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Topic: What am I looking at (Read 1509 times) previous topic - next topic

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.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

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.
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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: 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
"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: 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.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN