Magnum MSH 3012M Installed!

[BAB]

Yesterday, I threw the breaker and turned on my just-completed installation of this pure sine wave inverter/charger in my new Classic. Lewster was a key motivator to do this rather than just put in a 2000W inverter to replace the noisy (always running fan, it seems), Chinese WFCO. The task was somewhat more complex as the trailer is 50 AMP and the Magnum is really set-up for 30 AMP. The really cool part of the install, though, was installing a sub-panel for the Magnum by selecting circuits from the main panel that I wanted to be inverted. The net-net of this, is that I can plug just about anything in to any outlet in my trailer whenever I want....and if I'm in a campground with low volts, the Magnum will support the power deficit (well, for awhile I suppose). This is not an inexpensive upgrade. Figure around $2,000 for the Magnum, another $150 for the awesome remote control, and whatever decent batteries you add. In my case, I went for 4 Lifeline 6V. The "works" for all this fit perfectly under the dinette seats, though I've lost one drawer as the batteries won out. BTW, if you ever have to work with 4/0 copper cable, you have my full and total sympathy. HEAVY, and putting connectors on them takes patience and the right tools. BUT -- it's done and works perfectly. One aside. Option freak that I am, I wired in a special circuit that I can use if I ever have to pull out the inverter for any reason (repair?). This will allow me to continue to put 120V to those circuits in the panel that would usually get power from the inverter.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by BAB

Yesterday, I threw the breaker and turned on my just-completed installation of this pure sine wave inverter/charger in my new Classic. Lewster was a key motivator to do this rather than just put in a 2000W inverter to replace the noisy (always running fan, it seems), Chinese WFCO. The task was somewhat more complex as the trailer is 50 AMP and the Magnum is really set-up for 30 AMP. The really cool part of the install, though, was installing a sub-panel for the Magnum by selecting circuits from the main panel that I wanted to be inverted. The net-net of this, is that I can plug just about anything in to any outlet in my trailer whenever I want....and if I'm in a campground with low volts, the Magnum will support the power deficit (well, for awhile I suppose). This is not an inexpensive upgrade. Figure around $2,000 for the Magnum, another $150 for the awesome remote control, and whatever decent batteries you add. In my case, I went for 4 Lifeline 6V. The "works" for all this fit perfectly under the dinette seats, though I've lost one drawer as the batteries won out. BTW, if you ever have to work with 4/0 copper cable, you have my full and total sympathy. HEAVY, and putting connectors on them takes patience and the right tools. BUT -- it's done and works perfectly. One aside. Option freak that I am, I wired in a special circuit that I can use if I ever have to pull out the inverter for any reason (repair?). This will allow me to continue to put 120V to those circuits in the panel that would usually get power from the inverter.

I know you could do it!!!!!

The trick is to use class 'K' welding cable, which bends like a wet noodle despite it's size. Of course, it should at $12/foot!

I'm installing one as we speak and have found a very elegant way to incorporate the sub panel and main panel into one space....essentially replacing the Airstream breaker box and converter and using this area.

I'll post a shot as soon as I can find it.

[TheCabin]

Great job!!

If you get a chance, please post some notes and pictures.

[lewster]

Here's the shot. The breaker panel is split. The 50 amp 'main' panel is to the right side, and the 50 amp 'subpanel' which has the inverter powered circuits is to the left. The DC fuse block (new) is located below the breaker panel and still has the cover on it.

[TheCabin]

What supplies the 12v for lights, etc both when on shore power and off.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by TheCabin

What supplies the 12v for lights, etc both when on shore power and off.

