Community Forums

alpine99 · 08-30-2013, 01:07 AM

I have a 1999 with a old black freedom 2000 that they say can not be fixed . I checked on the xantrex site for the 458 that they say is a direct replacement . camping world said the coach will need to be rewired and gave me a cost of 3800.00 . I was led to believe it is a about 2-3 hr job and the 458 cost about 1000.00 . that no wiring has to be changed only the phone cable to the remote ? has anyone done his own work and what should i look for in doing so . only problem is the weight and were they put it . is the little door the only way to remove it ? I was looking at the ele panel may be able to get to the back side if I remove it to remove the wiring and mounting bolts ? thanks for any help in this matter ernie .

Shadowcatche · 08-30-2013, 04:34 AM

Have you thought of a different approach? The 458 is a modified sine wave/square wave inverter, charger. I am not a fan of combined functions gadgets, when one fails you have to replace the whole mess. Separating functions by going with a Progressive Dynamics converter and which ever inverter can actually be less dollars and or you can pick up a pure sine wave inverter.

Algoma · 08-30-2013, 06:37 AM

The 458 should be a direct swap and use the existing wiring, about a 1-2 hr job as you say. What Camping World may be thinking is moving the inverter/charger to the basement where it is fitted on later coaches, but even doing that shouldn't cost $3800. Check out previous posts as several people have gone for the Magnum in preference to the Xantrex units. I don't have personal experience as my Freedom unit is still working fine. I think WRV probably installed the inverter at the bottom of the bedroom closet before installing the breaker panel and there isn't enough slack in the wiring to remove it that way now. If it won't come out through the ventilated door have a look to see if you could get the bottom of the closet out, it may only need a slight tap from underneath.

daveshan · 08-30-2013, 07:32 AM

I recently had our inverter out of our '99 pretty much just to see what would be required to change it out to a Magnum pure sine unit. Ours was acting a little wonky but it turned out the inverter was still OK just a bad connection to the panel.

That being said if it takes more than 1.5 hours to change it out I'd be surprised. The inverter had enough slack in the wiring to pull it out through the small vented panel, all connections are done at the inverter so there is no reason to remove or access the breaker panel.

Access was made easier by removing the bottom drawer next to the access panel. This allowed me to grab the back of the inverter with one had wile lifting and guiding with my left hand. At 6' and 195 it's tight down there, you have to fit between the bed and the cabinet/wall. It's also dark down there with the 120/12v systems disconnected, I ran an extension cord in with a couple of lights so I could see.

From everything I've read the Xantrex 458 is a direct drop in and reuses all wiring, as do the Magnum units. However the reports on Magnum quality and durability plus the pure sine output on the leads me to think hard about the MS-2012 when the inevitable chance becomes necessary.

docj · 08-30-2013, 10:03 AM

When my Xantrex 458 died a couple of months ago I replaced it with the pure sine wave Magnum MS2812. For the few extra dollars I decided the extra capacity was worth it. The 2812 doesn't have a built-in subpanel, but in my installation it was easy to add one and the subpanel breakers are now a lot easier to reach than were the ones built into the Xantrex. The footprints of the Xantrex and the Magnum are close enough that replacement was easy. The existing phone wire can be used for the Magnum's remote.

alpine99 · 09-12-2013, 12:53 AM

thank you daveshan : I got to checking the connections and found the ground behind the battery was broken put on a new end and every thing lit up and it saved me a few bucks . as was going to take it to a shop . I would have a new inverter by now. thanks again .I love is forum . ernie

daveshan · 09-12-2013, 07:17 AM

Congratulations on the cheap fix!! Glad to hear you're fully functional again.

wa8yxm · 09-12-2013, 11:42 AM

The coach will have to be rewired if replacing one 2,000 watt inverter with another (Oh and by the way I recommend TRUE SINE WAVE inverters.. Way better)

It's a 8 wire job.. That's all, just 8 wires, unless there is a remote panel.

3 wires AC-IN
3 wires AC-Out
These are both Romex and either bend around screws or hook up with wire nuts (I DO NOT LIKE WIRE NUTS)

a big heavy duty red one
And a big heavy duty black one
12 volts

Total time like one hour, no re-wiring needed, drop in replacement.

NOTE: This assumes the inverter is where it can be got at.. Sometimes they burry those puppies and that means a lot of work.