11
4 Powering 115-Volt AC Products
xPower1500 is capable of powering most 115-volt AC products and
equipment that use 1350 watts or less. Its AC output waveform, called a
“quasi-sine wave” or “modified sine wave”, is designed to function similarly
to the sine wave shape of utility power.
CAUTION:
Do not use xPower1500 with the following
equipment:
•
Small battery operated products such as rechargeable
flashlights, some rechargeable shavers, and night-lights that
are plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
•
Certain battery chargers for battery packs used in hand power
tools. These chargers sometimes have a warning label stating
that dangerous voltages are present at the charger’s battery
terminals. Check with the manufacturer of the power tool to
verify whether the battery charger supplied with the tool
should be used with xPower1500.
The power, or “wattage”, rating of AC products is the power they use.
During the first moments after they are switched on, many products such as
power tools or pumps, consume much more power than their average rating.
Although xPower1500 can supply momentary surge power greater than 1350
watts, some products may exceed its capabilities and trigger the inverter’s
safety overload shutdown circuit. See Automatic Protection: Overload,
Overheating and Low Battery in this section for the reset procedure. If this
problem occurs when attempting to operate several products at the same
time, try first switching on the AC Outlets with all products switched off,
then one by one switch each on, starting with the high surge product first.
Connecting Your AC Products
The following steps assume you have fully charged xPower1500’s
battery pack. See Section 7.
1. Turn on the AC Outlets Switch located on the AC Power Panel.
The green POWER light illuminates to confirm AC power is now
on and available at the two AC Outlets. See Figure 3 in Section 3.
2. Plug the AC product you wish to operate into one of the two AC
outlets and switch the product on. The product should operate
normally, just as it would if plugged into a wall outlet at home.
3. While operating the AC product you can check the level of the
battery as detailed in Section 3. This will tell you the approximate
charge level of the battery and whether you are approaching the
point when recharging is required.
18
7 Recharging xPower1500
Charging Options
These charging options are possible with xPower1500:
•
Charging with the fully automatic “plug-in-and-forget” AC
Charger.
•
Charging from your vehicle as you drive with the DC Charging
Cable.
•
Charging from a generator equipped with a 12-volt battery
charging outlet.
•
Charging from a solar panel.
Battery Self-Discharge and Shelf Life
All rechargeable batteries gradually discharge when left standing.
Periodic charging is necessary to maintain maximum battery capacity.
The AC Charger supplied with xPower1500 is designed to regulate
the charging process, ensuring the battery pack is always fully
charged, but never overcharged. To ensure safe recharging and
maximum battery life, charge only with Xantrex supplied or approved
products.
CAUTION:
Due to inherent self-discharge, lead acid batteries must
be charged at least every 3 months, especially in a warm
environment. Leaving a battery in a discharged state, or not
recharging every 3 months, risks permanent damage.
CAUTION:
Do not attempt to recharge xPower1500’s battery if it
is frozen. A frozen battery should be gradually warmed to 32°F
(0°C) before charging.
Recharging with the AC Charger
CAUTION:
Do not use xPower1500 to operate any AC products
or DC accessories while charging with the AC Charger. Do not use
xPower1500’s AC Charger to recharge nickel-cadmium or dry-cell
batteries commonly used with home appliances and electronic
equipment. These batteries may burst and cause personal injury
or damage property. See the AC Charger Owner’s Guide enclosed
for additional safety related information.
xPower1500’s 5-amp AC Charger offers the convenience of “plug-in-
and-forget” recharging. To use the AC Charger, follow these steps:
1. Disconnect any 12-volt DC accessories and turn the AC Outlets
Switch off.
ARTWORK FILM No. 445-0127-98-01 REV. 1 MAY 10/2001
