STAGE ZERO Volta 500 Portable Power Station User Manual

: June 10, 2024
: STAGE ZERO

Table of Contents

STAGE ZERO Volta 500 Portable Power Station
Safety Precautions
Fire
Product Information
Operating Instructions
Care and Maintenance
Customer Portal
Troubleshooting
Warranty
Legal Notice
Queries and Support
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

STAGE ZERO Volta 500 Portable Power Station

Please read this manual before use and follow the instructions inside. Keep this manual for future reference.

Safety Precautions

This section contains important instructions that should be followed during operation of the Volta 500 Unit (hereinafter referred to as Device/s).

General

It is important and necessary to read the Stage Zero User Manual carefully before using the Device. Failure to do so or to follow any of the instructions or warnings contained in said document can result in electrical shock, serious injury, or death.

Risk of Unsafe Operation

When using this Device, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of personal injury. Improper operation, maintenance or modification of this Device could result in serious injury and property damage. This Device may not be modified and/ or used for any application other than for which it was designed for.

Shock Hazard Warning

Any contact with electrically active parts of the Device, such as electrical terminals can result in injury or death, irrespective of whether the Device and the other electrical equipment of the property have been disconnected.

Battery Safety

The Device contains LiFePO4 cells (battery).

The following safety instructions must be followed:

Do not locate the Device near external heat sources or in direct sunlight.
Do not attempt to open the Device and connect additional batteries of any type
Do not pack flammable or hazardous materials around the Device.
Do not generate steam or store corrosive chemicals in the vicinity of the Device.
Do not mutilate batteries, the batteries contain an electrolyte that is toxic andharmful to the skin and eyes.

General Safety
The following list highlights the general safety precautions that need to be followed:

Before attempting to operate the Device and other electrical equipment, all instructions should be read and understood. All other maintenance and repair requirements must be reported to the help line (via the customer portal) who will arrange for the necessary work to be conducted.

Reliance on Life Sustaining Equipment

The backup services are scoped on variable assumptions that may change over time and should NEVER be relied on as sustainable source of power for any life sustaining equipment.
Examples of life sustaining equipment include but not limited to breathing apparatus, life monitoring systems or lung and heart respiratory machines.
This device is intended for indoor use only. To prevent the risk of fire or electric shock, locate the Device in a temperature (0 – 40 °C) and humidity controlled indoor area, free of conductive contaminants.
do not allow children to touch or handle any part of the Device under any circumstances.
do not repair problematic Devices (except for fuse replacement) on your own. If the Device is faulty or not operational, please call the help line for assistance or log a ticket via the customer portal.
This Device is not intended for operation by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning operation of the Device by a person responsible for their safety.
It is hazardous for anyone other than a competent authorised Stage Zero
accredited person to carry out any service or repair on the Device

Emergency Situations

Leaking Batteries

If the Device (or any part thereof) has any indication of a liquid like substance leaking from it, avoid contact with the substance and contact Stage Zero immediately.
medical. attention. Ingestion: Induce vomiting and seek medical attention.

If one is exposed to the leaked substance, immediately perform the actions described below:

Inhalation: Evacuate the contaminated area and seek medical attention.
Contact with eyes: Rinse eyes with flowing water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
Contact with skin: Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical. attention. Ingestion: Induce vomiting and seek medical attention.

Fire

NO WATER! DO NOT use water to extinguish fires that arise from the Device (or any part thereof). Should a fire occur, use a specialist Lithium fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire, alternatively use a DCP (dry powder) or CO2 (carbon dioxide) type fire extinguisher.

Wet Batteries

If the Device (or any part thereof), is wet or submerged in water, do not let people access it, and contact Stage Zero for technical support.

