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Topic: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed (Read 943 times) previous topic - next topic

Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Our rig had (3) MK 8g8d chassis batteries when we recently acquired it.

After having some trouble with the Xantrex PS2.5 inverter not working I isolated each battery and conducted a load test.  After removing
the one battery and determining that it would not take a charge I opted to run on the remaining (2) batteries until they crapped out,
then replace all (3) batteries in the bank if we felt that our amount of dry camping warranted it, otherwise just stay with (2).

After removing the bad battery, adjusting the cables, relocating the heat sensor and checking to see if the inverter was working
properly I buttoned up the compartment, and plugged up to shore power.  After about a week I read that the charging dip switches needed to be changed to lower Ahs so the (2) batteries wouldn't overcharge...................so I did that.

The coach was plugged up to shore power until yesterday when I took it to get new tires.  While at the tire dealer I turned on the inverter and it initially indicated on with 12.25VDC, then after a few seconds the VDC went out and the inverter light on the panel started flashing.  The cycle kept repeating itself until I finally shut it off, and at no time was AC power available.

According to the manual the above situation indicates the inverter isn't inverting to AC.  My first thought was that the batteries were
overcharged due to my error in not adjusting the dip switches sooner.  There is no remote panel for the inverter, only the standard one.  Today I went out and checked the DCV at the inverter itself and found it to be 12.72VDC, with the same
behavior as yesterday at the panel when trying to switch the inverter on.

Did I cook the batteries or is the inverter on the fritz?  Is there another test I can perform to see what's what?


Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #1 –
T Man  ----  I can only tell you that if your Inverter was on the FRITZ, it would be humming along beautifully!!!  Have a great day  ----  FRITZ

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
Our rig had (3) MK 8g8d chassis batteries when we recently acquired it.

After having some trouble with the Xantrex PS2.5 inverter not working I isolated each battery and conducted a load test.  After removing
the one battery and determining that it would not take a charge I opted to run on the remaining (2) batteries until they crapped out,
then replace all (3) batteries in the bank if we felt that our amount of dry camping warranted it, otherwise just stay with (2).

After removing the bad battery, adjusting the cables, relocating the heat sensor and checking to see if the inverter was working
properly I buttoned up the compartment, and plugged up to shore power.  After about a week I read that the charging dip switches needed to be changed to lower Ahs so the (2) batteries wouldn't overcharge...................so I did that.

The coach was plugged up to shore power until yesterday when I took it to get new tires.  While at the tire dealer I turned on the inverter and it initially indicated on with 12.25VDC, then after a few seconds the VDC went out and the inverter light on the panel started flashing.  The cycle kept repeating itself until I finally shut it off, and at no time was AC power available.

According to the manual the above situation indicates the inverter isn't inverting to AC.  My first thought was that the batteries were
overcharged due to my error in not adjusting the dip switches sooner.  There is no remote panel for the inverter, only the standard one.  Today I went out and checked the DCV at the inverter itself and found it to be 12.72VDC, with the same
behavior as yesterday at the panel when trying to switch the inverter on.

Did I cook the batteries or is the inverter on the fritz?  Is there another test I can perform to see what's what?




Obviously there are many reasons for the low voltage among them bad cable ends it does seem the two batteries may be bad now.

Having a bad one in a string tends to kill the other ones from being overcharged.

2003 batteries with a dead one in the system normally will not be good.

I have three new exact batteries and the internal connections were re engineered  according to the mk engineer I talked to and he thought the changes might double the 10 year life that is normal.

First thing I did when acquiring this Rv was to replace all the batteries

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #3 –
I feel your pain! Im in Battery/Inverter hell myself. My batteries wont stay charged and I'm getting the same indication on my prosine 2.5 (which is now discontinued). Hopefully some knowing individual will chime in and help us out. I'm pulling the house batteries today. I've already ordered a new Magnum 3000 watt Hybrid inverter/charger 3012. I got a pretty good deal, $1750.00 so if you decide to get one let me know. Magnums are made in USA.
Mike

602-620-5200

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #4 –
Quote from: mikeshort09 –
I've already ordered a new Magnum 3000 watt Hybrid inverter/charger 3012.

