Magnum to Victron Inverter/Charger Swap

[SouthTX]

Originally Posted by VentanaOdyssey

Our all electric 2022 Ventana came with a Victron 3000-watt invertor/charger and I love it. I also installed a Victron SmartShut to monitor the batteries remotely and it is great. You cannot go wrong with Victron, built well and rock solid.

The Victron line is very impressive, albeit a little overwhelming at times.


I'm wondering what the factory configuration is. Besides the inverter/charger, what other components were installed at the factory? Cerbo? Touch GX? Multiplus or Multiplus II?


I installed a SmartShunt on a prior RV and found the BT range to be very limited. So this time I added a BT dongle to the smartshunt, but it has turned out to be unnecessary as the smartshunt BT range is very good without it.

[Elevensdad]

I converted my batteries from AGM to Liyhium and the Magnum MS2012 to the Victron Multi II. If you want to chat about my experience please contact me directly. I wish they had the dual AC out model.
John

[Adrift]

Hello, I have learned by experience that when you decide to invest in Victron equipment, DO NOT buy it from Amazon… Buy from any authorized dealer that will answer their phone and provide you support because Victron Corp does not provide warranty assistance, only the company that sells their product provides these services, and most will not support you if you did not buy the part(s) in question from them. I sadly chose to purchase over twenty items and most came from different sellers and then it gets into finger pointing. I have to resort to paying for support and if there is a warranty issue i have to go back to the seller… Installation assistance is a must. I have 40 years of working on electrical systems and this is very frustrating just getting install assistance… I LOVE the Victron system, and I know after all my stuff is working it will only be better… I hope this helps someone…

[SouthTX]

Originally Posted by Adrift

Hello, I have learned by experience that when you decide to invest in Victron equipment, DO NOT buy it from Amazon… Buy from any authorized dealer that will answer their phone and provide you support because Victron Corp does not provide warranty assistance, only the company that sells their product provides these services, and most will not support you if you did not buy the part(s) in question from them. I sadly chose to purchase over twenty items and most came from different sellers and then it gets into finger pointing. I have to resort to paying for support and if there is a warranty issue i have to go back to the seller… Installation assistance is a must. I have 40 years of working on electrical systems and this is very frustrating just getting install assistance… I LOVE the Victron system, and I know after all my stuff is working it will only be better… I hope this helps someone…

I can't argue with a word you say, but I think my recent experience puts it in context.

I found Magnum customer support to be excellent. They answer the phone promptly and helped me diagnose the problem. I just can't get basic parts like relays to fix the problem. Just a minor detail.

I went with Victron because it was really the only option. I spoke with two BIG distributors of their equipment and talked to their *experts.* Both gave me good advice - it just didn't apply to my installation. I also spoke with several shops and got good, correct information that turned out to be accurate. I also watched several YouTube videos on the equipment - some by Victron, some by others - and found them to be generally accurate.

I did my homework, configured the system I wanted (which was considerably more complex than the Magnum system it replaced) and turned it over to my local RV shop to install. I think I could have just as easily just dropped the whole thing on the shop - which has some Victron experience - and gotten an equally good result, but I like to get into the weeds on this stuff and I enjoyed the experience.

I find the Victron equipment rather confusing if only because there are so many options and no where is their universe well explained. But the more I work with it, the more I love it.

[LWBAZ]

Originally Posted by SouthTX

I find the Victron equipment rather confusing if only because there are so many options and no where is their universe well explained. But the more I work with it, the more I love it.

My sentiments exactly!

[SouthTX]

As a followup on Magnum inverter repair -

I dropped off my Magnum inverter/charger for repair, yesterday. The unit is less than one year old and the warranty doesn't extend beyond the first purchaser. I looked all over for a repair shop and most will not even accept one because they can't get parts. I finally found a shop in Central Nowhere Texas (and I mean nowhere). He said he'd look at it, but he has a shop full of inverters waiting for parts, mostly boards. Mine appears to be a relay problem so perhaps an aftermarket part will be available. Its worth the diagnostic fee to find out.

