Inverter wiring?

RnPnTN · 08-06-2021, 09:49 AM

We have a 2021 Volante 3851FL 5th wheel that is fitted with a Xantrex Freedom 1200 inverter. It is an inverter only, not an inverter/charger. After realizing that the inverter was not working I started troubleshooting the system. What I discovered was, the battery feeding the inverter was at only 5.83 volts which is well below the minimum voltage required for the inverter to come on.

The way the system is wired there is no charging feed going to the battery.
The positive wire goes from the battery to the aux side of a Hi-AMP fuse then out to a battery disconnect, the positive then leaves the battery disconnect and goes to the inverter. The ground goes directly from the battery to the inverter and there are two AC lines exiting the inverter.

My question is, should there be a wire from the CONVERTER that feeds power back and charges the inverter battery or should I keep a trickle charger connected to the inverter battery when shore power is available? I would think the inverter battery should charge the same as the battery that runs the DC lights, pump, etc. ???

**Lloyd** · 08-06-2021, 10:15 AM

You saying your rig has both, an inverter and a converter?
I've never worked with an inverter, but in my opinion, something should be charging the house battery. There is how many house batteries?
Your unit should still be under warranty, have you asked your dealer?

RnPnTN · 08-06-2021, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd

You saying your rig has both, an inverter and a converter?
I've never worked with an inverter, but in my opinion, something should be charging the house battery. There is how many house batteries?
Your unit should still be under warranty, have you asked your dealer?

Thanks Lloyd. There are 2 batteries. One is wired to operate the DC items in the RV and the other one feeds power to the inverter. I called the Dealer (Camping World) and they have been pretty much useless after the sale. I'm of the same thought as you in that something should be charging the battery. I don't know if something was missed during assembly at the factory or what.

**Lloyd** · 08-06-2021, 10:33 AM

Here is a link that might be of use for you.
https://justdownsize.com/rv-inverter-wiring-diagram/

Also, if that one battery was down to 5.83 volts, that is considered a dead battery. It's possible you might have to replace that one. I would disconnect it and put a charger on to see if it can be revived.
I believe they say at 11 volts the battery is considered dead.

RnPnTN · 08-07-2021, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd

Here is a link that might be of use for you.
https://justdownsize.com/rv-inverter-wiring-diagram/

Also, if that one battery was down to 5.83 volts, that is considered a dead battery. It's possible you might have to replace that one. I would disconnect it and put a charger on to see if it can be revived.
I believe they say at 11 volts the battery is considered dead.

Thank you Lloyd, the link is a great help. Based on diagram 2 I believe I can wire the two batteries in parallel which will increase my available runtime and both batteries will charge from the converter.

I have had the dead battery on charge for a couple of days day and will check the voltage as soon as the rain moves out of here today.

Rrizz · 08-07-2021, 09:49 AM

Your battery voltage may read fine after charging, but at 5-6 volts, that battery is shot.
a Multimeter won't help much after charging, you need to use a load tester to confirm if the battery is good/bad.
My guess is that the voltage is so low on the battery, The inverter will not perform its usual functions, and replacing it will solve all your issues.

Rrizz · 08-07-2021, 09:55 AM

the Xantrex owners manual say it has a low voltage shutdown at 10.5.

RnPnTN · 08-09-2021, 08:58 AM

I charged the battery and it checked 12.7 volts. When reconnected to the inverter the battery had enough voltage for the inverter to turn on. I will have to take the battery to a auto parts store to have it tested under load as Rrizz pointed out.

**Lloyd** · 08-09-2021, 10:01 AM

If you have to replace your batteries, make sure to get a true deep cycle. Might be worth while to have the other one load tested at the same time.

cwalther1 · 08-12-2021, 02:10 PM

I dunno where you bought this thing, but I would be over there every day until they make this right. You are doing all the footwork, testing batteries, troubleshooting. If my dealer treated me that way, they wouldn't be in business very long. Tis true, that learning everything you can about the various systems will make it easier for you in the future, but a brand new unit should be flawless. Good luck and give em hell.

