Quote:
Originally Posted by Lowder238
Hey guys have an interesting question,
I had a xantrex freedom 458 inverter that was fried by a repair shop fixing another issue.. got reimbursed but I purchased a new freedom 458 however this one has 2 external breakers on it and (2) ac outputs (1) ac input. My old inverter had no external breakers, and only (1) output that fed a small subpanel.
I hooked it up to the 20a output and all works, however I just was cooking dinner and tripped the inverter breaker… never happened on the other inverter. (Didn’t have breakers, and I think the output was 30-35a)
I am connected to shore power, 50a, however all my outlets run off the inverter sub panel. So here’s my question, can I connect both 20 and 15a inverter outputs together and connect to my sub panel?
No! Do not do this. The output of two breakers cannot be combined into one.
This would effectively (in my mind) allow the sub panel breakers to trip first rather than the inverter breaker.
The inverter sub panel has a 30a main breaker in the main panel.
I know it is probably best practice to install a second sub panel and move a breaker or 2 over and connect to the second output on inverter but there’s no more room to install a second one EASILY.
The model of Xantrex 458 that you have does not require a sub panel for either the 20 amp or 15 amp output. They are already protected.
Please let me know if this is frowned upon, hoping it is not!
|
See page 25 for 120 volt output instructions. The instructions are confusing.
https://xantrex.com/wp-content/uploa...ers-Manual.pdf
Connect the 20 amp breaker to the old sub panel. This will reduce available output to 20 amps where the previous model allowed 30 amps. Another circuit can still be connected to the 15 amp breaker output. No sub panel or additional circuit breaker is required.
You need a different model to get 30 amps out. Contact Xantrex support to see if the new inverter can be modified to eliminate the two built in circuit breakers. In this case a sub panel would be required.
Depending on what is in the old sub panel, you may not need a sub panel at all. This Xantrex model does not require a sub panel.
Basic requirements
The 20 amp Xantrex output requires a minimum of 12 AWG gauge wire.
The 15 amp Xantrex output requires a minimum of 14 AWG gauge wire.
Heavier gauge wire is okay.
The old Xantrex output required 10 AWG gauge wire. That is probably what joins the old Xantrex to the old sub panel. It is okay.
How many branch breakers are there in the old sub panel?
What are the current ratings? 20 amp or 15 amp?
A circuit connected to an old 20 amp branch breaker in the old sub panel can be removed and connected directly to the new Xantrex 20 amp output.
A second circuit connected to an old 20 amp breaker in the old sub panel can be removed and connected directly to the new Xantrex 15 amp breaker. This will reduce current to this circuit by 5 amps.
A circuit connected to an old 15 amp branch breaker in the old sub panel can be removed and connected directly to the new Xantrex 15 amp breaker, but not to the new 20 amp breaker.
If there are more than two branch breakers in the old sub panel, then the old sub panel is still required. Connect the new Xantrex 20 amp output to the old sub panel. One circuit connected to a branch breaker may be removed from the old sub panel and connected to directly to the new Xantrex 15 amp breaker.
If there is more than one 15 amp breaker in the old sub panel, then the old sub panel is still required. Connect the new 20 amp output to the sub panel.
One circuit connected to a branch breaker in the old sub panel can still be removed and connected to the new 15 amp output. You cannot connect a 15 amp branch circuit to a 20 amp output.