Heart Inverter Replacement

[captncrunch]

My Hart inverter went up in smoke a week ago while in Salt Lake UT
Has anyone had to replace the inverter? if so what with? had the RV tech replace with a 1000 watt 60 amp converter charger to keep batteries up while on ac power
1999 Alpine Coach SDS 36 #72170 330 ISC
Thanks for any and all replies CaptnCrunch and Buddy

[JLMunsil]

You can still get a Heart inverter/charger from Xantrex. Most Alpine coaches replace with pure sign wave Xantrex or Mangum 2000 watt inverter/chargers. Some replace with the larger 2800 watt Magnum or 3000 watt Xantrex. The Heart is a motified sign wave unit.

[bcbowers]

Crunch ...

I'm assuming the "Heart" inverter is actually a Freedom 458. I recently experienced the same "magic smoke" episode (and of course right after going to bed for the night!?). I chose to replace the 458 with the new Freedom SW2012 to establish full sine wave AC. Here are factors to consider:

1) You can still obtain a new Freedom 458 with modified sine wave for a 100% compatible replacement.

2) The Freedom SW2012 was considerably cheaper than the Magnum equivalent based upon Internet searches.

3) Both will require a new Remote Control Panels (RCP). Obviously, you can continue to use your existing RCP if you choose a 458.

4) If you choose the SW2012 you will have to replace the RCP cable (currently a phone cord) with a network type Cat5 cable. If you choose the Magnum unit it can reuse the existing phone cord (based upon previous posts). Installing a new Cat5 cable can be a royal PITA! I had a son-in-law (Master Electrician) who phished the new cable up behind the refrigerator). Yours probably routes differently.

5. Both units will require replacing the existing battery temperature sensor typically affixed to one of the house battery terminals. This was not trivial either since you have to crawl under the coach and route the cable through the sealed opening where all the cabling has been run.

I think that about covers it. I love my SW2012 but again it was a royal PITA to install. If you're not a DIY person then the Magnum unit would probably be a better choice because of labor costs. Good lock!

[bcbowers]

Forgot one more important point ...

The SW2012 is considerably larger in size than the 458. This fact caused some modification to the existing carpeted paneling in my case. Yours is probably different but something to consider. I cannot speak to the Magnum unit but you should probably compare size specifications to the existing 458 to determine how well it fits.

[Mike & Mike]

CaptnCrunch,

If the Heart inverter is a Xantrex unit, you may be able to have it rebuilt. Our Freedom 458 "lost it's magic smoke" and I sent it to a factory authorized repair shop. You can find the authorized repair shops listed at the Xantrex web site: Authorized Service Centers

If you're located near one of the repair facilities, you may be able to drop it off and save shipping costs.

Cheers!

[captncrunch]

Thanks to all that replied to (Hart Inverter Replacement) was told by the Rv Tech that the inverter probably wasn't worth rebuilding,and being that I'm in Alberta there's the hassel with the Border and shipping costs so wil probably consider a new 458 or sw2012 Thanks again for the info Captncrunch

[sdcyclist]

captncrunch,

My Xantrex RS3000 blew the inverter circuit and was not repairable (per Xantrex) I replaced it with a Magnum 2800. I do not recommend Xantrex products since I have gone through two of their inverters (RS2000 and RS3000) and the RS3000 is very heavy. The current rumor is the units are now made in China and the quality is way down. I did not have to run a new communication cable on my 2006 Alpine--they just replaced the end connectors to match the new magnum remote display. So far, the system works great!

sdcyclist

[rdownward]

captncrunch, I will jump in here even though the subject has been well hashed. I decided to replace my defunct Xantrex 458 with a remanufactured 458 (going against all the sage advice available on this forum relating to how the old "modified sign wave" technology is not compatible with modern electronics). It was fairly affordable to purchase the rebuilt unit and so far (over a year now) I haven't fried either of my LCD TVs or my laptop computer or any other electronic devise I have plugged into the unit - and all have operated properly. I may be one lucky customer, but just wanted to share my experience. For me price was definitely a factor as I don't have unlimited resources! Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[captncrunch]

Hello Bob
I left the burnt-up Inverter in Salt Lake and didn't check what model it was I have since looked on line to see what was available , and discovered that it was actually a Freedom 20 and not a 458 there are a few Freedom 20 s available ,so at this point I have a few options Captncrunch

[captncrunch]

Hello rdownward
Thanks for the post I don't have unlimited resources either ,so I'm thinking about a rebuilt seems now days everything turns out to be a "crap-shoot" especially if you are dealing with anyone in the service industry.I had boats for over 30 years as well as various RV so I know of what I speak from bad experience .Anyways just my rant and my opinion Captncrunch 99 36SDS Alpine Coach

[Wb2IVU]

I am a firm believer in separate components each doing one specific job. That mean is a separate Converter for charging batteries and a separate Inverter for running the coach while dry camping etc.