2021 Interstate 24 - Xantrex 3000w inverter installed

[mike2016]

previously.... an attempt to replace the Magnum and failed
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...ug-218284.html

long story short, I hated how the stock AC power is designed. you basically have to run the generator to make a coffee, or use the microwave for a few minutes. and the most annoying part is the 120 second wait time for the "precision control" power shed to restore power


Finally, i found the inverter that fits under the passenger seat, in the same place as the Magnum.

Total cost and parts

Xantrex 3000w Freedom XC Pro - $1200 with control panel
Bluesea marine breaker box + 2x 20A breakers - ~$50 (Xantrex doesn't have built in breakers)
Misc Romex 30A wires, Waco connectors...etc. ~$50
3D printed control panel bracket i designed and printed myself


Sold the Magnum on ebay for $500
(or it can be easily made into a very solid UPS for home network equipment, security systems...etc. much better than off the shelf UPS. that was my plan if no one buys it on ebay)


the Xantrex is super lightweight, it's less than 20lbs and weights a lot less than the Magnum. due to its high frequency switching design rather than Magnum's old fashioned transformer.

It took me around 3 hours for the whole job i think.

The original inverter circuit is wired to 1 of the 20A breaker, same usage as before

The other "shore power / gen power" only circuit, is wired to the other 20A breaker. now every single AC outlet in the AI are powered by the inverter.

Microwave is now powered by inverter. YAY!!

it can also pass through power when plugged in to shore, or when generator is running


with this 3000w inverter, i can make coffee AND use the microwave at the same time, without using the generator.



I'll do a more detailed write up of the install some time later... if you guys are interested

[Boxster1971]

Mike - nice looking install. I did a similar upgrade with a 2000W magnum inverter/charger. Good to know the Xantrex is so much lighter. More details would be appreciated as this looks like a great upgrade. It has always amazed me how Airstream can still get by selling the Interstates with such an outdated electrical system. They rely on their brand name and not a quality design. I wont be buying another Airstream unless they update the electrical system to match most of their competitors in this price range.

[mike2016]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Mike - nice looking install. I did a similar upgrade with a 2000W magnum inverter/charger. Good to know the Xantrex is so much lighter. More details would be appreciated as this looks like a great upgrade. It has always amazed me how Airstream can still get by selling the Interstates with such an outdated electrical system. They rely on their brand name and not a quality design. I wont be buying another Airstream unless they update the electrical system to match most of their competitors in this price range.

Exactly right with airstream. They even put the 1000w magnum on the Atlas??!!

Whoever is in charge of the electrical design department should be replaced

I’ll post up more details soon. It’s very straight forward without needing to modify anything.

[OTRA15]

Nice work . . . thanks for the details.

Plenty of "coulda" "shoulda" "woulda" details Airstream missed.

Just one more corporation mired in mediocrity.

Sad IMO.

[WeekendBob]

Very clean install Mike. To give everyone else an appreciation of your install vs. the factory original, here’s a pic of the original Magnum with my seat removed. (Note, I did remove the cover off the top of the Magnum)



I’m upgrading mine with the Magnum MSH3012RV-L hybrid arriving on Tuesday. Am also adding two more Battle Born batteries which I’ve almost finished wiring in. Did you add an EasyStart for the AC? I haven’t purchased that yet so I may hit you up for how your wired it.

And while we’re at it, here’s a picture of the mess under the driver’s seat. This shows a bird’s eye view of the centrally located Victron DC to DC buck boost charger (alternator to house batteries) and both BatteryMINDers for the chassis battery. I’m considering upgrading the 50Ah Victron buck boost for the 100Ah, now that I’ll have 4 Battle Borns but am still working out the measurements.

[mike2016]

Yep. The factory wiring is a big mess. I was shocked to see how it was done when i opened it up the first time.

I don't understand why Airstream decided to use that space for an inverter.... and batteries behind the wheels? sooner or later mud or moisture will find its way into the battery boxes.

I have to give credit to Michael Baumann, another fellow forum member, also a new owner of a 2021 24GL. he found those micro breakers and breaker box that fits nicely with the xantrex.


@ WeekendBob

I did not wire the AC to the inverter. I left it on the generator / shore power circuit. although the Xantrex can power the AC, it will require quite a bit more rewiring of the coach...


The way I did was simple, i attached a pic of the wiring diagram with modifications.

AC is now bypassing the precision power shed device, so it's always powered by generator or shore power. the only thing that needs to be shed is the inverter, now on the "microwave" circuit.
when AC is on, it won't power the inverter to charge the batteries.

