New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
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06-29-2009, 15:33
Post: #11
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
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06-29-2009, 16:12
Post: #12
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
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06-29-2009, 16:19
Post: #13
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
Did you check all the breakers in your 120 volt panel, sometimes you can't tell that one is tripped and your two inverters should be on 2 seperate 120 volt breakers.
Wayne
From: Ron Thompson To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:05:14 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
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06-29-2009, 16:28
Post: #14
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
I have had good luck in the past with Xantrex documentation and telephone tech support on their website. I think you should have and be able to use a volt meter ac and dc first. without that tool you are poking in the dark.
Greg of Tim&Greg 94ptca |
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06-29-2009, 16:33
Post: #15
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
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06-29-2009, 17:48
Post: #16
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
Older Birds had separate inverters and chargers. Modern units, and the Freedom
25 qualifies, are inverter/converters, with the converter referring to charger. A breaker marked "Charger" pretty much has to be going to your inverters, because those are your only chargers. When there is shore power the breakers control power going to your converter, which in turn is putting out DC. The thing that holds your output voltage down is your batteries. If you are running 17, but measuring 14 a the batteries then one would suspect that the batteries aren't getting anything at all from the converters, and the coach is getting all of its power from the converters. If you flip the breakers off, any DC power you see should be from the batteries - do DC items work OK in that mode? On 6/29/2009 at 9:33 PM Ron Thompson wrote: >Wayne, > >I only have two breakers that are labled Battery chargers. None are >labled "Inverters". I checked all the breakers and none had tripped. >This is a real puzzler. The fact that the voltage is rising on the driver >dash guages disturbs me. It is at 17 volts according to the guages but I >measured the voltage at a lamp socket and it was 16 volts. That is still >too high for a 12 volt bulb. One has blown already. I don't know why the >voltage is rising like it is. It is a very slow rise. It started rising >yesterday when we parked at this RV park and between 2pm and 10pm it had >risen from 14 volts to 16 volts. and today as of 9:30 PM it is slightly >over 17 volts. > >If I am going down the road with the engine power it is 14 volts. Go >figger. > > > > >Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. > >1995 WLWB 42' > >(cockyfox@...) > >--- On Mon, 6/29/09, Wayne Kotila > >From: Wayne Kotila >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom >Inverters >To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com >Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 11:19 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Did you check all the breakers in your 120 volt panel, sometimes you >can't tell that one is tripped and your two inverters should be on 2 >seperate 120 volt breakers. >Wayne > > > > > >From: Ron Thompson >To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com >Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:05:14 PM >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom >Inverters > > > > > > > >Pete, > >I have checked the pop out resets on the two Inverters and they were all >in so no need to reset them I pressed them anyway just to make sure and >they were solid in. > >What switch was it that you accidentally hit. I have looked at everything >on the dasboard console and didn't notice anything that jumped out at me. > >It appears that a breaker has been tripped. I did check those 4 breakers >you mentiobned and tripped all of them off then back on and it didn't >chanbge a thing. The Inverter panely that is next to the drivers seat >(two of them) , the bottom one is off. No indicators are lit at all. >Evidently your coach has a different Inverter than mine. Mine is a Heart >Interface, Freedom, Model # 25. > >I think the Inverter has a breaker tripped somewhere. I have some 120 >volt outlets with no voltage even though I am plugged into shore power so >that is a clue to the > problem I would think. It appears that the shore powerr has a leg that >is non functinbal. > >Got to go pick up the wife at the laudry right now but be back shortly. > > >Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. >1995 WLWB 42' >(cockyfox@sbcglobal .net) > >--- On Mon, 6/29/09, Pete Masterson > > >From: Pete Masterson >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom >Inverters >To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com >Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 1:16 PM > > > > >I