Xantrex 250 User manual

Owner’s Guide
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
web: www.xantrex.com
445-0123-01-01 Printed in China

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
Jazz, PORTAWATTZ, TRUECHARGE and xPower 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
Jazz Portable Power 250 Owners Guide © arch 2001 Xantrex International.
Disclaimer
While every precaution has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this
guide, Xantrex International assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Note as
well that specifications and product functionality may change without notice.
Date and Revision
arch 2001, Revision 1
Part Number
445-0123-01-01
Contact nformation
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.xantrex.com

Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................ 1
2 Safety First  .......................................................................... 2
3 Quick Start Guide .................................................................... 3
3.1 Overview ............................................................................ 3
3.2 An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery Life ............... 4
3.3 Operating AC Ele tri al Produ ts ......................................... 4
3.4 Operating 12-Volt DC Produ ts ........................................... 5
3.5 Re harging Jazz Portable Power 250 .................................. 5
3.6 Using Jazz Portable Power 250 to Jump-Start a Vehi le ...... 5
4 Indicators, Controls and Connectors ....................................... 6
4.1 Battery Level Indi ators ...................................................... 6
4.2 Re harge Indi ator ............................................................. 6
4.3 Vehi le-Jump Start Indi ators .............................................. 7
4.4 Charger Input So ket ......................................................... 7
4.5 DC Power So ket ............................................................... 7
4.6 AC Outlet .......................................................................... 7
4.7 AC Outlet Swit h ............................................................... 8
4.8 Audio Alarm ....................................................................... 8
4.9 Jumper Cable Port .............................................................. 8
5 owering AC Electrical roducts .............................................. 9
5.1 General Information ........................................................... 9
5.2 Conne ting Your AC Ele tri al Produ ts .............................. 9
5.3 Automati Overload, Overheating, and Low Battery
Prote tion ........................................................................ 10
5.4 Interferen e with Ele troni Equipment ........................... 11
5.4.1 Buzzing Sound in Audio Systems ........................ 11
5.4.2 Television Interference ...................................... 11
5.5 AC Produ t Operating Times ............................................ 12

6 owering 12-Volt DC roducts .............................................. 13
6.1 Conne ting 12-Volt DC Produ ts ....................................... 13
6.2 Built-in Fluores ent Light .................................................. 13
6.3 DC Produ t Operating Times ............................................ 14
7 Vehicle or Boat Engine Starting Assistance ........................... 15
7.1 Jump-Starting Dire t to the Battery .................................. 15
7.2 Jump-Starting via a Vehi les Lighter So ket ...................... 16
8 Recharging Jazz ortable ower 250 .................................... 17
8.1 General Information on Batteries and Charging ................. 17
8.1.1 Ch rging Options ............................................... 17
8.1.2 B ttery Self-Disch rge nd Shelf Life .................. 17
8.2 Re harging with the AC Charger ....................................... 17
8.3 Re harging from Your Vehi le ............................................ 18
8.4 Re harging with a Generators 12-Volt DC Power Outlet ... 19
8.5 Re harging with a Solar Panel ........................................... 19
9 Connecting to an External Battery ......................................... 20
9.1 Extended Operating Time ................................................ 20
9.2 Conne ting an External Battery ........................................ 20
10 Battery Replacement ............................................................. 21
10.1 General Information About Battery Life ............................ 21
10.2 Repla ing Jazz Portable Power 250s Internal Battery ........ 21
10.3 Obtaining a Repla ement Battery ..................................... 23
11 Troubleshooting .................................................................... 24
12 Specifications* ...................................................................... 26
13 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) and Out-of-Warranty
Service Information .............................................................. 27
14 Other roducts from Xantrex ................................................. 29

1
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Jazz Portable Power 250, your source for Power
That Really Mo es. Easy to use and designed for years of reliable ser ice,
Portable Power 250 can run a wide ariety of AC electrical products where er
you need household power for work or play. In addition, its the product to
ha e close at hand should your power go out at home or you need to jump-
start a ehicle.
Read this guide before using Portable Power 250 and save it for future
reference.
Be sure to charge Portable Power 250 immediately after purchase (see Section
8). Its automatic charging system is intended to be left permanently plugged
into a household AC outlet to keep its battery fully charged and ready for use.

