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Inverter box and battery changes

Yahoo Message Number: 5986
We just wrapped up the battery an inverter job on my 99 Intrigue. The need to change things came from what I believe is a grossly inferior way the factory mounts and cools the inverters, at least in my model coach. With the inverter mounted right behind the rear wheels on the passenger side and with cooling holes punched along side the inverter fan, it seems I always have a dirty inverter.
Over the years, I have had the ****thing out twice and have sent it to the factory for service. The OEM Freedom 20 had a built-in problem with the circuit boards mounted at 90 degree angle to each other. The contacts became dirty and I would lose power, either to the charging circuit or to the 110 power on the right side of the coach. Also, the echo charger installation instruction specifically calls for the device to be mounted vertically and kept free from dirt, etc. Factory installation was horizontal and right in the path of dust and dirt from the wheels.
After much consternation, I purchased a new Zantrex 456 series 2500 watt dual output/input inverter. Cost was around $1,300.00.
My son Mike did the installation and wiring. (See the photos on the Yahoo picture page today) We closed the inverter housing from behind with a plate, then remounted the new inverter with a forced air tube from the door, using a thermostatically operated 120v fan and 3" ABS tubing. Only time will tell, but the installation looks far superior to the half-fast method used by the factory.
The Echo Charger is remounted as required and also operates in a much cleaner enviornment. Hopefully this will solve my problems.
While we were at the job, I replaced my OEM batteries with 6 8D's for the house and 2 8D's for the chassis. These are now wired with a link 1000 monitor that allows me to equalize the charge via the link, plus keeping track of the charge rate, etc.
If anybody is interested in the details, let me know and I will have Mike fill you in. Basically, he rewired the inverter connections with a terminal board and color coded wiring to allow easier servicing and much easier diagnosis of any problems related to the inverter.
The steel cover was replaced with an acrylic cover to allow inspection without having to remove the small factory access window.

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: Inverter box and battery changes

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5987
I would be interested in how you did the fan to cool the electrical bay where the inverter is located. I have a 96 Magna and the electrical bay needs a thermostatically controlled fan to cool it. I have already replaced the inverter and had multiple electrical problems. Thanks for your information. Judith

Re: Inverter box and battery changes

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5989
As you can see in Larrys photos the fan is mounted on an insulated acrylic mount. This fan is wired to an "Attic Fan" thermostat control which is wired to one of the inverter outputs. What this means is that when the compartment reaches temp.(we are still expermenting but around 85 degrees f.) the fan pulls fresh air via the 3" tube duct from outside of the coach. the air leaves the compartment through holes that CC drilled at the rear(back by the relays) the inside holes have been blocked off, thus creating air flow over and around the inverter. Filters are installed around the holes in order to keep road dirt from entering. The air movement is managed only when needed, only runs when the inverter is operating, charging or up to temp. When the system is idle, no air moves! stays clean. Upon installing the new inverter, and after having so much grief with the old inverter, I made sure to have all wires were color coded, secured, and long enough to be able to remove the inverter while still completely hooked up. The reason that we choose the freedom 458 is an other story..... if interested, let me know. Mike Hanson

Quote from: Judith Holton
> I would be interested in how you did the fan to cool the electrical
bay where the inverter is located. I have a 96 Magna and the electrical bay needs a thermostatically controlled fan to cool it. I have already replaced the inverter and had multiple electrical problems. Thanks for your information. Judith

Re: Inverter box and battery changes

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6003
Larry,

How on earth did you get 6 8D's in there? Tom

02 Allure 30780
 

Re: Inverter box and battery changes

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6007
In my battery area, I have enough room to set them up on the upper edge of the fiberglass "tub" that the OEM's fit in. I made an acrylic box to fit below them and stabilize the bottom. A piece of steep strap stabilized them behind. There is still plenty of air movement around the batteries due to the openings at the rear and side.
Larry

Intrigue 10762