Wingerdinger · 08-12-2021, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwalther1

I dunno where you bought this thing, but I would be over there every day until they make this right. You are doing all the footwork, testing batteries, troubleshooting. If my dealer treated me that way, they wouldn't be in business very long. Tis true, that learning everything you can about the various systems will make it easier for you in the future, but a brand new unit should be flawless. Good luck and give em hell.

He said it was Camping World, and he is learning fast that they are worthless. There are thousands of complaints about Camping World and their lack of service. The whole RV service industry is in turmoil, and it's very likely he would wait months to get his rig back in no better shape than it is now.
In my humble opinion, if you can fix it yourself for not much cost, you are WAY ahead.
As to the fix, I am not familiar with the factory invertor setup, but I know a couple people that have that arrangement because they have the newer 12 volt residential type fridge. I bet that is what you have.
I do know that normally, when connected to shore power, the convertor charges both batteries.

RnPnTN · 08-18-2021, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingerdinger

He said it was Camping World, and he is learning fast that they are worthless. There are thousands of complaints about Camping World and their lack of service. The whole RV service industry is in turmoil, and it's very likely he would wait months to get his rig back in no better shape than it is now.
In my humble opinion, if you can fix it yourself for not much cost, you are WAY ahead.
As to the fix, I am not familiar with the factory invertor setup, but I know a couple people that have that arrangement because they have the newer 12 volt residential type fridge. I bet that is what you have.
I do know that normally, when connected to shore power, the convertor charges both batteries.

Yep, it was Camping World. They were great up until the sale then they are useless.

I'm a hands on guy and would rather fix it myself if I can, and if it doesn't cost too much. At least I know it is done correctly. If it is something major I will go through the suffering of dealing with the dealership.

We do have the residential refrigerator and it appears that is the only item that the inverter supplies 120 AC to.

Cameodon · 09-04-2024, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwalther1

I dunno where you bought this thing, but I would be over there every day until they make this right. You are doing all the footwork, testing batteries, troubleshooting. If my dealer treated me that way, they wouldn't be in business very long. Tis true, that learning everything you can about the various systems will make it easier for you in the future, but a brand new unit should be flawless. Good luck and give em hell.

I would be inclined to feel the same way BUT obviously you either haven't bought many RV's from a big dealer or have been luck and never had a problem!! CW probably is the worse dealer there is but if it were a race between all of the big dealers it would be a photo finish as to the winner of the worlds worst! He take that back the WILL have it a min of 2-3 months and more than likely all they will do is charge the batteries a if he's lucky, wish him a good day!!

Cameodon · 09-04-2024, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnPnTN

Yep, it was Camping World. They were great up until the sale then they are useless.

I'm a hands on guy and would rather fix it myself if I can, and if it doesn't cost too much. At least I know it is done correctly. If it is something major I will go through the suffering of dealing with the dealership.

We do have the residential refrigerator and it appears that is the only item that the inverter supplies 120 AC to.

We have a 2021 Crossroads CAMEO 3201RL. It also has a XANTREX Freedom X 1200 Inverter. I haver 4 120 AH wet cell deep cycle batteries. Due to an unrelated problem my batteries discharged to 5.7 volts. I quickly recharged them and they are fine. My batteries charge via the charger (converter) that is in the cabinet with the fuse/breaker panel. I suspect yours is too. I very much doubt yours was built without the capabilities of charging the batteries on shore power. You should occasionally hear the cooling fan come on when in use.
I personally like the idea of the separate converter (charger) and inverter. If we have the 1200 Inverter/Converter combo and either function quits we'd be out a couple grand + just in parts. Where as separately the Freedom X 1200 inverter can be bought under $800 on line, Charger under $500. Just my opinion. Good luck

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