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Topic: Electrical relations (Read 1946 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #20 –
Eric at bio benefit inverter repair in Costa Mesa, can rebuild heart freedom 25's completely and coats the boards and retightens the many connections internally and replaces the contactors as they pit and reduce the oiutout power to the batteries. $800 flat rate charge. 

Newer magnums use stainless bolts to lessen the corrosion in the older units and have a needed BTMS and are sine wave output and have coated boards to help prevent shorts.

The reduced output may match your dual battery setup.  Mine was maxed at 70 Amos into three 8g8d's.  New magnum is 110 amps in bulk

Call Eric and ask him about the 17 volts after resetting the dip,switch if it continues

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #21 –
With new batteries and a very old modified sine wave inverter, you are trying too hard to keep your charger alive.  Replace it now and just enjoy not thinking about these things anymore.  Your Heart 25 that we many of had at one time, has probably already cost you $849.  Dozens have replaced the Heart 25 and their write ups are on the Forum and BeamAlarm.com

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #22 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Eric at bio benefit inverter repair in Costa Mesa, can rebuild heart freedom 25's completely and coats the boards and retightens the many connections internally and replaces the contactors as they pit and reduce the oiutout power to the batteries. $800 flat rate charge. 

Newer magnums use stainless bolts to lessen the corrosion in the older units and have a needed BTMS and are sine wave output and have coated boards to help prevent shorts.

The reduced output may match your dual battery setup.  Mine was maxed at 70 Amos into three 8g8d's.  New magnum is 110 amps in bulk

Call Eric and ask him about the 17 volts after resetting the dip,switch if it continues

Bob
Good info. There is a place in Seattle that fix them. Had a few done. Was very satisfied with their work.

S3 Maritime LLC
2360 W. Commdore Way, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98199
Ph. 206-420-4932

I might add, figure $150.00 for the ride at least round trip. Them puppies are heavy

Here is a link to authorized repair stations:

http://www.xantrex.com/contacts/authorized-service-centers.aspx

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #23 –
As some of you have suggested, I am taking mine in to be repaired. A xantrex repair shop in Bradenton claims he knows whats wrong and can fix with same day service. Cost $275.00. Says these old units are well built and when repaired will give me years of good service. I have remove the unit and labeled all the wires reinstall should go pretty easy. 

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #24 –
Quote from: joeszeidel –
As some of you have suggested, I am taking mine in to be repaired. A xantrex repair shop in Bradenton claims he knows whats wrong and can fix with same day service. Cost $275.00. Says these old units are well built and when repaired will give me years of good service. I have remove the unit and labeled all the wires reinstall should go pretty easy.

Do whatever you feel is right for you but I have to say that Barry has given very good advice.  This should be seen as an opportunity to upgrade from the Heart inverter, not put more money into keeping it alive.  While it might be well built, it's still a very outdated system.  A modern unit with better battery management features can easily pay for itself in battery longevity.  Lower idle current draw and pure sign wave power are additional bonuses.  Installation is just as simple as reinstalling the Heart.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #25 –
If you are going to use the original Xantrex, don't buy a Cuisinart coffee maker, my old one ate 2 of them on the first day of each. Finally figured out what was going on as my old Mr. Coffee had no problem. With the new pure sine wave I was able to get the Cuisinart that my wife likes. Something about electronics don't like modified sine wave.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #26 –
Joe, If your broken inverter was true sine wave, the cost of repair could be a good value. 

I sense that not only the higher cost for a new charger/inverter, maybe having to modify things for a new device may be preventing your switchover. 

We also had to replace our Freedom/25 when it suddenly broke.  We are not sure of what CAUSED the Freedom/25 to stop charging correctly.  Could it have been a campground power pedestal anomaly or a coach device that caused the problem. 

But we are sure of the SYMPTOMS, because at the moment our Freedom/25 made a sound and failed, two high-tech expensive surge protection devices burned up with fire black smoke.  We were fortunate that these were enclosed in a steel box that completely contained the burning.  It was a good test for our smoke detectors that all sounded off.

My feeling was that since this was all in place for many years, that our Freedom/25 with all its many electronic components were just 'worn out' from heat and demands.  Or the modified sine wave was just too much for our devices and they finally gave out. 

Every one of our 120-volt devices are designed to be plugged into true-sine wave electrical supply.  There are no devices manufactured for modified sine wave, although many will work on modified-sine wave.  Those that work, may be stressed and themselves fail prematurely. 

We had a friend that had several TV failures he figured were from being powered with modified sine wave.

We also had several wireless remote 120-outlets that would stop working after a while.  Factory would replace and finally a tech asked where we were using them, and blurted out they are not to be used on Modified Sine Waves.  At that time Camping World was even selling these devices and soon stopped carrying them.  A small capacitor would fail after being used for a while.

For sure if you keep your coach you will at some time replace your inverter charger, nothing lasts forever.  At that time you may not even find a modified sinewave inverter charger.  It is so much more 'fun' replacing parts when there is time to cogitate over choices.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #27 –
Craneman and Barry, you both brought up good thoughts. I actually have used my inverter only a few times. Craneman I don't use a cusinart but I use a kureig and have had no problems. Barry you are correct I am cost driven and ease of installation. I will enquire is this is a modified sine wave and if so can they make a true sinewave. Like I said have only used the inverter a couple of times and noticed no affect on my led TV's.  Thanks everyone this forum is the best source of info anywhere.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #28 –
As bdale posted the newer units advantages are considerable.  The microwaves increased power and quiet operation running on full sine wave was an plus.

Last 20 years of Foretravel production have had a BTMS,

Cannot be made full sine wave as far as I know

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #29 –
Joe, Follow your plan.  Great that you are sharing with us.  It is the battery charger component that is not working, and likely the inverter part is ok.  No modified sine cannot be made sine, but there are many inexpensive sine wave standalone inverters out there.  If you decide that sine wave is of value, even if not used very much, a separate inverter can be installed.  And your fixed charger will keep your batteries up.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #30 –
Ok, I had the inverter/charger repaired and need a little help. I am using 2 8d agm batteries. Can someone tell me what my dip switches settings should be? They are numbered 1 thru 8. They can be set for Gel or Wet Cells. I'm told AGMs should be set for wet cells. I find the chart in my manual confusing so I need advise from you battery experts. My charger/inverter is a Heart25charger/inverter. Cost of repair was $275.00. I plan to reinstall this Wednesday. 

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #31 –
Joeszeidel, Check starting at page 30 for dip switch settings.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #32 –
Jack Thats exactly what I find confusing. I don't understand any of that stuff.

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #33 –
Quote
I don't understand any of that stuff.

You don't really need to. You can go with the default settings for all but dip switch numbers 2 and 3. For those, you can set for warm wet cell and you'll be fine.

1-off
2-on
3-off
4-off
5-off
6-off
7-off
8-off

jor

Re: Electrical relations

Reply #34 –
Jor thank you for the help, reading the material Jack sent was to confusing for this old brain. Here are some things i have learned. First dont assume that because you are under roof and plugged in that everything is ok. I did not check voltage enough and when my charger failed it burned up two 8d batteries. I will now check voltages more often. Next i learned more about modified and full sign wave inverters. If you use lots of electronics and electrical equipment that has small motors then use a true sign wave inverter. Especillay if you boondock alot. If you are like me who seldom does then a modified will probably be ok. You can also use the generator instead of the inverter for some although that may not be your best choice. Anyway thank you all for this learning experience..