| Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299240] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 11:38  |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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I recently sold one of my GMC's and bought a more modern (1998) diesel coach that has a factory installed Heart-Interface Freedom 10 inverter/charger.
A separate Heart Interface Echo-Charger was also factory installed. I think the Echo charger is a combiner-not the actual charger. It has a fuse inside that I removed and checked for continuity. Checked ok.
Problem is that on shore power no charging current gets to the new 8D batteries. I checked with meter at the dual battery isolator(just like the GMC).
With engine running I get charging current to each terminal on the isolater and the batteries get charged.
With shore power connected I get 120v to the elec distribution panel. Also get 120v downstream to the ac input side of the inverter/charger. I get no reading on the ac output side.
I get ac current to all lights and outlets on either shore power or inverter.
Xantrex is the successor to Heart. Xantrex website says they provide warranty and support for other Heart products but not for the Freedom 10.
Anyone on the forum familiar with this device?
Any one know a service facility that will repair them
If the charger element can't be repaired I may install the unit in the GMC and use the 1000 watt inverter and replace my buzz box with the Progressive smart charger that's been sitting in my garage.
All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299244 is a reply to message #299242] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 12:29  |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Sounds like the Heart isn't working. The bypass relay sounds like it's working but not the charger. If you remove the shore power, does the inverter make 120 volts? Afraid a LOT of the Hearts had issues, Monaco refused to install them IMSC. If you do end up replacing it you might look at the Magnum units. They seem to have a real quality product.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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| Re: Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299246 is a reply to message #299240] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 12:35 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Mac,
I think the Echo Charger is a combiner.
It is connected to each batt terminal on the isolator, just as you describe.
I think the problem is upstream- the 120v ac is not getting converted to 12+dc and sent to the combiner and on to the batteries.
New combiner won't help if 12v charging current isn't getting to it.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299247 is a reply to message #299244] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 12:43 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Hal,
Yes the inverter supplies 120v to all lights and outlets.
I am hoping that there is a simple and inexpensive part that has failed and can be repaired/replaced by a knowledgeable shop. I'd rather do that but I will buy a new replacement if no repair is available.
Thanks for the info.
Enjoyed following your diesel conversion on the net.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299250 is a reply to message #299247] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 13:12 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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gbarrow wrote on Mon, 18 April 2016 11:43Hal,
Yes the inverter supplies 120v to all lights and outlets.
I am hoping that there is a simple and inexpensive part that has failed and can be repaired/replaced by a knowledgeable shop. I'd rather do that but I will buy a new replacement if no repair is available.
Thanks for the info.
Enjoyed following your diesel conversion on the net.
Gene, most inverters have a pass through relay that will send power through them even when not inverting. I was wondering if you are getting 120 volts from the inverter circuits with the shore power disconnected? If you are it may be the internal inverter charger is bad. I'm sorry I'm not more versed on the Heart's, maybe I could be more help.
Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
[Updated on: Mon, 18 April 2016 13:13] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299261 is a reply to message #299240] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 17:10 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Gene,
I am familiar with both the Heart Freedom 10 and the Echo Charger.
Yes, the Echo charger is just an expensive and not too reliable charge combiner.
I am going to assume that the 8D's are the house bank and not the starting batteries.
As such, the Freedom 10 should be charging them any time there is an AC input to it.
It was supposed to be installed with Gonzo-Mama fuse (like 150 amp) between the house bank and the
Freedom input. I would have looked at that first, but you say that the inverter phase is supplying 120V AC with no power from shore or SSG (Ships Service Generator=APU). That tells me that the fuse is still good.
That would say that the inverter is inverting, but the charger is not charging and that is a most a typical failure.
No longer do I carry the manuals for everything everywhere as the depression has devastated the local pleasure boat business that I used to OWN. It will not come back while I still care. The laptop has been reduced to a smaller SSD and the portable HD now only has the manuals that my few remaining clients might need. I do, however, have a lot of Heart data in the storage drives at home, the earliest I could even look would be late Wednesday.
