Introduction

The Xantrex Schneider Electric Inverter Freedom HF 1800 is a high-performance inverter/charger designed for recreational vehicles, boats, and trucks. With a powerful output of 1800 watts and a 40-amp charger, it ensures reliable power for various appliances and electronics while on the go. Priced at $749.00, the Freedom HF 1800 features an automatic transfer switch and temperature-controlled multistage charging, providing safe and efficient battery management. Its compact design and user-friendly installation make it an ideal choice for mobile power solutions.

Specifications 

• Wattage Capacity: 1800 W
• A 12V DC input voltage
• Voltage At Output: 120 VRMS
• Optimal performance: 83%
• 4000-Watt Surge Capacity for 20 ms
• Approximately 13.5 by 7.75 by 3.5 inches in size
• Approximately 13.5 pounds in weight
• Working Range: -40°C to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C)
• Official Recognized Marks: UL 458, CSA C22.2 No. 107.1, FCC Part 15 Class B

Features

Materials List

Your Freedom HF Inverter/Charger package includes the items listed below.

• 1 Freedom HF Inverter/Charger unit
• 1 Display panel with 7-inch (0.17 m) cable
• 1 Communications cable (25 feet) (7.5 m)
• 2 DC terminal covers
• 2 Strain-relief clamps (for AC input and output wiring)
• 1 Blanking plate
• 2 Reference materials–an Owner’s Guide and an Installation Guide
• 1 Set of mounting templates
• 1 Set of lock washers and nuts (not shown)

Default Settings for the Freedom HF System

Table 2-1 lists the default settings for the Freedom HF system.
You may record your settings in the right-hand column after you have configured the Freedom HF.

Table 2-1 Freedom HF Default Values

1. adjustable from the display panel.
2. adjustable from the main unit behind the display panel assembly.

Front Panel

Freedom HF 1000 shown

Side Panel

Rear Panel

Freedom HF 1000 shown

Display Panel

Freedom HF 1000 shown

Description

Built with sturdy materials and cutting-edge technology, the Xantrex Schneider Electric Inverter Freedom HF 1800 guarantees dependable performance. To ensure the safe operation of delicate electrical devices, it has a pure sine wave output. Overheating, low battery voltage shutdown, and short-circuit protection are just a few of the safety measures built into the inverter to keep it and any connected appliances safe.

You can easily regulate and monitor the inverter's status with the user-friendly interface. The ability to remotely monitor and manage it with available accessories further expands its applicability in many uses.

Configuration

Setting Battery Types on the Main Unit

You can attach different types of lead-acid batteries to the Freedom HF. Before installing batteries make sure that you configure the unit to optimize the charging process.

WARNING

FIRE HAZARD
Incorrectly setting the battery type can lead to battery damage and a risk of fire.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury.

The settings can be changed by adjusting the dip switches found on the main unit behind the display panel.

To adjust the battery type setting:
By default the battery type is set to Flooded (OFF|ON).

1. Detach the Display Panel to expose the Dip Switches.
2. Use the tip of your fingernail or a small screw driver with a flat tip to adjust the switches.

Adjusting Feature Settings

The Power and Select buttons can be used to:

• change the charging current setting,
• change the inverter mode setting,
• disable or enable the audible alarm,
• change the shutdown setting, and
• return to factory default settings.

To cycle through the various feature settings:

Press and hold the Power button for five seconds to enter the feature settings mode.

Press the Power button to toggle between the following information:

By default the charging current is set to 55 A.

To change the charger’s charging current setting:

1. Press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
   The LED screen will flash “Cur” intermittently.
2. Press the Select button once.
   The LED screen will display the present charging current setting.
   Example, “40A” for a 40 A setting.
3. Press the Select button again to change to the next setting.
   The LED screen shows the next setting. Example, “2A” for a 2 A setting.
4. Continue pressing the Select button to cycle through each of the four settings – “2A”, “10A”, “20A”, and “40A” until you reach the desired setting.
5. Press and hold the Select button for five seconds to make the setting permanent.

Table 3-1 Charging Current Guidelines

By default the inverter mode is set to ON.

To change the inverter mode setting:
ON (“In1”) will put the inverter on standby. This means when shorepower is present, AC shorepower will pass through as AC output. And when shorepower is not available, the inverter function will take power from the battery and provide AC output power. When the inverter mode is ON, you can manually turn the inverter function ON or OFF by using the Power button. See “Operating in Inverter Mode” on page 4–4.
OFF (“In0”) will completely disable inverter function. This means when shorepower is present, AC shorepower will still pass through as AC output. However, when shorepower is not available, the inverter function remains disabled and therefore no AC output power. When the inverter mode is OFF, you cannot manually turn the inverter function ON or OFF by using the Power button.

