Xantrex XPower 1500 User manual

Owners Guide
xPower1500
Portable Household Power
TM

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
xPower1500 Owners Guide © ay 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
ay 2001, Revision 1
Part Number
445-0127-01-01
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 2
2 Quick Start Guide 3
Overview ............................................................................................. 3
Assembling xPower1500s Handle ......................................................... 4
An Explanation of Power atings and Battery Life ................................ 4
Operating 115-Volt AC Products ............................................................ 5
Operating 12-Volt DC Accessories ........................................................ 5
echarging xPower1500 ........................................................................ 6
Using xPower1500 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle ....................................... 6
3 Indicators, Controls and Connection Points 7
AC Power Panel .................................................................................... 7
Battery Status Switch / Battery Level Indicator ......................................... 8
AC Outlets Switch / POWER Li ht / AC Outlets ...................................... 8
FAULT Li ht .......................................................................................... 8
DC Power Panel .................................................................................... 9
High Power 12-Volt DC Terminals ........................................................ 10
4 Powerin 115-Volt AC Products 11
Connecting Your AC Products ............................................................ 11
Automatic Protection: Overload, Overheating and Low Battery .......... 12
Interference with Electronic Equipment ............................................... 12
Buzzin Sound in Audio Systems ............................................................ 12
Television Interference ............................................................................. 13
Battery Operating Times ..................................................................... 13
5 Powerin 12-Volt DC Accessories 14
Connecting 12-Volt DC Accessories .................................................... 14
Battery Operating Times ..................................................................... 15

6 Vehicle or Boat En ine Startin Assistance 16
Jump-Starting Directly to the Battery .................................................. 16
Jump-Starting via a Vehicles Lighter Plug Socket ............................... 17
7 Rechar in xPower1500 18
Charging Options ............................................................................... 18
Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life .................................................. 18
echarging with the AC Charger ......................................................... 18
echarging From Your Vehicle ............................................................ 19
echarging with a Generators 12-Volt DC Power Outlet ...................... 20
echarging with a Solar Panel ............................................................. 20
8 Connectin to an External Battery 21
Extended Operating Time ................................................................... 21
Preparing the Cables ........................................................................... 21
Connecting the Cables ....................................................................... 22
9 Battery Replacement 23
eplacing xPower1500s Internal Battery Pack ..................................... 23
Obtaining a eplacement Battery ........................................................ 24
10 Troubleshootin 26
11 Specifications 27
12 Limited Warranty (USA and Canada only) and
Out-of-Warranty Service Information 28
13 Other Products from Xantrex 31

1
Safety First 
Misuse of xPower1500 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
xPower1500 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.
·xPower1500 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.
·xPower1500 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 xPower1500s AC outlets, its DC
Power Socket, or the ventilation holes. Do not remove the covers on
the Hi h Power DC Terminals, unless connectin cables. Do not expose
xPower1500 to water.
·Do not, under any circumstances, connect xPower1500s AC receptacle
to power utility AC distribution wirin .
·Failure to follow the above safety instructions may result in personal
injury and/or dama e to xPower1500.
WARNING! Explosion hazard.
·Do not use xPower1500 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 xPower1500 in an enclosure containin automotive-type
lead acid batteries. These batteries, unlike the sealed battery pack in
the xPower1500, 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.
·xPower1500s internal inverter components may become uncomfortably
warm, reachin 140°F (60°C) under extended hi h power operation.
Ensure at least 15 cm (6 in) of air space is maintained on all sides and on
top of xPower1500. Durin operation, keep away from materials that
may be affected by hi h temperatures such as blankets, pillows and
sleepin ba s.
CAUTION:
 Do not connect any AC load whose neutral conductor is connected to
round, to xPower1500.
 Do not expose xPower1500 to temperatures in excess of 104°F (40°C).