Xantrex has 1 single output and does not have built in breaker. therefore a breaker is needed.
The box next to the Xantrex is the breaker housing, there are 2x 20A breakers inside.

Xantrex - 30A wire split to 2 sets of 30A wires with "wago splice", then into breakers. breaker 1 goes to original inverter circuit.

breaker 2 is the new circuit created -

i took the "batteryminder" outlet (the outlet by the magnum) and connected it to breaker 2. this outlet is on the last leg of the "generator/shore power" circuit. disconnect the other end of this leg by the breaker, and connect this end to the microwave.

by doing it this way, every single outlet in the coach are powered by the inverter. when shore power is on, the inverter pass through power to all outlets same as before.

the only sacrifice was the batteryminder. i don't need it anyways. mine is never plugged in. the solar panel is enough to keep them charged.


I'll do a complete write up with pics and steps soon.

[mike2016]

@ WeekendBob

also i would go with 150A buckboost if you want to keep those batteries charged while powering the AC, but it won't 100% offset the power draw, it just slows down the drain. but 150A is considerably larger...



please post pics of your install. curious to see how you mount the Magnum and the batteries.

[wiseguy2315]

The Magnum has a max charger current of 80ADC. The Xantrex model has a max charger current of 150ADC. I believe that Airstream sets the default charger current in the Magnums to 25ADC due to its charger not having the ability to automatically raise and lower the charger current based on the presence of 110V loads. I believe that Xantrex has the ability to do that, but only if you are using it for the entirety of your 110V system (i.e. no 110V circuits that only work on shore or generator power).

If you're looking to add 2 more Battle Born batteries in parallel on the 2021 24GL, you're going to want to increase the gauge of cable 14. Each Battle Born battery can supply a max of 100ADC continuously. If you have all 4 supplying a max of 100A, you can draw 400A total. With that being said, the cable needs to go from 2/0 to at least 4/0.

Additionally, use this calculator to determine how big the cables to connect the batteries need to be based on your runs (http://circuitwizard.bluesea.com/). Use the DC system voltage (12VDC), the length of your runs times 2 (the length accounts for power and ground, not just power (i.e. 5ft power cable = 10ft into calculator)), and then the current is based off where your batteries connect (i.e. where 2 connect = 200A, where 3 connect = 300A, where all 4 connect = 400A). With bigger currents, I would use 1 gauge over minimum if possible. Additionally, I would not use anything lower than 1/0 for the modification.

As far as changing out the buckboost, Mercedes mandates nothing more than 40A. The Victron buckboost under the driver's seat is rated for 50A, but is downgraded to 40A through software for that purpose. So if you have a buckboost of a higher rating, and a Mercedes technician sees that if they are doing some work on the Mercedes chassis portion, I believe they reserve the right to not work on the unit if it is not to Mercedes' specifications.

[teamah]

Hello - I caught you post here because I was looking to figure out if it was possible to get a 3000 in there and so searched the forums first to see and my luck you've done it. I know this is about 18 months old but the last post you indicated you might have some more details to share. Was wondering if this is a matter of you dropping in the 3000w inverter or there was a lot of work for you involved? It seemed like you bridged the outlets so they'd all go through the inverter instead. I was then going to add batteries for more lithium power. I realze this is a bit vague but any insight in to the ease of deployment or gotchas would be helpful. Admititly while I can do some things on my own including I've replaced the 1000w with another 1000w I'm not well versed as an electrition. I thought about having someone do it for me, but being in New England the places are sparse and if I determine its easy enough I can give it a go. Id just really like all my outlets to converge into the inverter and have that inverter be able to handle more than a measy 1000w.

Originally Posted by mike2016

previously.... an attempt to replace the Magnum and failed
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...ug-218284.html

long story short, I hated how the stock AC power is designed. you basically have to run the generator to make a coffee, or use the microwave for a few minutes. and the most annoying part is the 120 second wait time for the "precision control" power shed to restore power


Finally, i found the inverter that fits under the passenger seat, in the same place as the Magnum.

Total cost and parts

Xantrex 3000w Freedom XC Pro - $1200 with control panel
Bluesea marine breaker box + 2x 20A breakers - ~$50 (Xantrex doesn't have built in breakers)
Misc Romex 30A wires, Waco connectors...etc. ~$50
3D printed control panel bracket i designed and printed myself


Sold the Magnum on ebay for $500
(or it can be easily made into a very solid UPS for home network equipment, security systems...etc. much better than off the shelf UPS. that was my plan if no one buys it on ebay)


the Xantrex is super lightweight, it's less than 20lbs and weights a lot less than the Magnum. due to its high frequency switching design rather than Magnum's old fashioned transformer.

