Xantrex Inverter Communications Adapter Owner'S Manual Download Page 1

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Inverter
Communications
Adapter (ICA)

ICA

Owner’s Manual

Summary of Contents for Inverter Communications Adapter

Page 1: ...Inverter Communications Adapter ICA M ICA Owner s Manual ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...Inverter Communications Adapter Owner s Manual ...

Page 4: ... respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only Notice of Copyright Inverter Communications Adapter ICA Owner s Manual June 2005 Xantrex International All rights reserved Disclaimer UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING XANTREX TECHNOLOGY INC XANTREX a MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY SUFFICIENCY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED IN ITS MA...

Page 5: ...is Manual is intended for anyone who has a Sine Wave Plus Inverter Charger and needs to install and operate the Inverter Communications Adapter ICA and its software Organization This Manual is organized into three chapters Chapter 1 Installation describes how to install the ICA cable with or without a modem The following topics are covered in this chapter Chapter 2 Configuration describes how to i...

Page 6: ...est version of this software Therefore please keep in mind that software levels shown in the illustrations within this manual may not represent the most current version WARNING Warnings identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life CAUTION Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the unit or to other equipment Important These notes describ...

Page 7: ...OM COMmunications Port DC Direct Current DOS Disk Operating System ICA Inverter Communications Adapter ICAP Inverter Communications Adapter Program software ICM Inverter Control Module ID IDentification LCD Liquid Crystal Display LED Light Emitting Diode PC Personal Computer PV Photovoltaic PVGFP PV Ground Fault Protection RMA Return Material Authorization ...

Page 8: ...About This Manual vi 975 0052 01 01 Rev A Related Information You can find more information about Xantrex Technology Inc as well as its products and services at www xantrex com ...

Page 9: ...ion at the end of this guide 5 Do not disassemble the ICA See How do you get service on page 45 for instructions on obtaining service Attempting to service the unit yourself may result in a risk of electrical shock or fire 6 To reduce the risk of electrical shock disconnect both AC and DC power from the inverter before attempting any maintenance or cleaning or working on any circuits associated wi...

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Page 11: ...ossible Requirements 12 Advanced Monitoring Software 12 2 Configuration Installing the ICA Software ICAP 14 Starting the Setup Program Using Autorun 14 Starting Setup Manually 19 Starting Setup From a Command Prompt 20 Setting Up a Modem Connection 21 Make a New Connection 21 Establish the Type of Connection 22 Enter COM Port Property Values 23 3 Operation Starting ICAP 26 User Interface Features ...

Page 12: ...igning ID Numbers to the ICA 36 Assigning Customer IDs Optional 36 Reset to Defaults 36 Advanced Configuration Settings 38 Changing the PC s COM Port Number 39 Testing the ICA 40 Troubleshooting the ICA 40 Troubleshooting if No Response comes from the ICA 41 Check ID 41 Reset Defaults 41 Check Settings 41 Reset Program 42 Phone Connections 42 Hardware Connectors 42 Check Configuration 43 Display A...

Page 13: ...Folder Screen 16 Figure 2 6 Ready to Install Screen 17 Figure 2 7 Installing Files Screen 17 Figure 2 8 Installed Screen 18 Figure 2 9 Readme Option Screen 18 Figure 2 10 Run Window 20 Figure 2 11 Making a New Connection 21 Figure 2 12 Phone Number Dialog 22 Figure 2 13 COM Port Properties Dialog 23 Figure 3 1 ICAP Splash Screen 26 Figure 3 2 ICAP User Interface Window 27 Figure 3 3 Identifying th...

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Page 15: ...xiii Table 3 1 Keyboard Commands 32 Table 3 2 Keyboard Commands ICAP Only 32 Table 3 3 Keyboard Commands Terminal Emulation Programs Only 33 Table 3 4 Troubleshooting the ICA 40 Tables ...

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Page 17: ...For this topic See Introduction page 2 Features Components page 2 Connecting the ICA Cable page 4 Connecting the ICA to a Computer using a Modem page 6 Connecting Multiple ICAs to a Single Computer page 8 Positive Ground or PV Ground Fault Protection Installations page 10 Additional Possible Requirements page 12 Advanced Monitoring Software page 12 ...

