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Topic: Freedom 20 inverter/charger (Read 274 times) previous topic - next topic

Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Hello to all ,, hope everyone is well.
I'm having a problem with my Freedom 20 inverter/charger,, it's putting out 17.2 volts . I have shut off the AC power to see if it would somehow possibly reset or act right when powered up again ,, nope.  Still at 17.2 V.
Dip switches are set properly..
1998 34ft U270
Any Ideas ???

Re: Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Reply #1 –
Is it a modified sine wave inverter? If so the voltmeter you are reading with may not be able to read the voltage properly.....Ed
1999 U270 36, no slide

Re: Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Reply #2 –
With the inverter charger turned off, what is the voltage of the batteries? You could have bad batteries, but probably the freedom 20 is shot. If it is bad replace with a pure sine wave.
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: Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the shout out....
Inverter is turned off and it is the original unit that was installed so thinking it isn't pure sine wave. I found out about the problem when I saw the amps on the remote control panel had increased and checked the batteries, they were very hot and boiling. Batteries are reading 15+ V , inverter/ charger being disconnected from the battery bank still reads 17 2 V. I believe with the inverter switched off I should only be reading the charge voltage on the cable. I'm thinking,, on the inverter side I would be reading 120 V or so if that was in play....

Re: Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Ed &Jo –
Is it a modified sine wave inverter? If so the voltmeter you are reading with may not be able to read the voltage properly.....Ed

No.
Modified Sine Wave refers to the alternating current/120 AC.

The battery charging voltage (12 VDC) will read accurately on your voltmeter.
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: Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Reply #5 –
17 volts sound like Equalization stage which should be a controlled overcharge to address sulfation and restore battery capacity

Freedom charge/inverters are old as the hills and will fail sometime, hopefully while not on road

If replacing know that the Freedom box can be opened and the lug ends of the existing motorhome battery cables can be unbolted and reused from inside the charger by taking the guts apart.  Never a reason to cut these battery cables

Re: Freedom 20 inverter/charger

Reply #6 –
In the owners manual the.lsst page has normal voltages listed for each stage, I found. Equalizing charge is 16.3 VDC so I think your correct since it's putting out 17.2 VDC. That is close enough, certainly within margin of error. I'm going to toggle the dip switch for the equalizing function and see if it will reset it to normal operation. Also call heart if possible, maybe they have an idea about kicking it out of this charge mode. I'll try again shutting off shore power to reset it as well. The manual states by doing so it will interrupt it .
Appreciate all the input, and help/ideas etc.