Product Information

General

The Volta 500 Portable Power Station is designed to provide portable power for electronic devices when an electrical outlet is not available.
The Volta 500 is an uninterrupted portable power station that can be used to power selected appliances/devices when the main electricity power fails (i.e., during load shedding). The changeover from grid to ‘back-up’ power occurs automatically and once the device is connected to the selected loads requires no input from the user.
The Device consists of a packaged unit that has an integrated battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate, LiFePO4) and inverter which utilises grid power to charge the batteries during non-load shedding periods.
The Device has a rated output power supply of 500W and a battery capacity of 1152Wh (@ DOD of 90%) and during outages, can supply uninterrupted back-up power to appliances with a single load of ≤500W or a combination of appliances with a collective load of ≤500W for approximately 2½ hours (if batteries were fully charged).

Examples of typical loads:

Small non-heat generating house-hold equipment (e.g., medium-sized home entertainment system)
Office equipment (e.g., PC, laptop, Wi-Fi Router, small/medium sized printer, scanner, etc.)
Charging of mobile connectivity devices (e.g., cell phone, tablet, etc.)

During load shedding, the system will supply back-up power for a time period dependant on:

Load/s connected to the Device
Whether the Device’s battery was fully charged at the time when the power failed (load shedding)

The Device’s battery, under normal circumstances, should take approximately 5 ½ hours to fully charge from the point where they were completely discharged.

STAGE ZERO Volta 500 Portable Power Station-fig1

Specifications

The specifications of the Volta 500 Portable Power Station are:

Battery Capacity: 500Wh
Output: AC 110V/60Hz, DC 12V/10A, USB 5V/2.1A
Input: AC Wall Charger, Solar Panel, Car Charger
Weight: 13.6 lbs

2.2 Specifications

220-240 VAC @ 5A

x1 Switched three point plug socket, SA

Status Indicator / Display| None
Accessories| C13/3-point plug cable (“kettle plug”), 10A, 1.5m
Fuse| 5A, 5x20mm, Cartridge Fuse

Views

The Volta 500 Portable Power Station has the following views:

Front View: LED Display, AC Outlet, DC Outlet, USB Ports
Back View : Power Button, Input Ports, Cooling Fan

STAGE ZERO Volta 500 Portable Power Station-fig2

STAGE ZERO Volta 500 Portable Power Station-fig3

Installation

The Volta 500 Portable Power Station does not require any installation. Simply plug in the device that needs power to the appropriate outlet on the power station.

The Device is a plug-and-play solution. Other than adhering to the safety precautions and operating instructions, there is no other installation requirements.

The following is supplied with the Device:

Volta 500 unit
AC Power Input Cord – C13/3-point plug cable, 10A, typ. 1.5m (“kettle cord”)
User manual

Plug-and-play:

Ensure Device’s power switch is in ‘off’
Connect the AC Power In cable (supplied with product) into the C14 socket located on the
Connect the 3-point plug of the AC Power In cable into a standard wall plug or extension cord (220-230VAC, 50Hz). Only adequate rated extension cords may be
Switch on at the Device’s power
Device is ready for operation

Device Specific Safety Precautions
Following precautions to be adhered to for safe use:

DANGER The Device generates the same potentially lethal AC power as household wall outlets, even when not connected to an AC supply.
DANGER The Product contains internal batteries and may present a shock hazard even when disconnected from AC power.
DANGER If the Product emits smoke or unusual odours, immediately switch Product into the ‘Off mode’. Contact Stage Zero immediately.
DO NOT let the Product be subjected to direct water. It is NOT water resistant.
DO NOT locate the unit in direct sunlight.
DO NOT move/relocate the Device whilst in operation.
Only use the AC Power In cable (“kettle plug cable”) supplied with the Device.
Ensure the AC Power In Cable and/or extension lead is placed such NOT to cause a tripping hazard.
DO NOT obstruct the air vents of the product (located on front and rear panels).
DO NOT insert foreign objects into electrical outlets or air vents.
DO NOT stack anything on top of the Device.
DO NOT place any heat sources (e.g., open flame, heaters, etc.) in proximity of the Device.
Minimize strenuous vibration during transport. Vibrations and impacts may cause damage to or dislodge internal hardware.

