Heart inverter issue, fluctuating 120v output any ideas?

[daveshan]

'99 Alpine MH with a 2000 watt Heart inverter which is giving me fits.

Charge function is working great but frequently when shore power is unplugged the inverter has fluctuating power output, lights will come on full brightness then dim to just barely on, sometimes they come back, other times they stay dim.

Batteries are fully charged, I've cleaned all connections in the battery box area and put in new battery terminal connectors. The 200A fuse was blown when I got the MH and I replaced it with a new T type 200A, looking at the manual it turns out it should be a 300A for the 2000w inverter but it hasn't blown.

Anyone seen this before? Hopefully it is something simple but if it's on the way out I'll just have to bite the bullet and get a new one.

Thanks all.
Dave

[M&EM]

Dave, try disconnecting and reconnecting the remote by unplugging the phone like connector wire on its back side. This may reset the controller.

Marty

[daveshan]

Thanks Marty I'll give that a shot in the morning.
Dave

[ralper]

If the 12 volt wiring from the batteries to the inverter is OK then check each and every 120 volt connection from inside the inverter to all other wiring. If OK then suspect the inverter itself.

[RV Wizard]

Since you are having trouble with lights, check the battery terminal. chassis ground and 12 vdc panel connections for being clean and tight. good luck and keep us posted.

[daveshan]

Mike, all connections were checked/replaced in the battery box as the first step in troubleshooting. The only issue I'm having is with 120v output while on battery power. All 12v works as it should, 120v lights/appliances are just fine on shore power or generator. The inverter charges just fine.

I just went out and tried the reboot Marty suggested, this required removing the inverter as the cord went into the bottom of the unit. While it was out I took the cover off and inspected it for signs of arcing, loose connections etc, nothing unusual found.

Voltage at the inverter powered 120v outlets (unplugged/generator off) is ~20v with no lights/draw on the inverter, when I switch on a light voltage jumps to ~109v then drops to 6v. You can hear a slight buzzing from the inverter change pitch as the voltage changes.

Looks like it's toast. Does anyone rebuild/fix these legacy units or is a new Xantrex in my future? Been pricing a 2000w unit with monitor and echo charger (ouch).

Just brought this unit home, 2100 mile trouble free trip home then lost a lift pump in the driveway now this.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Dave

[RV Wizard]

There are places around the country that will repair it but it ALL depends on what you want or need to power off the battery bank as to whether it is cost effective.

[KJINTF]

daveshan
I have been repairing them for years
They are not really that difficult to repair if you have the proper tools and parts
I also collect used / dead ones to get the proper parts sometimes with older units that is about the only way
If you are replacing yours I might be insterested in picking it up
Send me a PM if interested

[M&EM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveshan I just went out and tried the reboot Marty suggested, this required removing the inverter as the cord went into the bottom of the unit. While it was out I took the cover off and inspected it for signs of arcing, loose connections etc, nothing unusual found. Looks like it's toast. Does anyone rebuild/fix these legacy units or is a new Xantrex in my future? Been pricing a 2000w unit with monitor and echo charger (ouch). Thanks for the suggestions. Dave

Dave, My suggestion to disconnect and reconnect remote was AFTER inverter is connected to the batteries. If you disconnected batteries to get at the wires, the procedure may not work! Try accessing the phone cable at the remote..

Marty

[daveshan]

Marty,
The inverter was still connected, plenty of slack to pull it out.

KJINTF,
Don't know what I'm doing yet, I took over the PO's contract with XtraRide but haven't received my papers yet so I'll try to get it replaced/fixed in spring. Right now everything works when plugged in and I have all 12v functions. The only thing I would use it for when boondocking would be computers etc and I have portable inverters to take over that function. Do you repair as a hobby or business?

[KJINTF]

Dave

Good to hear you have a short term solution with the smaller portable inverters. They will do a good job. Keep in mind one big difference between the smaller inverters and the larger ones is that many if not most smaller ones use the battery "-" as the AC neutral line - GFI's etc do not like this.

To answer your question a bit of both

Retired however still do some professional Broadcast TV engineering consulting and have a small growing business repairing electronics. It blows me away what folks toss in the trash. I now have a 37" HD LCD in the shop, 32" HD LCD in the garage and a 42" plasma in the game room all thanks to folks tossing them. None are older than 5 years. In parts none of the sets cost me more than $5.00 plus my time. I repair the circuit boards I do not replace them as many repair facilities often do.

[Rex]

Dave, take a look at eBay item 230704137989

This may be a deal you can't pass up.

[daveshan]

Thanks Rex,
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I was over in Moab with my truck camper and Jeep and didn't have enough phone signal at camp to use the internet.

I will consider buying used after I run the situation through XtraRide. If they'll spring for some/all of a new one I'd rather go that way. If I do go new I'd like to upgrade to 2500w and run the bedroom circuit to it so Jay can run her XM at night.

KJINTF
Sounds like you're still doing what you love, that's the key to staying young I hear. The small inverters would just be running small things like Jay's aforementioned XM player which she likes to sleep to and a laptop. I'll probably just run a new 12v unswitched outlet to the bedroom.
Thanks all for the advice.
Dave

[beejay25]

Voltage at the inverter powerzantexed 120v outlets (unplugged/generator off) is ~20v with no lights/draw on the inverter, when I switch on a light voltage jumps to ~109v then drops to 6v. You can hear a slight buzzing from the inverter change pitch as the voltage changes.

Dave (QOUTE}

Dave this sounds like the load sensing is set to high. Inverters run around 20 to 30 volts ac with no or small loads, then ramp up to 120 volts ac when they detect a load higher then the load setting. This can be set thru the remote panel. check zantrex for a manual.

Owners Guide & Troubleshooting

Hope this helps