Community Forums

8.3Oilbuner · 03-10-2017, 01:39 PM

ON my new to me 01 Windsor that I took position of in August of 15, I have the Trace Inverter Model#RV20-12, 2,000 Watt unit. Sometimes, if for some reason I disconnect the shore power or we have a disruption of shore power, when shore power comes back on the inverter on the RG7GS panel will only be in the absorption mode. If I do nothing, it will stay in that mode and not go to float charge mode. The house batteries are only two years old and I have checked the specific gravity and voltage of the house batteries. All is good. Also when the inverter is in the absorption mode, the inverter panel shows that the state of charge is only 46%. I know that the batteries are in a 100% state of charge besides what the inverter panel is showing. I have found if I disconnect the shore power, then I turn the coach battery power disconnect switch in the rear run bay to off, wait about 30 seconds, turn the coach battery disconnect back on and apply shore power, now RG7GS panel shows float charge and house batteries are 100% charged. This problem does not happen when I dry camp and use the generator to recharge the house batteries. Using the generator, the charge goes from Bulk to Absorption to float depending on how much house battery I have used the night before. So far the house batteries have not gotten overcharged. I have never had to add water to them since I bought the coach in 05. Otherwise everything on the Inverter/Charger seems to work fine. Has anyone out there with this inverter had this situation happen to them? I look forward to hearing from some one who has had this happen to them.Thanks

vito.a · 03-10-2017, 03:12 PM

Our Windsor had a Trace Inverter. It worked well for several years. The only issue with them is there are no parts for them available.
It almost sounds like you have a bad ground somewhere. I would start by cleaning all the battery terminals and coating them with the red spray protectant. Measure the voltage at the batteries with a good meter and compare it to what the inverter panel says.

Outbound · 03-10-2017, 07:29 PM

Hi 8.0ilburner
I just went thru some of what you are saying with my inverter, finally had to send it out for inspection and rebuild, my problem started with on/off shore power that ended up damaging my battery charging side of inverter, all else worked perfectly, when in charge mode have you checked voltage at battery, should be over 13volts with charger working. I fought my buddy on this for a long time but he ended up right, my inverter was no longer charging batteries.

Outbound
2002 Monaco Executive

8.3Oilbuner · 03-11-2017, 11:26 AM

Good morning Outbound; Thanks to you and others who replied. I do have anywhere from 13.2V to 13.9 V at the house batteries when plugged into shore power in the float charge mode. The inverter/charger is working, but sometimes I think it gets the wrong signal from the batteries and gets confused. I think you had a post last year about your inverter problems. Is this correct? If you still have the info on where you sent it for repair, I would greatly appreciate that information. Thanks.

Outbound · 03-12-2017, 02:58 PM

Hi 8.3Oilburner
I sent mine to Mark Snyder Electric in Poway, CA phone 1-858-231-3386, ask for Mark, very knowledgeable on RV inverters, just a phone conversation with him may help understand what is happening with your unit. I was very happy with work performed, they were right on estimate and finished as promised.
Goodluck

Outbound

vito.a · 03-12-2017, 03:46 PM

The guys (Chris) at Tekris Power are great at repairing inverters. They have shops in NJ and AZ. The issue is finding parts for the Trace inverters.
Alternative Energy | Mesa, AZ - TEKRIS Power Electronics Inc.

8.3Oilbuner · 03-12-2017, 06:30 PM

Thanks Outbound & Vito.a for the information. I have printed everything out and will keep it in the coach if I need to solve any future problems.
Thanks again.http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/dance.gif