Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300 (Read 1880 times) previous topic - next topic

Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Currently at the Jonathan Dickenson State Park, just north of Jupiter, Florida. Just happened to check the battery voltage on the Cruising Equipment amp / hour panel and found the indicated battery voltage at 16.93  (normally 13.8 - 14.2 ). The Freedom 25 remote control panel was showing a charge rate of 50 amps with the battery LED blinking ( according to the manual this indicates either shutdown or equalizing ).  Have tried resetting the inverter/charger by cycling the power switch 3 times quickly but no change in the display. According to the dash voltmeter ( engine off ) the battery voltage is slightly less than 14 vdc.

Can anyone recommend a capably service operation near Jupiter ? Cell is six-one-o - 551 - 067 eight

Thanks to all as usual,

Jon Harris
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #1 –
Jon,
I would give Paul Yasbeck a call.
He's not that far from you and he can advise you.
Search on the forum for a number of positive experiences.
Paul used to be at $85/hr, not sure about now.  But he's a gentleman, highly FT experienced  and very capable.
Neal

Paul Yasbeck  813 382 0869 120 Ice Cream Rd. Leesburg, FL 
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #2 –
Jon h-  Reset your heart 2500 by disconnecting the shore power and disconnect all your coach battery cables.  Wait two hours and connect all back.    Steve

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #3 –
And, if resetting does not work, turn off the inverter/charger.

No sense in destroying a high dollar battery bank as well as an inverter/charger.

If you need to charge batteries, a half hour of the main engine at 1000 RPM would be a LOT cheaper than a battery bank.

Of course, if you have a portable charger, that is another option.
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: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #4 –
Freedom 25 inverter / charger was a mainstay of our older coaches when they left the factory.  The inverter produces a modified sine wave.  These are worn working units, from a long life and lots of heat and when some units fail they may take12-volt battery banks and 120-volt devices with them.  When ours failed it burned up two separate surge protectors into a black, melted, smelly mess that tested our smoke detectors.

True sine wave inverters were scarce expensive items when our coaches were built, but nowadays they are much more common and widely available.  Changing from an older still-working modified sine wave, to a new true sine wave is reason enough to preventatively make the change at a convenient time.  Considering the risks created by charger / inverter failures also makes a new unit a worthwhile investment.  Much easier to have time to learn, plan, what, how & who to install, than to face the problem on the road.  Many have even installed it themselves or with a friend.

There are no 120-volt devices built with modified sine wave in mind.  Every 120-volt appliance, charger, TV etc assumes that in the USA the power will be have a full sine wave 60 cycles.  Many devices work ok on modified, some are stressed but still work ok until the day they mysteriously die.  Some instantly burn up on modified sine wave.  We have experienced all of the above. 

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #5 –
Same symptoms as I had.. now replaced
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #6 –
We had an almost with overcharging recently. Lost one battery and the second will now find other duty.  Just an aside on the replacement.  If you have considered solar, even one panel, you may be eligible for a 30% tax credit on the total upgrade of your system.  Inverter, batteries, monitors, surge protection, and the labor to install.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #7 –
Sure would verify all the cabling and ends at the battery  are perfect. 

My inverter guru repair guy mentioned the internal contacters "points" wear and pit.  Reduces the charge current flow to the batteries.

He does a blanket rebuild of these for $700 and mentions the high quality of the unit,

Bio-benefit in Costa Mesa California is the guy,  Eric is his name
"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: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #8 –
In my opinion why would anyone rebuild a 20 year old modified sine wave inverter for $700 dollars ,when for about $800 more you can upgrade to a pure sine wave unit.
 Imarine has the magnum 2812 for $1495.00
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill Willett –
In my opinion why would anyone rebuild a 20 year old modified sine wave inverter for $700 dollars ,when for about $800 more you can upgrade to a pure sine wave unit.
 Imarine has the magnum 2812 for $1495.00

The 2812 requires a separate new control panel, an optional battery monitor to adjust the charge rate depending on the battery terminals temp, and a optional gen auto start. 

