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About Xantrex Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power electronics and controls with products from 50 watt mobile units to one MW 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.
Purpose The purpose of this Owner’s Guide is to provide explanations and procedures for installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus. Scope The Guide provides safety guidelines, detailed planning and setup information, procedures for installing the inverter, as well as information about operating and troubleshooting the inverter.
Related Information You can find more information about Xantrex Technology Inc. as well as its products and services at www.xantrex.com These notes describe things which are important for you to know,...
XPower Inverter 3000 Plus, the batteries, and all appropriate sections of this guide. 2. Do not expose the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus to rain, snow, spray, or bilge water. To reduce risk of fire hazard, do not cover or obstruct the ventilation openings.
2. This equipment contains components which tend to produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not install the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus in compartments containing batteries or flammable materials, or in locations that require ignition-protected equipment. This includes any space containing gasoline-powered machinery, fuel tanks, as well as joints, fittings, or other connections between components of the fuel system.
AC receptacle and produces a low voltage charging output. Some chargers for small rechargeable batteries can be damaged if connected to the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus. Do not use the following with the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus: •...
Introduction The XPower Inverter 3000 Plus has been designed to give you quality power, ease of use, and reliability. Please take a few moments to read this chapter to familiarize yourself with the main performance features and protection features. Quality Power...
Introduction Ease of Use Superior features and rugged durability have been combined with ease of use: • The inverter is compact, lightweight, and easy to install. • Loads can be powered directly from the AC outlets. • Easy-to-read indicators on the front panel let you monitor system performance at a glance.
Features Chapter 2, “Features” describes the main features of the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus. Familiarize yourself with them before installing and operating the inverter. Remote On/Off Switch The Remote On/Off switch can be plugged into the remote switch connector port on the front of the inverter. The remote switch lets you turn the inverter on and off from a convenient location up to 20 feet (6 m) away from the inverter.
Features AC Panel Figure 2-2 AC Panel Feature 2–2 Description On/Off Switch turns the inverter’s control circuit on and off. This switch is not a power disconnect switch. Disconnect AC and DC power before working on any circuits connected to the inverter. Fault light (red): indicates the inverter has shut down due to inverter overload or over-temperature.
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Feature 975-0128-01-01 Description Status Display: Shows Voltage, Current or AC Power. VOLTAGE: Indicates battery power at the input terminal of the inverter in volts (V). CURRENT: Indicates current drawn from the battery by the inverter in amps (A). AC POWER: Indicates the output power from the inverter as a percentage of total available watts being utilized.
Features DC Panel Figure 2-3 DC Panel Feature 2–4 Description Chassis Ground Lug connects to vehicle chassis, DC grounding bus or to engine’s negative bus. Ventilation Opening must not be obstructed for the proper operation of the inverter. When the inverter is mounted, the ventilation opening on the DC panel must not point up or down.
Installation Chapter 3, “Installation,” provides information on cables and fuses to help you plan for your installation and provide procedures for installing the inverter. Read the entire chapter before beginning the installation procedures so that you can plan an installation that is suited to your power needs. Designing Your Installation Before doing anything else, you need to determine how you are going to use your inverter, and then design a power system that will give you...
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Installation Figure 3-1 Configuration for Normal Loads Figure 3-2 Configuration for Heavy Loads 3–2 975-0128-01-01...
Installation Codes Governing installation codes vary depending on the location and type of installation. Electrical installations must meet local and national wiring codes and should be performed by a qualified electrician. In residential applications, electrical codes do not allow permanent connection of AC distribution wiring to the inverter’s AC output receptacles.
Installation Choosing an Appropriate Location WARNING The inverter contains components that tend to produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not install the inverter in compartments containing batteries or flammable materials, or in locations that require ignition-protected equipment. WARNING To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover or obstruct the ventilation openings.
Calculating Cable Sizes To operate safely and effectively, the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus needs proper cables and fuses. Because the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus has low- voltage and high-current input, it is essential that you use low-resistance wiring between the battery and the inverter to deliver the maximum amount of usable energy to your load.
Installation Table 3-1 Recommended DC Input Wire Sizes & Lengths Cable length: Battery to Inverter (one way) 5 feet (1.5 m) or less Note: Never use a cable longer than 10 feet (3 m). Appropriate size cable can be bought at a welding supply house. Calculating Size of Chassis Ground Cable Refer to Table 3-2 to plan the size of the chassis ground cable that runs from the DC grounding point to the chassis ground screw on the inverter’s...
Calculating Fuse/Circuit Breaker Size Because your batteries can provide thousands of amps of short-circuit current, you need fuses or circuit breakers that can safely withstand the short-circuit current that the batteries can produce. To select the correct fuse type and size: 1.
