Magnum 3000W Inverter upgrade on a 2021 Interstate 24GT

[Boxster1971]

Been following this thread with interest. I find it amazing that Airstream would install the inverter under front passenger seat with batteries in back of a 24 foot Sprinter. This goes against all installation instructions I've read for inverters. They always say mount the inverter as close as possible to the batteries providing the power. Long wire runs will reduce performance of the inverter. Another example of Airstream quality?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Been following this thread with interest. I find it amazing that Airstream would install the inverter under front passenger seat with batteries in back of a 24 foot Sprinter. This goes against all installation instructions I've read for inverters. They always say mount the inverter as close as possible to the batteries providing the power. Long wire runs will reduce performance of the inverter. Another example of Airstream quality?

Hi

My understanding is that the stock location for the inverter is under the passenger seat. Stock location for the batteries is up front / under the chassis.

Bob

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

My understanding is that the stock location for the inverter is under the passenger seat. Stock location for the batteries is up front / under the chassis.

Bob

Yes - my previous comment is wrong. I read the original post again and see that all lithium batteries are mounted up front. Then it makes sense to locate the inverter close to batteries under the passenger seat.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Yes - my previous comment is wrong. I read the original post again and see that all lithium batteries are mounted up front. Then it makes sense to locate the inverter close to batteries under the passenger seat.

Hi

We *are* talking about "never the same way twice" Airstream. The batteries on my 2022 may be mounted on top of the rear bumper ...

Given that the Lithium switch over was a mid year thing, they may well do a bit of clean up on the 2022's. Will that actually make things better? .... we'll see ... not going to place any bets on it ....

Top of my list for "clean up" items would be putting a BMV-712 on the house battery. That would be a major help for a lot of folks .... We're probably more likely to see a fire engine red interior

Bob

[mike2016]

Amazing.

I attempted to install a 2000w Magnum MS2012, same size as 3000W.
I thought there was no way to even get that thing in, I put the Magnum half way in and gave up. https://www.dropbox.com/s/pbj15n07x0...1709.jpeg?dl=0

that's why I end up going with Xantrex 3000.

Nice to have load balancing between battery and shore/gen power, which the Xantrex doesn't have.

clever way of adding the extra batteries! I have a Lounge model so i gotta get a bit more creative. still trying to come up with some ideas about where to mount them.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

So now we *do* have a look at one of the 2022 Interstates. The X has the batteries in back ( just like Mike said !! ). They also have moved the inverter back there and added a bit of ventilation. It's a 2KW Xantrex if that matters.

Bob

[mike2016]

They should've mounted everything in the back to begin with on the GL/GT....

I don't understand why they chose to mount the inverter under the seat, and put the 2 batteries behind the front wheels. over time moisture and mud can find its way in. perfect recipe for some disaster to happen. everything they did electrical wise on the GT/GL are just so half ass

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by mike2016

They should've mounted everything in the back to begin with on the GL/GT....

I don't understand why they chose to mount the inverter under the seat, and put the 2 batteries behind the front wheels. over time moisture and mud can find its way in. perfect recipe for some disaster to happen. everything they did electrical wise on the GT/GL are just so half ass

Hi

I suspect they play a lot with front axle / rear axle loading as they design these RV's. Even moving a hundred pounds matters when you are working on that sort of stuff.

Bob

[mike2016]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I suspect they play a lot with front axle / rear axle loading as they design these RV's. Even moving a hundred pounds matters when you are working on that sort of stuff.

Bob

it's just a not very thoughtful design. there's quite a bit of empty space under the van.
with the side body kit they added, they could've made a few little compartment doors to house the batteries and inverter. mount them between the front / rear axles for better weight distribution and easier to service.

the front passenger seat was just never intended for something like this. whoever came up with this idea should be fired.

the way they mount the front batteries is just WTF

[WeekendBob]

Originally Posted by mike2016

clever way of adding the extra batteries! I have a Lounge model so i gotta get a bit more creative. still trying to come up with some ideas about where to mount them.

Mike, as you are trying to sort out where to put your extra batteries, I'm wondering if you can run 2 batteries lengthwise along the RS wall next to the 2nd row seat? Since I don't have a GL, I don't know if the second rows sit on boxes like the first row, or pedestals, so not sure about how much room you have there.

If you are considering mounting under the rig, I spent a lot of time on my back looking up at the chassis trying to figure out space. The ideal location would be in back where one could line up 4,6,maybe even 8 batteries behind the rear wheels, but as we know, the cable runs to the front inverter are too long.

So for underside mounting, that leaves trying to squeeze them in next to the existing 2 Battle Borns. There is no room next to the curbside battery due to the exhaust pipe. On the roadside, it looks possible to add 1, maybe 2 additional batteries if a customized battery box was made (and mounted very securely). And the benefit of a customized box is that it could be sealed up much better than the existing factory ones....

[Gerdog]

Weekend Bob, I’m very impressed with what you have done to upgrade your unit while utilizing as many of the existing features and footprint. We have a new 2022 AI 24GT so not looking to make wholesale replacements just a few upgrades. And, there is not a lot of storage space to begin with so also not looking to do anything that would encroach on the rear space unless absolutely necessary. Last week we took our coach off grid and it did appear that our batteries ran down to 60 - 70% in 1 day (hard to tell w the Victron monitor AS installs in their units). I’m interested in how everything turned out and any issues presented by fitting the 3K inverter in the existing location and the extra batteries behind the drivers seat. I am interested in doing something similar to include Victron Shunt as well but may substitute for 2k inverter or just add 1 more battery for space considerations. Any issues with your current set up, Bob?

