Xantrex RV 3012 M Inverter Installation, Reinventing the wheel!

[bumpersbird]

Pete,

My Inverters and Batterries are in the same place as yours, but with
the engine compartment being just inches away from the inverter/batt.
bay and the the tranny being under/to the side of the inverter box
the radiant heat warms everything up pretty good. Plus there is an
opening of about 8" X 24" between the two compartments. Which allows
the hot air to enter the inverter bay. So I have just gotten used to
the idea that they are one in the same. Not completly accurate from a
tech. point of veiw.

I've been working towards getting the temps down in the engine
compartment since last Aug. Hot bedroon syndrome. I'm not trying to
cool the engine. Just everything that surrounds it. That's why I'm
putting in some fans to vent the engine compartment. it's been done
by several other guys and they seem to like the results.

I have also considered exhaust blankets, some love them some hate
them. It's said that the pipes can rust prematurly. I don't know
about that but they seem like a good idea to me.

I guess I'm just stuck on making my coach all that it can be.

In the installation manual it goes into a great detail on
installation enviroment.

This from the Xantrex web site.

Installation
2–2 975-0209-01-01
Choosing a Location
Inverters are sophisticated electronic devices and should be treated
accordingly.
When selecting the operating environment for the inverter, don't
think of it in the
same terms as other equipment that works with it, such as batteries,
diesel
generators, motor generators, washing machines, and so on. It is a
highly complex
microprocessor-controlled device, similar in nature to stereo
equipment,
television sets, or computers. The use of conformal-coated circuit
boards, plated
copper bus bars, powder-coated metal components, and stainless steel
fasteners
improves tolerance to hostile environments. However, in a condensing
environment (one in which humidity and/or temperature change causes
water to
form on components) all the ingredients for electrolysis are present:
water,
electricity and metals. In a condensing environment the life
expectancy of the
inverter is indeterminate and the warranty is voided.
The inverter/charger should only be installed in a location that
meets the
following requirements:
CAUTION
Install the inverter in a dry, protected location away from sources
of high temperature and
moisture. Exposure to salt water is particularly destructive and
potentially hazardous.
Ventilated Do not operate the inverter/charger in a closed-in area or
restrict
ventilation in any way. The inverter/charger requires air circulation
to maintain optimum operating temperature and provide best
performance. If the unit has inadequate ventilation, it may shut down
due to overheating.
The air vented through the openings should also have a path to
circulate away from the inverter/charger.
Dry Do not allow water or other fluids to drip or splash on the
inverter.
Do not expose to rain, snow or water.
Cool Normal air temperature should be between 32 °F and 122 °F
(0 °C and 50 °C)—the cooler the better within this range.
Clearance Allow as much space around the inverter/charger as possible.
Xantrex recommends that other objects and surfaces be at least
3 inches (76 mm) away from the ventilation openings for best
performance.
Safe Locate the inverter/charger away from battery in a separate well
ventilated compartment. Do not install the inverter/charger in any
compartment containing flammable gases or liquids like gasoline.
Close to
battery
compartment
The length and size of your DC cables will affect performance. Use
the DC cables recommended in Table 2-2 on page 2–12. The unit
should not be installed in the battery compartment due to the
possible presence of explosive hydrogen gas from the batteries.

Bla, Bla, Bla, Bla ,

You know the older I get the more I read the instructions. I should
have realized from reading the instructions that the DC cables can't
be 22' long.

But no my two BB Gurus said it could be done. Well I
guess you could re-power a bird with a turbine, and chuck in an
afterburner for those steep hills, but it would plobably be tough on
your toad:}

What I'm really looking forward to is the next off the wall upgrade.
F.L.I.R. Forward Looking Infrared.

I think I will go with the PathFindIR unit small easy to install and
at a low price point about $3700.00 installed down in Houston

FLIR Systems, Inc.
70 Castilian Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: 1-877-773-FLIR (3547)
http://www.corebyindigo.com
http://www.flir.com

Gregg Conner once posted, " If it took a leaf blower to cool the
fridge I'd use it." I agree. What ever it takes to make it work, make
it better, make more fun. I'd really like to take that small water
tank between bay two


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> Kurt,
>
> I'm puzzled -- you refer to the inverters as being in the engine
> compartment, but mine are in a metal box at the top of the house
> battery compartment, just in front of the engine compartment (curb
> side). (Two of the house batteries are nearby in the engine
> compartment, however.) The metal box has some vent holes in it
(but
> no fan) -- and it does gather some dirt, but it's moderately
> insulated from the engine itself, so it's not quite as hot as if
it
> were actually in the engine compartment proper.
>
> Are your inverters in a different location? (I note that each WL
> seems to have it's own unique features, even those of the same
year...)
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
>
>
> On Jun 9, 2008, at 7:48 PM, bumpersbird wrote:
>
> > Gregg,
> >
> > Your probably right.
> >
> > I spoke with several people today, Xantrex support, Solar power
techs
> > etc. after I posted my little progress report. It seems as it does
> > not matter how heavy the cable is after a certain lenght the DC
side
> > decreases efficance for every foot past 7' and after about 12' it
may
> > not function at all. I've learned there are three enemies of an
> > invertrer: 1- Moisture,2- Heat,3- Dirt
> >
> > I have been told that it can be done but the majority opinion is
it's
> > better to keep the inverters as close to the batteries as
possible,
> > even if they run hot and are in a dirty enviroment. By the way
those
> > who think it's doable have not elaborated on how to do it.
> >
> > So I'm going to put the new units in the inverter box in the
engine
> > compartment. It will be a tight fit. Moisture is not really a
> > problem, perhaps condensation on the rare occasion. I will vent
it in
> > some fashion, probably a couple of 130 cfm computer fans. The fans
> > that I'm installing to cool the engine compartment should also
help a
> > lot. I'm mounting 2 - 1650 CFM radiator fans on the right side
grill.
> > The inverters are just a 10" or 12" away. I might place some sort
of
> > air filter on the door in an attemp to keep the box interior
somewhat
> > clean. <snip>
>