Installation Installing the inverter Do not proceed with the installation of your inverter until you have read the section, “Designing Your Installation” on page 3–1. The more thorough your planning, the better your power needs will be met to achieve maximum performance from your inverter. Safety Instructions Before you start to install the inverter: •...
• DC fuse(s) as calculated in “Calculating Fuse/Circuit Breaker Size” on page 3–7 and fuse holder(s) • Copper chassis ground cable as calculated in Table 3-2, “Recommended Chassis Ground Cable sizes” on page 3–6 • Battery isolator (if connecting to a multiple-battery system) •...
Installation Mounting the Inverter Do not mount the inverter under the hood of your vehicle. See “Choosing an Appropriate Location” on page 3–4. To mount the inverter: 1. Make sure the On/Off switch is in the Off position. 2. Select an appropriate mounting location and orientation. The inverter must be oriented in one of the following ways: •...
AC Connections You can plug your AC loads directly into the receptacles on the inverter front panel. Output power to each receptacle is limited by a circuit breaker to 1500 Watts (15 A). You may also make a permanent AC connection via the AC knockout. This connection must be made in accordance with applicable electrical codes.
Installation WARNING: Electrical Shock Hazard Never operate the inverter without properly connecting the chassis ground. An electrical shock hazard could result from improper grounding. Grounding Locations You must connect the chassis ground terminal to a grounding point. Follow the installation guidelines below. These guidelines assume you are using the code-compliant DC supply cable and fuse sizes indicated in this manual.
There must be no stray wire strands protruding from the terminal. If using box lugs, attach the lug to the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus first, then insert the wire and tighten the set screw to the torque recommended by the lug manufacturer.
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Installation 4. Install a fuse and disconnect switch or breaker between the inverter and the battery. Ensure that the disconnect switch or breaker is turned off before installing. They must be installed in the positive side of the DC circuit, as close as possible to the battery. This protects your battery and wiring in case of accidental shorting.
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6. Connect one connector on the negative cable to the negative terminal on the DC end. Before proceeding, check that cable polarity is correct, and then connect the other end of the cable to the NEGATIVE (–) terminal on the battery. This is the last cable connection you make.
Operation Chapter 4 explains how to operate the inverter efficiently and effectively. Specifically, this chapter: • Gives procedures for operating the inverter from the front panel • Discusses operating limits and inverter loads • Discusses battery charging frequency • Provides information about routine maintenance Turning the Inverter On and Off The On/Off switch on the inverter’s front panel turns the control circuit in the inverter on and off.
Operation Turning the Inverter Off Between Charges The inverter draws less than 600 mA from the battery with the On/Off switch turned on and no load connected, but left in this state the inverter will eventually discharge the battery. To prevent unnecessary battery discharge, turn the inverter off when you are not using it.
Operating Limits Power Output The XPower Inverter 3000 Plus can deliver up to 2500 W continuous and up to 3000 W for five minutes. The wattage rating applies to resistive loads such as incandescent lights. Input Voltage The allowable inverter input (battery) voltage ranges are shown in the...
Operation Inverter Loads The inverter will operate most AC loads within its power rating of 2500 W. However, some appliances and equipment may be difficult to operate, and other appliances may actually be damaged if you try to operate them with the inverter. Please read “High Surge Loads” and “Trouble Loads”...
Routine Maintenance Minimal maintenance is required to keep your inverter operating properly. Periodically you should: • Clean the exterior of the inverter with a damp cloth to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt. • Ensure that the DC cables are secure and fasteners are tight. •...
Troubleshooting Chapter 5 will help you identify the source of most problems that can occur with the inverter. If you have a problem with the inverter, please review this chapter before contacting place of purchase. If you are unable to solve a problem and need to contact place of purchase, record the information in the form “Information About Your System”...
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Reference WARNING: Electrical shock and burn hazard Do not disassemble the inverter. It does not contain any user-serviceable parts. Attempting to service the inverter yourself could result in an electrical shock or burn. Table 5-1 Troubleshooting Reference Error/Warning Code on Display Problem AL1: Flashing...
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Table 5-1 Troubleshooting Reference Error/Warning Code on Display Problem E03: Flashing Inverter is in Fault : Flashing overload shutdown. Alarm: Beeping E04: Flashing Inverter is in Fault : Flashing thermal shutdown. Alarm: Beeping E05: Flashing Output on inverter Fault : Flashing is shortcircuit Alarm: Beeping Low output voltage...
Physical Specifications Length Width Height Weight Specifications are subject to change without notice. 2500 W 3000 W 115 V AC RMS ± 5 % Modified sine wave 60 Hz ± 4 Hz 10.5–15.0 VDC 11.0 V 10.5 V <0.6 A dc 18 1/2"...
