Inverter/Charger and House Battery Project

[crowra]

Long story short: Replaced an inverter/charger and house batteries with a Magnum MS2000 inverter/charger on our 1987 36' Albin. Relocated from engine room to cabinet below lower helm station. Modified cabinet with a pull-out shelf for the Admiral's trash can (I have a friend who is a carpenter).

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/twinbeache ... directlink

Below provided to help anyone troubleshooting a similar situation:

Problem:

● AC outlets and ice maker stopped working

Troubleshooting:

● Other AC circuits had current and were functioning properly: air conditioning, water heater, refrigerator.
● Problem seemed to be isolated to middle AC panel (I have 3 AC panels) except that the circuit labeled Outlets1 at the very bottom (separate AC panel) did not work either. All outlets in boat supplied from middle AC panel. See “Discoveries” below for explanation of “Outlets 1” circuit breaker.
● All DC circuits worked
● Tested AC current into inverter. It was receiving AC current in but would not go into pass-thru mode and send AC current out.
● Tested DC current into inverter. It was receiving DC current in but would not invert to AC.
● Link 2000-R panel would not show “AC in” status (from shore/gen) nor would it charge the batteries from shore/gen. The batteries did, however, charge when the engine was running.

Solution:

● Replaced four eight-year old 6-volt deep-cycle batteries
● Replaced Heart Freedom 20 Inverter/Charger with a Magnum Energy MS2000 (2kW) Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger (100 amp)
● Replaced Heart Link 2000-R control panel with Magnum ME-RC Remote Control panel
● Added a battery temperature sensor connected to negative terminal on house batteries.

Modifications:

● Relocated inverter/charger from engine room (bulkhead on starboard side next to forward doorway) to compartment under lower helm station seat. Engine room environment not suitable for inverter.
● Relocated generator antifreeze overflow container from compartment under lower helm station seat to compartment next to drawer by house batteries.
● Installed a sliding shelf for trash can and to protect inverter from liquid. Door no longer on hinges and entire shelf slides out.
● Replaced four Deka (Scrubber/Sweeper 8C6V) 330 Amp hr. batteries with four Crown 235 Amp hr. batteries. Reduced house battery amp hours from 660 to 470 which should be sufficient for a night or two on the hook. Cost of Crowns was ⅓ less ($440 vs $1,200) and weight was almost half (97.5 lbs. vs. 66 lbs.). If more amp hours are needed, can add two more batteries for 705 amp hours at half the cost. Chose Crown over Trojan and saved $80. Time will tell if this is sufficient for our cruising needs (typically spring and fall).

Discoveries:

● The middle AC panel receives 120 AC from the inverter. If there is no inverter or it isn’t turned on/working, no current will be sent to outlets or ice maker. It has a separate hot and neutral bus.
● The inverter either receives DC current from house batteries and inverts to AC or receives AC current from shore/gen and goes into pass-thru mode.
● The very bottom circuit (Outlets1) controls the outside 30-amp (female) plug to supply other boats tied alongside with 120 AC from generator/shore. All other outlets in boat supplied from middle AC panel.
● There is a voltage regulator that controls the alternator that charges the main engine starting battery and the house batteries via a combiner. The voltage regulator also connects to the ‘old’ Link 2000-R panel. The ‘old’ was relocated inside the wiring closet behind the lower helm station.

[Veebyes2]

Hey there Rob. I installed the very same inverter/charger in my 5th wheel trailer last year. Replaced two grp 27 12V batterys with a single 4D AGM. Wish I had more space for 2 but we are getting by with the single 4D.

With limited electrical knowledge & no ability to trace your wires, sorry can't help even though at the moment I am nearby in Tilghman Island.