The Volta 500 Portable Power Station should not be used by children without adult supervision. Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures or moisture. Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the device. Use only approved charging cables and adapters.

Operating Instructions

To use the Volta 500 Portable Power Station:

Ensure the device is fully charged before use.
Plug in the device that needs power to the appropriate outlet on the power station.
Turn on the power station using the power button on the back.
The LED display on the front will show the remaining battery life.

Connect devices/appliances to be powered into the USB-A (located on the front) and/or 3-point plug socket (located on the rear).
Switch on AC output power switch.

Note:

The single or collective load of the appliances/devices connected to the Device must not exceed 500W.
Refer to device/appliance specification label for power operating requirements (watts).
Ideal operating temperature range is 0 – 40°C.

Care and Maintenance

Clean the exterior of the power station with a soft, dry cloth.
Do not use any abrasive cleaners or solvents. Store the device in a cool, dry place when not in use. Charge the device at least once every six months to maintain battery life.

If the Device is to be stored for a prolonged duration, it is advised to charge the product to 80% every 6 months to extend the lifespan of battery. Remember to turn off the unit before storing.
Device to be stored in a dry and cool environment.
Do not use corrosive chemicals or aerosols to clean this device.
From time to time wipe the outside of the Device with a soft DRY cloth. Do not subject the unit to water OR use a wet cloth to wipe the unit.

Customer Portal

How to submit a ticket

To submit a ticket for technical support or warranty claims, go to the Stage Zero website and follow the instructions on the customer portal.

The Customer portal is where the User can review, order and manage Stage Zero solutions. It is also from where the User can request support via logging a ticket on the Help tab.
The Customer Portal has the following tabs:

Dashboard (default) – general overview of account.
Accounts – detailed overview of client’s account containing personal information, account payments and billing, installation C.o.C’s and application documentation. The User can also settle payments from the Accounts tab.
Services – general overview of what services (subscriptions) are contracted and paid for.
Messages – list of messages regarding account/device status.
Help – allow the customer to submit a ticket/query when a fault occurs.

Note:
When a serious issue occurs such as a fire or complete power outage outside of load shedding, it is recommended to call the stage zero help line which is shown on the customer portal under the help tab.

How to submit a ticket
To log a ticket using the Customer Portal follow the following steps:

Navigate to Help tab from the Dashboard
Select ‘Submit Ticket’
Select Service – From the drop-down, select most applicable option for type of ticket, e.g., account, PPA service, hardware service, inverter service, solar panel service, etc.
Problem Subject – Insert a brief description of the problem,
e. g., for a noisy inverter use ‘Inverter noisy’
Request Description – Insert more detailed description of the problem
Attach any supporting information of the problem, e.g., photos,
video clips, etc.
Submit

All tickets that have been logged will be time stamped and can be tracked either on the dashboard or on the help tab.

Troubleshooting

If the power station is not working properly, refer to the troubleshooting section of the user manual or contact Stage Zero for technical support.

#	Problem	Possible Cause	Solution(s)

1

| ****

The Device is making a

beeping sound

| ****

The Device is overloaded (single/ combined load of more than 500W)

| ****

• Switch off Device and check that connected load does not exceed 500W (use device specification labels).

• If devices do not exceed 500W, switch on Device and if beeping noise does not reoccur, continue operation.

• If connected devices exceeds 500W, disconnect excessive devices and switch on Product.

The Device’s batteries are depleted and does not have enough capacity to sustain the load/s (applicable during loadshedding only)| ****

• With AC input available (i.e., no loadshedding), wait for the battery to be replenished

Faulty Device

| • If beeping sound persists when the Device is not overloaded and batteries are replenished, halt operation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

2

| ****

No or diminished power output supply from Device to connected loads

| ****

Blown fuse (caused by overloading the device)

| ****

• Check/replace fuse located at the rear (in fuse holder).

