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Old Scout · 05-21-2015, 07:03 PM

Dont forget your bat cables--suspect you will be below specs with your current OEM cable set-up....a 3000 watt inverter will likely call for 4/0 cable----ca-ching......You sound committed to this upgrade so more power to you...but not sure I follow the need for a second 6 gauge wire unless you will have two 30 amp inverter circuits and maybe a third leg for direct shorepower--or does that then mean you will have all shore power by-passing thru the inverter? Eitherway--a 60 amp breaker will be useless with a 50 amp on the CG pedestal. Still trying to see the up side on this "upgrade"--inquiring minds want to know [smile]

SLK · 05-21-2015, 10:48 PM

The DC cables I have are correct. If you read about the Magnum 3012 Hybrid, I think your questions will be answered. It takes the 50 amp power and can add to it as needed, so I assume that's why the 60 amp breaker.

SLK · 05-23-2015, 10:55 AM

I've been told I need to wire the inverter down stream from the transfer switch. The problem is, I don't have one. someone replaced it with the Progressive surge protector. I have an outlet where the shore power real is that I plug the SP into to use the Gen. So I guess I am my own transfer switch. Should I put a transfer switch back in?

Old Scout · 05-23-2015, 02:24 PM

Only if you are tired of doing your power transfer manually--the end result is the same>>>>>

Richard S. · 05-24-2015, 07:52 AM

It has been said many times that there is TWO types of AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCHES, those that have failed and those that will.

Mine has not failed yet but when it does I will convert to the manual system.

Old Scout · 05-24-2015, 10:31 AM

Now that kind of thinking would have kept us in the stone age [smile]. The Lyght x-fer switch has been very dependable for us--get the DC-based contactor model to reduce the hummmm inherent in AC models.....

murphaletta · 05-25-2015, 10:19 AM

Old Scout - - I have a 2003 Winnebago Journey DL that has a failed Heart Interface (now Xantrex) Freedom 15 (1500w) inverter/charger. I am considering replacing it with a Magnum MS2012 (2000W) or the MS2812 (3000W). What wiring changes would I need to do for either?

SLK · 05-25-2015, 10:26 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to stay with what I have, it's not difficult to plug in the cord. I like the lack of electronic noise. My old inverter was noisy also, so another reason for my new one.

Old Scout · 05-25-2015, 04:10 PM

Murph--I appreciate the opportunity to comment--not sure I am fully qualified but will tell you what I think. If you are going from 1500 watts to 2000, chances are the battery cables will need to be upgraded to 2/0 [not 2 gauge but 2/0.] Pretty sure the specs for a 3000 watt require 4/0. The 120v input/output for the 2000 watt needs to be 10 gauge with 30 amp breakers, 3000 probaby requires 6 gauge but then you get into multiple circuits, etc--see conversation above.

The reason I got into the converation on this thread was because I was trying to understand why the OP with only 4 6-volt bats was "upgrading" to a 3000 watt inverter. As with solar, you need to match [right-size] all your electrical components, eg, batteries, inverter, breakers, wiring, shorepower input, etc; otherwise you are wasting your money. My thought is with 4, 6 or even 8 six-volt bats, all you can use effectively is a 2000 watt inverter.

Most of the new inverters have multi-stage chargers with temperature sensors so they wont over-charge your bats but you still have to set the parameters on the new inverter to match you bat config [eg 4 six-volt bats=about 400 amp/hrs]. Most new inverters also come with a remote control panel so you will need to figure out where to mount it and how/where to run the new comm. cable [old cable probably not compatible] to connect the remote panel to the inverter.
PS....you dont want the inverter in the battery compartment but keep the cable run as short as possible.....
PSS--make sure that whatever inverter you get, its a true sine wave and not a modified wave....

Old Scout · 05-25-2015, 04:20 PM

PS--As mentioned earlier, if you buy a DC-based x-fer switch [vs AC-based contactors], you dont get the "electrical noise".....

mel s · 05-25-2015, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLK

I took the plunge. After much research I found the 3012 for $1574.67 and I also got the ME-ARC-50 for $180.10. This was only 150 over what they wanted for the 2812. I had to pay CA. tax, but got free shipping. It should come pretty fast as IMarine is only 90 mi. away. This place has great prices. You have to add things to your cart to see the actual price. Now all I have to do is figure out how to do what I want.

SLK
My only question is this:
What. in your opinion, makes the 3012 inverter worth $1574.67 more than your "original Xantrex modified sine wave inverter/charger"?
Wondering
Mel
'96 Safari, Heart/Xantrex Freedom 20 inverter/charger

SLK · 05-25-2015, 05:36 PM

murphaletta
OS is correct about having to upgrade wire size. The best way to see what you'll need is go to iMarine USA - Search and download the manual for the inverters you are considering. The web address is for IMarine that has the best prices I could find and they have been great to work with. My old Xantrex 458 2000anp inverter was wired with 10ga to the AC in and my new Magnam required 6ga. So for me it's not a simple R&R. If you're staying with a 2000 amp unit, you might be OK. On the DC side, I already had 4/0 cable so that wasn't an issue. Hope this helps.

docj · 05-25-2015, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLK

For the most part Old Scout, I agree with you. I'm a bit of a gadget hound and I was dazzled by all the wonderful things the 3012 does over the rest of the choices. This is the first of the upgrades I am eventually planning on. At IMarine the 3012 didn't cost that much more than the lesser models I was considering.

The 6ga wire and 60amp breaker is what Magnum recommends. I was hoping it was going to be a simple R&R. There is a wiring diagram for an existing 50amp system that would be much easier, but the tech guy told me not to do that. Nobody wants to make my life easy. Then I have the hard wired surge protector to deal with also. It might take me a while, but I'll get it figured out. I'm thinking I need to run a new 6ga. wire from either line 1 or line 2 to a sub-panel with a 60amp breaker. Then 6ga. wire from there to the inverter.

I'm using the existing 50 A wiring for my Magnum MS2812 and it has worked fine for several years. It, also, replaced a Xantrex Freedom. I've never tripped the 50A breaker. I know plenty of others who have done the same; never heard of anyone replacing the wiring.

SLK · 05-25-2015, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

SLK
My only question is this:
What. in your opinion, makes the 3012 inverter worth $1574.67 more than your "original Xantrex modified sine wave inverter/charger"?
Wondering
Mel
'96 Safari, Heart/Xantrex Freedom 20 inverter/charger

First, I have electronics that need pure sine wave electricity. The things that will run on modified sine waves are also happier on pure. There are cheaper pure sine wave inverters out there, but of the couple US makes, Magnum is the best. I won't buy Chinese unless there is no other choice. I went with the 3012 because of the wonderful things it can do. One example is that if you are driveway camping at a friends and are plugged into a 15 or 20 amp circuit and what you want to run requires more juice, the 3012 will add it from your batts. That way you don't trip house breakers. This inverter may not be for everyone, but I thought it was the best for me. I want to eventually add solar and thought the 3012 was the best one for the job.