had a similar situation not long ago. After troubleshooting, I thought >I'd have to replace the inverter. Eventually, I discovered that a switch >on the control panel (next to the driver) had been accidently turned off. >Turned it back on -- and now it works just fine. (I guess I must have >bumped the switch while working with the HWH level controller right next >to it.) > > >I don't know what controller you have -- but a P.O. had installed a >(Heart) Link 2000R controller. It manages the power output of the chargers >and limits the charge rate to the batteries (I have AGMs and they require >a lower voltage than regular wet cell batteries). On the downside, the >Link 2000R controller takes an electrical engineer to operate it -- the >manual is very difficult -- but I've been able to puzzle out the way to >get it set up right for my batteries. > > >The standard interface is not as adjustable -- but I'm not really familiar >with it. > > >The inverters have a small breaker on the front (inverters are inside a >metal box just above the batteries inside the curb side battery >compartment) . Push in to reset. There are dual breakers for each >inverter. Mine are located in the bedroom on the engine bulkhead below the >main 120 V electrical panel behind a carpet covered door (with an obvious >handle). (I have a side-island bed.) 2 breakers for each inverter. These >protect the inverter from an overload on an inverted circuit since the >inverter power is NOT routed through the main 120 V panel. > > >The back closet has a removable wooden panel which you might think is to >access the engine from inside. You would be incorrect. I removed the panel >the other day (in exploration) and discovered it covers a bunch (9 or 10) >of 120 vac relays. I have no idea what they all serve (I didn't look for a >wiring diagram -- I was just exploring). To remove the panel, you must >remove about 6 screws in a gray felt covered strip, then remove 4 or so s! >crews al ong the top edge and 2 screws further down -- but you probably >don't need to get in there for this problem -- you should just be aware >it's there. > > > > > >Pete Masterson >'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 >El Sobrante CA >aeonix1@mac. com > > > > > >On Jun 29, 2009, at 8:56 AM, Ron Thompson wrote: > > > > > > > > >Good morning, > >I guess that when you go out on a trip is when everything really gets a >workout. I left Texas 2 weeks ago and I have finally made my way to >Eugene, Or. on my way to Alaska. I have had different kinds of problems >arise and corrected them but I have now lost one of my Inverters This is >not good for the batteries I would predict. > >I think that maybe the inverter is fused or has a breaker in the circuit >but I have no idea where to look for that. > >If there is anyone out there familiar with the Inverter power circuits, >transfer swithches, etc. please advise me. I would like to reset the >Inverter that is down and see if it will hold. > >The type Inverter I have is the, Heart Interface, Freedom Model 25. There >are two of them and one is offline. I don't have any schematics with me >or location diag! > rams.&nb sp; Maybe someone on the forum can help me in identifying how >this system works and where the transfer switches are if there is such a >thing on this coach. > >My coach is a 1995, WLWB, 42'. There must be a transfer switch somewhere >that senses when shore power is available nad turns the 120 VAC from the >Inverter off. That may be where the problem is. > >My greatest fear right now is that the Inverter that is still powered up >is producing 16 volts to the batteries. That can't be good for the >batteries I would think. My next fear is that the Inverter that is down >will have to be replaced if it can't be restarted. That will cause me a >delay for sure waiting for one to be shipped in and installed. > >All the other sytems seem to be okay, except for the LPG gas shut off >valve that I presented to the forum about 2 weeks ago. I have not done > anything about pulling that panel to see if the main shut off valve is >turned off. I don't really have a need so far for it since my generator >is now functioning properly. > >Any help with this will be appreciated. I am on a WIFI that finally works >as it should. I am in Eugene, Or. at the Shamrock RV park located on Old >Franklin Blvd. just off I-5. Nice cool weather here. > >Thanks again for your assistance. > > > >Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. >1995 WLWB 42' >(cockyfox@sbcglobal. net) |
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06-29-2009, 18:11
Post: #17
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
Ron,