1. Press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
2. Press the Power button once.
   The LED screen will flash “In” intermittently.
3. Press the Select button once.
   The LED screen will display the present (or most recent) inverter mode setting.
   Example, “In1” for an inverter mode setting of ON or “In0” for an inverter mode setting of OFF.
4. Continue pressing the Select button to cycle through the two settings – “In1” and “In0” until you reach the desired setting.
5. Press and hold the Select button for five seconds to make the setting permanent.

By default the alarm is set to ON. 

To adjust the alarm setting:
ON (“AL1”) will sound the alarm on all warning and fault conditions. OFF (“AL0”) will mute the alarm.

1. Press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
2. Press the Power button twice.
   The LED screen will flash “AL” intermittently.
3. Press the Select button once.
   The LED screen will display the present (or most recent) alarm setting.
   Example, “AL1” for an inverter mode setting of ON.
4. Continue pressing the Select button to cycle through the two settings – “AL0” and “AL1” until you reach the desired setting.
5. Press and hold the Select button for five seconds to make the setting permanent.

By default the low voltage setting is set to Low. 

To adjust the under voltage shutdown setting:
Low (“sdL”) sets the under voltage shutdown threshold to 10.5 V. High (“SdH”) sets the under voltage shutdown threshold to 11.8 V.

1. Press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
2. Press the Power button three times.
   The LED screen will flash “Sd” intermittently.
3. Press the Select button once.
   The LED screen will display the present (or most recent) low voltage setting.
   Example, “SdL” for a low shutdown voltage setting.
4. Continue pressing the Select button to cycle through the two settings – “SdH” and “SdL” until you reach the desired setting.
5. Press and hold the Select button for five seconds to make the setting permanent.

To return all feature settings to factory default settings:

1. Press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
2. Press the Power button four times.
   The LED screen will flash “def” intermittently.
3. Press and hold the Select button for five seconds to return all feature settings to their factory default settings.

Setup Guide

Xantrex Schneider Electric Inverter Freedom HF 1800 Installation

1. First, make sure you've done all the necessary safety measures.
2. Make sure the polarity is right before connecting the DC input cords to the battery bank.
3. The next step is to link the load center or chosen appliances to the AC output connections.
4. Use the control panel to power on the inverter, and then adjust the settings on the LCD screen.

Install the optional remote control module in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to enable remote monitoring.

Important Safety Instructions

IMPORTANT: Read and save this Owner’s Guide for future reference.

This chapter contains important safety and operating instructions for the Freedom HF Inverter/Charger units–Freedom HF 1000 and Freedom HF 1800.

LIMITATIONS ON USE
The Freedom HF is not intended for use in connection with life support systems or other medical equipment or devices.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury.

1. BEFORE INSTALLING AND USING THE FREEDOM HF, READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONARY MARKINGS ON THE FREEDOM HF, THE BATTERIES, AND ALL APPROPRIATE SECTIONS OF THIS GUIDE.
   CAUTION
   RISK OF INJURY
   To reduce the risk of injury, charge only 12 Vdc lead-acid (GEL, AGM, or Flooded) rechargeable batteries. Other battery types may burst, causing personal injury and damage.
2. Do not expose the Freedom HF to rain, snow, spray, or bilge water. To reduce risk of fire hazard, do not cover or obstruct the ventilation openings. Do not install the Freedom HF in a zero-clearance compartment. Overheating may result.
3. To avoid a risk of fire and electric shock, make sure that existing wiring is in good condition and that wire is not undersized. Do not operate the Freedom HF with damaged or substandard wiring.
4. The use of any attachments not recommended or sold by Xantrex, may result in risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
5. Do not operate the Freedom HF if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way. If the Freedom HF is damaged, see the Warranty section.
6. Do not disassemble the Freedom HF. It contains no user-serviceable parts. See Warranty for instructions on obtaining service. Attempting to service the Freedom HF yourself may result in a risk of electrical shock or fire and will void your warranty. Internal capacitors remain charged after all power is disconnected.
7. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, disconnect both AC and DC power from the Freedom HF before attempting any maintenance or cleaning or working on any circuits connected to the Freedom HF. Turning off controls will not reduce this risk.
8. The Freedom HF must be provided with an equipment-grounding conductor connected to the AC input ground.

EXPLOSION HAZARD
Working in the vicinity of batteries is dangerous. Batteries generate explosive gases during normal operation. Before servicing the unit in the vicinity of the battery, read this manual and follow the notes belowexactly.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury.