Page 18: ... up to eight inverters within the same system Features Components The ICA package includes the following items See Figure 1 1 on page 3 ICA adapter gray plastic housing with green LED phone RJ11 jack and a 25 pin RS232 connector Serial Port Adapter black plastic housing with RJ11 jack and 9 pin connector This part is custom made It is not intended for use as a standard RJ11 to DB 9 adapter 25 foot...

Page 19: ...Features Components 975 0052 01 01 Rev A 3 Figure 1 1 Inverter Communications Adapter ICA ICA adapter DB 9 Serial port adapter 25 phone cable ...

Page 20: ...2 2 Connect the phone cable to the RJ11 jack on the gray ICA adapter and to the black serial port adapter 3 Plug the serial port adapter into the computer s serial port Figure 1 2 4 Check that the LED has illuminated to indicate that it can communicate with the inverter Important There are two ports located on the inverter one is used for the stacking cable and the other is for the remote control ...

Page 21: ... 975 0052 01 01 Rev A 5 Figure 1 2 Connecting Directly to the Inverter AC Side of Sine Wave Plus inverter REMOTE Port ICA Adapter LED and RJ11 port LED illuminates when the ICA is able to communicate with the inverter 1 2 3 4 ...

Page 22: ...er for the DB9 connection from the phone cable to serial port adapter A NULL MODEM adapter will be required for most applications Contact the modem provider and modem documentation for more information The program also assumes that the ICA is connected to a serial port with a COM number of 1 If you are using a COM port other than 1 refer to Enter COM Port Property Values on page 23 To connect a mo...

Page 23: ...Connecting the ICA Cable 975 0052 01 01 Rev A 7 Figure 1 3 Connecting the ICA to a Computer using a Modem ICA Adapter ...

Page 24: ...ch inverter disconnect the ICAs 2 Assign the ID number for each ICA adapter following the instructions in Assigning ID Numbers to the ICA on page 36 The ID number can only be changed with a single adapter connected to the computer s serial port 3 Write each new ID number on the outside of the ICA s gray housing to make later identification of the adapter easier 4 Use a standard phone cable line sp...

Page 25: ...Connecting the ICA Cable 975 0052 01 01 Rev A 9 Figure 1 4 Connecting Multiple ICAs ICA Adapter 8 maximum ...

Page 26: ...nected in a positive ground configuration an opto isolator must be connected somewhere between the ICA and the computer com port Opto isolators can be obtained through www blackbox com part SP400A R3 and PS576 9 Vdc power supply CAUTION Equipment Damage Damage to the inverter and ICA can occur if an opto isolator is not used in a positive ground configuration or in installations that have DC groun...

Page 27: ...nlargements of pin assignments and color coding on ICA cable and connectors 5 4 3 2 1 6 BLACK YELLOW RED GREEN GREEN RED YELLOW BLACK Depending on the CableInstallation D e p e n d in go nt h eC a b leIn s t a lla t io n 5 4 3 2 1 6 B L A C K Y E L L O W R E D G R E E N G R E E N R E D Y E L L O W B L A C K BLACK YELLOW RED GREEN GREEN RED YELLOW BLACK Depending on the CableInstallation 2 3 4 5 6 ...

Page 28: ...n RS232 protocol output The ICA code only manipulates the inverter s control panel keypad strokes The included software emulates these keystrokes There are companies that have used these keystroke bits of information coming from the ICA to develop advanced monitoring software that provides monitoring and data logging capability Additional information on these programs can be found at www righthand...

Page 29: ...llowing topics are covered in this chapter For this topic See Installing the ICA Software ICAP page 14 To install the software with Autorun enabled on your CDROM drive page 14 To start the program from the CD if Autorun is disabled on your computer page 19 To start the program from a command prompt page 20 Setting Up a Modem Connection page 21 ...

Page 30: ... to install the software Use Autorun must be enabled on your CDROM drive Manual Start assumes that Autorun is not enabled on your CDROM drive Use a Command prompt to initiate the installation program Starting the Setup Program Using Autorun To install the software with Autorun enabled on your CDROM drive 1 Insert the CD into your computer s CDROM drive If autorun has not been disabled for the CDRO...