2
1 Introduction
Than you for purchasing xPower1500, the 1500-watt electronic generator
thats portable and rechargeable. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use,
xPower1500 can run a wide range of electrical products  from power tools to
entertainment equipment, and even refrigerators. xPower1500s rugged, cart-
li e design gives you go-anywhere AC power and its plug-in-and-forget
charging system eeps it fully charged and ready for use any time the power
goes out. With an optional set of jump-start cables, xPower1500 can even
start a vehicle or boat.
Read this guide before using xPower1500 and sa e it for future reference.
Be sure to charge xPower1500 immediately after purchase (see Section 7).
xPower1500s plug-in-and-forget charging system can be left permanently
plugged into a wall outlet to eep its battery pac fully charged and ready for
use.
To ensure you enjoy all the features of xPower1500, the following topics are
covered in this manual:
·How to use xPower1500 as a source of 115-volt
AC power to run household or wor place
products.
·How to use xPower1500 as a source of 12-volt
DC power to run typical auto or marine
accessories.
·How to use xPower1500 to jump-start a
vehicle.
·How to recharge xPower1500s internal battery
pac .
·How to connect an external battery to
xPower1500.

3
2 Quick Start Guide
Overview
A brief overview of xPower1500s features is provided below. For
complete information, be sure to read this manual fully. Figure 1
below shows xPower1500s ey features and accessories.
Figure 1 - Key Features and Accessories

4
Assembling xPower1500s Handle
Figure 2 shows how to assemble the handle and attach it to
xPower1500.
An Explanation of Power Ratings and Battery
ife
AC powered products are rated by how much electrical power (in
watts) they consume. xPower1500 is capable of generating a
maximum of 1350 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 xPower1500 for up to 9½ hours when
xPower1500s internal battery pac is fully charged.
Figure 2 - Handle Assembly

5
12- olt 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 xPower1500s DC
Power Soc et, this light could be expected to operate for about 75
hours before xPower1500s battery pac needs recharging.
xPower1500 is designed to supply up to 12 amps from its DC Power
Soc et.
Remember: The fewer watts an AC product uses, or the fewer amps
a DC accessory draws, the longer xPower1500 will operate before
recharging is required.
Operating 115-Volt AC Products
1. Ensure xPower1500s battery pac is fully charged. See Section 7
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 product(s) ON, one at a time. xPower1500 will
operate most devices rated up to 1350 watts.
4. In the event of an overload, low battery voltage or overheating,
the AC outlets will automatically shut down and the red FAULT
light will illuminate. See Section 4 - Automatic Protection:
O erload, O erheating and Low Battery for details.
5. Fully recharge xPower1500s battery pac as soon as possible
after each use.
Operating 12-Volt DC Accessories
1. Ensure xPower1500s battery pac is fully charged. See Section 7
for details.
2. Plug the accessory into xPower1500s DC Power Soc et, and
switch the accessory on (if required). xPower1500 will operate any
12-volt DC auto or marine accessory that draws 12 amps or less.
3. Because the DC Power Soc et is internally wired directly to
xPower1500s internal battery pac , extended operation of a 12-
volt accessory may result in excessive battery discharge.
IMPORTANT: Care must be ta en to ensure the battery pac does
not become totally discharged. See Section 5 for details.
NOTE: The internal cooling fan is thermally activated whenever the
AC Outlets switch is ON. The cooling fan helps maintain
xPower1500s output power when products with high power
requirements are run.

6
Recharging xPower1500
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 Soc et (located on the
DC Power Panel). The Recharge Indicator on the AC Charger will
change from amber to green when charging is complete (up to 15
hours). It is safe (and recommended) to leave the AC Charger
connected indefinitely.
IMPORTANT: Review the safety information in the AC Charger
Owners Guide (also enclosed) before recharging xPower1500.
3. Charging may also be done from an automobile lighter soc et.
See Section 7 for details.
Using xPower1500 to Jump-Start Your Vehicle
Due to potential dangers, see Section 6 for a detailed explanation.