Xantrex Solar 400 - Manual

Important Safety Instructions iv 975-0328-01-01 WARNING: Explosion hazard Do not use this product where there are flammable fumes or gases, such as in the bilge of a gasoline- powered boat, or near propane tanks. Do not use this product in an enclosure containing automotive-type lead acid batteries....

Important Safety Instructions 975-0328-01-01 v Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances Most rechargeable battery-operated equipment uses a separate charger or transformer that is plugged into an AC receptacle and produces a low voltage charging output. Some chargers for rechargeable batteries ...

Important Safety Instructions vi 975-0328-01-01 First Aid The internal battery is a sealed, lead-acid type battery. It is not designed to be user replaceable. However, if a leak is detected, stop operating and handling the Powerpack Solar 400 immediately. IF BATTERY ACID CONTACTS EYES: 1. Immediatel...

vii Important Safety Instructions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -iii Warnings and Cautions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -iii Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances - - - - - - - - - - - - v First Aid - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ...

Contents viii 975-0328-01-01 Charging with the DC-to-DC Accessory Cable - - - - - - - - - 14Recharging with a Generator’s Regulated 12 Vdc Outlet - - - 16Recharging From the Solar Panel - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 Interpreting Display Codes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ...

Contents 975-0328-01-01 ix 5 Troubleshooting Common Problems - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35 Buzz in Audio Equipment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35Television Interference - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35 Troubleshooting Reference...

xi Table 5-1 Troubleshooting reference - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36 Table 5-2 Display Error Codes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39 Tables Powerpack_Solar_400.book Page xi Thursday, March 22, 2007 2:41 PM

xiii Figure 2-1 Package Contents - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 Figure 2-2 Front and Side Panels - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Figure 2-3 Control Panel and Display - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Figure 2-4 Power Sockets - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ...

1 1 Introduction About the Powerpack Solar 400 Easy-to-use and designed for years of reliable service, the Powerpack Solar 400 is a portable power source designed to provide limited AC power in the event utility power is interrupted or is not available. It can run many AC appliances and 12-volt DC a...

Introduction 2 975-0328-01-01 The DC Socket is protected by a thermal switch. If an overload condition (> 144 W) occurs while using the DC Socket, the excessive temperature will cause the switch to open and shut down the power to the socket. Overheating The Powerpack Solar 400 is protected from o...

3 2 Features Chapter 2 describes the main features of the Powerpack Solar 400. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with these features before operating the unit. Contents Your Powerpack Solar 400 package includes the items shown in Figure 2-1. If any of these materials are missing or are unsa...

Powerpack Solar 400 Features 4 975-0328-01-01 Powerpack Solar 400 Features Front and Side Panels Figure 2-2 Front and Side Panels Feature Description Hi-bright LED Lamp (located on each side ) Provides ambient light to surrounding area. The button switch is located on the control panel. Power Socket...

Powerpack Solar 400 Features 975-0328-01-01 7 Solar Panel Components Figure 2-5 Solar Panel Component Feature Description The male/female connectors attach to each other and connect the solar panel to the charging assembly inside the unit.You can remove the solar panel by unplugging the male/female ...

9 3 Operation Chapter 3 explains how to operate the Powerpack Solar 400 efficiently. This chapter covers: • Choosing a Location (page 10) • Recharging the Powerpack Solar 400 (page 11) • Interpreting Display Codes (page 19) • Operating AC appliances (page 22) • Operating 12-volt DC appliances (page ...

Operation 10 975-0328-01-01 Choosing a Location The Powerpack Solar 400 should be operated only in locations that meet the following requirements. WARNING: Fire or explosion The Powerpack Solar 400 contains components that tend to produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not operate ...

Recharging the Powerpack Solar 400 Battery 975-0328-01-01 11 Recharging the Powerpack Solar 400 Battery You can recharge the battery by using: • the AC Charger (supplied) plugged into a standard 120 Vac wall outlet, • the DC Charging Cable (supplied) to recharge from your vehicle or a generator equi...

Operation 12 975-0328-01-01 Charging with the AC Charger Using the AC Charger is the simplest method for recharging the battery. While charging from an AC source, the Charging Status LED indicator light on the Control Panel will flash intermittently. The indicator light will stay on when the battery...

Operation 14 975-0328-01-01 Charging with the DC-to-DC Accessory Cable The Powerpack Solar 400 comes with a DC Charging cable to allow the unit to be charged from a DC source such as an automobile, RV, or boat. The labeled and fused plug of the charging cable is equipped with a single and replaceabl...

Operation 16 975-0328-01-01 Recharging with a Generator’s Regulated 12 Vdc Outlet Refer to the Owner’s Guide accompanying your generator for detailed instructions on connecting the generator to a unit like the Powerpack Solar 400. You can recharge the battery of the Powerpack Solar 400 using a gener...

Recharging the Powerpack Solar 400 Battery 975-0328-01-01 17 Recharging From the Solar Panel The solar panel is very convenient in places where you do not have access to AC or DC sources for charging. You can take the Powerpack Solar 400 with you and use the solar panel to charge it during the day w...