Page 31: ...nt Information screen will appear next 4 Review the list of required components and ensure your system meets all the requirements If you do not have the required components in place click on the CANCEL button This will terminate the installation program If you do have all the components required for this installation then click on the NEXT button to continue with the installation Figure 2 2 ICAP L...

Page 32: ...n to continue with the installation The Shortcut Folder screen will appear next The shortcut folder is where you will find the shortcut to start the program within the START Programs menu 7 If the location of the Shortcut Folder is acceptable click on the NEXT button to continue with the installation If you want to change the location of the shortcut folder enter a different name for the folder in...

Page 33: ... the box If you do not want a shortcut placed on your desktop be sure this box is empty 9 Click on the INSTALL button to start installing the software The Installing Files screen will appear and the progress bar will indicate the progress of the installation Figure 2 6 Ready to Install Screen Figure 2 7 Installing Files Screen Click the INSTALL button to start installing the files Desktop Shortcut...

Page 34: ...button to proceed to the final step 11 When the setup program has finished installing the software the Readme Option screen will appear If you do not want to read the Readme file then click on the check within the white box to remove it 12 Click on the Finish button to finalize the installation Figure 2 8 Installed Screen Figure 2 9 Readme Option Screen Click here to view the Readme file ...

Page 35: ...lick on the file ICAPxxx exe where xxx software level e g ICAP102 exe ICAP103 exe or ICAP104 exe or b Copy the file ICAPxxx exe from the CD to the hard drive on the computer Be sure to remember the location where you ve copied the file After the COPY function is complete navigate to the location of the file and double click on it 4 Follow the setup wizard instructions as described on page 15 to pa...

Page 36: ...of the installation program as shown in Figure 2 10 4 Follow the setup wizard instructions as described on page 15 to page 18 to complete the installation Important The drive letter assigned to your CDROM may be different from the one shown in Figure 2 10 Be sure to use the correct letter for your drive or the program will not start Figure 2 10 Run Window Important Software levels shown in these i...

Page 37: ...municate with the Sine Wave Plus Inverter Charger using a cable and modem connection This manual provides basic keyboard instructions for using terminal emulation for detailed information refer to the documentation for the chosen terminal emulation program Make a New Connection 1 Start the terminal emulation software of your choice HyperTerminal was used in this manual The Connection Description d...

Page 38: ...e Connect Using drop down list 3 Click OK The Phone Number dialog is closed Country code e g United States of America 1 Area code e g 360 Phone Number e g 123 4567 Figure 2 12 Phone Number Dialog Direct to COMx for connections to the ICA with a cable where x is a number from 1 to 4 Most common will be 1 xxx Bps Data Fax Modem for connections to the ICA with a modem where xxx is the transmission sp...

Page 39: ...ing This setting must be fixed Some programs will over ride this setting and will attempt to find the fastest speed Ensure the accuracy of these settings Other settings will not produce the desired results 2 Click OK and a blank window opens Bits per second 9600 BAUD Data bits 8 Parity No or None Stop Bits 1 Flow control Either setting Figure 2 13 COM Port Properties Dialog ...

Page 40: ...24 ...

Page 41: ...re change the ICAP settings test and troubleshoot the connection The following topics are covered in this chapter For this topic See Starting ICAP page 26 User Interface Features page 27 Changing ICAP Settings page 34 Testing the ICA page 40 Troubleshooting the ICA page 40 ...

Page 42: ... 2 If you did NOT allow the setup program to put an application shortcut on your desktop 1 Click START then PROGRAMS then XANTREX 2 Then select When the program starts the following splash screen will appear briefly After which will follow the Inverter Control Module ICM Emulation Screen This screen emulates all the features and functions of the ICM See the Inverter s Owner s Guide for details on ...

Page 43: ... through and alter SW Plus Menu Maps Click on these buttons to navigate through the Menu maps Holding your mouse over these buttons will make a keyboard command display Keyboard commands are also listed starting on page 32 of this manual LEDs and LCD Displays system status Multiple Unit Drop Down box Only appears if ICAP has been set up for multiple ICAs page 35 Figure 3 2 ICAP User Interface Wind...