NOTES:

1. This equipment contains components which tend to produce arcs or sparks. To prevent fire or explosion, do not install the Freedom HF 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.
2. To reduce the risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by the battery manufacturer and the manufacturer of any unit you intend to use in the vicinity of the battery.

Personal Precautions When Working With Batteries

WARNING: BATTERIES PRESENT RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, BURN FROM HIGH SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT, FIRE OR EXPLOSION FROM VENTED GASES. OBSERVE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.

WARNING:ELECTRICAL SHOCK, BURN, FIRE, AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Study and follow all of the battery manufacturer's specific precautions. See notes below.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury.

NOTES:

1. Remove (or do not remove) cell caps while charging and follow the recommended rates of charge.
2. Add distilled water in each cell until battery acid reaches the level specified by the battery manufacturer. This helps to purge excessive gas from cells. Do not overfill. For a battery without cell caps, carefully follow manufacturer's recharging instructions.
3. Make sure the area around the battery is well-ventilated.
4. Never smoke or allow a spark or flame near the engine or batteries.
5. Use extra caution to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool on the battery. It could spark or short-circuit the battery or other electrical parts and could cause an explosion.
6. Remove all metal items, like rings, bracelets, and watches when working with batteries. Batteries can produce a short circuit current high enough to weld metal to skin, causing a severe burn.
7. Have someone within range of your voice or close enough to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery.
8. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.
9. Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching your eyes while working near batteries.
10. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters your eye, immediately flood it with running cold water for at least twenty minutes and get medical attention immediately.
11. If you need to remove a battery, always remove the ground terminal from the battery first. Make sure all accessories are off so you don’t cause an arc.
12. Never charge a frozen battery.
13. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming into contact with your eyes.
    MARINE UNIT LOCATION
14. Locate the Freedom HF unit away from batteries in a separate, well-ventilated compartment.
15. Never place the Freedom HF unit directly above the batteries; gases from a battery will corrode and damage the unit
16. Never allow battery acid to drip on the unit when reading gravity, or filling the battery.
17. Do not operate the unit in a closed-in area, or restrict the ventilation in any way.
    DC CONNECTION PRECAUTION
18. Connect and disconnect DC output connections only after setting any marine unit switches to the off position and opening the AC disconnect
19. FOR MARINE INSTALLATIONS, EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS TO THE UNIT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS(33CFR183, SUB PART I)
20. PROPER DISPOSAL OF BATTERIES IS REQUIRED. REFER TO YOUR LOCAL CODES FOR DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS.

Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting Guidelines

WARNING: ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND ENERGY HAZARD
Do not disassemble the Freedom HF. It does not contain any user-serviceable parts. Attempting to service the unit yourself could result in an electrical shock or burn.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury.

Important: If you need to obtain service, see page WA–1.
Before you call Xantrex Customer Service, record the information that is asked for in “Information About Your System” on page WA–4.

This section will help you narrow down the source of any problem you encounter. Before contacting Xantrex, please work through the steps listed below:

1. Check for any error codes displayed on the display screen. If a message is displayed, record it before doing anything further.
2. As soon as possible, record (on page WA–4) the conditions at the time the problem occurred so you can provide details when you contact customer service for help. Include the following as well as details noted on page WA–4:
   • What loads the Freedom HF was running or attempting to run
   • What the battery condition was at the time (voltage, state of charge, etc.) if known
   • The recent sequence of events
   • Any known unusual AC shore power factors such as low voltage, unstable generator output, etc.
   • Whether any extreme ambient conditions existed at the time (temperature, vibrations, moisture, etc.)
3. If your Freedom HF is not displaying an error code, check the following to make sure the present state of the installation allows proper operation:
   • Is the inverter located in a clean, dry, adequately ventilated place?
   • Are the battery cables adequately sized as recommended in the Installation guide?
   • Is the battery in good condition?
   • Are all DC connections tight?
   • Are the AC input and output connections and wiring in good condition?
   • Are the configuration settings correct for your particular installation?
   • Are the display panel and the communications cable properly connected and undamaged?
   • Are all disconnects and AC breakers closed and operable?
   • Have any of the fuses blown in the installation?
4. Contact Xantrex for further assistance. Please be prepared to describe details of your system installation and to provide the model and serial number of the unit.

Buzz in Audio Equipment

Some inexpensive stereo systems may emit a buzzing noise from their loudspeakers when operated from the Freedom HF. This occurs because the power supply in the audio system does not adequately filter the modified sine wave produced by the inverter. The only solution is to use a sound system that has a higher-quality power supply.