Operation 18 975-0328-01-01 To recharge with a solar panel: 1. Connect the solar panel to the unit. 2. Place the solar panel in direct sunlight. It takes about 45 hours in direct sunlight to recharge the Powerpack Solar 400 from the 5 W solar panel. The indicator light located on the solar panel fla...

Interpreting Display Codes 975-0328-01-01 19 Interpreting Display Codes Checking Battery and AC Status When either of the AC sockets, DC socket, or lamp is initially turned on, the digital display window flashes the different states of the battery charge and AC output power. The display automaticall...

Operation 22 975-0328-01-01 AC Appliances The Powerpack Solar 400 has two AC sockets for use with AC appliances. You can either plug the appliance directly into the AC socket on the Powerpack Solar 400 or you can use an AC power bar to increase the number of outlets available. However, the combined ...

Operation 24 975-0328-01-01 Overload Protection In the event of an overload (> 400 W) or overheating, the Powerpack Solar 400 automatically sounds an alarm, displays an error code, and shuts down. When this happens, remove the load immediately. The unit resets automatically after a few seconds. H...

12 Vdc Appliances 975-0328-01-01 25 • Speed controllers found in some fans, power tools, kitchen appliances, and other loads may be damaged. • Some chargers for small rechargeable batteries can be damaged. See “Precautions for Using Rechargeable Appliances” on page v for details. • Metal halide arc ...

USB Devices 975-0328-01-01 27 USB Devices The Powerpack Solar 400 can charge one USB-chargeable device through its USB port found below the AC charging port on the power socket side panel of the unit. Compatible devices include most MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras, and camcorders that have intern...

Operation 28 975-0328-01-01 Charging Devices via the USB Port Low Battery Alarm While in use, when the battery reaches 11 Vdc, the Low-Battery Alarm will sound and display an error code indicating that battery is low and the unit is about to be shutdown to prevent battery damage. When the battery re...

Using the LED Lamps 975-0328-01-01 29 Using the LED Lamps The Powerpack Solar 400 includes emergency lighting that provides a flood-light effect to surrounding area. The lamps are located on each side of the unit. Each lamp has six hi-bright LEDs that provide illumination. Low Battery Alarm While in...

30 Using the Back Stand The Powerpack Solar 400 is equipped with a back stand located in the middle of the backside panel. You can use the stand to position the unit to face slightly upward especially when you place it on the floor during operation. Figure 3-10 Back Stand Powerpack_Solar_400.book Pa...

31 4 Maintenance Chapter 4 provides information on maintaining your internal battery and recharging options for the internal battery. Routine maintenance is required to keep your Powerpack Solar 400 operating properly. Occasionally clean the exterior of the unit with a damp cloth to remove the accum...

Maintenance 32 975-0328-01-01 Battery Life The high quality battery used in the Powerpack Solar 400 will serve as a reliable power source for years when properly maintained. To maximize battery life, it is important to recharge the Powerpack Solar 400 battery after each use. Recycling The Powerpack ...

35 5 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting will help you identify the common problems than can occur with the Powerpack Solar 400. Read this chapter before calling Customer Service. If you cannot solve the problem with the Powerpack Solar 400, record the information asked for on “Information About Your Sy...

Troubleshooting 36 975-0328-01-01 • Adjust the orientation of the Powerpack Solar 400, television, antenna, and cables. • Maximize TV signal strength by using a better antenna. Use a shielded antenna cable where possible. • Try a different TV. Different models vary considerably in their susceptibili...

41 A Specifications Chapter A, “Specifications” includes the electrical, mechanical, and environmental specifications for the Powerpack Solar 400. Electrical Specifications AC Power Section Output power• Continuous output power • Peak AC output power • AC output surge capacity 320 W400 W640 W Output...

Physical Specifications 975-0328-01-01 43 Physical Specifications Solar Panel Section Power 5 W Panel Type Amorphous Silicon Portability Detachable from main unit Connector Type Male/female connector Accessories DC-to-DC charge cable(replacement part # 449-0187-01-01) 39" (1 m) 18 AWG with male-...

45 Warranty and Return Information Warranty 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 Powerpack Solar 400. This warranty period lasts for 6 months from the date of pur...

Warranty and Return 46 975-0328-01-01 What proof of purchase is required? In any warranty claim, dated proof of purchase must 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 f...

Warranty and Return 975-0328-01-01 47 PERSONAL INJURY, ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY ARISING FROM OR AS A RESULT OF MISUSE OR ABUSE, OR THE INCORRECT INSTALLATION, INTEGRATION OR OPERATION OF THE PRODUCT. Exclusions If this product is a consumer product, federal law does not allow an exclusion of implied war...

Warranty and Return 48 975-0328-01-01 If you are returning a product to a Xantrex Authorized Service Center (ASC) A Xantrex return material authorization (RMA) number is not required. However, you must contact the ASC prior to returning the product or presenting the unit to verify any return procedu...

Warranty and Return 975-0328-01-01 49 Information About Your System As soon as you open your XPower Powerpack Solar 400 package, record the following information and be sure to keep your proof of purchase. If you need to contact Customer Service, please record the following details before calling. T...