Page 44: ...parameters for the ICA Adapter The ICAP Menu bar consists of the following commands Exit Go Past END MENU ICA Commands Communications Help Exit Exit the ICAP program by using one of the following methods Click on in upper right corner of window Or click on the word Exit in the Menu bar Press ESC Press ALT X or Press ALT F4 ...

Page 45: ... Setup Menu Each Menu Map has an END MENU menu item e g END USER MENU END SETUP MENU END ADVANCED SETUP MENU To use the Go Past END MENU feature When the END MENU menu item is displayed in the LCD click on the Go Past END MENU command on the Menu Bar The program will take the user forward to the next menu map Or use the keyboard command ALT G ICA Commands This drop down menu item provides a means ...

Page 46: ...lowing methods Click here on the Menu Bar Press F1 Press ALT H H To leave HELP press ESC LEDs and LCD Display The LEDs and LCD display show inverter status Multiple Unit Drop Down Box Directly below the LEDs is the Multiple unit Drop down box Use this drop down box to select which unit inverter to access See Figure 3 2 ICAP User Interface Window on page 27 for the location of the LEDs LCD and Mult...

Page 47: ... system parameters Pressing the virtual Navigation Buttons in ICAP will not take the user past the End Menu in each Menu Map like the ICM does ICAP Keyboard and Terminal Emulation Keyboard Shortcut Com mands The keystrokes listed in the following tables enable navigation through the menus and provide the means to monitor or change available settings using a computer keyboard Table 3 1 lists keystr...

Page 48: ...Panel G g Generator ON OFF Menu same as the GREEN button on the Inverter Control Panel Table 3 2 Keyboard Commands ICAP Only Keystroke Function ALT G Go past END MENU command Accesses either BEGIN BASIC SETUP or BEGIN ADVANCED SETUP Menus ALT X Exits the ICAP program ALT I Accesses the ICA Commands ALT C Accesses the Communications Commands ALT H Accesses the Help Commands Tab or arrow Select inve...

Page 49: ...yed on the screen mimics the layout of the LEDs on the inverter control module each LED is represented by a dash or a character laid out in two rows of four characters Dash the LED is not lit Non blinking character the LED is solid lit Blinking character the LED is blinking See Sine Wave Plus Inverter Charger Owner s Manual for details V v Version number of ICA T t Set terminal mode If you see a d...

Page 50: ...s should need to be made for single inverter systems Assigning the ID numbers for multiple ICAs Assigning customer numbers optional Advanced Settings include Changing configuration settings Changing port assignments Assigning a specific serial number Once the program has started it looks for an ICA programmed with an ID number of 1 This is the default ID number of all adapters If two adapters are ...

Page 51: ...d in Figure 3 3 Figure 3 3 Identifying the Number of ICAs attached 2 Click this drop down box to display the options 3 Select the appropriate number for the number of ICAs connected 4 Click on the SAVE button to save the changes 1 Select the COMMUNICATIONS Menu 5 Note and verify change to the ICAP emulation screen Use this drop down box to switch between inverters ...

Page 52: ...r 3 Enter the Unit ID Number 1 through 8 for each ICA to be attached Once you change the number in this box a WRITE NEW ID button will appear 4 Click on the WRITE NEW ID button 5 Click OK to close the window 6 Repeat this procedure for each ICA to be connected Assigning Customer IDs Optional You can also assign a unique Customer ID if desired The Customer ID may be any alphanumeric name up to 31 c...

Page 53: ...ettings Clicking on the OK button will only exit the window without saving the changes 1 Click on ICA COMMANDS Menu then select READ CONFIGURATION 2 Click in this box to change the Unit ID Number 3 Click Write New ID to save changes 4 Click OK to close the window Click Reset to Default to restore factory settings for the ICAP Optional Click in this box to change the Customer ID Number Optional ...

Page 54: ...ettings Important You must click on one of the buttons to save changes made to the Advanced Configuration Settings Clicking on the OK button will only exit the window without saving the changes 2 Click in the Edit Advanced Config box to allow access to changing these settings 4 Click one of these buttons to save changes 5 Click OK to close the window 1 Click on ICA COMMANDS Menu then select READ C...