Television Reception

When the Freedom HF is operating, it can interfere with television reception on some channels. If interference occurs, try the following:

1. Make sure that the chassis ground stud on the Freedom HF is solidly connected to the ground system of your vehicle or vessel.
2. Make sure that the television antenna provides an adequate (“snow-free”) signal, and that you are using good quality cable between the antenna and the television.
3. Keep the cables between the battery and the Freedom HF as short as possible, and twist them together with two to three twists per foot.(This minimizes radiated interference from the cables.)
4. Move the television as far away from the Freedom HF as possible.
5. Do not operate high power loads with the Freedom HF while the television is on.

Warning Messages

Warning messages in the form of audible alarms and error codes that appear on the display panel screen to alert you to an impending system change. Warnings do not affect operation. With the exception of the error codes displayed on the screen, only the audible alarm can be turned ON or OFF. Follow the steps in Chapter 3, “To adjust the alarm setting:” on pages 3–5 to change the alarm settings.

The error codes are listed in Table 5-1 below. The text in the Error Code column appears on the display screen of the display panel.

Table 5-1 Error Codes Displayed on the Display Panel Screen

For error codes E01 to E04:

• the unit will stop inverting, and
• the display screen and the alarm will turn off after 30 seconds.

For error codes E10 and E11:

• the unit will stop charging, but
• the error code will still show on the display screen and the alarm will remain on, and
• AC power will continue to pass through to the AC outlets.

For error code E12

• the unit will stop charging and shut down, and
• the error code will show on the display screen briefly, and
• AC power will not pass through to the AC outlets.

To reset error codes E10 to E12:

1. Remove the AC input, and
2. Turn the unit OFF and then turn ON again using the Inverter button on the display panel.

Troubleshooting Reference

Table 5-2 Troubleshooting Reference

Inverter Applications

The Freedom HF performs differently depending on the AC loads connected to it. If you are having problems with any of your loads, read this section.

Resistive Loads

These are the loads that the inverter finds the simplest and most efficient to drive. Voltage and current are in phase (i.e. in step with one another). Resistive loads usually generate heat in order to accomplish their tasks. Toasters, coffee pots, and incandescent lights are typical resistive loads. It is usually impractical to run larger resistive loads—such as electric stoves and water heaters—from an inverter due to their high current requirements. Even though the inverter can most likely accommodate the load, the size of the battery bank required would be impractical if the load is to be run for long periods.

Motor Loads

Induction motors (motors without brushes) require two to six times their running current on start-up. The most demanding are those that start under load (e.g. compressors and pumps). Of the capacitor start motors (typical in drill presses, band saws, etc.), the largest you can expect to run is 1/2 to 1 hp (the transfer relays are rated at 2 hp.) Universal motors are generally easier to start. Since motor characteristics vary, only testing will determine whether a specific load can be started and how long it can be run.
If a motor fails to start within a few seconds or loses power after running for a time, it should be turned off. When the inverter attempts to start a load that is greater than it can handle, it will turn itself off after a few seconds.

Long Transfer Times

Xantrex has observed a specific situation where the Freedom HF may take a long time to transfer to inverter mode when shore power fails - maybe 0.1-0.2 seconds. This can occur when the Freedom HF is power motor loads where the motor is able to freewheel when power is removed (e.g. a grinder). This long transfer may cause computers or other sensitive equipment to operate incorrectly. If power glitches must be minimized then Xantrex recommends that motor loads not be operated when sensitive equipment is being used.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Superior surge capacity for managing demanding workloads
• Output of a pure sine wave for delicate electronics
• Several layers of protection and a sturdy build
• Efficient interface with the ability to remotely monitor
• Small and lightweight construction makes it simple to set up

Cons

• The price is higher than that of modified sine wave inverters.
• Scalability issues when dealing with extremely high load demands
• Efficiency drops somewhat under mild loads

Customer Reviews

The Xantrex Schneider Electric Inverter Freedom HF 1800 has received rave reviews from satisfied customers due to its dependable performance. A lot of people have mentioned how well it handles high surge loads. Users have noted, however, that the price is more than anticipated, and that it might not be the ideal choice for either little or extremely huge power demands.

Common Complaints

• More expensive than competing brands
• The remote control module might be pricey and unnecessary for certain users, especially for basic functions.

Warranty

What does this warranty cover and how long does it last? This Limited Warranty is provided by Xantrex Technology USA Inc. (“Xantrex”) and covers defects in workmanship and materials in your Freedom HF Inverter/Charger. This warranty period lasts for 12 Months from the date of purchase at the point of sale to you, the original end user customer, unless otherwise agreed in writing (the “Warranty Period”). You will be required to demonstrate proof of purchase to make warranty claims.