I've run into a similar situation as you are seeing. The lower inverter panel and it's corresponding inverter (IIRC, it's the rear most inverter) seems to do some really funny things. A while back, it would start "equalizing" at over 16V whenever it was turned on. That's not good for the AGM's that are in my coach, so I turned it off most of the time for quite some time. After several cylces of trying it, watching it go high on voltage and turning it back off, it finally decided to stop equalizing and give me normal voltage. But, the upper control panel and it's inverter have ALWAYS done correctly. So I use it the most. You should have the 4 breakers Pete has spoken of. The 2 lower ones, behind the carpeted panel and the 2 in the main panel behind the mirror. Mine are the 2 upper on one side, I can't remember which side though. They are marked in mine. I just had a stupid thing occur to me. I came back from the LSB rally, parked the coach and plugged her in just as I normally do. I came back about 2 weeks later, only to find that I'm not getting any charging what so ever. I'm thinking, great the other inverter has crapped out! After much looking and checking things all over the place (including looking for the breakers to my stall in the storage facility (a needle in the haystack)), it turns out that I didn't have the 30A cord fully plugged into the 50A cord on the coach! It was only lacking about 3/32"!! I plugged it in and viola- eveything works as it has previously. What happens when you run the genny and turn the inverters on? I checked the dip switches on the back of the controller panels and even though they're set correctly and not supposed to equalize, one seemed to want to. I get an overload indicator whenever I try to charge with that inverter. I'll have to get into that sometime. Some have indicated that the inverter should charge even though it is off. Mine need to be on to charge, but maybe yours is set up to charge when off and stuck in the equaliztion mode, as mine was? That would explain why you're getting high voltage, but everything seems to be off. I'll bet that because the panel is completely dead, the phone cord connection wire has a problem someplace. Try connecting the other cable from the other panel to the "dead" panel and see what happens. That should tell you for certain whether you have a cable/inverter problem or a panel problem. Just my .02 on the issue. Hope it helps. John --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner" > > Older Birds had separate inverters and chargers. Modern units, and the Freedom 25 qualifies, are inverter/converters, with the converter referring to charger. > > A breaker marked "Charger" pretty much has to be going to your inverters, because those are your only chargers. > > When there is shore power the breakers control power going to your converter, which in turn is putting out DC. > > The thing that holds your output voltage down is your batteries. If you are running 17, but measuring 14 a the batteries then one would suspect that the batteries aren't getting anything at all from the converters, and the coach is getting all of its power from the converters. > > If you flip the breakers off, any DC power you see should be from the batteries - do DC items work OK in that mode? > > On 6/29/2009 at 9:33 PM Ron Thompson wrote: > > >Wayne, > > > >I only have two breakers that are labled Battery chargers. None are > >labled "Inverters". I checked all the breakers and none had tripped. > >This is a real puzzler. The fact that the voltage is rising on the driver > >dash guages disturbs me. It is at 17 volts according to the guages but I > >measured the voltage at a lamp socket and it was 16 volts. That is still > >too high for a 12 volt bulb. One has blown already. I don't know why the > >voltage is rising like it is. It is a very slow rise. It started rising > >yesterday when we parked at this RV park and between 2pm and 10pm it had > >risen from 14 volts to 16 volts. and today as of 9:30 PM it is slightly > >over 17 volts. > > > >If I am going down the road with the engine power it is 14 volts. Go > >figger. > > > > > > > > > >Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. > > > >1995 WLWB 42' > > > >(cockyfox@...) > > > >--- On Mon, 6/29/09, Wayne Kotila > > > >From: Wayne Kotila > >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom > >Inverters > >To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > >Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 11:19 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Did you check all the breakers in your 120 volt panel, sometimes you > >can't tell that one is tripped and your two inverters should be on 2 > >seperate 120 volt breakers. > >Wayne > > > > > > > > > > > >From: Ron Thompson > >To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com > >Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:05:14 PM > >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom > >Inverters > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Pete, > > > >I have checked the pop out resets on the two Inverters and they were all > >in so no need to reset them I pressed them anyway just to make sure and > >they were solid in. > > > >What switch was it that you accidentally hit. I have looked at everything > >on the dasboard console and didn't notice anything that jumped out at me. > > > >It appears that a breaker has been tripped. I did check those 4 breakers > >you mentiobned and tripped all of them off then back on and it didn't > >chanbge a thing. The Inverter panely that is next to the drivers seat > >(two of them) , the bottom one is off. No indicators are lit at all. > >Evidently your coach has a different Inverter than mine. Mine is a Heart > >Interface, Freedom, Model # 25. > > > >I