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Inverter/Charger

Yahoo Message Number: 103488
Have a Heart Interface Freedom 2000 Watt inverter/charger 18 years old.  This morning our batteries were down to around 9 volts.  At this point it looks like the charger is kaput. Haven't have time to really diagnose the problem.  Connected an external battery charger and the coach 12 volt systems are up and running.
 Will start looking at the problem shortly.  Options are to repair the charger or replace the unit.  Figured I'd take a look and see if there was something obvious.  Last time I talked to Xantrex, they were less than helpful about the "innards" of their products.  The other option is to replace the unit.
 Has anyone replaced a unit?  What product did you use.  Did the wiring need to be changed?  I'll start researching what's available but some preliminary inputs would be helpful.  Looked at Camping world and they have a pure sine 2K for just over a grand. Never heard of the brand.  Xantrex modified is $1.5K and pure sine is in the $2K range.

Haven't had time to search the threads yet but will do!

Thanks for any inputs

Judy n Joe

98 Country Coach Intrigue 10578

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103490
Thanks Barney, that's some of the info I'm looking for.  Did a quick search online and Magnum did come up.  When I talked to Xantrex a bunch of years ago, wanted to connect a modification to the Freedom using the Freedom control panel they were less than helpful in fact a bit snotty.
 Started looking, no output from the charger.  I'm running 6 volt batteries in series parallel.  Batteries are 3+ years old and the bottom 2 batteries are open.  They were low on H2O when a last checked but everything seemed OK.  Not sure of the sequence of failure.
 Will pull the inverter and connect the AC (some AC goes through the inverter.  Will take a look and see if the charger failure is obvious.  May call Xantrex for some trouble shooting info..If they give me any Crap will replace, it's 18 years old!!

Tnx

Judy n Joe

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103491
yes to followup on this, price it at imarine. Really great prices. Just finished installing the MS-2812 with remote.

Buddy  06 Inspire  51887

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103494
Judy n Joe,

The Magnum I sent you the link to is a pure sinewave unit. You can't beat their prices. Check them out.

Barney

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103511
I am perplexed!  Checked the inverter while installed in the coach.  Had 120 VAC in and nada on the 12 VDC to the batteries.  Pulled everything out, inverter and batteries.  Took the cover off of the inverter to see if anything looked obvious, nada.  Blew the dust out and checked the internal connectors to make sure they were seated and plugged it in got 14.4 VDC out.  Not sure what I did maybe wiggling the connectors inside.  Checked the batteries by using a 500 Amp carbon pile in series with the 6 V battery and 3 of the 4 batteries were open.  I charged the one good battery at about 30 Amps with 12. 2 VDC out of the charger.  Not sure what was on the 6 V battery, doesn't really matter was checking the charger current and voltage.  May try to talk to Xantec tomorrow.  May decide since this inverter charger is 18 years old and a modified sine wave, just bite the bullet and buy a new pure sine.
 The only thing I can think of is the last time I checked the batteries they were low on H20,  Don't know why the charger failed and then healed itself!  BTW the batteries were Sam's Club Energizer Golf Cart.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103514
You said 3 of 4 batteries are open that would kill the care side. 1 6 volt should not be charged with 12 charger either.

If 3 are open sounds like time for 4 new batteries.

Ray O 
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Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103520
Charger probably has not failed. If the batteries are that low the charger  portion may not see the batteries and not function.
 Fix the battery issue and reconnect. You will probably find all is good.

Mikee

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103524
Battery prices have really gone up in the last 3 years.  I put a carbon pile in series with the 6 volt battery and adjusted the charging current. That way I can check both the battery and charger.  Gonna start looking today around Tucson.  Check Costco, Sam's, CW, and a few other battery houses here.  Then decide on the charger, think I'll replace just because it's 18 years old and get a pure sine.

Judy n Joe

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103531
Judy & Joe,

Are you using 6v only or both 6v for house and 8D, 12v for starting? The lowest cost for 8D wet cell battery in Menifee, CA area is at Sam's Club. (Energizer brand). I purchased one about five weeks ago. They have 6 v golf cart batts also.
Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103540
We have a Sam's Club 8D for the chassis battery and 4 Sam's 6 Volt Golf Cart Batteries for House.  House batteries are Kaput.  The last Trojans we had lasted 7 years, think we will go back to Trojans.  Found some T105's for $110 out the door.  Bought the Sam's Chassis in 2011, house in 2012.  The problem with the house is My fault, let them get really dry. Trojan price is so good gonna go with them.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103541
Pulled the charger and the batteries.  Opened the Charger blew out the dust, wiggled a few connectors and it works (I think).  Using my carbon pile was able to charge the one good battery at around 30 Amp.  Going to re-install the Inverter/charger but put connectors on all the AC so it will be much easier to remove if I need to replace it.

Judy n Joe

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103544
Interesting experience!!  Called Xantrex a bunch of years ago and talked to them at a rally with less than satisfactory results.  Called customer support this AM, got a tech in about 3 minutes and discussed my charger problem.  He was very helpful and courteous.  Even asked me to follow up with him.  He straightened me out on some tech info that I had incorrect!!

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578
 

Re: Inverter/Charger

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103554
I had to deal with Xantrex about my 3000 watt Freedom 458 last year. they were fantastic in terms of bringing it back to them even past warranty and getting it back to me quickly twice at no charge. However they never resolved the problem which was or should I say is when topping off the batteries at night with my Onan generator, when the generator shuts off I lose AC off of the inverter for like 10 - 20 seconds or more before the inverter cuts in causing my satellite system etc to reboot. This only occurs when the freedom is still kicking in significant amps to the batteries as it might when topping off. I gave up they gave up.
Rich 2002 Magna