Replace stock '92 inveter with Xantrex RS2000 OR RS3000?

[pgchd]

I will state upfront I am not familiar with the '92 setup but I did
replace both Heart 2500's last year in my 42' '95. So I will share
that experience so you may "use/ adapt what you can" to apply to your
situation.
Both 2500's were shot..... I searched and search, metal debate for at
least a month, rebuild, upgrade to full sign wave, more power like the
3000 tim the tool man taylor...., buy new or rebuilds.....etc on and
on. I have the bus skematics and was talking with Bennie who was at
the time, customer service before he was promoted. Looked at the
breakers, wiring etc. I determined that the house "wiring" in the
coach minus new CB's would be fine for the bigger units. I determined
the wiring to the inverters from the old 25oo's to the batteries and
CB's was not. Sure I could have a local company built me new cables to
the 3000 zantrex specs/ others specs I gleened online from their
website manuals, new cb's, etc. no problem.
In then end, being ulta conservative and anal retentive about
electricity, I went with new Zantrx 2500's..... found the best price
on the internet, got free shipping, ordered new remote
panels.......push/ pull, no issues, done, 1-1/2 years later happy camper.
- in the 95 the inverters/ converter are mounted in a "box" above the
batteries, 96 and beyond, they moved them to a curb side compartment
to protect them from road dirt,etc. So I remounted not wanting to mess
with coach wiring and just clean them frquently. It was fun "drilling"
the new monting holes laying on your back with hot metal shaving
falling everywhere and on your face, pushing house battery trays out
of your way, etc. I should have went to the local el chepo tool place
and for 15 bucks bought a drill 90' offset and did it right side up,
otherewise the 2 fit fine in the old space with the required "air
space" . That was the other problem I had in addition to the above, I
could not find upgraded units of any brand to "fit" in the required
"box" above the battery properly with air space.
- the old heart 2500's came with the heavy battery cable, the Zantrex
do not, however you can take apart the hearts and reuse the cable, all
you have to do is "enlarge" the mounting hole and the spade lug was
large enough. The old cables we also in good shape and met the zantrex
specs.
- be careful, you a dealing with tons of amps when you hook up the new
unit, plenty of warning in the install instructions.. certain steps in
certain order and no, my heart did not need a jump start so I did it
very slowly and carefully after my morning coffee when I was awake and
not stressed, wraped the wrenches in insulation in case I was sloppy,
dropped them, etc. covered the batteries with blankets, did the best I
could so if "old and sloppy" slipped, I did not fry myself.
Good luck, others will offer their views, so consider this just 1
conservative perspective who is chicken!

Pete, Donna, and Lucky bear Chin
95 42' greater Daytona Beach Area
still out west in NM and Az, the bus is "humming along"










--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@...> wrote:
>
> My converters are old and on their last leg. Since I am going to put
> in 8 new AGM's soon I want to start them on a proper charging
> routine. The cost to replace the chargers will get me almost half way
> to the cost of a refurbed Xantrex RS2000 or for a little more an
> RS3000. An additional advantage to replacing the Inveter & Converter
> solution currently in the coach with a new inverter is having one with
> Auto Gen Start function for battery charging or Thermostat control
> (travel with pets).
>
> Now the question, since our coaches have a Heart 2000watt inverter, I
> would assume converting to a 3000watt inverter would require
> additional work such as an additional circuit to the breaker panel, or
> at least replacing breakers? Has anyone done this conversion?
>
> My past includes having been a mechanic and electrician, so no worries
> there, just need to understand how large this job would be to go to a
> 3000watt (assume the 2000watt is basically a rip and replace)?
>
> If I have to replace the transfer switch to complete this I will just
> stay with a 2000W unit.
>
> Michael Brundridge
> 1992 WB40
> Georgetown, TX
>