It took me around 3 hours for the whole job i think.

The original inverter circuit is wired to 1 of the 20A breaker, same usage as before

The other "shore power / gen power" only circuit, is wired to the other 20A breaker. now every single AC outlet in the AI are powered by the inverter.

Microwave is now powered by inverter. YAY!!

it can also pass through power when plugged in to shore, or when generator is running


with this 3000w inverter, i can make coffee AND use the microwave at the same time, without using the generator.



I'll do a more detailed write up of the install some time later... if you guys are interested

[mike2016]

Originally Posted by teamah

Hello - I caught you post here because I was looking to figure out if it was possible to get a 3000 in there and so searched the forums first to see and my luck you've done it. I know this is about 18 months old but the last post you indicated you might have some more details to share. Was wondering if this is a matter of you dropping in the 3000w inverter or there was a lot of work for you involved? It seemed like you bridged the outlets so they'd all go through the inverter instead. I was then going to add batteries for more lithium power. I realze this is a bit vague but any insight in to the ease of deployment or gotchas would be helpful. Admititly while I can do some things on my own including I've replaced the 1000w with another 1000w I'm not well versed as an electrition. I thought about having someone do it for me, but being in New England the places are sparse and if I determine its easy enough I can give it a go. Id just really like all my outlets to converge into the inverter and have that inverter be able to handle more than a measy 1000w.

The install was actually pretty straightforward.
It took me a few hours with basic hand tools.

the basic procedure is like this

beforehand, have the necessary parts ready
- Bluesea marine breaker box + 2x 20A breakers (the only breaker box+breaker combo small enough to fit)
- some Romex wires


- unbolt seat (requires Torx bits), and just tilt it back, there'll be enough room to work with. no need to disconnect wires(if you do, cut off main vehicle power, under driver seat steering column, because some wires are airbag related)
- turn off big red switch under seat - main coach power
- remove magnum and wiring, label which is IN / OUT so you don't forget later on.
- remove AC receptacle next to Magnum (for battery tender), save wiring and label it
- keep the Magnum bracket on, as you will reuse it with the xantrex.
- lay the Xantrex over the magnum bracket and position it, with enough room to route wires and have some space in the front for the fan. like my picture.
- mark holes to drill to mount xantrex (drill new holes on xantrex to line up with the bracket) I only drilled and screwed one side, it's strong enough and won't move. you can also add velcro tape under to make it more secure. i think just velcro is enough, those thick cables are keeping it in place nicely.
- route battery cable to Xantrex
- route AC cables to Xantrex, breakers..etc
- rewire the AC panel in the back of the coach (see the details i posted)
- power on and test


I also added a USB extension cable so it's easier to update firmware in the future. as the USB slot is impossible to get to once the Xantrex is mounted.

when connected to shore power, make sure to set the charging amp to 5A if using the Air conditioning at the same time, otherwise it will trip the AC breaker. as most AC breakers trip at 20A. the A/C pulls 15A easily at start up. because the way it's rewired, it no longer goes through the "precision circuit" power shed unit, so they both share the same input. a little inconvenience.

[3OnOurWay]

Hi yes resurrecting an old thread.

Here my justification, I’m thinking it’s been 3-4 years so those of us with 2020/2021/2022 AI maybe have Magnum inverter which soon fails or we are look to move up one level in inverter capability since Airstream didn’t!

So hope to hear from original poster or those who went same route and upgraded to 2000w, can you comment:

Did anyone keep magnum brand ( doesn’t look like it fits?
Did anyone go Victron, also doesn’t look like it fits ?

What changes did you make post install to the system to refine install?

Would you recommend this upgrade is worth exploring with 200AH lithium or not?

Is Xantrex the go to route?
Xantrex Freedom XC 2000 817-2080
Xantrex Prowatt SW2000 2000W True Sinewave Inverter Model# 806-1220

I want to do least amount of changes keep OEM location of all ( hopefully)

For my use, I’m not looking to run AC more about running microwave early in am during quiet hours 5 minutes at most I’m thinking for oatmeal and water. I need to brush up on my electrical : 1200 watt microwave at 120 volts 10 amps so no 120 volt breaker issue there. 1200 watts / 12 volts is 100 amps not factoring loss in power conversion of inverter.

Would one agreee, Microwave would consume 10-15% of batteries in 200 ah system in 5 minutes?

Thanks for help and humoring me on my next rabbit hole.

Also, I think battery minder could be retained, add 120 outlet under driver seat ? Very true the solar panel does great job keeping chassis battery healthy ..

Thanks so much for those who have AI 19/24