magnum inverter question

[kmx888]

Magnum 2800 watt pure sine wave inverter - The manual says that it has a manual equalization charge feature. Does anyone know how to use it? Manual is silent on this.
Kevin

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by kmx888

Magnum 2800 watt pure sine wave inverter - The manual says that it has a manual equalization charge feature. Does anyone know how to use it? Manual is silent on this.
Kevin

The equalization process has to be started from your remote display panel. The process is included in the ME-RC operators manual, and should be read and followed carefully.

Basically, the process can be started any time the RC displays "Float Charge Mode" or "Full Charge", by pressing and holding the Charger ON-OFF button down for 5 seconds (or until it displays, Equalizing).

[kmx888]

How often should I do this?

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by kmx888

How often should I do this?

That advice varies among folks from, once a month to once a year. Some very knowledgeable folks will even tell you that they have never equalized their batteries.

With well maintained batteries (and your Magnum is very good at that), I would only equalize when it appears that the batteries are not holding a charge as well as they did when new.

Long periods in storage with just a "float" level of charge on the batteries could make the procedure more important. If stored more than six months with shore power ON, I would equalize when removing from storage.

If the coach is used frequently, bouncing down the road with a voltage of 13-14V, from the engine alternator, is the best equalization procedure you can use. YMMV

[Gary RVRoamer]

LOL! You should do it as often as needed. And that may be never. Equalizing attempts to restore lost amp-hour capacity by sort of "cleansing" the internal lead plates with an extra high voltage charge. If you haven't noticed any loss, or rarely operate without shore power, it's probably not needed. Some people do it as a preventative maintenance procedure, though. That's where you get the once-a-month or once-a-year recommendations.

If you have AGM batteries, don't do it unless the battery manufacturer specifically authorizes it. Most AGMs don't like to be equalized at all. Ever.

You should probably disconnect other 12v devices while doing it, since the system voltage will get much higher than normal.

If you are thinking maybe you don't know enough to use this feature, then you probably should not attempt it.

[Cat320]

I find the different opinions and options offered in this thread interesting. We had a starting issue last month, a battery charging problem, which was corrected by a very knowledgeable tech at American Coach talking me through the process. The tech, who I will not embarass by naming names, said it would be best if owners did not touch the Magnum, that we cause more problems that fixes.