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Topic: What am I looking at (Read 1563 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #20 –
Quote from: DavidS –
Maybe it is because we ( the ones that have the units have not had any issues to warrant a call)? Not sure how you qualify this statement. You dont own one or anything Victron.. As much as you are able to quote the Magnum.. Might be nice to compare apples to apples by reading the product info on the components of Victron and doing a side by side comparison and not use innuendo to talk it down.


Might be nice if the editor left a message or a note of why? Maybe my spelling was off? Used the wrong word? Sometime the french version of the spelling is a little different but I think we all get the point. Not sure as it was like a ninja correction.. just wondering so I can watch my math next time..

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #21 –
As we travel with pets I wanted auto gen start from temp input.  Hot or cold.  If the thermostat calls for heat or cold I want the gen to be auto on if needed.

Requires a board change and the ten button CCC.

Not much room to mount the physically bigger, heavier magnum vertically.

Foretravel mounted them sideways and used a cooling fan to stretch the inverters temp limits versus derate the power.

Not seen a magnum in a rv use the mounting plate.  Can be mounted sideways or vertically.

Foretravel switched to outback's. 

The heat set to aqua hot diesel can come on without the gen start needed as its 12 volt. Until the  voltage drops to the gen start set point.

So a solar system may heat the coach without the gen needed. Unless it gets cloudy.

If you left the 110 volt aqua hot switch on then while the gen is running you are automatically adding the 110 volt input into the heating system. 

For sure I have a local ,known to me,  place to have my inverter repaired when not if it needs it.

The Magnum power trace 100 integrated solar controller is capable of residential 240  volt input using the higher efficiency 22% plus smaller panels. 100 amps.  6600 watts. 

Made here.  Not in India. 

Wanted the built in lifeline battery profile.  Wanted the unit to be capable of correctly equalizing Lifelines.

Wanted the dual coach thermostats to be able to auto start the gen for ac or heat.

The rear bedroom heaters panel mounted temp sensor for sure with the thermostat change and board changes can trigger the heat or air systems and add the gen if needed.

Probably can be wired to zone 2 on the aqua hot to trigger the auto gen start if the basement thermostat calls for heat.

Coach could be left plugged in and regardless of failures not freeze the coach or overheat the insides.

Had a bus long ago skiing in mammoth blow a complete circuit in the park causing the parks owner to have to reset breakers not accessible to the rv'ers.

Almost froze the coach as we were skiing all day.

The auto,system would have come on in various ways to prevent damage.

Was not available then.  It is now.  New coaches set this way. 

The combiner would keep up both battery banks automatically also from shore power,solar or gen run.

The AGN-N has a separate 60' temp lead. I suppose you could run it to anything you might want to trigger the gen to start.  Hot or cold.  Could be external from  the coach.  Another rv?  A home?

It's not whether you want or need this but the idea you could if you or the next owner could




Re: What am I looking at

Reply #22 –
I am not surprised to see such brand preferences.  I was told by rv mfg in Oregon that when Trace sold the same people had a 5 yr non compete clause and started Xantrex, same folks sold Xantrex sold Xantrex w/ 5yr clause and then started Magnum, each time taking previous rv mfgs with their newest company.  I've always had Xantrex w/ no problems, thus my preference and last purchase was a Xantrex with separate panel for gen start which I've never needed, thus never installed.

Best advice from a tech regarding inverter/chargers:  When inverter seems to break, remove DC cables for 5 min, this will reset some issues and problem equipment might work again.  Learned this when a rv I sold was diagnosed at pre check with bad inverter/charger.  The rv went to another tech for replacement, he did the above, removed both DC cables for 5 min and the unit did not have to be replaced, $2,000 + saved!  This fault usually occured from low voltage, but not necessarily so.

The above conflicts of opinion on brand for me just fall under my concept that half of what you are told is not true, including from me, because it is based on their experience and this may not be yours.

Do your research, make your choices based on this and your particular needs.  It is your money, not theirs, or mine.

Choose your "experts" for information carefully, for you that will work best, and still do your own research.

For me now, my technician "expert", Google, YouTube, reviewer's reviews, internet posts, including those from forum members, retailers I trust such as AMSolar in Eugene Oregon, Bay Marine in San Diego, Northwest RV Supply in Eugene Oregon,  RV Service Tips - Carrier RV Service - Eugene, Oregon , are my guide.  All these various ways to research have worked best for me, steering me away from products with known issues.

As this forum does best for me now, 75 % of my research is done here, and with the forum search button.  Personnel messages here have saved my butt more than once, and many dollars.

Do not tune out all those that ramble, as often those ramblings come from much valuable experience.  Us forum members mostly come from different backgrounds, only a few may have been actual journeyman rv techs, or tool and die makers.  Always be kind.

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #23 –
Jack
Thanks for the comment and the reasonable, common sense approach. If only our senators and congressman could take your advice they may actually get something done.
Greg

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #24 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
To mount it on a wall with the DC connections down you need an MMP250-30D panel for $580 more.

That's not so Roger. 
According to my MS2812 manual you can also use a Magnum ME-CB enclosure that costs only $71.20.
Amazon.com: Magnum Energy ME-CB Conduit Box for AC/DC Wiring Fits on the...

Also, regarding prices you quoted;

Amazon.com: Magnum MS2812 2800W Inverter with 125 Amp Charger: Electronics

Amazon.com: Go Power! GP-MS2812-PKG 2800 Watt Pure Sine Wave Magnum Energy...