The information in Appendix B will help you to select, connect, and maintain batteries that are most appropriate for your application. The batteries that you use strongly affect the performance of the XPower 3000. It is important to connect the inverter to the correct size and type of battery. Battery Types...
CAUTION The XPower 3000 must only be connected to batteries with a nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The XPower 3000 will not operate from a 6 volt battery and will be damaged if connected to a 24 volt battery.
To determine how much battery capacity you need: 1. Determine how many watts are consumed by each appliance that you will operate from the XPower 3000. You can normally find the watt rating labelled on the product. If only the current draw is given, multiply it by 115 to get the power consumption in watts.
Battery Types Battery Sizing Example This battery sizing example illustrates a typical calculation, assuming an opportunity to charge the batteries every three days. (A) Power Appliance Consumption (Watts) TV & VCR Microwave oven 3 lamps, 60 W each Coffee maker Steam iron = Total watt-hours of AC load between charges Battery Ah used between charges (divide by 10)
Battery Sizing Worksheet Use the following worksheet to calculate your battery needs. To ensure sufficient battery capacity, be generous when estimating the operating time per day for each of the loads you will run. (A) Power Appliance Consumption (Watts) = Total watt-hours of AC load between charges Battery Ah used between charges (divide by 10) Recommended Battery Bank Size in Ah (multiply by 2) 975-0128-01-01...
Battery Types Using Multiple Batteries As your power requirements increase, you may need to use more than one battery to obtain sufficient capacity. Read “Two Batteries Connected In Parallel” and “Two Separate Battery Banks” to determine whether two batteries or two battery banks are more appropriate for your applications. Two Batteries Connected In Parallel Two identical batteries can be connected positive (+) to positive (+) and negative (–) to negative (–) in a parallel system.
Battery Tips WARNING Review “Precautions When Working With Batteries” on page vi before you work with the batteries in your system. Explosive/ Lead-acid batteries may emit hydrogen gases, oxygen, and sulfuric acid Corrosive fumes when recharging. To reduce the risk of explosion: Gases •...
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Battery Types Battery Connections to battery posts must be made with permanent connectors Connections that provide a reliable, low-resistance connection. Do not use alligator clips. Clean the connections regularly and prevent corrosion by using a protective spray coating or Vaseline. Battery State of You can measure battery state of charge with a hydrometer or Charge...
Alternators and Charging Systems A good charging system is important for the health of your batteries. Poor recharging methods can quickly damage batteries. Appendix C provides guidelines for recharging batteries from an alternator, from AC power, and from alternate energy sources. Charging System Requirements Your charging system should be capable of delivering a charging current equal to 25% of the amp-hour capacity of your battery.
Alternators and Charging Systems Charging With an Engine Alternator Read the following information to determine whether your vehicle’s standard alternator will be adequate by itself, whether you should install an alternator controller, or whether you need a high-output alternator. Using a Standard Vehicle Alternator A typical engine alternator (12 V) may not be able to meet the requirements outlined above if your system uses large capacity batteries.
Charging From AC Power When recharging from AC power, use a good quality charger or RV converter that meets the requirements outlined in “Charging System Requirements” on page C–1. Do not use chargers intended for occasional recharging of automotive starting batteries. These chargers are not intended for continuous use. Charging From Alternative Energy Sources You can also charge your batteries from alternative energy sources such as solar panels, wind, or hydro systems.
What does this warranty cover? This Limited Warranty is provided by Xantrex Technology, Inc. ("Xantrex") and covers defects in workmanship and materials in your XPower Inverter 3000 Plus. This warranty period lasts for 12 months from the date of purchase at the point of sale to you, the original end user customer.
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What proof of purchase is required? accompany the product and the product must not have been disassembled or modified without prior written authorization by Xantrex. Proof of purchase may be in any one of the following forms: • The dated purchase receipt from the original purchase of the product at point of sale to the end user, •...
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SUPPORT SYSTEMS OR OTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT OR DEVICES. Please note that the XPower Inverter 3000 Plus is not intended for use as an uninterruptible power supply and Xantrex makes no warranty or representation in connection with any use of the product for such purposes.
Include the following: • The RMA number supplied by Xantrex Technology, Inc. clearly marked on the outside of the box. • A return address where the unit can be shipped. Post office boxes are not acceptable.
Out of Warranty Service If the warranty period for your XPower Inverter 3000 Plus has expired, if the unit was damaged by misuse or incorrect installation, if other conditions of the warranty have not been met, or if no dated proof of purchase is available, your inverter may be serviced or replaced for a flat fee.
Information About Your System As soon as you open your XPower Inverter 3000 Plus package, record the following information and be sure to keep your proof of purchase. ❐ Serial Number (on DC end) ❐ Purchased From ❐ Purchase Date If you need to contact Customer Service, please record the following details before calling.