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Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Yahoo Message Number: 104613
I finally decided to replace my original Invertrix Freedom 20 Inverter and based on reading some old posts I got the Magnum MS2812. Probably overkill but it is a nice one.

This is a three part post.

Part One.

I have only done this a few times since putting the Magnum in but whenever I disconnect from shore power or turn the generator off the GFCI breaker in the bedroom pops off and I have to reset. It does this when switching to inverter mode and I think it does it every time. I can reset the GFCI and all is fine until I again remove the AC coming in. This did not occur with the Invertrix.

I talked with Magnum support, very knowledgeable, and he suggested I recheck the AC wiring into and out of the inverter. Said it sounded like an open neutral or bad ground. All is intact, tight, and wired correctly. My GFCI is original so I am thinking about checking for tightness of the wires into and out of it and probably will replace that breaker.
Any thoughts on why it would trip the GFCI when going into invert mode?

Part Two.

There are two separate circuits, AC lines, coming out of the inverter to feed the coach electrical system with inverted or pass thru current. One circuit goes to that GFCI that pops but I cannot figure out where the other circuit goes to. The GFCI circuit provides AC power to electrical outlets for things like microwave, TV and electronics, and I guess most if not all of the electrical outlets that I can plug into.

I only know of one GFCI so any ideas on what the other circuit powers?

Part Three

In talking with the Magnum Tech, he identified a serious problem with this installation that could overload the capacity of the coach wiring system. The old Invertrix that CC used had built in overload protection, by way of re-settable circuit breakers. In the past, I have had to access the old inverter and reset the breakers whenever I had too much plugged in at one time. Electric heaters and a hair dryer at the same time would do it. The MS2812 does NOT have built in overload protection and he highly suggested I route the two AC outputs from the Magnum to a new sub-panel with two breakers. I think he said they could be 20 amp breakers. And from the two new breakers pick up the current wiring system.

I think our older coaches relied on the overload protection of the older inverters to protect the electrical system. At least my Invertrix had build in protection.

I know I can just make sure I don't plug too much in at one time but I can not rely on myself to do that and it is not to code.

How have you that installed the MS2812 addressed this? Some of the newer coaches may have come with a sub-panel already installed.

Long post but all related to the inverter and TIA

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104615
Richard,

One circuit from the inverter should be your convenience outlets, the second should be dedicated to the microwave. You should already have a subpanel mounted on the sidewall or ceiling of a center, basement compartment. On my Magna there is a subpanel on a sidewall with two circuits; one for the microwave and one for the convenience circuits. I think the outlets are marked 519 and the other circuit is marked microwave. CC always did a great job on their wiring, I do not think that subpanel is model specific, but maybe in a different location in your coach. I replaced my GFI as it would trip under similar conditions. When I replaced the GFI, I went to an electrical supply house and bought a quality product, and that solved the problem. I would look close in the basement for that subpanel.

Fred. '01 Magna. #5983

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104617
Thanks Fred, that helps me understand the wiring. I thought one circuit could be for the microwave. What confuses me is that when the gfi pops it gets all outlets including the microwave. Would that indicate that both AC circuits from the inverter are attached to that one GFI breaker?

I may have a sub-panel somewhere and will look. I hope I do. After all these years I figured I have been all over this coach and never saw one. It could be possible that the Intrigues of that period did not have a sub-panel and used the overload protection of the Invertrix to protect the wiring. I agree about the quality of the electrical system by CC.

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104618
I have not wired in a Magnum before, but there is two circuits on the Xantrex; that is why the the old Xantrex had two push button circuit breakers on the chassis. For some reason the two circuits on the Magnum on this install are not isolated. I know you said you checked, but is it possible you have some leads crossed at the inverter?

Fred

'01 Magna

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104619
I have looked very closely at the wiring in the Magnum and it's exactly as the diagram in the manual. Fairly straight forwards as all wires attach to a terminal block inside the Magnum and it's very easy to get to and see The old Invertrix had two circuits coming out and whenever the GFI tripped all outlets and the microwave went out. Thus that part is not something new. Does your microwave go thru the same GFI as the other outlets?

I will find that sub-panel if there is one.

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104625
Richard,

Your GFCI is probably a 20 amp unit. Check it as there are 15 amp units also.

And as Fred's coach is wired, mine is the same way. A separate sub panel with two 20 amp breakers, one for microwave and one for all the outlets with the GFCI..

pete

2000 40' Magna CAT C-10, #5892
Pete
 2000 40'  Magna #5892  CAT C-10

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104627
Richard,

Did you have the old Xantrex? If not, you may very well have to run a short piece of cable to a sub-panel and split a circuit to the microwave and one to the GFI. You should have a 30A breaker in your breaker panel marked "inverter." If this new inverter only has one output, and no breaker protection, the sub-panel is a must.

Fred

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104628
We are traveling and won't get home for another month. If I have to trace wires I will do that at home.

I had the Invertrix Freedom 20 and a 30A breaker in to main panel for it. I know CC used these and some Xantrex in that time frame. It had one AC in and two AC circuits out and the Magnum is wired the same. Things are working the same except that GFI tripping when the Magnum goes into inverter mode. I can probably live with that until we get home. I agree it's time to replace it and the tripping may go away as it did for one of you.

I still will look for the sub-panel but I am thinking that on the Intrigues of that time they may have not used one. If there is not one I will put one in. Seems someone on here that had an Intrigue or an Allure installed the MS-2812 and I could hear from them about a sub-panel.

It helps that you told me about one leg for the microwave and the other for the rest. I still have to figure out why my microwave goes off when the other circuit goes because of the GFI. I am going to talk again with Magnum and review the wiring but it looks fine. There is two separate wires from the inverter going into the coach so if the inverter wiring is OK then the I guess they are coming together somewhere between the where they go into the coach and the GFI.

Thanks much

Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue
 

Re: Magnum MS2812 Inverter

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104629
An open neutral or possibly even an open ground could cause it to trip.

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

On 2/8/2016 3:49:11 PM, "rlaquino2728@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com> wrote: