BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: jeffprupis on December 06, 2017, 01:39:21 AM

Title: Inverter On or off
Post by: jeffprupis on December 06, 2017, 01:39:21 AM
We have the original Xantrex RS2000 in or '05 Monterey.

At FMCA in Chandler, the Xantrex rep said we should always leave the inverter set to "enabled" EXCEPT when not using shore power. Then only use the inverter when we need AC. Is this proper? 
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Gerald Farris on December 06, 2017, 03:11:18 AM
Jeff,
That is the only way that I have used my inverter for the 17 years that I have owned a Beaver (3 coaches). To me it is the only way that makes sense.

Gerald
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Mike Shumack on December 06, 2017, 06:10:37 PM
We have the original Xantrex RS2000 in or '05 Monterey.

At FMCA in Chandler, the Xantrex rep said we should always leave the inverter set to "enabled" EXCEPT when not using shore power. Then only use the inverter when we need AC. Is this proper?

I don't understand this (maybe its the use of the word "enabled" versus "On"). And this sounds important. So I am seeking some clarification.

My understanding is that the Inverter "converts" 12V (battery voltage) to 120V, and it also monitors and charges the coach batteries (when connected to shore power or the generator is running).

So if you are connected to Shore Power, you are getting 120V and you would not need the Inverter to be turned on (enabled). That is assuming you are receiving enough shore power to meet the coaches electrical demand. But you would want it turned On so the batteries stay charged.

If you are not connected to Shore Power and not running the generator, then you are operating off battery power and that's when you need the Inverter to be turned On.

Since the Inverter also monitors and charges the batteries - why not leave it On all the time?
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Bill Sprague on December 06, 2017, 07:15:36 PM
Our Xantrex in our '04 Monterrey was rarely turned off for 12 years.  There were  lights, lamps and chargers that needed feeding while traveling or temporarily parked.   At the Xantrex seminars held at the factory sponsored rallies through about '08, the reps all said "your choice".  Off if you really need to conserve the batteries for dry camping or on the rest of the time.  I chose "on".
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Jerry Emert on December 06, 2017, 09:22:05 PM
We keep our Magnum on all the time.  While traveling we have several 120VAC "things" being used.  While on shore power it is my understanding that the inverter will supplement 30 amp shore power when needed.  The magnum as a separate on button for the inverter function and the charge function.  I do turn the inverter off (sometimes) while boondocking when 120 not required such as at night when sleeping.  Generally it's on 24/7.
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: jeffprupis on December 07, 2017, 01:55:03 AM
Mike: "I don't understand this (maybe its the use of the word "enabled" versus "On"). And this sounds important. So I am seeking some clarification." ENABLED is what the Control panel says when the the inverter is ON.
Thanks all, its what I thought. We'll leave it on at all times EXCEPT when boondocking, then only as needed.
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Gerald Farris on December 07, 2017, 05:09:18 PM
Everyone is basically say the same thing here. You leave the inverter enabled except when you are not on shore power and no 120 volt current is needed. The inverter will automatically switch between on and standby as needed if it is left in the enabled setting. The reason you turn the inverter off if no 120 volt current is needed is because the inverter uses about 5 amps of 12 volt current to keep it operating without shore power, therefore it will unnecessary discharge your batteries when boondocking. 

One misconception that was mentioned above is that "my understanding that the inverter will supplement 30 amp shore power when needed", this is not true for the conventional converter that we all use. The inverter goes into standby mode if it sees 120 volt shore power and produces no 120 volt power as long as it sees shore power, but it will start producing 120 volt power as soon as shore power stops (power outage or tripped breaker) if it is in standby mode. In other words your 120 volt power comes from either shore power/generator or inverter but not both at the same time on a supplemental basis.

Gerald
 
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: David T. Richelderfer on December 07, 2017, 05:54:21 PM
On page 4 of the Xantrex Freedom SW 3012 inverter/charger manual:

Generator Assist

The Freedom SW Series of inverter/chargers can operate in tandem
with a generator to temporarily assist power loads with large startup
demands such as air conditioners, water pumps etc. A Xanbus
AGS must be installed in the system in order for this feature [to] work.
When this mode is enabled and generator capacity defined, the
inverter will come on-line and assist the generator when the
generator reaches its capacity. The battery bank must be well
charged in order for the inverter to engage this mode. For more
details, see “Gen Support” on page 56.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On page 56 of the Xantrex Freedom SW 3012 inverter/charger manual:


Gen Support

GEN Support is basically generator support for the Freedom SW
that allows power to be automatically drawn from the batteries to
assist an AC generator to support heavy loads (for example, loads
that exceed the available current from the generator).
Generators have a limited output current and it is possible to reach
this limit when operating heavy loads. The Freedom SW is designed
to assist the generator when heavy current demands load down the
generator by supplying additional power from the batteries.
In addition, the battery charger can reduce its charging current to the
batteries so the combined charge AC current and total load current
does not exceed the capacity of the generator or trip its output
breakers or fuses.
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Jerry Emert on December 07, 2017, 08:29:36 PM
On page 4 of the Xantrex Freedom SW 3012 inverter/charger manual:

Generator Assist

The Freedom SW Series of inverter/chargers can operate in tandem
with a generator to temporarily assist power loads with large startup
demands such as air conditioners, water pumps etc. A Xanbus...

