Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: its toby on May 29, 2017, 02:30:27 pm

Title: Heart freedom overcharging
Post by: its toby on May 29, 2017, 02:30:27 pm
Had Toby plugged in to 50 amp this weekend. On the third day I noticed the battery and the overload light on the control were lit up and coach batteries show 15 volts. I have lead acid batteries and set the dip switches last year. Batteries weren't hot or anything so I disconnect from shore power and drive home. With two hours left in the trip it got warm enough to fire up the air conditioning. When I got home the overload light had lit up again and charged to just over 14 volts. Having done it on shore power and generator power and the volt meter showing high I guess the charging circuit in the investor is the issue. Is there a sense circuit in an check or a known issue I can try to rectify short of finding some kind of replacement invertor?
Title: Re: Heart freedom overcharging
Post by: its toby on May 31, 2017, 02:14:22 pm
Going to bunk this to the top. I have emailed the tech line in the owners manual, hopefully something comes of that. Working on the theory that No one here had found a solution I am looking to newer hardware. Does the magnum sw2812 require a remote panel or can I run it without? Does the victory require a remote and some computer programming? If I am going to change it I would like one that I can plug in and run without reinventing the whole electrical system for now.
Title: Re: Heart freedom overcharging
Post by: jor on May 31, 2017, 03:53:29 pm
Quote
Does the magnum sw2812 require a remote panel or can I run it without?

I don't think you need the remote but it's handy for control I got the advanced model (ME-ARC) which allows you to set a number of parameters. I've noted that the amperage and voltage data is a little off from a reading taken directly at the batteries so it's nice to have a Trimetric or other monitor in addition to the Magnum panel.

If you have the same setup as my 95, the Magnum panel uses the same data cable as your current monitor so you don't need to pull any cable. The best price I could find on the 2812 was $1,587 and $190 for the monitor, both from iMarineusa.com. It's pricey but a good unit. Here's a link to the manual: Manual (http://www.magnum-dimensions.com/sites/default/files/MagArchive/64-0007-12-04-MS-Manual.pdf).

When you read the manual you'll note that Magnum requires 0000 cable. I replaced my cabling with 0000 but many on the forum have not without any issues as far as I know. Good luck.
jor
Title: Re: Heart freedom overcharging
Post by: Caflashbob on May 31, 2017, 07:38:41 pm
Being as the run is four feet and we will never draw 250 amps my guru used 00 gauge cabling.

Yes we know the book calls for 0000.

Arc has more stuff than I needed.

But god bless if you need it and can use its features 

Title: Re: Heart freedom overcharging
Post by: prfleming on May 31, 2017, 08:42:01 pm
Yes, distance is important. Also need to remember that voltage drop occurs on both positive and negative legs. So if the run with all the bends and corners is 20 feet, you actually have 40 feet of cable and voltage drop. On our U300 40ft just to get from batteries to the middle bay for new inverter took 15 feet of cable one way. I put in 4/0. It's kinda like motors, there's no substitute for cubic inches...
Title: Re: Heart freedom overcharging
Post by: its toby on May 31, 2017, 09:00:27 pm
I can upgrade the battery cable. If I can run without the remote for a while I would buy it eventually just the travel stash takes a strong hit with the fact that my dollar is worth 30%less on the price of the inverter.