Inverter Applications; Resistive Loads; Motor Loads; Problem Loads - Xantrex Freedom SW Series Owner's Manual

Troubleshooting
5. Contact Customer Service for further assistance. Please
be prepared to describe details of your system installation
and provide the model and serial number of the unit. See
the front and/or back of the manual for contact
information.

Inverter Applications

The Freedom SW performs differently depending on the AC
loads connected to it. If you are having problems with any of
your loads, read this section.

Resistive Loads

Resistive loads are the easiest and most efficient to drive.
Voltage and current are in phase, which means they are in
step with one another. Resistive loads generate heat in order
to accomplish their tasks. Toasters, coffee pots, and
incandescent lights are typical resistive loads. It is usually
impractical to run larger resistive loads—such as electric
stoves and water heaters—from an inverter due to their high
current requirements. Even though the inverter may be able to
accommodate the load, the size of battery bank will limit
inverter run time.
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Motor Loads

Induction motors (AC motors without brushes) require up to
six times their running current on startup. The most
demanding are those that start under load (for example,
compressors and pumps). Of the capacitor start motors
(typical in drill presses and band saws, for example), the
largest you can expect to run is one horsepower. Universal
motors are generally easier to start. Check that the Locked
Rotor Amps (LRA) rating of the motor load does not exceed
the maximum surge current rating of the inverter. Since motor
characteristics vary, only testing will determine whether a
specific load can be started and how long it can be run.
If a motor fails to start within a few seconds or loses power
after running for a time, it should be turned off. When the
inverter attempts to start a load that is greater than it can
handle, the inverter may shut down from an AC overload
fault.

Problem Loads

Very Small Loads If the power consumed by a device is
less than the threshold of the search mode circuitry, and
search mode is enabled, the inverter will not run. Most likely
the solution will be to disable Search mode or lower the
sense threshold.
Freedom SW Owner's Guide