As for the Victron replacement inverter, its working like a champ. Came pre-programmed so it was pretty much plug and play. I did add the Cebo GX which adds wifi monitoring and a touch panel remote in the half bath. I did let my friendly local RV shop install the inverter up between the frame rails as I'm adverse to dropping 50 lb inverters on my head. Other than that, the hardest part was running a USB extension cable up to the half-bath. The remote is hardly necessary as the blue-tooth/wifi monitoring and control are more than adequate.

Anyone considering a Li battery swap that needs to upgrade their inverter/charger should consider the Victron equipment.

[philnail]

I personally would have done the multiplus 2 in parallel configuration. I understand you are a single inverter coach but on my 2013 Anthem I shut off the second inverter as it only powered the kitchen and was a complete waste.

Since you now have a multiplus I highly suggest you get in and learn all aspects of the inverter as that is vital if you have any issues or if an update overwrites a config file. Make sure you have the MK3 dongle to login

We installed two multiplus 2 inverters in parallel which gives us us plenty of power to run even the AC units without running the generator or shore power. Combine that with 1800 amp hours of lithium for a great system.

The reason for the multiplus 2 verses a multiplus is redundancy. We never want to be without power as we boondock 99% of the time.

[SouthTX]

Originally Posted by philnail

I personally would have done the multiplus 2 in parallel configuration. I understand you are a single inverter coach but on my 2013 Anthem I shut off the second inverter as it only powered the kitchen and was a complete waste.

Since you now have a multiplus I highly suggest you get in and learn all aspects of the inverter as that is vital if you have any issues or if an update overwrites a config file. Make sure you have the MK3 dongle to login

We installed two multiplus 2 inverters in parallel which gives us us plenty of power to run even the AC units without running the generator or shore power. Combine that with 1800 amp hours of lithium for a great system.

The reason for the multiplus 2 verses a multiplus is redundancy. We never want to be without power as we boondock 99% of the time.

The "expert" at IRU insisted that I needed the MultiPlus II as he only saw two 50 amp legs coming into the coach. He couldn't comprehend that only one leg went to the inverter then back to the sub-panel. I guess I could parallel a second inverter as you suggest, but on my coach either way the second leg of the MultiPlus II would be wasted without installing a second sub-panel.


There was also the problem that the MultiPlus II wouldn't easily fit in my mid-ship battery configuration. The straight MultiPlus is a tight fit.



I did give serious thought to installing dual chargers and dual inverters for redundancy, but wiring around the transfer circuit in the inverter would have taken some time that I didn't have. This is a mod that needs to be looked at as people are forced to replace Magnum inverters or change to Li batteries.


I appreciate the heads up about learning the configuration. I have the MK3 as well as the Cerbo GXS and Touch GX. The biggest problem I've encountered is that the Victron system is TO flexible and there are to many ways to configure it and to many ways to control it. I do like the Victron equipment, but it takes a little time to wrap your head around it.

[LWBAZ]

Originally Posted by VentanaOdyssey

Our all electric 2022 Ventana came with a Victron 3000-watt invertor/charger and I love it. I also installed a Victron SmartShut to monitor the batteries remotely and it is great. You cannot go wrong with Victron, built well and rock solid.

While I'm very pleased with the Victron inverter in our 2022 Newmar Super Star, it has not been totally "rock solid."

Last summer, we were traveling from an RV park near Mt. Shasta south to an RV park near Lodi, California. The weather was plenty hot, especially as we got farther south into lower elevations. (Lodi is about 50 feet above sea level.)

When we got parked at our destination RV park and plugged into 50 amp power, I noticed we had no power to any of our inverter-supplied electrical outlets. Eventually concluded the inverter had most likely shut down due to excessive heat. We improvised a temporary solution - extension cords from the power pedestal to our refrigerator, Sleep Number bed control box, etc. - and figured the inverter would start working again once it cooled down.

The next morning the inverter was still not working. Doing some reading, I learned the best way to reset it was to remove 12 volt power from the battery bank for a minute or two, then reconnect. Did that and it started working.

