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My electricial Problem

Yahoo Message Number: 78869
To catch up with those that have tried to help me with my problem...
A RV tech stopped and tried to help me, but was unable to do anything.
Although he said that my transfer switches were good on both sides... he discovered that my Xantrex inverter has a red flashing light and it has an error. He could not determine what was causing the light to flash. His opinion was that my "Inverter" has gone bad.
I read this site and I notice that some of you that talk about getting a special "SINE" wave type inverter. If I need to replace it, what is the my best option for me to go? If I need to spend the money and do not want any more problems...what should I get? Thanks for your help and opinion in this matter.

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad Mountains of So Cal
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: My electricial Problem

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78872
When our Xantrex "died" for the 2nd time, we went to Oregon Motorcoach Center to solve the problem. The installed a Magnum inverter and our problems were solved.

S. Brandt, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: My electricial Problem

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78877
Dave - I replaced my Xantrex invertor back in 2008 with a Magnum 2800W pure sine wave unit. They are made by Magnum Energy. In my case I used the MS series and the company's link is here: http://www.magnumenergy.com/Products/productsSineInverterChargers.htm Mounting and wiring are slightly different so the unit doesn't just slide in. But it does fit into the invertor compartment without serious modifications. I needed to make two riser bars in my case.
As for performance, the new unit functioned fine until it blew out a circuit board. Magnum sent me the parts after supplying them with a deposit. I yanked out the new unit, disassembled it, replaced the circuit boards and it's been fine ever since. My deposit was refunded less shipping costs. Infant mortality rates on electronic components are highest within the first 400 hours of operation. Meaning if you make it past that mark statistics are in your favor for trouble free operation. Companies can't usually burn electronics in to this extent so as customers we need to provide assistance in the field.
The remote control for the invertor will need a beauty plate to replace the Xantrex one. I made mine from ABS per this photo: http://muniac.smugmug.com/Travel/Country-Coach-2006-430-Allure/IMG3350/749383281_wRN5U-M.jpg Auto genstart circuits will be different as was the interface to the Silverleaf which still remains broken at this point. Neither are a big deal IMHO. Magnum did have a genstart module which I included in my system. It also has a temperature sensor so you can set your A/C units on and when the temperature gets above a threshold the genstart module will start you genset. Both A/C and a charging cycle with thus be initiated. This is a convenience item intended to avoid someone coming back to an oven and dead batteries. Truth be known, I've never used this feature.
Microwave ovens don't work properly on anything other than a pure sine wave. I successfully used my invertor to power both the oven and a toaster. Hair dryers also worked fine. At 2800 watts, you'll see draws on your house bank in the neighborhood of 230 amps or perhaps more. Pure sine wave AC power is available to the extent your house batteries can handle this large of a load. We are rarely away from commercial power so I haven't pushed the invertor to this extent since 2008. It did work fine then, however. I seem to remember paying about $1600.00 for the unit. The genstart module was extra and I don't recall its price.
I also think Magnum's MS series invertor outputs an accurate frequency (60 Hz in the US). That's good for synchronous motors like found in older clocks. Also good for the old Hammond B3 organs that take their tuning from the AC line frequency. Not sure it matters much in everyday life for us, however.
The invertor has reasonably good control over its charging algorithm parameters with 2 levels for AGMs. One, I understand, is tuned for LifeLine batteries. Beyond knowing my batteries are charging, I can't vouch for the fine engineering details on how well this invertor treats the batteries. My superficial observations would report good results. One parameter I like is the ability to throttle back a charge as a percentage of the most aggressive charge the invertor is capable of. I usually keep mine set at 50%. Hope this information helps you. Good luck.

At 08:00 PM 4/28/2012, you wrote:

Re: My electricial Problem

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78881
Dave

I replaced my inverter with the same magnum inverter and added the monitor. I watched the install and it went in very easily. It did take a while but when finished looks factory. Couple years now and performs great. The magnum tech guys are easy to work with and per reputation parts are easy to get because I believe they are completely us produced. You can also use an electric blanked and battery charges, I know from experience that modified sine wave does not like these items. It supposedly is easier on all electronic products.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348