New cabling for sure and maybe a mount relocation to the rear wall of the compartment and installation of a blower type fan on the rear wall and then removing and reinstalling the air compressor which on mine is installed behind the heart.

Easily doubling the total price in my estimates.

My guru rebuilder mentions the larger contactors to carry the loads in the heart and rebuilds and sends out the 20 year old units regularly.

The non sine wave's  he said a few days ago when I visited him to drop off core inverters for him to evaluate and/or fix or purchase outright from my shop buddies turnovers only had issues with some new household refers and some electronics.

$700 plus $200 shipping may be a reasonable alternative to an easy $3k install if the poster is unable or unwilling to do the install.

Requires a new cable run I understand to the panel and a possible control panel non match

In my monitoring of my link 2000's panel and comparing my voltage increases per hour of charging we have figured out that my hearts contactors are worn and their reduced surface area is not giving my batteries their full 130 amp charging rate to the batteries.

70 amp maybe. 

Or someone knowledgeable can tell me if the isolator looses that much power with fully charged engine batteries in new condition?

The 2812 is also 130.

The 2812 has smaller contactors to route the power versus the heart
"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: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #10 –
UPDATE

Spoke with Paul Yasbeck by phone and tried the hard reset suggestion posted earlier. Hard reset did not work as Yasbeck had predicted. Have disconnected power to the inverter charger to temporarily eliminate the overcharging condition. AC's are working again :-) always important in central Fla. Power disconnect was accomplished via circuit breaker labeled "sub-panel" in main 110 volt breaker box.
Shutting off main circuit breaker in sub panel did not remove power to Freedom 25 ???  Definitely an issue with either the charger or the remote panel - I'm not smart enough electrically to narrow it down further.
Anybody have a functional Freedom 25 & remote in their take out pile that would be available ?  The Freedom 25 has been reliable and trouble free for me during the last 8 years and I'm sure its OEM meaning 22 years old.

All suggestions appreciated as usual including update experiences.
Jon 
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #11 –
Breakers are working properly.

The breaker on the main panel it the 120 VAC TO the inverter/charger.
The breaker on the sub-panel is 120 VAC FROM the inverter/charger.
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: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #12 –
I know it sounds stupid, but try this with your freedom 25.
Using a mallet or rubber hammer give the box a couple good sharp raps on its sides.  The cards in these sometimes oxidize and can cause crazy symptoms
I had two of these and this method rescued them both.
Won't cost anything either.

Gary B

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #13 –
Gary

Percussive adjustment - my favorite fix - don't know why I didn't think of that earlier :-)  :-)
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #14 –
Next question for the electrical guru's :-)  Charger is disabled by removing all power to the Freedom 25 however that has also disabled all 110 outlets except for a currently unused washer/dryer outlet supplied by the main 110 volt panel. Is there any easy way to disconnect just the battery charger  & allowing me to power up the 110 vac outlets ?
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #15 –
My guru guy mentioned reseating the boards and every wire inside
"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: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #16 –
Jon,

Depends on whether it is something you HAVE to have and your electrical expertise. Clearly, do this with shore power DISCONNECTED, inverter OFF, generator OFF.

Remove the wires IN to the inverter/charger from the main breaker box (hot, and neutral-- ground not critical as they are tied together. 

Run it  to the sub panel and wire to the incoming/main breaker. 

You have just bypassed the inverter/charger and the inverter breaker on the main panel is directly supplying the sub panel.

Yes if the breaker panels and inverter are not near each other, you can substitute a length of wire between the two boxes-- hot and neutral.

Be sure no hot wires go to the inverter.

All you have done is bypass the inverter charger and power the sub-panel through the same breaker on the main breaker panel that provides power (through the inverter/chargers built in ATS) when on shore or generator.
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: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #17 –
Not sure what remote panel you have, but if you have the 458 remote you can turn off the charge from the panel with a switch
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Heart Freedom 25 inverter / charger problem in 1995 U300

Reply #18 –
If you bypass the inverter charger as brett said, buy a battery charger to charge your batteries, your lights etc use 12 volts.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.