Outback FX-R Series Operator Manual
Operation
900-0167-01-01 Rev A 21
Table 2 Summary of Input Modes
Mode Summary Benefits Cautions Intended Charger
Generator
Accepts power
from an
irregular or
low-quality
AC source
Can use AC that may be
unusab
le in othe
r modes
Can charge even with a
poor generator or
low
-quality AC source
Will pass irregular or
low
-quality
power to the
output; could damage
sensitive loa
ds
Offset unavailable
Source:
Generator
Loads:
Non-
sensitive
devices
Performs three-
stage charge and
goes silent as
specified by settings
Support
Adds battery
power to
augment an
AC source
that has
limited output
Can use battery power
i
n conjunction wi
th
AC sourc
e
Offset operation sends
ex
cess DC to loads
Drains batteries during
support; intended for
intermittent use only
May not function with
low
-quality AC source
Source:
Grid or
Generator
Loads:
Can be
larger than
AC source
Performs three-
stage charge and
goes silent as
specified by user
settings
Grid
Tied
Inverter sells
excess power
(renewable)
to utility;
available in
24-vo
lt and
48-v
o
lt
models only
Bidirectional input
Can reduce utility bills
and still provid
e
backup
Offset
operation sends
ex
cess DC to loads
Any additional
Offset
excess is sold to the grid
Requires utility approval
Other approvals may be
required de
pen
ding on
electric
al codes
Has exact requirements
for accepting A
C inpu
t
Requires renewable
energy source
Sour
ce:
Grid
Loads:
Any type
Performs three-
stage charge and
goes silent as
specified by user
settings
UPS
In grid failure,
unit switches
to batteries
with fastest
possible
response time
Quick backup for
sensitive devices during
grid outage
Uses higher idle power
than other modes
Search
function
unava
ilable
Offset unavailable
Source:
Grid
Loads:
PC, audio,
video, etc.
Performs three-
stage charge and
goes silent as
specified by user
settings
Backup
In grid failure,
unit switches
batteries to
support loads
Simple use compared
to other modes; often
used w
i
th generators for
this reason
Less idle power than
UPS
Does not drain battery
as in
Support
Has none of the special
functions described in
other modes
Source:
Grid or
Generator
Loads:
Any type
Performs three-
stage charge and
goes silent as
specified by user
settings
Mini
Grid
Stays off grid
most of the
time; only uses
grid when
batteries low
Can minimize/eliminate
depend
ence on grid
Offset operation sends
ex
cess DC to lo
ads (but
only
when on grid)
Will not work properly
unless renew
able
source is abo
ve
a
certain siz
e
Conflicts with related
modes in sy
stem
display
Source:
Grid
Loads:
Any type
Performs three-stage
charge on reconnect;
if charger is
disabled, inverter
emulates charge
cycle from external
source and reacts
accordingly
Grid
Zero
On-grid but
actual grid use
is minimized
(“zeroed”) with
battery and
renewable
power; does
not sell or
charge
Can minimize
depend
ence on grid
Offset operation sends
ex
cess DC to lo
ads at
adjustab
le rate
Remains on-grid to avoid
transfer proble
m
s
Discharges batteries
w
hile remaining on gr
id
Will not work properly
unless renew
able
source is abo
ve
a
certain siz
e
Battery charger
inoperat
ive
Source:
Grid
Loads:
Any type
Charger inoperative;
batteries must be
charged using an
external (renewable)
energy source