re-posting for help...or just ideas

[rodburtonmusic]

Just an update...was able to talk with some folks 'in the know' on how to determine where my problem was (with my inverters reading overload, even after changing the house batteries). After disabling the output and rechecking for an overload indicator, it's clear the board or something on the inverter is bad. This is a Freedom 25/24 that is at least 15 years old...maybe more. So...I've got a new trace 36/24 on the way.

So best I can tell...the swap out doesn't look like it'll be too bad...any thoughts or suggestions as I approach this next week?

--the inverter should be here today...since I've never done this..anyone have any suggestions or guidance on how best to change/swap these? Anything to be aware of?

[ajducote]

Rod,

Never have done an inverter upgrade. The only things that comes to mind are:

Size of the battery cables feeding the inverter may need to go up in size.
The AC lines and breakers going to the inverter may need to be bigger?

I would think that the new inverter could draw more DC amps from the batteries when inverting and pull more AC amps from shore power when charging and passing AC thru.

I would check the installation manual closely for wire sizing going in and coming out of the new inverter.

[dale farley]

Rod,

I changed one of my inverters a few months ago. It was not an upgrade. As a safety measure, make sure you have all the 120V, 12V and 24V circuits disconnected/disabled before you start the procedure. I took pictures, made notes, and labeled every wire as I disconnected it so I would know exactly where it went during reassembly.

[rodburtonmusic]

Good info...appreciate from both of you. It looks pretty direct, the biggest question is the size of the wiring, but even that looks like it'll be good. Will let folks know what the outcome is!

[Jeff Bayley]

Rod-

There's a guy in Goshin, IN named Leon Bontriger that is an authorized Heart / Trace tech (or was 7 years ago when I was there) and he might be willing to give you some phone help / tips on changing it out if the advice you collected here thus far is not sufficient or you just want to double check.
http://www.homeandmobileenergy.com/ (574)825-4800 He might also be able to salvage that inverter if if someone else on POG has a use for it. He had a bunch of old parts inverers so might very well have the board or what ever it needs in his shop. Maybe someone could use it on there Boat, etc. There's a place in Sarasota near me called Inustrial Standard Technology that will look at anything and only charge you $25 if the can't fix it. They repaired my onboard 24 volt battery charger for $40.

If you don't want it, I might pay the shipping to send it here and let them take a stab at fixing it. I bet my 94 Angola uses the same inverter and could have it as a spare (assuming you were going to 69 it. Or bring it to OKC if your going.

[dreamchasers]

Rod,

I have 2500 Freedom inverters (2) in my coach. I have decided to upgrade the inverters to Magnums. I am trying to limp along until winter and then do the upgrade. The Magnums have an interface panel that provides much more information than my Freedom 2500s.

My inverters work, but are old technology. When I replace my batteries, I will upgrade the inverters.

Giving exact details of how to upgrade the inverter package would be tricky for me. But Dale comment on marking all wiring and pictures makes good sense to me.

Good Luck.

Hector