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Topic: Magnum MiniPanel: Thoughts and experience installing in 99' U270 (Read 408 times) previous topic - next topic

Magnum MiniPanel: Thoughts and experience installing in 99' U270

I am planning to install 640 watts of solar on our 2003 U320 but do not know what accessories I need or would be helpful. We still have the original Xantrex ProSine 2.5.

Does anyone know if it would be good for me to install this Magnum Mini Panel? Would it go close to the batteries or by the Xantrex?

Thank you,
2003 U320 4010 - SOLD
2014 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel

Magnum MiniPanel: Thoughts and experience installing in 99' U270

Reply #1 –
There was a reply to a classified listing a Magnum Mini-Panel. Since replies to the classified have to be approved and may dilute the purpose of selling the item listed should a discussion ensue, I thought I would start a new topic to share my experience with the device. As far as I know, I am the only one who has installed one of these in a Foretravel. I would be interested in finding out if anybody else has. Here is the quote;
Quote
From Ed W: I am planning to install 640 watts of solar on our 2003 U320 but do not know what accessories I need or would be helpful. We still have the original Xantrex ProSine 2.5.
Does anyone know if it would be good for me to install this Magnum Mini Panel? Would it go close to the batteries or by the Xantrex?
Thank you,

The Magnum MiniPanel should be located between the batteries and the Inverter. It would normally be between the inverter and the 120VAC feed from the transfer switch. It is where the House VAC and DC sources are terminated. It gives you the ability to bypass the inverter altogether for service and contains (depending on the model) a 250 AMP D/C breaker. Additionally, you can add more D/C breakers if needed for solar integration. I mounted my Midnight Classic 150 on the side of the Mini-panel. It make removing the inverte for service or replacement a simple matter and allows those circuits downstream of he inverter to be powered by shore power or generator power a breeze.
Installing one of these in the basement of a coach is a a bit of a challenge. It is normally mounted below and attached to a Magnum inverter. The assembly of the two units mounted together are much too tall to fit in the basement of a Foretravel. Fortunately magnum makes a lid for the mini-panel so it was possible to mount it alongside the inverter on the storage compartment wall with some modification. The inverter, most commonly mounted laying down, also required another extra part to mount in a vertical configuration. Though I had some doubts as to the necessity of installing this part, I am very glad that I did! The part I am talking about is a hood that goes over the top of the inverter and allows air circulation for cooling the inverter while protecting what is immediately above the inverter. When the first Magnum inverter went up in smoke, the hood possibly kept the coach from going up in flames! In any case, I am glad I put it in.

The original Heart Freedom 20 inverter hung from the storage compartment ceiling on a metal frame along with the compressor. It really interfered with storage clearance in the compartment so I was determined to find a unit that would fit where the breaker panel mounted under a white fiberglass cover was on the street side front wall of the storage compartment. I relocated that breaker panel to the ceiling of the basement in the location where the original inverter and aux compressor was mounted. The breaker panel has a much lower profile than the old Heart inverter assembly did. So anything on the Joey Bed that clears the tunnel in the middle of the compartment clears the breaker panel as the Joey Bed slides in and out. That was not the case with the original set up. I did a write up on the inverter install, but I include a picture here to show the Mini-panel alongside the inverter.
Don
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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: temp

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Ed W –
I am planning to install 640 watts of solar on our 2003 U320 but do not know what accessories I need or would be helpful. We still have the original Xantrex ProSine 2.5.

Does anyone know if it would be good for me to install this Magnum Mini Panel? Would it go close to the batteries or by the Xantrex?

Thank you,
Ed,

This panel is intended as a switching option for what you're trying to do but I wouldn't be able to comment on how it might fit into your exact situation.  Don has posted the following response that might help you more, and he's actually installed one in his coach.  I hope it works out for you.

Magnum MiniPanel: Thoughts and experience installing in 99' U270

Re: Magnum MiniPanel: Thoughts and experience installing in 99' U270

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) –
There was a reply to a classified listing a Magnum Mini-Panel.

Discussion pulled out of Classified ad and merged here  :)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320