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Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

We are getting ready for an extended trip to Canada and then a leisurely southward tour of the pacific northwest. I have so many projects that I wanted to finish that aren't going to make it before we have to leave :( , but one that I really, really want to finish is the Magnum Energy MSH3012M inverter installation. I am going to rearrange things a bit and want to streamline the installation. I am planning to move the inverter from the basement ceiling to the void area right behind the batteries along with HWH compressor. I am aware of the requirement for air circulation around these items and will see to it that they get the same or better than the current configuration.

That brings me to my current question... I am going to get a Mini Magnum Panel Magnum MMP Mini Panel to facilitate the installation which is normally mounted underneath but which can be along side (not enough vertical apace in the basement for that arrangement...Not sure how I am going to pull that off, but I have faith ::) ) and have an easy way to bypass the inverter altogether for service, tie in the solar, upgrades, etc. Anyway, I have  narrowed the choice down to two options for the inverter bypass/disconnect on the MMP and I am trying to decide which one to choose for our coach. One is the MMP250-60S (Mini Magnum Panel, 250 ADC breaker, Single 60 AAC bypass/input breaker and one is MMP250-30D (Mini Magnum Panel, 250 ADC breaker, Dual 30 AAC bypass/input breakers). Since the main circuit breaker panel in the bedroom has a 50AMP breaker for the sub panel (fed by either shore or generator via the ATS, or inverter if neither of those are available and inverter is on), I am thinking I need the Single 60 AAC bypass/input breaker version of the MMP. I am hoping the collective wisdom of this august forum will help me decide which to order. I admit that I haven't poured over the wiring diagrams, but I think I am understanding it correctly... could be wrong though. I admit that I have been too busy to do my home work properly, but I hope I can cheat a little by putting the question to the forum ;D
Don

Comments, ideas anyone?
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #1 –
Do get the Magnum ME-ARC panel instead of the ME-RC panel as it offer many more features that will be helpful now or later. ME-RC is too limiting.

We are not familiar with MMP, but after reading about them, they sound practical. And the hybrid features can be helpful with low amperage shore power.

What inverter/charger do you have now? Most have installed Magnum inverter charger in the same place as the original Freedom 20 or 25, and all the wires are in that location to help speed up install.

For our solar system, we used a small separate breaker box with two AC breakers, one for solar to controller and one for controller to battery bank. This small breaker box is mounted on the big bay wall closest to the battery bank.

Our inverter/charger uses the original 300 amp fuse on the 12 volt cable to/from the batteries.

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #2 –
I did opt for the ARC as my plan is to upgrade the GEL's to LiFePo4 batteries and the ARC lets you customize the charging profiles to a very great extent. The Hybrid inverter is a nice, especially for drive way camping when you only have 15 or 20AMP power available. I had been waiting for this long rumored Magnum to become available. I was going to opt for a Victron or Mastervolt, but I like the idea of the Magnum being made in the US, so I was glad when it was finally released. According to the specs, it has some slight advantages in terms of sustained output and somewhat higher charging output, though comparing the specs is difficult because the terms used can be deceiving because the standards used for measurement aren't clearly as defined as some other products (as in ANSI Lumens or RMS power at at a given percentage of distortion).
We currently have the Freedom 20 MS inverter and it still works okay. I want to free up that space for Taller Joey Bed storage and clean up the cabling. The nook between the Propane and battery compartments is very inconvenient for access, but I think will be fine for the inverter and HWH compressor. We will see how that goes, knowing how long these projects take me, I may have to compromise just to get it in for now and relocate later. The magnum would require some modification of the existing inverter cage, if my measurements are accurate. But that would likely still be quicker...

What inverter did you put in?
Don
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Do get the Magnum ME-ARC panel instead of the ME-RC panel as it offer many more features that will be helpful now or later. ME-RC is too limiting.

We are not familiar with MMP, but after reading about them, they sound practical. And the hybrid features can be helpful with low amperage shore power.

What inverter/charger do you have now? Most have installed Magnum inverter charger in the same place as the original Freedom 20 or 25, and all the wires are in that location to help speed up install.

For our solar system, we used a small separate breaker box with two AC breakers, one for solar to controller and one for controller to battery bank. This small breaker box is mounted on the big bay wall closest to the battery bank.

Our inverter/charger uses the original 300 amp fuse on the 12 volt cable to/from the batteries.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #3 –
Don
Trust your either using 3 volt batteries or going to use a different battery configuration or using either a 24 volt or 48 volt inverter ? :o

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #4 –
Not sure I get you Dave... we currently have two 8D MK Gel batteries (only about 6 years old and still working okay, though I need to test them for actual capacity... plan to use them in my Conex box along with the old inverter along with a bit of solar to keep them topped while on long excursions) and I am looking to get 4 of the 1000AH Balqon LiFePo4 cells to put in series to make a 12VDC bank. This is a 12 volt inverter Magnum MSH3012M. If I was going to stay with GEL's or AGM's, I would want to be adding at least one more to have three or four in parallel. Four of the East Penn 8D AGM's would be about 2K, or slightly more than half the coast of a build your own LiFePO4 1000AH bank with about 80% more usable capacity and about 60% of the weight, nears as I can figure... hopefully the LiFePO4's will come down a bit before I buy.
Don
Quote from: Dave M –
Don
Trust your either using 3 volt batteries or going to use a different battery configuration or using either a 24 volt or 48 volt inverter ? :o
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #5 –
Quote from: acousticart –
The Hybrid inverter is a nice, especially for drive way camping when you only have 15 or 20AMP power available. I had been waiting for this long rumored Magnum to become available. I was going to opt for a Victron or Mastervolt

We're also eyeing up the Magnum hybrid as we're talking about adding some solar this year and learned about it from Technomadia's site.  Like the boosting capability of the hybrid especially since we have often found ourselves dealing with marginal voltage at campgrounds in New England.

