Community Forums

WeBrzn2 · 06-22-2015, 02:36 PM

All was going according to plan last weekend when I noticed that there was no power to the TV, Microwave and refrigerator. The AC continued to run. Switched power sources as well as tried to reset the GFCI circuit with no results. Looked at my inverter and low and behold it had the fault light lit. Tried repeatedly to reset the inverter with no luck. It had been making a noise, off and on, that sounded like the muffin fan contacting something, not sure but likely related.

Since I have an Apex with the Silverleaf, I know there has been some discussion on replacement inverters that will work with the Silverleaf, I am interested in which units you have used and any issues etc. with them. Also, it looks as though I will need to remove my RO unit to get the unit out and replaced, any known issues there?

Janet and Todd · 06-22-2015, 03:29 PM

When we purchased ours, the consignment lot replaced the batteries and at some point the RS2000 fried. They called Xantrex and were told that the Freedom SW 2012 was a direct replacement so they installed it. The SW 2012 has a Xanbus feature that is used with a remote panel but since we have the Silverleaf a remote is not needed. After the SW2012 was installed, the Cummins ISL400 refused to run. Silverleaf discovered that the Xantrex was sending lots of data through the J1939 bus which freaked out the engine. Silverleaf had to wire a separate twisted pair for the Xantrex to the Vansco to get everything to work properly. Other owners have opted for the Magnum but I didn't have a choice since it wasn't on my dime. Silverleaf has to do a little programming if you opt for the Magnum but it's simple. Hope that helps.

bcbowers · 06-22-2015, 06:39 PM

FWIW ...

I replaced an old Freedom 458 with the SW2012 including SCP & Xanbus AGS. I know your situation is a little different because of Silverleaf & Vansco but I now have some experience that you may want to consider when replacing the inverter/charger.

I have observed that the fans run literally 24/7. According to Xantrex, the fans come on (variably) if the internal temperature reaches 113 degrees and doesn't turn off unless it drops to 104 degrees.

We live in the Phoenix area and even if the garage temperatures are in the low 90's it doesn't seem to be cool enough for the fans to shut off. They will eventually shut off if I disable the charger. This is why I've opted to use a portable Schumacher charger designed for deep cycle batteries so that I can leave the charger disabled while stored.

This past winter the fans didn't even shut off. However, I uninstalled the SW2012 while replacing batteries and took it to a Xantrex dealer who successfully ran diagnostics on it. They believe the "electronics" had gotten "confused" at some point because some other SCP functions didn't work either. Now, everything works but the fans keep running when charging.

The moral of this story is that I would NOT purchase an SW2012 or SW3012 again. Other owners who have opted for Magnum don't seem to have the fans running all the time. It uses a specific SCP and AGS similar to the Xantrex. The last time I checked on the prices the Magnum was $400 to $600 more than the Xantrex. It's worth it!

Make no mistake about it, other than the fans running I'm completely happy with the "Xantrex System"; especially the new AGS. The original AGS SUCKED!!!

hax · 06-23-2015, 11:10 PM

I replaced my freedom 458 with a Magnum MS2012, It was a tad bit larger than the old inverter and I had to remodel the Inverter compartment. It also used a different style battery temp indicator that took some effort to install. The new remote panel fit in the same hole and used the same wiring as the old remote panel.
I really don't hear the fan from inside the coach, and I don't think it runs when the charger is in a float cycle.
The new inverter, remote and shunt was about $1600.