Xantrex Freedom XC Troubleshooting: Status LEDs and Error Codes
Xantrex Freedom XC troubleshooting
This guide covers the status LEDs and the error codes shown on the LCD screen of the Xantrex Freedom XC 1000 (817-1050) and Freedom XC 2000 (817-2080) 12 V inverter/chargers. It is based on the official Freedom XC Owner's Guide (975-0784-01-01 Rev F). The Freedom XC PRO has a separate owner's guide (linked at the bottom of this page), so the codes below are not confirmed for the XC PRO.
Safety first
- The Freedom XC produces 120 VAC and is connected to a high-current 12 V battery. Both can cause shock, burns or fire.
- Xantrex says the unit has no user-serviceable parts. Do not open it. Trying to service it yourself can cause electric shock or burns.
- Before working on the wiring, disconnect both the AC input (shore power or generator) and the DC battery supply. Installation and service should be done by a qualified technician.
Status LEDs on the display panel
| Code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Grid mode LED solid green | Shore power is available, passing through to the loads and charging the battery. | Normal. |
| Battery mode LED solid green | Battery mode (inverter mode): the unit is running the loads from the battery. | Normal. |
| Status LED solid red | Error or fault mode. An error code is shown on the LCD screen. | Read the code and use the table below. |
| Status LED flashing red | Warning. An error code is shown and the alarm sounds. | Read the code and use the table below. |
Error codes on the LCD screen
| Code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | Low battery voltage. Shutdown is imminent, depending on the Low Battery Cut Out (LBCO) settings. The buzzer gives a one-second low-battery beep. After the LBCO shutdown delay runs out, the unit stops inverting. | Check the battery and recharge it if needed. Check that the DC cables are the right size. Check for loose connections and tighten them. |
| E02 | High battery voltage shutdown (above 18.0 VDC). The red status LED turns on. | Check external charging sources, such as a solar charger or an alternator putting out too much voltage. Disconnect them if needed. Make sure the unit is connected to a 12 V battery. |
| E03 | AC output overload shutdown, or a short circuit on the AC output. Happens near about 1100 W on the Freedom XC 1000 and about 2100 W on the Freedom XC 2000. The alarm beeps every 5 seconds for one minute, and the status LED is solid red. | Reduce the loads on the AC output. Check for appliances with high surge ratings and disconnect them if needed. Make sure the load does not exceed the output rating. |
| E04 | Over-temperature shutdown. The status LED is solid red and the unit shuts down. | Let the unit cool off. Reduce the loads. Make sure the ventilation openings are not blocked. Move the unit to a cooler location if possible. |
| E06 | AC output overload warning. The load is about 100 W below the overload shutdown limit. The alarm beeps once. | Reduce the loads on the AC output. |
| E07 | Over-temperature alarm and fan lock alarm while inverting. The internal temperature is approaching the shutdown limit. If it continues, E04 follows. | Reduce the loads. Make sure the ventilation openings are not blocked. Move the unit to a cooler location if possible. |
| E08 | Fan lock error in grid (bypass) mode. | Check the fan for any obstruction and remove it. If the fan looks fine, disconnect the unit from both DC and AC power, reconnect it and restart it. If the error continues, contact service. |
| E10 to E19 | Internal hardware error in battery or grid mode. | If the error continues, the unit needs service. |
For E02 to E04, the unit stops inverting. For E01, it stops inverting when the LBCO shutdown delay ends.
Low battery settings and limits
- LBCO voltage: default 10.5 V, adjustable from 10.0 to 12.8 V.
- LBCO shutdown delay: default 300 seconds, adjustable from 1 to 300 seconds.
- LBCO recovery voltage: default 13.1 V. If it is set to OFF, or above the battery's actual fully charged voltage, auto-recovery is disabled and you must reset the unit manually after a low battery shutdown.
- Instant low voltage shutdown: below 9.0 V for two seconds, the unit shuts off the inverter output completely and the LCD screen turns off.
- High voltage shutdown: 18.0 V. Xantrex warns that the unit can still be damaged if the input voltage goes higher.
- Heat: the Freedom XC 2000 gradually reduces its continuous output from 2000 W at 40°C (104°F) ambient to 1500 W, before it shuts down for over-temperature at 60°C (140°F) ambient.
Common problems
| Code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No output voltage, status LED red | Shore power is not available or out of range, and the unit has shut down with E01, E02, E03 or E04. | See the error code table. For E01 and E02, make sure the unit is connected to a 12 V battery and check the DC connections and any external charging system. |
| LCD shows no output voltage, but the green battery mode LED is on | A breaker on the AC load panel or the AC output disconnect has tripped. Or battery voltage is too low to start inverting (the LCD may show the DC voltage as 000). Or the GFCI (if installed) or a supplementary breaker has tripped. | Reset the breaker, GFCI or supplementary breaker and check the load. Check the DC connections and cable, and recharge the battery. |
| LCD shows no output voltage, and neither green LED is on | Shore power is not available or is out of range, and the inverter/charger is off, possibly after a shutdown that lasted more than 30 seconds. | Check the shore power and battery voltage. Turn the unit on and look at the LCD for an error code. |
| No output voltage, status LED not lit | The ignition (ACC) signal is missing. | If ignition control is used, make sure the vehicle ignition is on and the ignition control switch on the front of the unit is on. |
| Small loads do not run | Power save (load sensing) mode is on, and the load is below the 25 W threshold, or the device cannot be detected (small fluorescent lights and some electronics). | Disable power save mode, or turn on a separate companion load to wake the inverter. |
| Fan turns on and off | The battery is discharged, AC pass-through current is high, or the inverter is running at high power. | Normal operation. |
| Alarm does not sound when there is an error | The audible alarm is turned off. | Turn the alarm buzzer back on in the settings. |
Motor loads: induction motors such as compressors and pumps can need two to six times their running current to start. If a motor does not start within a few seconds, turn it off. The inverter shuts itself off after a few seconds if a load is more than it can handle.
Related products
- Xantrex Freedom XC Inverter Charger 1000W / 2000W
- Xantrex Freedom XC 2000
- Freedom X / XC Remote Panel with 25' cable
- Freedom X GFCI Option
- Freedom XC PRO Inverter Charger 2000W / 3000W (see the Freedom XC PRO Owner's Guide)
More Xantrex manuals are listed on our Manuals and datasheets page.
Still not working? Contact our repair service — we repair marine inverter/chargers.