Batteries

[BAB]

Lew, your panel is awesome. Here's a shot of mine....not quite so pretty, but it is in the closet....and the main panel is just below. Easy to move wires from one to the other, though the Magnum and batteries are on the opposite side of the trailer -- I went down and under, but it came out just fine. Next to the sub-panel is a Progressive Industries power management system, and since I was in there, I put in an inverted 120V box to charge the Dyson vacuum that will reside in there. These shots were taken before I "neatened up" all my wiring and replaced the dinette seats. Barry

[Msmoto]

I seem to have seen this somewhere.....great installations, Barry

[lewster]

Originally Posted by BAB

Lew, your panel is awesome. Here's a shot of mine....not quite so pretty, but it is in the closet....and the main panel is just below. Easy to move wires from one to the other, though the Magnum and batteries are on the opposite side of the trailer -- I went down and under, but it came out just fine. Next to the sub-panel is a Progressive Industries power management system, and since I was in there, I put in an inverted 120V box to charge the Dyson vacuum that will reside in there. These shots were taken before I "neatened up" all my wiring and replaced the dinette seats. Barry

Barry,

NICE JOB!

If you want to have still a neater appearance, I would remove the rope handles from the Lifelines. I find that once positioned, they just look messy and are in the way of the cables. I do this on every installation where I use Lifelines.

[gecko]

VERY pretty, Lew!

[lewster]

Originally Posted by gecko

VERY pretty, Lew!

Awwwwwwwww!

Thanks!

[BAB]

Gosh, cut off the rope handles of the Lifelines? Those suckers weigh 66 lbs each. What happens when I need to replace them? Or better yet.....AM Solar finally gets the OK from the Feds to ship the Lithiums.....and I go for an upgrade. HA! I will post some more pictures after I do the final touches to cable routing, etc. And, while my sub-panel is not as cool as Lewster's all-in-one main panel, I think you'll be impressed with the wood framing around my sub-panel -- stained to match the dark cherry (of course) that's the hallmark of the '15 Classic!

[rmkrum]

Just untie them and store for future use....😄


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[lewster]

Originally Posted by BAB

Gosh, cut off the rope handles of the Lifelines? Those suckers weigh 66 lbs each. What happens when I need to replace them? Or better yet.....AM Solar finally gets the OK from the Feds to ship the Lithiums.....and I go for an upgrade. HA! I will post some more pictures after I do the final touches to cable routing, etc. And, while my sub-panel is not as cool as Lewster's all-in-one main panel, I think you'll be impressed with the wood framing around my sub-panel -- stained to match the dark cherry (of course) that's the hallmark of the '15 Classic!

Barry,

Sorry if I upset anyone , but you can actually remove them for future use. There is a plastic 'union' that has a removable plastic piece bonded to the poly rope that comes out of the union. Just feed it back thru the molded-in loops and the ropes come off....no problem! You can store them for eventual removal and replacement of the batteries.

Please be sure to post the final shots with your matching woodwork!!!!

[mefly2]

Very well done ...

[BAB]

Will do a shot of the sub-panel and send it on. For now, though, this is a picture of the dinette. The Magnum is under the rear dinette seat, the 4 Lifeline batteries are under the front dinette seat. All completely hidden. Fabricated a moulding that goes on the floor/wall between the two seats -- that's where batt cables, sensors, T fuse, etc. are located. Also wires for subwoofer which moved under the forward dinette seat as Magnum took its spot. Came out really well. But, for now it just looks like a standard Classic dinette -- which is what I expected.

[Msmoto]

Hi Barry, I like this lamp better than the first one...LOL

[BAB]

Agree. First one turned out to be too large. Also, the person in the SS recliner couldn't see the TV through the lamp....sometimes what looks good in one place doesn't necessarily work somewhere else. You'll get the updated tour at Alumalina!

[lewster]

A couple of shots of a just completed MSH-3012M and a 3024iX Blue Sky solar charge controller system with a 540 watt solar array. Batteries are temporary, as we are waiting for AM Solar's 400 amp/hour lithium pack (yellow tape lines) to be ready to ship. All systems are operational !

PS: this is in the front storage bay under the front bed of a 27.

[rmkrum]

Very nicely done!


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