Will be looking forward to your always-thorough photojournalism of the installation process, Don ^.^d
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #6 –
Don,
Am aware, but the diagram shown, shows 4 batteries in series.  Just a comment on the drawing.  Am sure it will turn out very well
Dave M

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #7 –
Now I get it ;D  Their simplified generic installation diagram is probably based on four six volt batteries in series used with the 4KW 24VDC version of this inverter. I never looked at the diagram that closely, without my glasses I can't even see the pluses and minuses on the diagram >:(
Don
Quote from: Dave M –
Don,
Am aware, but the diagram shown, shows 4 batteries in series.  Just a comment on the drawing.  Am sure it will turn out very well
Dave M
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #8 –
You will find that Magnum's approach even with the ARC does not allow full control over charging profile parameters, that some other brands do. Be sure to check LiFePo4 charging requirements before battery purchase, and you may find buying their specialized & recommended charger is the best choice at that time.

Over 4 years ago we replaced an original Freedom 25 with a Xantrex Prosine 2.0, which is completely different than Prosine 2500 & 3000 products. We have full control over charging parameters including the critical temperature coefficient, which Magnum does not allow. For example, attached is the list of profile parameters that can be customized with the Prosine 2.0.

I have also helped others install their Magnum MS2812 inverter/chargers, and I like Magnum products very much. We also have a Magnum AGS-S generator auto-start that works just fine, although we had to give up on a Magnum ME-SBC battery combiner we purchased to replace the popular LSL Trik-L-Start to keep our start battery bank charged.

Replacing a working old modified inverter with a new sine-wave inverter is very smart. Modified sine wave inverters can overheat & damage products over time and some products very quickly. Why wait until a modified sine wave inverter fails and takes some appliances with it.

Doing your project in steps may be a good choice, especially if you don't have solar installed already.

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
You will find that Magnum's approach even with the ARC does not allow full control over charging profile parameters, that some other brands do.

We have full control over charging parameters including the critical temperature coefficient, which Magnum does not allow.

So what exactly does that mean - no temperature probe for the batteries with the Magnum like our current Prosine 2.5K has?  That would definitely be an issue in a 2003-ish coach like ours where the house batteries are buried and we rely on temperature compensated charging.

We are just starting to look at this sort of project and don't mean to hijack Don's thread...
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
You will find that Magnum's approach even with the ARC does not allow full control over charging profile parameters, that some other brands do. Be sure to check LiFePo4 charging requirements before battery purchase, and you may find buying their specialized & recommended charger is the best choice at that time.

Over 4 years ago we replaced an original Freedom 25 with a Xantrex Prosine 2.0, which is completely different than Prosine 2500 & 3000 products. We have full control over charging parameters including the critical temperature coefficient, which Magnum does not allow. For example, attached is the list of profile parameters that can be customized with the Prosine 2.0.

I have also helped others install their Magnum MS2812 inverter/chargers, and I like Magnum products very much. We also have a Magnum AGS-S generator auto-start that works just fine, although we had to give up on a Magnum ME-SBC battery combiner we purchased to replace the popular LSL Trik-L-Start to keep our start battery bank charged.

Replacing a working old modified inverter with a new sine-wave inverter is very smart. Modified sine wave inverters can overheat & damage products over time and some products very quickly. Why wait until a modified sine wave inverter fails and takes some appliances with it.

Doing your project in steps may be a good choice, especially if you don't have solar installed already.

You have two batteriesi assume?  I may be confused on the differences and models available but the 100 amp max charge on some unit slowed me down from picking one up.

Like the 130 amp charging rate of the old freedom 25.  One hour less gen run time to go from the 50% consumed to  reach the 90% charge and switch to float.

I have three MK 8g8d's and they seem to be able to take the 130 fine. 

Like I said I may be confused on the 2000 watt units available.  Buddy has a new in box 2012? With the remote panel and auto start at a good price.  I questioned the charge rate.

He said 130 but the info I can find says 100 max.

Is this a different unit from what he has? 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: Magnum Inverter Install Accessories

Reply #11 –
It has been awhile, but I did pour through the ARC manual and I believe it has the necessary flexibility to work with the LiFePo4 batteries, particularly since you pretty much need a dedicated BMS (Battery Management System) to balance the cells and keep them in balance, after you do an initial manual balance (which some skip). The BMS controls whether the battery is connected to load or charge. There is a lot to figure out if you aren't getting one of the supposedly plug and play LiFePo4 battery banks, but those are still ridiculously expensive. That is why I am going with the new inverter and the solar panels/charge controller first so I can get them sorted it out before risking new very expensive cells while I progress through the learning curve. Time will tell... and a separate charger is always a possibility. For sure, the Magnum inverter has a battery temperature sensor that comes with it plus I also got the BMK (Battery Monitor) as well as well as the ARC.
Don
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
You will find that Magnum's approach even with the ARC does not allow full control over charging profile parameters, that some other brands do. Be sure to check LiFePo4 charging requirements before battery purchase, and you may find buying their specialized & recommended charger is the best choice at that time.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson