RV2012M inverter failure

[David Privitera]

Hi,  Last year, my inverter malfunctioned.  At a minimum the charging function isn't working correctly (doesn't go through various charging stages, overcharges batteries).  I pulled it out and am currently running a converter (no inverter at the moment).  I want to install a residential fridge so I'm going to go back to an inverter.  My question is, should I try to get the original inverter repaired (Trace RV2012M), look for a used RV2012M or upgrade to something else.  The coach has an RC7/GS remote.
Thanks, Dave

[Steve Huber]

Dave,
The Magnum inverter is probably one of the best available IMHO.
Steve

[David Privitera]

Thanks Steve.  I'm assuming the RG7/GS remote doesn't work with the Magnum.  Is there a remote that works with the Magnum?  And is it much work swapping in the Magnum inverter and new remote?
Dave

[David T. Richelderfer]

In Dec 2015 my Xantrex Trace SW 2512(?) lost its battery charging function so I got a new Xantrex Freedom SW 3000.  The RVMD guys in Tucson did the replacement work in January and recommended Xantrex over Magnum for my application.  RVMD handles both Xantrex and Magnum inverters - sales, repair and installation.  The RVMD guys installed the inverter with a new remote panel and a new AGS unit.  The old Xantrex Trace 2512 was not repairable due to its age and no parts being available.

It took awhile to learn my way around the remote panel and programming it, but I have had little to no problem figuring it out.

[Jerry Emert]

I know a guy in Sanford Florida that repairs inverters for other RV dealors very often. Let me know if you want his info.   He does have some parts for Xantrex inverters.  I changed my Xantrex out for a Magnum 3 years ago when the charging function failed.  Mine is mounted on the roof of one of the bays and was heavy to hold up while drilling new holes and I never want to do it again!  That being said it was almost the same connections.  The remote cable that went up into the coach was OK to use but the connections in the phone type connector had to be changed for the Magnum remote.  The Xantrex had a internal AGS function and the Magnum did not.  I had to add the Magnum AGS.  Two of the wires in the bay went from the Xantrex to the generator for the start command but I had to add a third wire to sense whether the genny was running for the Magnum.   I also had to add and run a phone cable to the batteries for State of Charge and battery current monitoring.  If a new Xantrex is already set up for battery monitoring and AGS it may be worth it to stay with Xantrex.  Good luck.
Jerry

[David Privitera]

Thanks Jerry,  If I can fix the Xantrex, I'd like to go that way for cost and simplicity.  I spoke with a repair shop in Florida.  A fellow named Steve near Bradenton, 941-748-1941.  He sounds credible, thinks the issue is a transformer or triad (or something like that) and can fix it for a reasonable price.   Is that the shop you're referring to?  If not, please send me info. 
Dave

[Jerry Emert]

I was referring to Scott Singer of Sanford RV Repair near the airport in Sanford.  If the other one doesn't work out give Scott a call. 
https://www.sanfordrvrepair.com/home.html
Good luck
Jerry

[David Privitera]

Thanks Jerry.  I'll call Sanford today.   The other group is Electronic Technical Center (ETC) in Bradenton.   I've had a couple of conversations with Steve at ETC and feel confident in his ability to fix it.  Hopefully I'll be able to get the inverter shipped out Monday to one of the two.  I'll keep folks posted as things progress.

[Fred Brooks]

     Hi Dave,
  Another consideration is the residential refrigerator you are considering. My understanding is some of them especially the ones with ice and water in the door require a pure sine wave for their logic. Your existing inverter/converter puts out a "square sine wave" and is obsolete, but will work with a Samsung RF-18
     Regards, Fred

[Jerry Emert]

Thanks Jerry.  I'll call Sanford today.   The other group is Electronic Technical Center (ETC) in Bradenton.   I've had a couple of conversations with Steve at ETC and feel confident in his ability to fix it.  Hopefully I'll be able to get the inverter shipped out Monday to one of the two.  I'll keep folks posted as things progress.

Just a thought, if you are planning on shipping that beast two ways, you might be better off going with a new inverter of whatever kind.  I mentioned you to Scott and he mentioned that just the board is around 1K.  Good luck.
Jerry

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Can a failed Xantrex inverter cause 190 V on the white neutral line?

[Gerald Farris]

Keith,
I guess that 190 volts on a neutral wire is possible from an inverter, but extremely unlikely. in fact it is so unlikely that I would say no it did not happen. Several questions, are you measuring voltage from neutral to ground or neutral to hot? Also, where there any other possible power sources available to cause the high voltage like shore power or generator? By far, the most common source for high voltage readings like that in a RV are from miswired shore power pedestals.   

Gerald

[Edward Buker]

Kieth,

I'm not exactly sure how you are taking the measurement when you say on the neutral line. I assume you have one probe on the black wire hot, and the other on the white neutral line with the meter set on AC volts.

The inverter may not be putting out a pure sine wave and that can give false voltage readings on the meter that will be interpreting voltage level as if it were a pure sine wave. Also if the load is very minor in AC amps sometimes the voltage may be off a bit but not 190V AC. Plug in a lamp with an incandescent bulb turned on and measure the neutral to black on the extra plug on the outlet. If your meter says 190V and the lamp is normal brightness then the meter is misreading the voltage. If the bulb filament goes south and the filament fuses out you have a problem. I have seen AC generators give false readings on AC meters also. It is designed to interpret just a pure sign wave.

Later Ed 

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Ed, was working on a members alt rig (National).  It has a Surge Guard protector hard wired in a couple years ago.  On 50 amp shore power the roof air runs but the inverter panel says no 110.  I checked the surge protector and normal voltage at the in side turns into 190 V on the white wire when measured between green and white.  Only on shore power, so they are dry camping and using the generator until we get to Tucson.
We did take the surge protector out of line and wire direct the way it was from factory.  Nothing changed so I believe the Xantrex is shorted on the through circut.
We are traveling together, with our coach too, in NM.
Makes no real sense but is worrying.

[David Privitera]

Jerry, I sent the inverter to Electronic Technical Center (ETC) in Bradenton.   It only cost me $25 to ship it down (company shipping rate) and should be about $50 back.  Steve at ETC works at the component level (versus replacing an entire board).  If the issue is the transformer and / or triac (wheatstone bridge), as Steve suspects, it will be about $600 to repair (parts and labor).  I'll let you know how I make out.