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Topic: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions (Read 446 times) previous topic - next topic

Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

With shore power, charging function of Freedom 25 doesn't seem to be charging house batteries.  Link 2000 panel indicates 12.5 volts with red charge light remaining illuminated.  With Genset engaged with or without shore power connected, charging function is working. With shore power disconnected, Genset running, charging function is working.  What would be causing this disparity?  I am thinking the problem is not the Freedom 25, but some other component, but I have no idea what my problem may be.  Can someone help me out, and make some suggestions on what I need to check, and what the problem may be.  I am not electrically minded.
Thanks for the help.
Mike
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #1 –
Do your 120v loads operate while on shore power? (AC's / microwave / receptacle outlets)
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #2 –
Yes. I  now have full charge on batteries, and am on batt power alone, with inverter selected.  It took a few minutes for it to pick up AC power, but it did.  I did bang on the Freedom 25, not sure if that is what made it pick up the AC load or it did it on its own.  When I went in to check, it was working.  Going to run on batts alone to drain batteries, and see what happens. 
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #3 –
You don't need to run on batteries to check.  Just plug in.  If the charger is on and charging the voltage should be somewhere around 13.8  and it will show putting out a few amps to take care of the items that are using power.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #4 –
Agree, first thing is to verify that BOTH hots have power in to the main breaker box.

So, do both front and back roof A/C's work.  If so, you know power is getting to the main 120 VAC breaker box.

Next would be to turn off and back on the inverter breaker on the main panel.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #5 –
From original post, with shore power, no charging.  With genset, charging.  So something is preventing shore power input from charging batteries.
Mike
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #6 –
And, since from ATS onward through main 120 VAC breaker panel and on to inverter, the wiring is exactly the same the same, either ATS is not seeing both legs (L1 and L2) or there is an issue in the ATS itself.

I would open the ATS and check for power IN and OUT after verifying that indeed your CG outlet is good.

To check CG outlet:

Either outer straight to center straight or center round= 120 VAC
Center straight to center round= 0 VAC
Outer straight to outer straight= 240 VAC though a reading of 0 with other readings being correct will work.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #7 –
With shore power, both A/C's work.  And after replugging shore power, charger is now charging, so I have to consider this charging problem intermittent with shore power.  Readings from EMS indicate while in charging mode on line 1 to be around 18 amps, 0 amps on line 2.  With both A/C's on and charging, 23 amps line 2 and 15 on line 2.  When not charging and no power requirement, 0 amps on both lines from EMS unit.  Not sure what the ATS and CG outlet are?
Thanks, Mike
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #8 –
ATS= Automatic Transfer Switch. Raise the bed,  it is in front of the motor in the narrow compartment. 

You may have two.  If one it is shore power IN and generator IN and OUT to main breaker box.

If a second one, it will be from main breaker box IN and inverter IN and OUT to subpanel

CG outlet= Camp Ground Outlet-- the 50 amp outlet you are plugged into.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Yetch –
From original post, with shore power, no charging.  With genset, charging.  So something is preventing shore power input from charging batteries.
Mike

I am going to say when you were on shore power you only had 1 leg of power in coach. When running generator both legs get 120V power so charger working.

Locations of problems
1.Pedestal not having correct power on both legs.
2.If using a progressive surge (or something like it at the pole) relay in unit not forwarding on both phases
3.Cord reel  (if you have one)  not carrying both phases thru.  (At the Mid South Rally few weeks back, an owner talked about losing his neutral at the cord reel in the middle of night, They thought the coach was on fire)
4.Cord plug at coach (if you have this instead of cord reel)  Need to make sure cord is twisted tight clockwise at coach.  If not will only get 1 leg sending power through)
5. Transfer switch shore power contact bad or wires loose or bunt at contactor.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #10 –
Thanks Brett and Turbo.
Yea, with the charging complete and in float, amp usage drops to 0 on line 1.  I do have power coming in on both lines 1 & 2.  And I have 2 ATS boxes.  So when charging mode is charging the amp usage is around 18 on line 1.  So now after getting the charge mode to float, I am going to turn the charge mode off with shore power in for a couple of hours and then turn charge mode on and see what happens.
Mike
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Yetch –
Thanks Brett and Turbo.
I am going to turn the charge mode off with shore power in for a couple of hours and then turn charge mode on and see what happens.
Mike

I do not remember exactly what my Freedom display in the coach looked like in the 97 coach I owned, but you should be able to tell if charger is working by looking at the amps and/or voltage that the charger is putting out. You should not have to turn the charger off.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago
 

Re: Freedom 25 converter/inverter/charger questions

Reply #12 –
On the Link2000 there is a switch that can turn the charge mode off and on, along with inverter.
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO