Xantrex RV2012 problem

May 27, 2013, 02:55:06 am

I am still in the process of getting familiar and checking out all the various systems and components on our coach, which is good since we haven't formally taken it out yet.

I think I have an issue with the Xantrex RV2012 2000 wat inverter on my coach. I noticed yesterday that it showed a fault when plugged into shore power. It had a solid red LED which Xantrex indicates is "Solid Red: Over current" Looking it up further, all they tell you is "Overload LED "ON" while charging - Charger circuit may be damaged. Have inverter serviced" which is not very helpful. I am not sure what "over current"is referring to.

Here is some more info:

1) The red LED light stayed on the entire time I had shore power hooked up.
2) I did notice that the inverter was pretty warm, enough so to trip the temp limit switch inside the inverter bay and start the little ventilator fan. The very large red 12v battery cable that attaches right at the front of the inverter was pretty warm to the touch, not enough to melt, but warmer than normal.
3) Once I realized that the inverter had a fault and was warm, I pulled the shore power. I then tested it using the generator for power (Onan 8000 watt). The red LED fault still stayed on.
4) The house batteries seemed to be charging. The voltage at the battery during charging was 12.8 (if memory serves me correctly) The standing no load voltage was 12.3 volts. I am not 100% familiar with deep cycle batteries, but these voltages seem slightly low.
5) How much 120 volt load does the charger/inverter use when charging? I was plugged into shore power, but only a single 120 volt 20 amp leg (using an adapter on the 50 amp plug). I reasoned this was OK since I wasn't really using any other 120 volt load, no AC or microwave etc.
6) There is a setting on the remote inverter panel inside the coach labeled "Shore Power amps". Is allows a setting from 5 amps up to 50 amps. Does this setting change the charge rate of the batteries?

Xantrex Owners Manual
There isn't much info on the error on the web. It doesn't appear that anything inside the xantrex is user serviceable.

I will search and read some more, but figured I would reach out to the group since it seems that someone here has experienced every possible error.

I appreciate any/all comments.
Dan

2006 Allure with tag
#31344

Re: Xantrex RV2012 problem

Reply #1 – May 27, 2013, 07:09:51 am

Yahoo Message Number: 88086

Dan, I've had good luck calling the Xantrex Technical Service group at 800-670-0707 the have (6) Techs that are really good at helping, you need to be at your coach when calling them so they can advise you to do certain functions.

thanks, Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898

Re: Xantrex RV2012 problem

Reply #2 – May 27, 2013, 10:06:08 am

Yahoo Message Number: 88093

Have you checked the water level in the batteries? How old are the batteries?

While bulk charging you should see around 14 volts. With a normal load 12.8 volts not charging. Float charge around 13.2 volts.
It sounds like you may have more than one problem: bad batteries, voltage or polarity problem on the shore line, and a problem with the xantrex.
Since you are unfamiliar with the intricacies of your 12 volt systems, you may need to hire an expert. You can probably have the batteries tested for free at a battery shop that sells the Trojans. That might be my first step as one bad cell in any one of your 8 batteries can cause problems.
If you have a VOM meter check the voltage and polarity at the 120 volt source.
You might also try turning off the Xantrex, allow it to cool off and reset, than turn it back on and see if the error clears.

Good luck

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Xantrex RV2012 problem

Reply #3 – May 27, 2013, 11:43:15 am

Yahoo Message Number: 88097

To add to Bob's input, you might take a quick look your cable connections, and grounds. Cleaning the connections, could help quite a bit by lowering resistance. Worth a try.
But, good chance you may have a bad battery. Hope that is not the case.

Please let us know what you find out.

Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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