Inverter/charger Replacement

Topic: Inverter/charger Replacement (Read 1416 times) previous topic - next topic

Inverter/charger Replacement

March 26, 2019, 07:41:21 pm

We have a prosine 2.5 inverter/charger. On our trip down here to Oak Hill, FL, the inverter stopped working and showed a fault of 207. I followed the reset procedures on Barry's site and the fault changed to 194. I repeated the process a couple of different times. I went out one last time and just tried to switch the bypass switch to bypass and switched it back. Before I got to the door I heard a bang thinking my son did something I turned and looked at the inverter and smoke was coming from somewhere within the inverter. I'm assuming that it has let out the magical smoke that makes it work. So, my question is, is there an easy replacement with a good digital readout? Easy meaning that it will fit where the old one is and the cables will hook up relatively easily. We're on vacation in Florida and not in my shop in Oklahoma.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #1 – March 26, 2019, 07:43:19 pm

Here is a picture of it. Well it's actually Johnston's but same

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #2 – March 26, 2019, 07:47:54 pm

I'm sure others with more experience will chime in soon but there's many options for you to choose from as lots of forum members have done what you will be doing. Type in inverter replacement in the 'search " bar and you will get a lot of info. Good luck!

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #3 – March 26, 2019, 08:37:13 pm

The Don Rowe company are good people and do mail order and will help over the phone. My favorite for you would be the Xantrex SW3000, advertised for $1799 with a 150 amp charger. I've owned two of those and have been very pleased. The Xantrex SW2000 has a 100 amp charger, the SW3000 for $200 more has 150 amp charger. For me, for the extra $200, the SW3000 is a better unit with the added capacity and larger charger. Not an item you want to cut corners on, so I recommend choosing a major brand.

My experience tells me that most RV owner's that have purchased a sine wave inverter/charger from one of the the major mfgs like Xantrex, Magnum, or Victron during the past few years have been pleased with their purchase.

Inverters with built-in Charger | DonRowe.com

Your unit is mounted on the wall with the connectors on the bottom. If you choose the Xantrex SW2000 or Sw3000 the unit can be mounted vertically also with the connectors conning out either the left or right side which gives you a cleaner install. Both are beefier, stronger, units than what you have so physically the unit is deeper.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #4 – March 26, 2019, 08:51:10 pm

We are really happy with our Magnum MS2812 inverter and the Magnum ME-RC50 remote control. They are available in a number of places online.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #5 – March 26, 2019, 09:02:22 pm

Victron MultiPlus 12 Volt / 3000 VA / 120 Amp Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger
The guy that runs this outfit is very knowledgeable, The above unit can be controlled by a bluetooth remote on your phone, no need to run new wires. It will fit in a smaller area that the Prosine.
Alan is the guy that will give you all the info.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #6 – March 26, 2019, 11:18:16 pm

Whatever brand you deside on, also get information on anything else needed such as remote cable, temperature sensors, or the various remotes themselves.

I did not see if you were planning to do this yourself or pay someone. If having someone else install I would get their input also as often they will have their own preferences and available discounts on specific brands.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #7 – March 26, 2019, 11:35:50 pm

If you might like to have auto gen start with temp controlled a/c or furnace control starting the magnum for sure offers it.

Plus a optional 100 amp solar controller

4 wire hookup. Not sure about battery cabling.

Eric at bio-benefit energy in Costa Mesa, ca. Should know the mounting off the top of his head.

My memory is that the prosine was made in China with no parts available

The magnum is made in the USA.

They answer the phone.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #8 – March 26, 2019, 11:44:26 pm

Sorry to hear that, there's Lots of options on inverter/chargers. I'm not a xantrex fan, I do like the magnums but I went with a Cotek SL2000-112. You can use the same cutout and phone cable for the remote.

Best bang for the buck, the 2k with 100 amp charger and remote delivered with a true 50 amp pass through is right at $1,000

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #9 – March 27, 2019, 12:24:47 am

I like many others user a Vitron Multipluss 3000VA from Bay Marine Supply. Alan will be as helpful as you need. He does answer his phone. Bay Marine Supply

Pretty much all options are available at his store.

A Second House Battery Bank, Solar Panels, 2 New Inverters

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #10 – March 27, 2019, 03:55:34 pm

Thank you all for the responses. I am planning on installing it myself. I don't enjoy paying people to do things that I can do myself. We decided to go with the xantrex. That's what was in our previous coach and don't recall having any issues with it. Hodges Marine Electronics had one in stock and are just outside of Tampa. We are planning on moving near there tomorrow.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #11 – March 27, 2019, 08:18:36 pm

DJ, let us know how the install goes, with pics if possible.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #12 – May 06, 2019, 11:17:50 am

Sorry for the delay. I got it installed it went pretty easy. The most difficult part was making something to mount it to since the mounting holes were at different locations. But that wasn't really difficult. I ended up using a piece of plywood and hope to build something out of steel when I get it back to OK in the shop. I bought the remote as well. I haven't mounted it yet it's a little bigger than the old one. Fortunately xantrex makes an adapter to go from an Ethernet to phone so I won't have to run a new wire. I have it setting in the bay next to it for now.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #13 – May 07, 2019, 07:56:12 pm

My vote along with hundreds of others Victron 3000 with the Bluetooth adapter, my batteries have never been better and they are pretty old

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #14 – May 07, 2019, 09:31:47 pm

Make sure not in a explosive vapor area. The manual does not state non spark certified. Foretravel has the batteries in a separate compartment from the inverter.

Foretravel went to sealed outbacks on the bus.

Not a sealed unit. Which is ok just not clearly noted.

Seen boat people post about putting a victron in a boats gas engines compartment. Big No no.

