Freedom 458 (Xantrex) Blinking 15.5 dc

[sallylillian]

I have looked at as many posts as I can about this Inverter/Charger unit but cannot find refernce to this specific issue. My unit, on my recently aquired CC Allure, whilst just sitting on float in the garage, decided to stop charging and flash the 15.5 dc led. The manual says check other charging sources, there are none operating at that time! So I switched the shorepower off and back on, then all was OK. I did notice the day before that the charging voltage was unusually high (14.7) on float but assumed some sort of random absorption charge, however these units are so unsophisticated it is hard to get any real detail.

Has anyone experienced this and what was the end game?

Michael S

[RV Wizard]

What remote controller are you using? It sounds like it was set up for an equalizing charge. Does the inverter/charger have a lot of dust on and/or in it? What was your relative humidity level (approximate) when you discovered this? Are all cable connections clean and tight? How old are the batteries and have they recently been checked?
Oh by the way, .

[sallylillian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard What remote controller are you using? It sounds like it was set up for an equalizing charge. Does the inverter/charger have a lot of dust on and/or in it? What was your relative humidity level (approximate) when you discovered this? Are all cable connections clean and tight? How old are the batteries and have they recently been checked? Oh by the way, .

I have the Freedom remote controller, called basic? It does have the ablity to equalize but I have not initiated it, well to my knowledge I did not? The unit is clean but I have not dismantled it. It had rained very heavily a few days before, but the unit is not exposed to the weather. Connections clean, batteries 3 years old max, but coach is new to me with the last owner being short lived! The batteries do not appear to lose charge, and after this incident no reoccurance and holding steady at 13.7. I am minded to think that for some reason it went into equalize?
For me to initiate this I would have to press 2 keys together after starting setup, whilst I am new to the unit I have considerable experience from my boat so would be concious of this sort of sequence.
Are there any circumstances where the unit could unilateraly go into equalize?
Thanks for your input, I am a bit stuck in case this is a indicator of failure?

[RV Wizard]

Anything is possible but since the unit is clean, out of the weather and all connections seem to be good, I think you could have either an incoming electrical spike causing an issue or the control board of the inverter is going bad. Do you have a Surge Guard or similar service protection for the coach?

[sallylillian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard Anything is possible but since the unit is clean, out of the weather and all connections seem to be good, I think you could have either an incoming electrical spike causing an issue or the control board of the inverter is going bad. Do you have a Surge Guard or similar service protection for the coach?

Yes I have a surge guard, but this afternoon I noticed that the float was up to 14.9 even though the batteries were fully charged. I think this Xantrex has a problem, never been a fan myself. I am going to leave the charger off for 24 hrs and see what the battery bank rest state is.

Any more clues appreciated!

[RV Wizard]

Does your coach have an Echo Charger between the house and chassis battery banks? You may want to disconnect one side and see if this is the reason for higher than normal voltage to the house battery. If it goes bad the chassis battery may be calling for a charge and the inverter sees this need and ramps up the voltage.

[sallylillian]

Sounds a possibility. I assume there must be one (Echo charger) as I cannot see how the chassis batteries would be charged. How can I track its whereabouts, assume there are wires from the Inverter charger?

[ernieh]

A fluorescent light that had a bad RF filter caused my voltage to "read" about 1.5 volts high on both battery banks when the lamp was on.

[sallylillian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard Does your coach have an Echo Charger between the house and chassis battery banks? You may want to disconnect one side and see if this is the reason for higher than normal voltage to the house battery. If it goes bad the chassis battery may be calling for a charge and the inverter sees this need and ramps up the voltage.

RV Wiz, After examination I found that I do not have an Echo Charger, but a Blue Seas Combiner. I am unsure if that could be the problem but I doubt it? What do you think now? Anyway I will see today what the bank is at after a night, I am minded to disconnect all the batteries and have each one tested. I have not had the High Battery fault again but wonder if this was delivered by a battery at its failure and the high floating volts are now an indication of one battery (or cell) shorting internally?

I find the Xantrex equipment (inverter charger and monitor) so crude in their operation it is hard to see what is happening, for example a digital read of the exact volts on each bank, and the exact amp input would give a rounded picture. If it does turn out to be the 458 I will go to Victron like I have on my boat; with its secondary direct feed from the charger to the engine start bank and a programable charging algorithm as specified by the battery manufacturer.

A point I wonder if you can answer? The remote panel manual states that the setting of battery bank amps is critical, however the steps are in 200 amps, so I have 1080 amps in the house bank (4 x 270) and 220 amps on the chassis; so with the combiner do I set the total amps at 1000, or 1200, or even 1500? AND what effect does a lower or higher setting have to the float if any?

[sallylillian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernieh A fluorescent light that had a bad RF filter caused my voltage to "read" about 1.5 volts high on both battery banks when the lamp was on.

Sorry and thanks, but it reads progressivly higher with no loads on the DC, and also I have checked the batteries directly with a meter.

[RV Wizard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallylillian RV Wiz, After examination I found that I do not have an Echo Charger, but a Blue Seas Combiner. I am unsure if that could be the problem but I doubt it? What do you think now? Anyway I will see today what the bank is at after a night, I am minded to disconnect all the batteries and have each one tested. I have not had the High Battery fault again but wonder if this was delivered by a battery at its failure and the high floating volts are now an indication of one battery (or cell) shorting internally? I find the Xantrex equipment (inverter charger and monitor) so crude in their operation it is hard to see what is happening, for example a digital read of the exact volts on each bank, and the exact amp input would give a rounded picture. If it does turn out to be the 458 I will go to Victron like I have on my boat; with its secondary direct feed from the charger to the engine start bank and a programable charging algorithm as specified by the battery manufacturer. A point I wonder if you can answer? The remote panel manual states that the setting of battery bank amps is critical, however the steps are in 200 amps, so I have 1080 amps in the house bank (4 x 270) and 220 amps on the chassis; so with the combiner do I set the total amps at 1000, or 1200, or even 1500? AND what effect does a lower or higher setting have to the float if any?

Yes, you must start with the battery bank to insure that all cells are good and both end connections to inverter and bank are clean and tight. Next, I would check for any AC voltage ripple coming out of the inverter/charger feeding the battery bank. Let me know what you find.
The setting of the battery bank amperage is for the bulk rate of charge and will not effect the float charge of the inverter. What group size and total voltage is each of your batteries? From your statement I take it you have four batteries rated at 270 amp/hours each. Are these 12 volt batteries?

[Dave78Chief]

Curiosity question; Your profile says you are in the UK (230AC/50Hz). Are you and the rig in the UK or are you traveling in the US (120VAC/60Hz)? With the Blue Seas Combiner, it (House/Chassis batteries) appear as one large battery bank.

Dave

[sallylillian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave78Chief Curiosity question; Your profile says you are in the UK (230AC/50Hz). Are you and the rig in the UK or are you traveling in the US (120VAC/60Hz)? With the Blue Seas Combiner, it (House/Chassis batteries) appear as one large battery bank. Dave

Yes I am in the UK, over here the RV electrics are fronted by Transformers to feed 120 vac to all the onboard US AC kit. Thanks I have changed the bank setting to 1200.

[Jack R]

try setting battery bank amp to 540. (2x270) I had high like you do and boiled batteries damn near dry, Changed amp to 4 lights from bottom and all is well.

jack