2
2 Safety First 
Misuse of Portable Power 250 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
Portable Power 250 or to other equipment. WARNING statements identify
conditions that may result in personal injury or loss of life.
WARNING! Sho k hazard. Keep away from hildren.
 This produ t generates the same potentially lethal AC power as
a normal household wall outlet. Treat it with the same respe t
that you would any AC outlet.
 Do not insert any obje ts into its AC outlet, DC Power So ket,
the Jumper Cable Port, or the ventilation holes. Do not expose
this produ t to water.
 Do not, under any ir umstan es, onne t Portable Power 250s
AC re epta le to utility power AC distribution wiring.
 Failure to follow the above safety instru tions may result in
personal injury and/or damage to the produ t.
WARNING! Explosion hazard.
 Do not use this produ t where there are flammable fumes or
gases, su h as in the bilge of a gasoline powered boat, or near
propane tanks. Do not use this produ t in an en losure
ontaining automotive-type lead a id batteries. These
batteries, unlike the sealed battery in Portable Power 250, vent
explosive hydrogen gas whi h an be ignited by sparks from
ele tri al onne tions.
 When working on ele tri al equipment, always ensure someone
is nearby to help you in an emergen y.
WARNING! Heated surfa e.
 Ensure at least 2 in (5 m) air spa e is maintained on all sides of
the unit. During operation, keep away from materials that may
be affe ted by high temperatures su h as blankets, pillows and
sleeping bags.
CAUTION
 Do not onne t any AC load, whose neutral ondu tor is
onne ted to ground, to this produ t.
 Do not expose Portable Power 250 to temperatures in ex ess
of 104°F (40°C).

3
3 Quick Start Guide
3.1 Overview
The following instructions provide a brief overview of Portable
Power 250s key features. For complete information be sure to
read this manual fully. The diagram below presents product
features and accessories.
Figure 1 - Portable Power 250s Key Features

4
3.2 An Explanation of Power Ratings and
Battery Life
AC powered products are rated by how much electrical power
(in watts) they consume. Portable Power 250s internal AC
in erter is capable of generating a maximum of 250 watts to
power AC products plugged into its AC receptacle. As an
example, a lamp with a 40 watt bulb can be operated from
Portable Power 250 for up to 3 hours when its internal battery is
fully charged.
12-volt DC auto and arine accessories are generally rated
according to how much electrical current (in amperes or
amps) they draw from the battery. The built-in 12- olt
fluorescent light draws less than 0.7 amps and will operate up
to 23 hours with both bulbs illuminated, or about 46 hours with
one bulb illuminated before the internal battery needs
recharging. Portable Power 250 can supply up to 12 amps from
its DC Power Socket.
Re e ber: The fewer watts an AC product uses, or the fewer
amps a DC accessory draws, the longer Portable Power 250 will
operate before recharging is required.
3.3 Operating AC Electrical Prod cts
1. Ensure the internal battery is fully charged. (See Section
8 for details.)
2. Turn the AC in erter switch ON. The switch illuminates
to indicates AC power is a ailable at the AC outlet.
3. Plug the AC product you wish to operate into the AC
outlet and switch the product ON. Portable Power 250
will operate most de ices rated up to 230 watts.
4. In the e ent of an o erload, low battery oltage, or
o erheating, the AC in erter will automatically shut
down. (See Section 5.3 for details.)
5. Fully recharge the internal battery as soon as possible
after each use.

5
3.4 Operating 12-Volt DC Prod cts
1. Ensure the internal battery is fully charged. (See Section
8 for details.)
2. Plug the accessory into the DC Power Socket, and switch
the accessory on (if required). Portable Power 250 will
operate any 12- olt DC auto or marine accessory that
draws 12 amps or less.
3. Because the DC Power Socket is internally wired direct to
the internal battery, extended operation of a 12- olt
accessory may result in excessi e battery discharge.
I portant: Care must be taken to ensure the battery does
not become totally discharged. (See Section 6.1 for
details.)
3.5 Recharging Jazz Portable Power 250
1. The batterys charge le el may be seen by pressing the
Battery Status Button on the front of the product.
2. To recharge, plug the AC Charger into a household AC
outlet and plug the AC Charger cord into the Charger
Input Socket located below the AC outlet. The Recharge
Indicator will change from amber to green when charging
is complete (about 35 hours). It is safe (and
recommended) to lea e the AC Charger connected when
Portable Power 250 is stored.
3. Charging may also be done from the 12- olt outlet or
lighter socket in a ehicle. (See Section 8.3 for details.)
3.6 Using Jazz Portable Power 250 to J mp-
Start a Vehicle
Please re iew Section 7 for a detailed explanation.

6
4 Indicators, Controls and Connectors
Refer to Figure 1 in Section 3.1 and in Figure 2 below for the location of items
described in this section.
4.1 Battery Level Indicators
The Battery Level Indicators show the state of charge of the
internal battery. Its function is similar to the fuel gauge in a car.
When pressing and holding the Battery Status Button one or
more of the four lights will illuminate showing the approximate
amount of charge remaining in the battery. Figure 3 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 is approximately ¾ full.
Battery condition is indicated most accurately when the battery
has been unused for 15 minutes. Pressing the Battery Status
Button while supplying power to an AC or DC product may
result in false battery charge level reading.
4.2 Recharge Indicator
The Recharge Indicator operates only when the battery is
being recharged through the Charger Input Socket. It will not
operate when other charging methods are used. When
Figure 2 - Portable Power 250s Display Panel
Figure 3