Misuse of xPower300 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
xPower300 or to other equipment. WARNING statements identify
conditions that may result in personal injury or loss of life.
WARNING! Not for use with medical or life-support equipment.
 xPower300 will run a wide variety of consumer electronics, power
tools and household appliances. This product is not desi ned for
use with medical or life-support equipment.
WARNING! Shock hazard. Keep away from children.
 xPower300 enerates 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 forei n objects into xPower300s AC outlets,
its DC Power Socket, the Hi h Power DC Connector, or the
ventilation holes in its AC inverter. Do not expose xPower300 to
water.
 Not for hardwire applications. Do not, under any circumstances,
connect xPower300s AC outlets to AC distribution wirin .
Permanent dama e to xPower300 will occur.
 Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in personal
injury and/or dama e to xPower300.
WARNING! Explosion hazard.
 Do not use xPower300 where there are flammable fumes or
ases, such as in the bil e of a asoline powered boat, or near
propane tanks. Do not use xPower300 in an enclosure containin
automotive-type lead acid batteries. These batteries, unlike the
sealed battery in the xPower300, vent explosive hydro en as
which can be i nited by sparks from electrical connections.
 When workin on electrical equipment, always ensure someone
is nearby to help you in an emer ency.
WARNING! Heated surface.
 xPower300s AC inverter chassis may become uncomfortably warm,
reachin 140° F (60° C) under extended hi h power operation.
Ensure at least 2 in. (5 cm.) air space is maintained on all sides of
xPower300. Durin operation, keep away from materials that
may be affected by hi h temperatures such as blankets, pillows
and sleepin ba s.

2
CAUTION
 Do not expose xPower300 to temperatures in excess of 104°F
(40°C).
CAUTION
 Do not connect any AC load, whose neutral conductor is
connected to round, to xPower300.
CAUTION: Do not use the xPower300 with the followin equipment:
 Small battery operated products such as rechar eable flashli hts,
some rechar eable shavers, and ni ht-li hts that are plu ed
directly into an AC receptacle to rechar e.
 Certain battery char ers for battery packs used in hand power
tools. These char ers will have a warnin label statin that
dan erous volta es are present at the char ers battery terminals.

3
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing xPower300 the 300-watt electronic generator.
Designed for best-in-class performance and value xPower300 can
temporarily power a wide variety of electrical products and equipment
when utility power is unavailable or during a power outage and can even
jump-start your car in an emergency.
Read this guide before using xPower300 and save it for future referen e.
Be sure to charge xPower300 immediately after purchase (see Section 7).
xPower300s automatic charging system is intended to be left permanently
plugged into a wall outlet to keep its battery fully charged and ready for
use.
To ensure you enjoy all the features of xPower300 the following topics are
covered in this guide:
How to use xPower300 as a source of 115-volt AC power
to run household or workplace products.
How to use xPower300 as a source of 12-volt DC power
to run typical auto or marine accessories.
How to use xPower300 to jump-start a vehicle.
How to recharge xPower300s battery.

4
2 Quick Start Guide
Overview
The following basic instructions are intended to provide a
brief overview of xPower300s key features. For complete
information be sure to read this guide fully. The diagram
below shows xPower300s key features and accessories.
Figure 1 - Key Features

5
An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life
AC powered produ ts are rated by how much electrical power
(in watts) they consume. xPower300s AC inverter is capable
of generating a maximum of 300 watts to power AC products
plugged into the AC receptacles. As an example a 40 watt
light bulb can be operated from xPower300 for up to 3½ hours
when xPower300s internal battery is fully charged.
12-volt DC auto and marine a essories are generally rated
according to how much electrical current (in amperes or
amps) they draw from the battery. The small 12-volt
fluorescent light included draws less than 0.7 amps. When
connected to the xPower300s DC Power Socket this light
could be expected to operate up to 25 hours with its switch set
to II or about 50 hours with its switch set to I before
xPower300s battery needs recharging. xPower300 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 xPower300 will operate
before recharging is required.
Operating 115-Volt AC Produ ts
1. Ensure xPower300 battery is fully charged. See Section 7 for
details.
2. Turn the AC inverter 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 product(s) ON one at a time. xPower300 will
operate most devices rated up to 300 watts.
4. In the event of an overload low battery voltage or overheating
the AC inverter will automatically shut down and its red FAULT
light will illuminate. See Section 4 - Automati Prote tion
Overload, Overheating and Low Battery for details.
5. Fully recharge xPower300s battery as soon as possible after
each use.

6
Operating 12-Volt DC A essories
1. Ensure xPower300s battery is fully charged. See Section 7 for
details.
2. Plug the accessory into xPower300s DC Power Socket and
switch the accessory on (if required). xPower300 will operate
any 12-volt DC auto or marine accessory that draws 12 amps or
less.
3. Because the DC Power Socket is internally wired direct to
xPower300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 5 - Conne ting 12-
Volt DC A essories for details.
Re harging xPower300
1. The batterys charge level may be seen by pressing the Battery
Status Button on xPower300s display panel.
2. To recharge plug the AC Charger into a household AC outlet
and plug the AC Charger cord into the Charger Input Socket on
xPower300s display panel. The Recharge Indicator will change
from amber to green when charging is complete (typically after
35 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 7 - Re harging from Your Vehi le for details.
CAUTION: Do not use xPower300 to operate any AC products
or DC accessories while char in with the AC Char er.
Using xPower300 to Jump-Start Your Vehi le
Due to potential dangers see Section 6 for a detailed
explanation.