think the Inverter has a breaker tripped somewhere. I have some 120 > >volt outlets with no voltage even though I am plugged into shore power so > >that is a clue to the > > problem I would think. It appears that the shore powerr has a leg that > >is non functinbal. > > > >Got to go pick up the wife at the laudry right now but be back shortly. > > > > > >Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. > >1995 WLWB 42' > >(cockyfox@sbcglobal .net) > > > >--- On Mon, 6/29/09, Pete Masterson > > > > > >From: Pete Masterson > >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom > >Inverters > >To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com > >Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 1:16 PM > > > > > > > > > >I had a similar situation not long ago. After troubleshooting, I thought > >I'd have to replace the inverter. Eventually, I discovered that a switch > >on the control panel (next to the driver) had been accidently turned off. > >Turned it back on -- and now it works just fine. (I guess I must have > >bumped the switch while working with the HWH level controller right next > >to it.) > > > > > >I don't know what controller you have -- but a P.O. had installed a > >(Heart) Link 2000R controller. It manages the power output of the chargers > >and limits the charge rate to the batteries (I have AGMs and they require > >a lower voltage than regular wet cell batteries). On the downside, the > >Link 2000R controller takes an electrical engineer to operate it -- the > >manual is very difficult -- but I've been able to puzzle out the way to > >get it set up right for my batteries. > > > > > >The standard interface is not as adjustable -- but I'm not really familiar > >with it. > > > > > >The inverters have a small breaker on the front (inverters are inside a > >metal box just above the batteries inside the curb side battery > >compartment) . Push in to reset. There are dual breakers for each > >inverter. Mine are located in the bedroom on the engine bulkhead below the > >main 120 V electrical panel behind a carpet covered door (with an obvious > >handle). (I have a side-island bed.) 2 breakers for each inverter. These > >protect the inverter from an overload on an inverted circuit since the > >inverter power is NOT routed through the main 120 V panel. > > > > > >The back closet has a removable wooden panel which you might think is to > >access the engine from inside. You would be incorrect. I removed the panel > >the other day (in exploration) and discovered it covers a bunch (9 or 10) > >of 120 vac relays. I have no idea what they all serve (I didn't look for a > >wiring diagram -- I was just exploring). To remove the panel, you must > >remove about 6 screws in a gray felt covered strip, then remove 4 or so s! > >crews al ong the top edge and 2 screws further down -- but you probably > >don't need to get in there for this problem -- you should just be aware > >it's there. > > > > > > > > > > > >Pete Masterson > >'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 > >El Sobrante CA > >aeonix1@mac. com > > > > > > > > > > > >On Jun 29, 2009, at 8:56 AM, Ron Thompson wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Good morning, > > > >I guess that when you go out on a trip is when everything really gets a > >workout. I left Texas 2 weeks ago and I have finally made my way to > >Eugene, Or. on my way to Alaska. I have had different kinds of problems > >arise and corrected them but I have now lost one of my Inverters This is > >not good for the batteries I would predict. > > > >I think that maybe the inverter is fused or has a breaker in the circuit > >but I have no idea where to look for that. > > > >If there is anyone out there familiar with the Inverter power circuits, > >transfer swithches, etc. please advise me. I would like to reset the > >Inverter that is down and see if it will hold. > > > >The type Inverter I have is the, Heart Interface, Freedom Model 25. There > >are two of them and one is offline. I don't have any schematics with me > >or location diag! > > rams.&nb sp; Maybe someone on the forum can help me in identifying how > >this system works and where the transfer switches are if there is such a > >thing on this coach. > > > >My coach is a 1995, WLWB, 42'. There must be a transfer switch somewhere > >that senses when shore power is available nad turns the 120 VAC from the > >Inverter off. That may be where the problem is. > > > >My greatest fear right now is that the Inverter that is still powered up > >is producing 16 volts to the batteries. That can't be good for the > >batteries I would think. My next fear is that the Inverter that is down > >will have to be replaced if it can't be restarted. That will cause me a > >delay for sure waiting for one to be shipped in and installed. > > > >All the other sytems seem to be okay, except for the LPG gas shut off > >valve that I presented to the forum about 2 weeks ago. I have not done > > anything about pulling that panel to see if the main shut off valve is > >turned off. I don't really have a need so far for it since my generator > >is now functioning properly. > > > >Any help with this will be appreciated. I am on a WIFI that finally works > >as it should. I am in Eugene, Or. at the Shamrock RV park located on Old > >Franklin Blvd. just off I-5. Nice cool weather here. > > > >Thanks again for your assistance. > > > > > > > >Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. > >1995 WLWB 42' > >(cockyfox@sbcglobal. net) > |