My tentative conclusion was that Victron inverters (ours at least, presumably others as well) are more sensitive to heat than Magnum inverters. We've had Magnum inverters in several coaches, traveled in seriously hot weather with all of them, and never had a failure of this sort.

I'm hoping it doesn't happen again, but if it does I'm at least a little smarter with regard to how to clear the problem once the inverter cools down.

[SouthTX]

Originally Posted by LWBAZ

While I'm very pleased with the Victron inverter in our 2022 Newmar Super Star, it has not been totally "rock solid."

Last summer, we were traveling from an RV park near Mt. Shasta south to an RV park near Lodi, California. The weather was plenty hot, especially as we got farther south into lower elevations. (Lodi is about 50 feet above sea level.)

When we got parked at our destination RV park and plugged into 50 amp power, I noticed we had no power to any of our inverter-supplied electrical outlets. Eventually concluded the inverter had most likely shut down due to excessive heat. We improvised a temporary solution - extension cords from the power pedestal to our refrigerator, Sleep Number bed control box, etc. - and figured the inverter would start working again once it cooled down.

The next morning the inverter was still not working. Doing some reading, I learned the best way to reset it was to remove 12 volt power from the battery bank for a minute or two, then reconnect. Did that and it started working.

My tentative conclusion was that Victron inverters (ours at least, presumably others as well) are more sensitive to heat than Magnum inverters. We've had Magnum inverters in several coaches, traveled in seriously hot weather with all of them, and never had a failure of this sort.

I'm hoping it doesn't happen again, but if it does I'm at least a little smarter with regard to how to clear the problem once the inverter cools down.

I know it's not much consolation, but that's pretty much the same failure mode we had with the Magnum. Really hot day and it was like we lost one leg of shore power. Finally opened the bay doors and put a battery powered fan on the inverter and it healed up - until the next day when it was hot again. Based on the failure code, Magnum tech support diagnosed it as a transfer relay failure.


Not encouraging to hear that Victron also has a heat problem as it would be hard to find a warmer location for the inverter than aft between the frame rails.


What did you do to remove battery power, just disconnect one of the battery leads?


Just curious, how is your Victron system configured? Cebo GX? Touch GX?

[Ludo]

Originally Posted by SouthTX

I find the Victron equipment rather confusing if only because there are so many options and no where is their universe well explained. But the more I work with it, the more I love it.

For a Multiplus the only parameter you need to set is the battery type from a dropdown list and the max. Amps you'd like to charge with.
The rest should work as delivered.


For an MPPT Solar charger its only the battery type, same dropdown list.


For the BMV or Smart-Shunt its the battery capacity, the "full" voltage and if necessary the function of the second input (Starter, middle, temp.sensor)




All other parameters can be ignored if you don't want the ultimate performance and don't have the knowledge.


Have fun,


Ludo

[LWBAZ]

Originally Posted by SouthTX

I know it's not much consolation, but that's pretty much the same failure mode we had with the Magnum. Really hot day and it was like we lost one leg of shore power. Finally opened the bay doors and put a battery powered fan on the inverter and it healed up - until the next day when it was hot again. Based on the failure code, Magnum tech support diagnosed it as a transfer relay failure.


Not encouraging to hear that Victron also has a heat problem as it would be hard to find a warmer location for the inverter than aft between the frame rails.


What did you do to remove battery power, just disconnect one of the battery leads?


Just curious, how is your Victron system configured? Cebo GX? Touch GX?

John, when we had the problem with the Victron inverter I tried the house battery disconnect switch, but that didn't cut power to the Victron inverter on my particular coach (2022 Newmar Super Star). So I disconnected the main battery cables (hot & ground) at the inverter itself, let it sit for a few minutes, then reconnected the cables. That worked and the inverter came back to life.

The display panel for my Victron inverter is a GX Touch 50 - see first image below. The "5" in "50" refers to a five-inch screen. The same display panel is available with a seven-inch screen and is branded as a GX Touch 70. My understanding is that both display panels have the same functionality; i.e., the only difference is the screen size.

