Xantrex RV 3012 M Inverter Installation, Reinventing the wheel!

[bumpersbird]

This got posted befor I finished.

Remove the water tank between bay two & three and put in a KEGERATOR!

Kurt Horvath
95 PT-42
10AC
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bumpersbird"
wrote:
>
> 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>
> >
>