Resolved Inverter issue

[Webz]

Headed out today. Stopped for lunch and realized the inverter and charger were off.
Turned on the inverter. Had to do it twice to keep it on. The charger will not turn on. Have the engine running.
First, what caused the inverter/battery charger to turn off?
Second, why won't the charger come on?

 

[Neal]

Sounds like a BIM behind your cord reel, possibly upper right. Make sure all fuses in all locations (3) are good. Make sure no wires pulled off the BIM, I had the "pink" wire come off once, in fact was off for a long time until I compared to @Chuggs to see it is supposed to be connected to the left (forward of coach) side spade. Wires like this Newmar leaves no slack on for whatever reason.

 

[Richpatty]

Wouldn’t the charger only go on when there is generator or shore power?

 

[Neal]

Wouldn’t the charger only go on when there is generator or shore power?

I wasn't sure if alternator charged too but certainly start the GEN and see if that's it for the indicator from the inverter at least.

 

[Richpatty]

I wasn't sure if alternator charged too but certainly start the GEN and see if that's it for the indicator from the inverter at least.

Alternator charges battery… but does it directly and does not go through charger…

 

[Chuggs]

The inverter/Charger needs two power sources to get going. You have a 350A catastrophic fuse mounted in the battery bay (higher amperage if came with factory AGM). Check this to make sure it is good and NOT loose. Careful not to get a metal wrench in it and touch the metalic frame members nearby (spark/weld)

Then the AC power which comes from the Inverter breaker midway in the AC distribution panel (aka breaker box). Once these are present you can turn the charger ON. And arm the inverter...and Inverter will go into pass thru mode if both are available. You can remove DC and the Inverter will stay in pass thru...charger will quit. You can remove AC....and the contols will still work on DC the Inverter is previously ON will start inverting g and power the Inverter sub panel items (outlets, microwave, residential fridge).

If the 30A AC breaker is patent...and the 350A DC fuse is patent...then you may have to crawl I side the pass thru bay...look up find the inverter. And look for the button breakers on the casing to reset them.

If still no worky...you may have a failed component. So parts may be replaced...so it would be good to call Magnum to get their input.

Hope it gets you back up and running.

 

[Webz]

Will look at all of these things when we hit camp in a couple of hours. Update to follow.

 

[Chuggs]

Another thought...check your resting house battery voltage. Your Inverter shuts off at LBCO (low battery cutout)...and the charger and BIM don't like to connect a good charge source to a battery with a possible shorted cell. So they won't connect either. I don't know the exact minimum voltage...as I try to NEVER let it go below 12.2v (except momentarily under a non-continous big load item like an espresso machine )

 

[Webz]

At our campground for the night. House batteries show 12.8.
Plugged into shore power after looking at the panel behind the cord reel and seeing nothing wrong or loose.
Once power energized, the charger shows bulk charge of 104 Amps at 14.2 volts.
Everything appears ok while on shore power.
Now to dig deeper. I've got to empty the 2nd bay to crawl in and check the inverter.
Will also check the BIM again.
How do you tell if the BIM is bad? The wires look good.

 

[Neal]

It sounds like you are working as it should and nothing is wrong. Inverter light on and outlets working? Inverter is good. Charger light is on and charging? Charger is good. Slip cold drink into RVF koozie and relax, enjoy....

 

[Webz]

I like your plan better. Tomorrow, I'll check things again going down the road. My biggest concern is the fridge having no power while traveling. That is what started me looking earlier.
But, our average travel time is 3 hours. Things will stay cold that long.
Plan on spending a couple weeks in Wisconsin and more time to look at things closer.
Thanks to all that had input.

 

[Neal]

It sounds like your inverter got turned off by accident. Check magnum inverter panel to ensure the inverter light is green, check half bath to make sure all breakers are on. You can try turning off shore power and see if you have power to the fridge. If not and the above are checked next thing is to make sure your inverter breaker on the inverter doesn't need to be reset. Don't spill your drink while in the basement. Hopefully it's working now and you can relax.

 

[Chuggs]

BIM...the mfg website should gave a troubleshooting guide. If I recall...they have you turn the headlights on while your coach is plugged in and charging. At some point there should be an audible click of the relay closing. Or you can see the HOUSE and CHASSIS voltages align on the digi panel if you have that type of panel.

I usually see both voltages align at 13.3 +/- vdc every morning when my solar panels are charging. If the BIM weren't working ...the chassis wouldn't be above 12.8v...

I actually cheat more than that. With the Victron BMV-712 or their other battery monitor, you can hook the chassis in too as a second data point. If you have a GX device record parameters...you can see blips on the graph each time the BIM is tied. Here the red lines are the House...and Green lines are the Chassis. Each time the green line jumped to the red...the BIM has activated. So, this saves me any further effort to determine the operating status of the BIM.

 

[Webz]

Breakers in half bath are good.
This looks good to me. Hopefully the inverter got turned off accidentally.

 

[Chuggs]

Breakers in half bath are good.
This looks good to me. Hopefully the inverter got turned off accidentally.

Yes...that's the digi-panel method.

 

[Webz]

Chuggs, the only solar I have is the small chassis batteries charger.
I'm hoping all will be good tomorrow.

 

[Chuggs]

Chuggs, the only solar I have is the small chassis batteries charger.
I'm hoping all will be good tomorrow.

Yes...that one is probably lying a whole 10watts. So like .6 Amp. I put it in the decoration category. Your BIM is really doing the job more than that solar panel.

 

[Webz]

Chuggs.
I think you are right but I do clean the panel when I'm on the roof. Doesn't hurt.

 

[Chuggs]

Chuggs.
I think you are right but I do clean the panel when I'm on the roof. Doesn't hurt.

True. Also check the little in-line fuse holder near the chassis batteries. It has a fuse, which you will have no idea if it is blown or not. I found mine blown...so the PANEL was truly decoration.

 

[Webz]

I've saw the fuse holder when I replaced the chassis batteries. Guess I'll open it and look.