I believe my GX Touch 50 is connected to a Cerbo GX - second image below. I'll verify that and let you know for sure.

[SouthTX]

Originally Posted by LWBAZ

John, when we had the problem with the Victron inverter I tried the house battery disconnect switch, but that didn't cut power to the Victron inverter on my particular coach (2022 Newmar Super Star). So I disconnected the main battery cables (hot & ground) at the inverter itself, let it sit for a few minutes, then reconnected the cables. That worked and the inverter came back to life.

The display panel for my Victron inverter is a GX Touch 50 - see first image below. The "5" in "50" refers to a five-inch screen. The same display panel is available with a seven-inch screen and is branded as a GX Touch 70. My understanding is that both display panels have the same functionality; i.e., the only difference is the screen size.

I believe my GX Touch 50 is connected to a Cerbo GX - second image below. I'll verify that and let you know for sure.

Thanks, Larry. Good to know exactly how to reset the inverter when the inevitable happens. There must be some software reset, but I haven't found it, yet.

I think the Cerbo is required to drive the Touch. I have the Cerbo GX-S which eliminates a couple of ports I wasn't going to use anyway. My Cerbo drives a Touch 50 in the half bath. Look for a blinking blue light in the basement to find the Cerbo. I'm still finding new software tricks for this system, but my most used screen is the shunt - which only seems to be available with a BT connection. Most of the data on this screen are available piecemeal on other screens, but I find this one most useful. The Cerbo and Touch are connected by USB so they won't be far apart - seems to be one of the limitations of the Victron network.

[philnail]

Originally Posted by SouthTX

The "expert" at IRU insisted that I needed the MultiPlus II as he only saw two 50 amp legs coming into the coach. He couldn't comprehend that only one leg went to the inverter then back to the sub-panel. I guess I could parallel a second inverter as you suggest, but on my coach either way the second leg of the MultiPlus II would be wasted without installing a second sub-panel.


There was also the problem that the MultiPlus II wouldn't easily fit in my mid-ship battery configuration. The straight MultiPlus is a tight fit.



I did give serious thought to installing dual chargers and dual inverters for redundancy, but wiring around the transfer circuit in the inverter would have taken some time that I didn't have. This is a mod that needs to be looked at as people are forced to replace Magnum inverters or change to Li batteries.


I appreciate the heads up about learning the configuration. I have the MK3 as well as the Cerbo GXS and Touch GX. The biggest problem I've encountered is that the Victron system is TO flexible and there are to many ways to configure it and to many ways to control it. I do like the Victron equipment, but it takes a little time to wrap your head around it.

[ATTACH]

I took this picture when plugged in by the grandkids of the system. With the Cerbo you can easily install GuiMods which gives you lots of screen options. Then if you want to monitor a bit more info get a few Ruvvi tags. Off the Cerbo you then install a Bluetooth usb on the Cerbo for about $10 on Amazon. That will communicate with the Ruvvi tags and you can add them to the screen.

Since our coach is 100% electric I also choose to monitor the propane bottle hooked up to my blackstone in my bbq box. That gives me all the info I need on the 7” screen.

There is also a setup on the multiplus that lets you setup AC control. You can click a link on the screen to change the input. For example when we were plugged in for 2 weeks by the grandkids it got to 117 degrees outside. I set the AC control to 45 amps not 50 so I would not pop the breaker coming in.

Best way to learn the system in play with it on your gx 70 monitor and you would be surprised what you can do.

In regards to heat since you mounted yours where the magnum was you might get a bit more heat there.

Also I hope the installer ran 4/0 battery cables. On our coach Entegra ran 30 feet of 3/0 which is not correct as a 50 amp coach needs to have the cable run at 4/0.

I am not sure if the ran the battery cables to a linx distribution box but if they did every couple months pull off the blue cover on the linx distribution box and ck the torque on the nuts as they will loosen up due to heat resistance. They should be torqued to 14 nano meters. I just use a 1/4” torque wrench with a 14 mm socket to check ours.

I hope some of this info helps.