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06-30-2009, 04:04
Post: #18
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
Ron, this may sound simple but just to check, did you fire up the generator and
see what went on? If your coach has a Lyght Speed transfer switch, it will default to the generator contactors. I have had my transfer switch only hook up on one leg of the shore power and it does funny stuff to the electrical system. Inside the Lyght Speed is two contactors and a small third switch that gets crapped up and has to be cycled to scrub clean. If I were getting a progressively higher voltage 16 to 17 volts, I would shut it down before I started losing a lot of stuff. Also my dad started getting high dc voltage and it was the battery isolator. Marty Gregg 95 BMC 37 Kennewick Wa |
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06-30-2009, 04:28
Post: #19
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
The main AC breaker panel (power center) is behind a swinging mirror (door). To access the box, you remove the front panel of the breaker box (that is how they're designed). Usually 4 screws, one in each corner -- but some boxes might have screws at top and bottom. They're always located out near the edge. If you lose a screw, don't replace it with a longer screw! (Some fool did that on my home panel, and when tightened, it shorts a wire inside the box. Dumb.)
That exposes the breakers, and the wires in the box. Be extremely careful, as there is plenty of current that can kill you. Unplug the shore power. Do not run the generator. Remove the negative wire from all batteries (don't want the inverters inverting while you're inside the box). Check with a non-contact AC probe to ensure that there is no power. Once you are absolutely certain that there is no power, then you can proceed with checking for lose wires, signs of burned/shorted wires, and bad breakers. You can pry out the breakers. One end is held by a lip, the other is a metal pin that pushes into the power distribution bars. Once you have the breaker in your hand, you can use a continuity tester to check that power can flow when the breaker is on (and not, when it is off). Since a whole leg seems to be involved, I'd check the main breaker (at the top) and then individual circuits. If the breakers all work, and there are no obvious wiring problems in the box, then the problem is likely elsewhere. You can probably assume that the wires between the box and the outlets/appliances are OK, unless there have been repairs or damage to any of the intermediate wiring. There is a small possibility that rodents have chewed through wires (if you've had rodents in the coach) but that would typically cause a breaker to trip or a significant electrical fire -- and you should have noticed it. Breaker panels are not normally accessible from the back. They will have holes on the top, bottom, or sides to allow wires into and out of the box. They are probably Romex but there may be conduits. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" On Jun 29, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Ron Thompson wrote:
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06-30-2009, 04:38
Post: #20
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New problem,,,,lost one of my Freedom Inverters
I wouldn't rule out that an inverter has failed. The charger would still work as it's a separate part. The high heat may have precipitated a failure. The basic test of the inverter is to check for 12 vdc 'hot' at the input and 120 VAC at the output. Bench test is best -- but that involves removing the inverter. As you suggested (earlier) the cold (well, cooler) one is the likely culprit.
Since I never got to the point of removing my inverter (for a bench test), I can't comment on what's inside the inverter enclosure. The increasing voltage (shown on the inverter control panel?) is a concern -- but if the voltage at the batteries is still at 13.5 ~ 14, then I have to wonder about the volt meter. What do the _dash_ meters read? (Be sure the chassis/house crossover switch is off, when you check.) If they're in the normal range, then the 17 volt reading may be spurious -- and a fault in the inverter control system. When I thought I had a dead inverter, I didn't have anything reading out of normal range (and my inverter panel still was alive). But then, as it turned out, my problem was only a mis-set switch. I'd try turning off one then the other "battery charger" breakers (on the 120 vac panel) and checking the voltage reading then. It may be that the charger on the bad inverter has lost its control circuits and is "running away." If that's the case, battery damage could eventually occur. (Or turn both charger breakers off, then turn one, then the other on...) Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" On Jun 29, 2009, at 9:12 PM, Ron Thompson wrote:
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