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Newbie inverter question

August 03, 2013, 07:10:56 pm

From what I have gathered from research here I seems if my inverter isn't working then my batteries wouldn't be charging. Well when we were dry camping this week my inverter wasn't working. I would switch it on and nothing....I did a soft reset still nothing. However my batteries appear to be charging just fine. I'm thinking the inverter is due to be changed or is it something else since the rest of the system is working fine? I only found this out when we were under way without the genny running and the DW was going to microwave some lunch.
I attached a pic of the inverter...I think it's original

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #1 – August 03, 2013, 07:22:49 pm

That is the same as in my old 1990 U280.  You have a converter/charger unit AND a separate inverter.  They are not combined in your model, as they are in some later years like my 2002.  I think the converter/charger is/was a Magnatek in my 1990.  Not a sophisticated charger, given today's AGM and GEL batteries, but they worked fine for flooded cell batteries.

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #2 – August 03, 2013, 07:28:13 pm

You might find some help here:  Repairing Magnatek RV Power Converter

This looks like a better replacement, but I'm sure others with these models can help point you to the best replacement.  New RV Power Converter Charger 55 Amp Replacement PD4655 Progressive Dynamics |

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #3 – August 03, 2013, 07:31:57 pm

One last comment...  There is a switch on that thing that was easily tripped by something my former owner stowed in the storage bay, so he warned me to check that, if it is the inverter being the only failing issue.  In re-reading what you wrote, maybe your converter/charger is fine.  The main point is that they are NOT combined.  If you end up needing a new inverter, maybe it is a good time to get a unit that does it all, like a Prosine.

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #4 – August 03, 2013, 09:43:40 pm

Just looked up this inverter on the web - the owners manual seems to indicate that this is an inverter only, not a combination charger/inverter. Not sure if you have a separate charger, but there was a troubleshooting guide in the owners manual I found on Google - it is attached to this reply hope it comes through

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #5 – August 03, 2013, 09:55:24 pm

In 1993 an inverter was optional on our U225 but a charger/converter was standard. I prefer separate units, myself.

Those old converter/charger units were well known for boiling out batteries as they were a trickle-charge system with no way of monitoring how much current they were putting into the batteries or what the actual charge state of the batteries were.

There are lots better solutions out there now for about $150.

Craig

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #6 – August 03, 2013, 10:39:14 pm

Thank you everyone...Tim the owners manual didn't come thru so I'll look it up. I did check that switch and its in the on position and the fuse is intact. I'll check into it more I the AM but I think I'll just replace and upgrade it.

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Re: Newbie inverter question

Reply #7 – August 03, 2013, 10:42:34 pm

Make sure the inverter is getting 12 volts from the large cables.  Usually there is a large fuse on the 12 volt cables.  I believe the fuse on these units might be on the inside of the unit.  There's also the fuse on the front panel (as shown in your picture) but I guess you probably already checked that.

I had the same inverter on my coach at one time but the name was "Taytronic" but same identical design.  Search the forum for "PACS" and "Taytronic" to see numerous threads on them and what people did for replacements if you end up needing to.

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