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Old 11-09-2019, 03:49 PM   #29
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If it smells like something smoked in the inverter, then game's over. Until the inverter is either eliminated as the problem or replaced, there isn't much need to go further with diagnosis.

If you're good with wiring, it is possible to bypass the inverter and power the sub-panel directly until the inverter is replaced, but I wouldn't recommend that method to anyone not familiar with electrical work.
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Old 11-09-2019, 05:10 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard5933 View Post
If it smells like something smoked in the inverter, then game's over. Until the inverter is either eliminated as the problem or replaced, there isn't much need to go further with diagnosis.

If you're good with wiring, it is possible to bypass the inverter and power the sub-panel directly until the inverter is replaced, but I wouldn't recommend that method to anyone not familiar with electrical work.
Well I figured that original freedom20 would croak someday, but its been pretty good so far.
May try and repair it if the transfer switch is available. I already wired in a bypass.
Retired Seattle City Light guys aren't afraid of "low voltage"...lol.
Besides, without the bedroom outlet for my cpap dw would make me sleep outside.
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Old 11-09-2019, 06:50 PM   #31
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Had a similar problem with the same kind of electrical outlet issues. After trying numerous countermeasures we ended up replacing the original Freedom inverter with a Magnum (MS2812) inverter. A relatively easy drop in replacement with minor modifications... Everything has been working great for the past several months. Got a lot of help and good advice from the awesome members on this forum... Good Luck!
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Old 11-09-2019, 07:28 PM   #32
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Yep, so many choices. I may try to repair the old Heart Interphase. Local company for me, with a great track record. But pretty old technology...
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Old 11-09-2019, 07:40 PM   #33
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Yeah, upgrade in my future.
Again thanks to all who assisted.
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Old 11-09-2019, 07:45 PM   #34
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All good times now. Met our P.A. neighbors today.
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Old 11-10-2019, 09:02 AM   #35
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Alpine36,

I'm a little late to the party; hope it's not over yet.

I had a similar problem with the Freedom 10 inverter in my 1998 Alpine. The F2 .25 amp fuse inside the inverter box had failed.

Replaced the fuse and it has been fine for the past 3 years. So far, so good. You may be as lucky.

I contacted Xantrex at the time and was told they no longer service the old Freedom units.

Please post a follow up report when you repair or replace/upgrade the inverter.
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Old 11-10-2019, 09:10 AM   #36
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Gmcgene, thanks. I will check the fuse for sure when we get home. I also think ill add a couple wall outlets from the main panel to carry heater loads. Seems like alot of load for the inverter bypass to carry. And since when is it ok to wire a 30a circuit with 12/2?...just sayin theres room for improvement. Take care. Mike
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Old 11-12-2019, 05:57 AM   #37
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No ac voltage

Mike,
Don’t know it this will help as you have identified the problem.......
There should be one outlet that does NOT run through the inverter. It is the outlet right behind the co-pilots seat.
We had the same thing happen to us one winter. Constant running a heavy load through the inverter caused a failure.
I ended up doing the same, bypass the inverter for coach power.
Fortunately we were in Indy and I was able to pull the inverter and take it to M and M in Ohio City for repair.
I was told that it is very hard on the inverter, Freedom 458, to have that constant heavy load.
Now if we run a heater, it is only the passenger front plug that we use.
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Old 11-12-2019, 07:33 AM   #38
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Again, a second ATS will allow high loads while on shore power or generator and retain the same functionality of the inverter when disconnected.


Some SOB's are wired this way from the factory.
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Old 11-12-2019, 10:52 AM   #39
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Thanks guys. Good to know there is one additional outlet wired "correctly" forward of the coach. I ended up utilizing the washer dryer outlet to run the small 700w heater and used the furnace as well. The sub panel is currently wired into the main panel for now. Fortunately the Freedom battery charge circuit is working normally. Pulling the inverter is on the to do list, and I'm leaning towards the Magnum. We used many Magnums successfully when I built line trucks for the electric utility. Believe me, Lineworkers can break an anvil with rubber mallets, so good testing grounds there. For now I'm toying with the idea of installing a small 750w inverter dedicated for the forward entertainment system only. We don't foresee a ton of off grid boondocking in our future, but it's nice to not run the generator for a little tv when roadtripping.
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