Essentially what the manual for my Magnum 2800 says, I thought I was imagining things or misreading.  Thanks David.
Jerry
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Neal E Weinmann on December 08, 2017, 12:36:24 AM
Curious aside here - do those of you who run the Inverter “enabled” while on shore power also have your AGS active as an additional safety? If the Inverter takes over because of a tripped breaker or a shore power outage and you’re not at the coach when it happens, it would seem that AGS needs to be at the ready to protect the house battery bank should the Inverter need to operate long enough to draw it down.

Thanks..
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: David T. Richelderfer on December 08, 2017, 12:45:32 AM
Yes, we do keep the AGS on for that very reason.  If our shore power stops or our portable generator runs out of fuel overnight, for example, then it's not long - 2 to 6 hours - before the batteries get down to about 12v causing the onboard generator, an Onan 12.5kw Quiet Diesel, to kick on.  When the big generator kicks on and we are asleep, it usually awakens us immediately.
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Jerry Emert on December 08, 2017, 02:00:18 AM
Neal I also have the AGS set to start at either 90 degrees inside temp. (because of animals) or 11.9VDC on batteries.   The only time the AGS has started the genny is when I forget to switch the Norcold over to gas when dry camping.  The reefer will run the batteries down in a coupe of hours.
Jerry
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Gerald Farris on December 08, 2017, 02:26:49 AM
David and Jerry,
The description that you posted states that the inverter can work with the generator to start large loads like an A/C unit, but that can not happen on our coaches because none of these type loads are wired through our inverters. Your generator is large enough to start any of the loads wired to your entire electrical system, therefore your coach was never set up to use that feature. Like I said, you use either shore power, generator, or inverter but not a combination of any two.

Gerald
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Joel Ashley on December 08, 2017, 04:01:50 AM
Neal I also have the AGS set to start at either 90 degrees inside temp. (because of animals) or 11.9VDC on batteries.   The only time the AGS has started the genny is when I forget to switch the Norcold over to gas when dry camping.  The reefer will run the batteries down in a coupe of hours.
Jerry

Interesting.  Apparently not all our coaches were wired with the refer (non-residential) to only the 50amp Main box, like ours and most others I've known of.  It's outlet does not route through the 30 amp Inverter breaker box, so the refer cannot run down the batteries lickety split.

Joel
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Jerry Emert on December 08, 2017, 06:11:50 AM
Joel, I hooked up my reefer to the ice maker outlet under the reefer.  That way I run my reefer while we are underway with the inverter on and the alternator charging the batteries.  Saves propane. 
Jerry
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: Joel Ashley on December 08, 2017, 07:29:51 AM
Yup, reckon I forgot you'd mentioned that in previous threads.

Joel
Title: Re: Inverter On or off
Post by: David T. Richelderfer on December 08, 2017, 12:46:53 PM
Jerry & Gerald - I carry a Honda EU3000IS portable generator in my tow vehicle.  Because we like to dry camp when we are traveling and we like to run our TV overnight, we run the 3000w generator overnight and much of the day when watching two TVs, cooking, heating water, etc.  I usually set the Xantrex to Power Sharing 25w.  When both TVs are on, the fridge is on 110v, the AquaHot is heating water, etc., the portable generator is producing near half or more its capacity.  In these times we can still run the microwave and/or hair dryer, etc., because the Xantrex will support the power demand in excess of the Honda's capacity by drawing from the batteries.  Then, when the excess demand has ended, the Xantrex will recharge the batteries using the available excess power from the Honda.

On warmer days we like to run one air conditioner while dry camping.  Because the air conditioners are not wired through the Xantrex, it cannot see the air conditioner's power usage.  Thus, if we run too many powered devices, then the Honda's breaker will kick out because the sum of power demand can easily exceed the Honda's capacity.  In this case, I have to monitor the coach's power demand because the Xantrex cannot see the demand of those devices wired around it.

We learned early on that our coach is a "power hog."  When dry camping, it cannot go through the night without starting the generator.  In fact, it rarely gets past 1 am to 2 am without AGS starting the generator... and this was when the six house batteries were new.  Now, with the 3000w Honda running, we have fewer issues because we do not have to monitor power usage near as closely.  The Honda will run about 20 hours on one 3.6 gallon fill, and when it's running no one can hear it unless they are standing within 15 feet of it.  It works for us.