As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #25 –
With either the ME-CB Conduit Box or the MP/MMP series enclosure you must also use the MP-HOOD.  All extra cost items.  You could also mount the Magnum horisontally with the DC terminals to the right with none of these items.  There are circuit breakers and fuses in the MP/MMP enclosure and switches which allow you to remove the MS2812 for service.

There are lots of options to choose from when looking at any inverter/charger. You need to know what they are and what your needs are to choose wisely.

You can shop aroound for price, you should.  Prices I quoted for the inverter/chargers are from Bay Marine Supply all subject to change.  Price is not always what matters.  Who is going to help when you buy it from the cheapest source?  Support adds significant value.

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #26 –
Thanks for clearing that up Roger.

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #27 –
Since I have the Magnum MSH3012M (The Hybrid or upgraded version of the 2812), I feel compelled to comment with an observation. We all vote for a particular solution with our hard earned dollars and it warms our heart to see others agreeing with our conclusions. As it happened, I voted for the Magnum eco system and am fairly deep into it and therefore committed to a large extent. At the time I started down this road, there were a few gaps in the Victron eco system that have since been filled in and they seem keep adding new options all of the time. Were I to do it all over again, based on my initial experience with the first Magnum MSH3012M I installed (admittedly a very early shipping version of this then new model), I would opt for the Victron.

That said, one of the main reasons I choose the Magnum MSH3012M was the availability of the Mini-Panel, even though there isn't enough vertical space in the basements of our coaches to install as designed with the inverter sitting directly on top of the Mini-Panel. Also, the form factor of the Magnum and the fact that it is shallower at the bottom (in the vertical orientation). The Victron is slightly deeper since it is not tapered as is the Magnum. This would have caused interference with the operation of the Joeybed. As it it is installed in our coach, the bottom of Magnum MSH3012M clears the lip on the side of the Joeybed as it moves in and out and the top of the Magnum (which protrudes farther into the space) just clears the stuff that is stowed in the Joeybed as long as it doesn't extend past the confines of the sides of the Joeybed. In other words, plastic containers that bare tapered and thus wider at the top than at the bottom and thus over hang the lip on the sides of the Joeybed cannot be used along the side of the Joeybed that is adjacent to the inverter. I believe I could find a way to make the Victron work in my installation, even if it meant having to shift the Joey bed aft an inch or so, but since all of my Joeybed mounting points are through steel framing, I am happy to not have had to fill holes and re-drill or weld new mounting brackets on the Joeybed to do so.

In my opinion, the aforementioned hood is an absolute necessity for installing the Magnum in a vertical orientation, as I found out when the first one attempted to go up in smoke. The first one also had an aggravatingly loud 60 cycle hum while charging at any rate from float to bulk, so I suspect the defect was there from the beginning and only manifested in its extreme form after being in use for a year. Luckily, I had bought the MSH3012M form a vendor that offers tremendous support, Bay Marine Supply. Alan went above and beyond to intercede with Magnum to have them front me a new unit without having to first send the defective unit back for warranty evaluation, saving me a lot of time and aggravation. That said, I would be very sure that whatever source you buy any manufacturer's product form in these price ranges, are authorized retailers. I know there is stuff sold on Amazon at attractive prices that won't have the warranty support from Magnum (and I assume other companies as well).

As to the conduit box, I couldn't use it in my installation (not using conduit) and couldn't make it work practically with the Mini-Panel mounted along side. The other reason for having it besides terminating conduit is mentioned in the Inverter's manual:
Quote
Info: The ME-CB or MPX-CB conduit box prevents material from falling out the bottom in the event of an internal fire, and also allow sufficient ventilation to prevent the inverter from overheating under normal operating conditions. The MP-HOOD helps prevent items from falling inside—causing damage to the inverter.
I surmise that the reason for this admonition is that the bottom grill on the magnum where the battery connect lugs are is plasitic. I am not too worried about that aspect having already experienced a melt down without any such issue. That said, I have some perforated sheet metal that I have been planning to fabricate a bottom hood to protect against such an unlikely eventuality. Fortunately the factory remanufactured MSH3012M I received to replace the failed unit is dead quiet in all modes of operation and has been working as it should since I installed it. Having the Mini-Panel made the installation quick and painless.
The above is just my experience and opinions, do what makes you happy.  ^.^d

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
With either the ME-CB Conduit Box or the MP/MMP series enclosure you must also use the MP-HOOD.  All extra cost items.  You could also mount the Magnum horisontally with the DC terminals to the right with none of these items.  There are circuit breakers and fuses in the MP/MMP enclosure and switches which allow you to remove the MS2812 for service.

There are lots of options to choose from when looking at any inverter/charger. You need to know what they are and what your needs are to choose wisely.

You can shop aroound for price, you should.  Prices I quoted for the inverter/chargers are from Bay Marines Supply all subject to change.

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #28 –
Excellent price on the magnum.  Thanks for the post.

From non amazon sources the sales tax can be deferred to allow you to pay your state later. 

Bought my setup this way. 

ME-RC, ME-ARC, ME-AGS-N, ME-BMS, ME-BTS,  Magnum PT-100 plus the inverter added up as far as the deferred taxes and the mostly free shipping

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #29 –
Cheaper now. I paid Amazon $1599.00 two years ago.
 

Re: What am I looking at

Reply #30 –
It would be nice if you (DJ Osborn who removed his post) actually read the data sheets as well.  The Magnum MS2812 is rated at 2800VA.  That is not watts.