Plus no auto gen start.

All the new coaches I think are integrated with auto start from low battery charge and/or temps either high or low from either ac thermostat or if aquahot or remote thermostat equipped a basement thermostat.

We have a pet in our coach and wanted to not overheat her if something happened and we were not able to return quick enough or the solar could not keep the batteries up. Clouds? Whatever.

We live near and visit the Rockies a lot. They have the highest temp switches in the world.

Record is 100 degrees in 24 hours.

As preppers we wanted/ needed a fully auto coach. Hot, cold, rain, snow, clouds, shadows.

Better for non sophisticated rv'ers.

"It just works" is the best setup.

With a integrated solar controller and gen start its drive and never touch a switch capable.

Seems easier to me. New coaches had to have this capability with minimum batteries and residential refers. See a lot of SOB coaches gens come on early in the am as the batteries were low..

The ranger came by and said turn it off. Gen hours violation in a lot of places.

Just saying....

.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #15 – May 07, 2019, 09:32:10 pm

We all know CaFlashBob has a significant negative bias against Victron and probably anything else other than his beloved Magnum. Especially if it is not made in the USA. He makes all sorts of claims none of which he has or can or will back up with facts. Most of these features he claims are on the Magnum are much more expensive add ons that require many other changes as well. They probably all work well for him. Maybe we will see how he actually incorporated them someday.

Choose what works for you based on your needs. Nobody gets to tell you what you have to do.

DJ, the panel is a good way to use existing solid mounting holes when the new hole pattern is different. T nuts on the back of the panel is another way to make a sold connection too. They won't turn. You can get a thin aluminum sheet at a big box store and make a fire resistant barrier if the installation instructions call for one. Even if not, it is a good idea.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #16 – May 07, 2019, 11:33:48 pm

"Make sure not in a explosive vapor area. The manual does not state non spark certified. Foretravel has the batteries in a separate compartment from the inverter."

My 95 U320 came with wet cell batteries in the same compartment (just above) as the Heart inverter. It was most definitely factory installed.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #17 – May 08, 2019, 12:12:13 am

maybe it was missed? Or intentinally forgotten? Not sure which..

Automatic Generator start/stop [Victron Energy]

So the Rumor and innuendos might stop here

Automatic Generator start/stop
1. Which relay and control to use?
Various Victron products have functions to automatically signal when to start and stop a generator. Here is advice on when to use which product and method.

Option 1: Venus-device like CCGX or Venus GX
When there is a Venus-device (CCGX, Venus GX, or other) in the system, the best option is to use its Generator Start Stop mechanism. Its the most feature-rich generator start/stop system that we have to offer. It provides for basic functions as starting and stopping on Battery State of Charge, Battery voltage as well as High load situations. And also has many advanced features, including automatic test runs and silent times.

Option 2: BMV Battery Monitor
The next most used option is a BMV-700 Battery Monitor or similar model. It can start the generator on low battery voltage and/or low battery state of charge. See the BMV-700 manual for configuration.

Option 3: Using the relay in the Multis or Quattros
The Multis, MultiPlus-IIs, Quattros, EasySolars and the rest of the VE.Bus family also have Generator start/stop feature with a relay. There are two different ways to configure them:

Generator Start/stop function of the Virtual Switch (recommended)
Generator start/stop Assistant (more advanced / complex)
Combining the options
Lastly, its of course also possible to combine above mentioned methods, by wiring the open contacts in parallel to each other, or in series, to the Generator.

2. How to wire generators with a three-wire interface
All above Victron products and devices have a single relay; which will close when the generator needs to starts; and then expect the generator to then keep running until the relay is opened again. Or the other way around.

When having a generator that requires a start pulse and a stop pulse, such as for example Cummins/Onan generators; additional wiring is required.

To start such a genset, the open/close contact needs to be converted into a start and stop pulse. Below solution, using standard available timing relays, does exactly that: when the open/close contact closes it generates the start pulse, and when the open/close contact opens again it generates the stop pulse.

Note that this solution should only be used on gensets that have their OWN control panel monitoring and automatically stopping on loss of oil pressure and other sensors. In other words: do not wire this directly to the starter motor and fuel solenoid.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #18 – May 08, 2019, 12:13:32 am

Here is the Diagram for Full disclosure.. because I am that kind of guy

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #19 – May 08, 2019, 01:00:30 am

Maybe a little off topic but still talking about ac's, have two south texas dogs that normally spend their days outside, normally in the shade with water nearby if hot. Have left them in the coach in New Mexico with windows open and vents running, with water, when temps over 100 f. They are always happy to see us when we return and are ready for a walk. Should I call the SPCA and turn myself in for dog abuse?

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #20 – May 08, 2019, 01:15:04 pm

I am quite uncomfortable with the comments (perhaps criticism) of CaFlashBob in Reply #15.
I have found some of what he has posted in the past to be quite valuable and worthwhile.
Let us all take a deep breath and focus on being nice.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #21 – May 08, 2019, 01:46:08 pm

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – May 08, 2019, 01:15:04 pm

I am quite uncomfortable with the comments (perhaps criticism) of CaFlashBob in Reply #15.
I have found some of what he has posted in the past to be quite valuable and worthwhile.
Let us all take a deep breath and focus on being nice.

For some unfortunate reason Roger has some sort of "hard on" for caflashbob and finds it necessary to repeatedly denigrate him. It would be far better if he would practice the same level of adult behavior others practice here and simply let facts and opinions stand and be judged on their merits by each individual reader.

Re: Inverter/charger Replacement

Reply #22 – May 08, 2019, 01:53:45 pm

Ok I am locking this thread.

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