• If the fuse is functional and the unit is still not supplying output, halt oper- ation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

Faulty Device| • Halt operation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

3

| The Device has physical damage and/ or a fluid like substance is discharged from it| ****

Physical damage to Device

| ****

• In case of fluid like substance, avoid

contact

• Halt operation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

#	Problem	Possible Cause	Solution(s)

1

| ****

The Device is making a

beeping sound

| ****

The Device is overloaded (single/ combined load of more than 500W)

| ****

• Switch off Device and check that connected load does not exceed 500W (use device specification labels).

• If devices do not exceed 500W, switch on Device and if beeping noise does not reoccur, continue operation.

• If connected devices exceeds 500W, disconnect excessive devices and switch on Product.

The Device’s batteries are depleted and does not have enough capacity to sustain the load/s (applicable during loadshedding only)| ****

• With AC input available (i.e., no loadshedding), wait for the battery to be replenished

Faulty Device

| • If beeping sound persists when the Device is not overloaded and batteries are replenished, halt operation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

2

| ****

No or diminished power output supply from Device to connected loads

| ****

Blown fuse (caused by overloading the device)

| ****

• Check/replace fuse located at the rear (in fuse holder).

• If the fuse is functional and the unit is still not supplying output, halt oper- ation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

Faulty Device| • Halt operation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

3

| The Device has physical damage and/ or a fluid like substance is discharged from it| ****

Physical damage to Device

| ****

• In case of fluid like substance, avoid

contact

• Halt operation and log a ticket (via Customer Portal)

Warranty

The Volta 500 Portable Power Station comes with a limited warranty. Refer to the warranty section of the user manual for details.

Stage Zero warrants this Device against defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from normal wear and tear, accidents; damages sustained during; alterations; unauthorized use or repair; neglect, misuse, abuse; and failure to follow instructions for care and maintenance for the product.

Legal Notice

Information contained in this manual

The information contained in this manual is subject to change by Stage Zero (Pty) Ltd (hereinafter referred to as Stage Zero) without prior notice.

Stage Zero gives no warranty of any kind whatsoever, either explicitly or implicitly, with respect to the information contained herein.
Stage Zero’s copyrighted designs, products and processes contained or described in this document are confidential. This document, either in part, or as a whole, may not be copied or reproduced by any means whatsoever, nor disclosed to third parties for purposes other than for which it is supplied, without the prior written consent of Stage Zero and shall not be furnished to any third party without the prior written consent of Stage Zero.
Stage Zero, its subsidiaries, the directors, employees, and agents cannot be held liable for the use of and reliance of the information in these documents.
This document (User Manual) is an uncontrolled copy of a controlled document
(Operating Instruction) held by the Stage Zero Management System. Please refer to our product lists and documents published on our website at:
http://www.stagezero.co.za. as these lists are updated on a regular basis.

Disclaimer and Indemnification

Stage Zero is not responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of improper use or maintenance of the Volta 500 Portable Power Station. By using this device, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Stage Zero from any claims or damages arising from the use of the device.

Stage Zero shall not be liable for:

The losses of damage to property, death or personal injury arising from non-compliance with this Stage Zero User Manual.
The losses not caused by Stage Zero’s negligence.
Stage Zero shall not be liable to either Customer or any other third party under any applicable law, law of delict, in equity, restitution or otherwise for any kind of indirect or consequential loss or damage including loss of actual or anticipated profit or revenue, loss of use or productivity, loss of production or business interruption, loss of goodwill, loss of any contract or loss of opportunity that is connected with any claim arising under or in connection with use of the Stage Zero Device.
By operating the Stage Zero Device, you indemnify Stage Zero and shall hold Stage Zero harmless against any liability arising from non-compliance with this Stage Zero User Manual.