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Topic: Replacing Heart 2500 with what? (Read 1162 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #25 –
As can a ms-2812 according to their engineer. 
"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: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #26 –
Ok. Talked to MOT today. Their service manager said stay with the Xantrex-Freedom 458-2500. Direct bolt in, panel cord will work and I really don't run expensive electronics so modified sinewave is enough. He also believes the Heart 2500 shouldn't be changed unless it's acting up. This is a camper for now. I don't live in it and use it 6-10 times a year Spring thru fall only.
Thanks again for all your input, I'm much wiser on Invertors than a week ago.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #27 –
For the system you already have the 458 will work.

As he said you can wait for it to die.

Most owners are reactive.  Wait for things to fail.



"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: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #28 –
I get it. But I  have a limited budget and I have spent a bunch this year on other upgrades. It's on the list for proactive this winter if it lasts that long.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #29 –
 most decisions are financial, are they not?

You should be ok for a while

"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: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #30 –
We are in the same "boat" as you "dans-" with a limited budget to spend on our "vacation ride" we have to pick our priorities.  Just can't do all we would like to do on the coach, so breakdowns come first, then maintenance and if $$ left maybe some minor upgrades.
The inverter is on my short list but because it hasn't given any trouble, it hasn't moved to the top yet.
Now I'm gonna "knock on wood" got plenty of that around me.  Beautiful walnut as a matter of fact. 😁
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #31 –
Set aside some $ like you (should) do for batteries and tires for the inevitable charger/inverter failure.  The Prosine in our 2001 coach and many others had a pretty high failure rate at 18-20 years of age. Often it was the charger side that failed.  If you are using your coach for shorter trips or a week or two at a time a failure is almost more critical to you on your ability to use your coach on your limited time opportunities. Replacing it where it is safe to do so and on your time schedule may be prudent.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Set aside some $ like you (should) do for batteries and tires for the inevitable charger/inverter failure.  The Prosine in our 2001 coach and many others had a pretty high failure rate at 18-20 years of age. Often it was the charger side that failed.  If you are using your coach for shorter trips or a week or two at a time a failure is almost more critical to you on your ability to use your coach on your limited time opportunities. Replacing it where it is safe to do and on your time schedule may be prudent.

Ditto Roger.

That's exactly what and how we decided.  At 23 years old, we'd rather pick the time and place for the replacement (MOT) rather than be on the road when we lose 12v.  The timing was not great as it doubled the budget for our fridge install (more on that later).  The inverter/converter was budgeted for next year, so we'll probably skip next years' upgrades.
Rick and Donna
1997 U320 4000 WTBI Build 5152 "Molesley"

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #33 –
I agree with Roger and Rick. Immediately after buying my FT, within one day I replaced 6 tires, within one month changed all fluids and filters, and the first month I sold my Heart inv/chrg for $$300, and bought a pure sine wave Xantrex SW2012.  My wife questioned why the microwave in the FT buzzed and did not work as well as the one in our Monaco Signature, even though they were the same.  After the new Xantrex inverter, she wanted to know how I fixed the microwave.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #34 –
You can spend your money if you like. Most people like to. But I learned this from Wyatt Sabourin: You only run one appliance at a time off an inverter. Each appliance is 15 amp max. So, 15 x 110 = 1650 watts. Get an 1800 watt pure sine wave inverter which will cover your needs and a seperate battery converter (charger). They will do everything want and be less than half the cost of the hoitie toitie inverter/chargers. If one gives up, you only have to replace that module. Simple.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #35 –
As others have posted here inverter efficiency can make quite a difference in the amount of power the inverter itself consumes making 120 volt out of 12volt.

Nearly impossible to get an actual chart on how many amps being produced is at what efficiency. 

All brands quote a "max efficiency" only Magnum has published a chart to show the actual amount lost.

Judging by their chart all their units up to an including their 48 volt units have a "sweet spot" which is where it's max efficiency is.

All their models show a low to mid draw of power versus the inverters total output rating as their "sweet spot"

So taking a smaller inverter and using most of its total power rating may be more power consuming than a bigger unit at a smaller percentage of its total rated output......

The difference in idle draw from the mentioned units is around 1 amp hour from lowest to highest in 120 volt units I have seen the specs of.

Their are adjustments to actually turn off some brand inverters to lessen the draw at idle.  They can turn on at set able intervals

The Magnum remote panel has a black led lettering on a clear screen that can be set to turn off at various intervals.

That's in the power saver section.

Same idea with the blue seas power meter,  OLED. .3 watts to 1.0 watts of 12 volt for the unit to display both legs depending on brightness setting and it can be set to turn off at various times on top of that
"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: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #36 –
I proactively replaced my Freedom 2500 2 years ago.  I have read and heard about how when they go, they also take out other electronics.  Also the monitor never worked since I bought the coach, so I didn't know what the charge rate or any other data needed for battery management.

I replaced the inverter with a Magnum ms2812.  It works fine but I did have to modify the rack where the old Freedom was.  The Magnum is an 1.5" wider.  I also replaced the house batteries and added a little solar.  By adding solar I was able to claim the 30% solar credit.  That saved me nearly $1800 for the total cost of batteries, inverter and solar.

I am not sure if the tax credit is still available, but something to consider.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Replacing Heart 2500 with what?

Reply #37 –
We changed the magnum inverter to a panel mount instead.  Mounted to the front compartment wall.

Makes it easier to mount the auto gen start and the pt-100 solar controller.
"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