Anyone looking at Magnum don't forget to check one of our commercial member's sites, Bay Marine.  See Alan's post here  (and for the new folks, neither the forum nor staff receive any consideration from commercial members, we just like to keep them actively interested in the forum so they stay active to answer technical questions you might have)

Chargers, inverters, and refrigerators

(they are currently having a sale on Magnum; don't know if Alan will honor the 5% off in addition to that - I am going to ping him, but I just checked and the 3012 Hybrid is on sale ATM for $1735)

Magnum Energy Inverters From the Boat & RV Specialists

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #5 –
Talked to Xantrex tech just now and I'm going to try two things tomorrow.
1.  A hard reset (disconnect battery cable at inverter for 10 minutes).
2.  Go to zero load sense or plug in an AC appliance of some kind.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #7 –
I Marine has the freedom 3012  for $1555.03

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #8 –
My experience with Xantrex products is such that I would consider anything over another Xantrex. I replaced my dead Heart Interface with an Outback i got used off the classifieds here, but had that not come up I was prepared to buy a Magnum from Bay Marine. Kinda wish I did so I could go with a big lithium bank but I like the outback so much that I will stick with lead acid for now.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #10 –
X2 on Xantrex Car54.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Chargers, inverters, and refrigerators

(they are currently having a sale on Magnum; don't know if Alan will honor the 5% off in addition to that - I am going to ping him, but I just checked and the 3012 Hybrid is on sale ATM for $1735)


I've confirmed 5% off Magnum sale prices from Bay Marine (so $1648.25 for the MSH3012), but you'd need to contact him directly as the website is having problems with the coupon codes.

He also has the Victron MultiPlus 3K for basically the same price once you put your component package together.  Decisions, decisions....

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #12 –
I wouldn't discount the possibility of bad batteries or cabling issues. Especially after one of the three equally old batteries is known to have died.

You might try starting the engine and turning on the boost switch to see if the inverter works with good battery voltage.

You also should measure the voltage at the battery terminals under charge, at rest, and with the inverter on, both with and without the boost switch on. The inverter/charger may or may not be working as a battery charger.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #13 –
When shopping any Magnum inverter, be sure to factor in the cost of the RC50 remote panel, which is usually not included in the base price.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
When shopping any Magnum inverter, be sure to factor in the cost of the RC50 remote panel, which is usually not included in the base price.

Good point.  I got quotes from Alan for a Magnum full package (with ARC50), and a Victron full package (with their remote panel), both with battery monitoring and they were within spitting distance of each other.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #15 –
I think I finally solved the battery/inverter problem.  It seems that there is an uncovered breaker box under the bed.
A friend was over the other day and we raised the bed to look at the engine.  Apparently one of us tripped
a couple of the breakers with our leg/clothing, one of which was a line monitor.  Anyway I reset the breakers and the inverter seems to be working again,  and the batteries are charged. 

Ironically it is the same breaker that was shut off when I had all the shore power trouble before.
Electrical gremlins fer sure.

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –

Ironically it is the same breaker that was shut off when I had all the shore power trouble before.
Electrical gremlins fer sure.
Was the breaker "off" or "tripped" ?
You would not have tripped it with your leg or clothing.  Its "tripped" by over current. Just wondering......

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #17 –
Your inverter was probably always working as your inverter feeds that breaker panel as does the shore/generator power lines.  If your breakers trip again you should probably check up stream for loose connections, bad breakers or ghosts of xmas past. 

Hopefully the circuit breakers did not trip and you turned a couple off with you leg.  If they are bad you can get replacements at most big box stores like the Depot or Lowes.  If you must check up stream there are numerous connections that your 120vac diagram shows in you owners manual.  I have also turned on the engine block heater just that way and didn't see it for days.  Eats lots of power if left on.  :D

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #18 –
I'm pretty sure the breakers didn't trip, but got shut off accidentally.  The two times I've had a problem because of that breaker being shut off were times when I had been in the bedroom working with the engine cover raised.  I'll just have to be more attentive to the possibility of accidental shut-off or put some type of cover over the panel.

I'm thinking that with the breaker "off" there was no load sensed (load sense set at 10W) and the inverter kept cycling.  My engine block heater won't run on the inverter, that's for sure.
 

Re: Batteries/Inverter Help Needed

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
I'm pretty sure the breakers didn't trip, but got shut off accidentally. 

You probably know this already but when "most" breakers trip they will be in a center position and won't turn back on until "reset" or turned off and then back "on".
Just thought I would share this for those that may not notice the difference.

Hope yours was just accidentally turned off.