INDICATORS / CONTROL WIRING
The AC wiring compartment also encloses the green terminal block used for the low voltage control wiring. This six position terminal block can be unplugged to make wiring easier and to simplify the removal and reinstallation of an inverter. Two sets of multi-colored LED indicators are provided to display the operation of the system. One set of three LED’s is provided to indicate the voltage level of the battery connected to the DC terminals of the FX. This can be useful in troubleshooting the FX. These battery status LED’s operate at the following voltage levels:
| Nominal Battery Voltage | |
LED Color | 12 VDC | 24 VDC | 48 VDC |
Green | 12.5 or higher | 25.0 or higher | 50.0 or higher |
Yellow | 11.5 to 12.5 | 23.0 to 25.0 | 46.0 to 50.0 |
Red | 11.5 or lower | 23.0 or lower | 46.0 or lower |
There is another set of three LED’s which indicates the operation of the FX. These LED’s are active as follows:
LED Color | LED Action | LED Indicates |
Green | Solid GREEN | Inverter ON |
| Flashing GREEN | Search Mode or Slave Power Save |
| Off | Inverter OFF |
Yellow | Solid YELLOW | AC Source is Connected |
| Flashing YELLOW | AC Input Live – Waiting to Connect to the FX |
| Off | No AC Input Present |
Red | Solid RED | Error – An Error Message will be automatically displayed on the MATE |
| Flashing RED | Warning – A non-critical fault happened to the FX. The MATE can access this info. |
INVERTER ON/OFF
The left two terminals of the green terminal block marked INVERTER and ON/OFF can be used to control the inverter. Connecting the two terminals together through a switch will allow control of the inverter output if a MATE is not available. A small jumper wire is pre- installed into these two positions of the terminal block and needs to be removed in order to add the external switch. If the FX’s AC output is off, check that the jumper wire is present and well connected. An installed switch overrides the control provided by the OutBack MATE – if the switch is set to OFF, the MATE will not be able to turn ON the inverter. Cycling this switch quickly from ON to OFF and then to ON again puts the inverter into Search mode. Cycling the switch in this fashion again returns the inverter to the ON mode.
AUXILIARY OUTPUT ( AUX + / AUX - )
The Auxiliary output system uses the AUX + and AUX – terminals and is able to be programmed through the MATE to do a variety of tasks. The default use for these terminals is to drive one 12-volt fan for external cooling. The power available at these terminals is 12 VDC at 0.7 amps (8.4 watts) maximum. These terminals should not be connected to any type of DC load which has a high inrush current requirement. The FX includes internal electronic overcurrent protection for this 12 VDC output circuit which auto resets if it is short circuited. No additional fuses are required. Use the OutBack FX Turbo Kit or DC12-FAN for cooling. For automatic or advanced generator start functions, the Auxiliary Output can drive a 12V automotive relay for the 2-wire starting circuitry of a generator. OutBack Power Systems does not support 3-wire start generators; however, a 3-wire to 2-wire conversion kit is available from a different source.
XCT + / XCT -
These terminals are not operational at this time.
BATTERY TEMP {REMOTE TEMPERATURE SENSOR (RTS)}
The OutBack GFX has a 4 position “phone” RJ-11 modular jack located in the AC compartment for the connection of an optional external battery temperature sensor, the RTS (sold separately), that allows for automatic adjustment of the battery charging process based on the temperature of the battery. Battery manufacturers provide recommended charge voltages based on temperatures of 25C
/77F. With the RTS attached, the FX adjusts the battery voltage 0.03 volts per degree Celsius for a 12-volt battery bank, 0.06 volts per degree Celsius for a 24-volt battery bank or 0.12 volts per degree Celsius for a 48-volt battery bank. When a HUB is used, the RTS must be plugged into the Master FX which must be plugged into port 1 of the HUB. If this is the case, only one RTS is required for all devices plugged into the HUB. The RTS should be stuck to the side of a battery below the electrolyte level so it can measure the temperature of the batteries. The wire from the RTS can be folded and routed underneath the transparent gray plastic lexan cover of the AC wiring compartment to allow connection to the battery. There is a small indentation in the aluminum casting to allow for the wire to pass without affecting the sealing of the covers. When running additional wires under the smoked lexan cover, it may be required to snip some lexan away to allow for wire routing. The lexan will not crack when cutting or filing.
MATE / HUB
The 8 position “Ethernet” RJ-45 modular jack allows direct connection of a MATE system controller and display to the FX using standard CAT5 type cabling. If multiple FX’s or an FX and an MX-60 charge controller are both in the system, an OutBack HUB communication manager is be required for stacking of the FX’s and for efficient system performance. . The HUB acts similar to a computer hub to combine the communication signals of the devices together into a networked system. OutBack offers two different HUB products at this time. The HUB-4accepts up to four OutBack products and one MATE. The HUB-10connects up to ten OutBack products and one MATE. NOTE: Although the HUB has 2 ports for MATE’s only the 1st port is operational.
Copyright 2003 OutBack Power Systems, Inc. | FX & VFX “E” Series Inverter/Charger System | Installation & Programming Manual |
19009 62nd Ave NE, Arlington WA 98223 USA | 900-0027-2 | |