Now, working with some old and therefore less than reliable memory, I am dragging out something about resetable circuit breakers on the Freedoms as being unreliable. They are on the non-cable end of the unit. There were two ways I remember them failing. Some would open without indicating and others would open with indication (pin rise) but could not be reset. Those that opened without indication could often (not always) be reset (you could feel the click). Those that could not be reset could be pushed on as long and hard as you liked and nothing happened.
I bet this isn't a bunch of help, but it is all I can be from here today.
Matt - Holed Up at the FMCA camp in Cinci
gbarrow wrote on Mon, 18 April 2016 12:38I recently sold one of my GMC's and bought a more modern (1998) diesel coach that has a factory installed Heart-Interface Freedom 10 inverter/charger.
A separate Heart Interface Echo-Charger was also factory installed. I think the Echo charger is a combiner-not the actual charger. It has a fuse inside that I removed and checked for continuity. Checked ok.
Problem is that on shore power no charging current gets to the new 8D batteries. I checked with meter at the dual battery isolator(just like the GMC).
With engine running I get charging current to each terminal on the isolater and the batteries get charged.
With shore power connected I get 120v to the elec distribution panel. Also get 120v downstream to the ac input side of the inverter/charger. I get no reading on the ac output side.
I get ac current to all lights and outlets on either shore power or inverter.
Xantrex is the successor to Heart. Xantrex website says they provide warranty and support for other Heart products but not for the Freedom 10.
Anyone on the forum familiar with this device?
Any one know a service facility that will repair them
If the charger element can't be repaired I may install the unit in the GMC and use the 1000 watt inverter and replace my buzz box with the Progressive smart charger that's been sitting in my garage.
All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299266 is a reply to message #299240] |
Mon, 18 April 2016 19:35 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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You've defined a functional inverter with a non-functional charger. I defer to Matt Colie, who has experience with them in this size, Mine were 30 - 35 KVA online three phase boxes which worked very differently. Their inverter ran all the time and carried the load. It was powered by the incoming AC which was converted to the battery voltage and charged them while they powered the system. On power failure, the batteries carried the load without being continuously charged. We set them up for fifteen minute battery run, plenty of time to run down and manually fire off the genset if it didn't automatically spool up and take the load - which they always did. Not an inexpensve setup, but justified in savings when the power went Dixie.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299274 is a reply to message #299261] |
Tue, 19 April 2016 00:42 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Matt
Actually, that info is helpful. You've described the situation correctly.
The reset buttons are not popped out. If I open the box can I jumper around them to see if the charger will work. Or is it possible for a service tech (if I can find one) to identify a failed part that is replaceable.
I'm away from home in the GMC till early next week so there is no rush.
If you can find more trouble shooting info when you get home that will be great.
I'm sure the charger can be repaired if we can determine what part has failed.
Thanks for your input.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299477 is a reply to message #299240] |
Fri, 22 April 2016 12:05 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Eureka!!
I found a Xantrex trouble shooting guide for my specific inverter/charger on the internet.
Sounds like this is a common problem and it may be as simple as a blown fuse. Of course the unit will have to be removed and opened up to replace the fuse. Project for next week when I get back home.
Johnny,
Did you get your new 26' coach from California?
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299487 is a reply to message #299240] |
Fri, 22 April 2016 13:22 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I'll go get the new to me coach next month and drive it back.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Need electrical/inverter/charger/shorepower help [message #299513 is a reply to message #299477] |
Fri, 22 April 2016 16:59 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Gene,
When I had mine repaired a couple of years ago, I when to a factory service stop. I have the trueCharge 2 unit and he told me that there are 3 fuses inside the unit that can fail.
JR Wright
> On Apr 22, 2016, at 1:05 PM, gene barrow wrote:
>
> Eureka!!
> I found a Xantrex trouble shooting guide for my specific inverter/charger on the internet.
>
> Sounds like this is a common problem and it may be as simple as a blown fuse. Of course the unit will have to be removed and opened up to replace the
> fuse. Project for next week when I get back home.
>
> Johnny,
>
> Did you get your new 26' coach from California?
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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