Page 55: ...llow the procedure illustrated in Figure 3 6 COM Port options range from 1 to 8 Figure 3 6 Changing the PC s COM Port Number 2 Click in this box to display ports 1 through 8 3 Select the appropriate number for the COM port being used by your computer 4 Click on the SAVE button to save the changes 1 Select the COMMUNICATIONS Menu ...

Page 56: ...ge 41 for details 1 Ensure the inverter has power The display on the inverter should be ON 2 Check the unit s ID number of the ICA adapter you are trying to access Ensure that it is correct This will display when there is no adapter with the ID number you are entering 3 Check the connection from the adapter to the remote port 4 Check the connection from the COM Port to the Remote Port on the inver...

Page 57: ...eck Settings If there is still no response from the ICA then check your settings Ensure you are selecting the correct COM port Ensure your computer communication baud rate is fixed at 9600 Baud Modem is not connecting Run the ICAP program directly to the ICA to determine if the adapter is functioning and all connections to the adapter are correct ICA and inverter spontaneously jump menus or give f...

Page 58: ...ne jacks They must be crimped onto the phone cable with the small tabs on each end located on the same side of the cable If the cable is not correct replace it with another one This is the standard phone cable orientation Hardware Connectors Tighten the two small screws located on the ICA into the stand offs on the connectors of the inverters Also check the tightness of the thumb screws on the DB9...

Page 59: ... when you first run the ICAP software after a power up the ICAP software window may display strange characters or a blank screen for less than a minute This occurs because the first time the ICAP program starts the display of the SW Plus inverter is at an unknown location The location may be one of the menu areas that is continually being refreshed with data If the ICAP software starts up and the ...

Page 60: ... window may show a blank display for a few seconds This condition is nothing to worry about and should correct itself in about 1 minute When the ICAP software shuts down it will try to park the inverter s display at a more friendly menu location so that the next time it starts up it doesn t have these problem Figure 3 8 Screen Display Startup Anomaly 2 ...

Page 61: ...If Xantrex repairs or replaces a product its warranty continues for the remaining portion of the original Warranty Period or 90 days from the date of the return shipment to the customer whichever is greater All replaced products and all parts removed from repaired products become the property of Xantrex Xantrex covers both parts and labor necessary to repair the product and return shipment to the ...

Page 62: ...ogical infestations or input voltage that creates operating conditions beyond the maximum or minimum limits listed in the Xantrex product specifications including high input volt age from generators and lightning strikes c the product if repairs have been done to it other than by Xantrex or its authorized ser vice centers hereafter ASCs d the product if it is used as a component part of a product ...

Page 63: ...ince Warning Limitations On Use Please refer to your product manual for limitations on uses of the product SPECIFICALLY PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INVERTER COMMUNICATIONS ADAPTER SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS OR OTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT OR DEVICES WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING XANTREX MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE USE OF THE XANTREX I...

Page 64: ...uct 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 procedures that may apply to that particular facility Out of Warranty Service If the warranty period for your Inverter Communications Adapter has expired if the unit was damaged ...

Page 65: ...________ Purchase Date _______________________________ Type of installation e g RV truck vehicle home _________________________________ Length of time inverter has been installed _________________________________ Battery battery bank size _________________________________ DC wiring size and length _________________________________ Warning Error or Panel Fault Message ______________________________...

Page 66: ...50 ...

Page 67: ... 2 connecting to a modem 6 installing 4 installing the ICAP software 14 pin assignments for RJ11 connectors 11 testing 40 troubleshooting 40 K keyboard commands using 31 M modem connection for remote locations 6 modem connection setting up 21 multiple adapters 8 N NULL MODEM adapter 6 O opto isolators in positive ground configurations 10 P pin assignments for RJ11 connectors 11 proof of purchase 4...

Page 68: ...Index 52 975 0052 01 01 Rev A W warranty out of warranty service 48 terms and conditions 45 X Xantrex web site vi ...

Page 69: ...s ...

Page 70: ...Xantrex Technology Inc 1 800 670 0707 Tel toll free NA 1 360 925 5097 Tel direct 1 360 925 5143 Fax direct customerservice xantrex com www xantrex com 975 0052 01 01 Revision A PC Printed in USA ...

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