I’m not able to do this myself so the next step would be to find a reputable source to help design and do this. I’m thinking AM Solar or someone like that would be a good start. I’m outside of LA and will to travel a reasonable distance for this. Any suggestions from this group on who could do this work? Thanks everyone for you comments on this subject.

[WeekendBob]

Originally Posted by Gerdog

….. I’m interested in how everything turned out and any issues presented by fitting the 3K inverter in the existing location and the extra batteries behind the drivers seat. I am interested in doing something similar to include Victron Shunt as well but may substitute for 2k inverter or just add 1 more battery for space considerations. Any issues with your current set up, Bob?

Hi Gerdog, it’s been almost a year now and everything is still working like a charm. I know of at least one other person on this forum who followed my lead and completed a similar upgrade a few months ago. As far as I know, he’s had no issues either but he’s welcome to chime in and confirm.

[VXRT4LIFE]

Bob helped me quite a bit with this upgrade and I’ve been very happy so far. This project is definitely not for someone who’s not handy or not wiling to learn. You can really mess up and hurt yourself in the process. I hesitate posting the installation because it may not reflect the level of difficulty of this project. We’re here to help if you decide to take on the project. Thanks again Bob!

[VXRT4LIFE]

[jhayesas]

Originally Posted by toskeysam

The Victron would fit, but I did the “ship cables in” last year and did not like 1) waiting for shipment, 2) the “oh crap, it’s too short” problems. That was for a relocation of main, solar, and alternator disconnect switches relocation. If availability of my replacement inverter becomes an issue (already had to switch vendor) I may have to suck it up and go Victron.

I would love to see a pic of a Victron installed under the passenger seat.

[Gerdog]

Thank you Weekend Bob, Mike and others for your narratives, photos, comments on upgrading the batteries and inverter on your AIs. I don't have the aptitude to do this but is precisely what I have wanted to do since ordering and now receiving my 2022 GT. I have been seeking out professionals to do this and your descriptions helped immensely in my quest to find a solution that would allow me to upgrade the system and not subtract from the limited rear storage on my unit.

I checked with two sources in Oregon that a number of people have used for solar/inverter upgrades and they did not seem interested in doing what I wanted to do so I have been talking to a few dealers close to my area in CA. I think I landed on a good solution albeit very expensive so I wanted to run by this group to get your views and opinions before pulling the trigger. My use case will be up to 4 days dry camping at CA state campgrounds, Natl Parks, etc. Based on input from this group we landed on the Xantrex 3000 inverter/charger Pro XC 3000 (do I need a separate remote display or do these come w the display that fits in the space of the existing Magnum?) placed in the same location (passenger seat) with 2 addl BB batteries with undercarriage mounting similar to the factory, Smart Shunt and EZ start so that I could run the AC for short periods of time. Curious if this group thinks 4/0 AWG wiring is necessary as the dealer mentioned they may be able to use 2/0 (that is when I was deciding between 2k and 3K inverters. Also, I spoke to the shop forum to get a sense of their comfort level for doing this and was told this is thing everybody is doing on these AI and obviously they know where everything is so I take some solace in them being able to do unlike the dealer I purchased the unit from but the quotes are always non-descript when it comes to all of the smaller electrical components like fuses, wiring kits, and they just lump into a big line item.

What does the group think and is there any specific guidance that I should either look out for or ask for more details. I want to do this right the first time and appreciate and value this groups knowledge on this topic. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Gerdog

Thank you Weekend Bob, Mike and others for your narratives, photos, comments on upgrading the batteries and inverter on your AIs. I don't have the aptitude to do this but is precisely what I have wanted to do since ordering and now receiving my 2022 GT. I have been seeking out professionals to do this and your descriptions helped immensely in my quest to find a solution that would allow me to upgrade the system and not subtract from the limited rear storage on my unit.

I checked with two sources in Oregon that a number of people have used for solar/inverter upgrades and they did not seem interested in doing what I wanted to do so I have been talking to a few dealers close to my area in CA. I think I landed on a good solution albeit very expensive so I wanted to run by this group to get your views and opinions before pulling the trigger. My use case will be up to 4 days dry camping at CA state campgrounds, Natl Parks, etc. Based on input from this group we landed on the Xantrex 3000 inverter/charger Pro XC 3000 (do I need a separate remote display or do these come w the display that fits in the space of the existing Magnum?) placed in the same location (passenger seat) with 2 addl BB batteries with undercarriage mounting similar to the factory, Smart Shunt and EZ start so that I could run the AC for short periods of time. Curious if this group thinks 4/0 AWG wiring is necessary as the dealer mentioned they may be able to use 2/0 (that is when I was deciding between 2k and 3K inverters. Also, I spoke to the shop forum to get a sense of their comfort level for doing this and was told this is thing everybody is doing on these AI and obviously they know where everything is so I take some solace in them being able to do unlike the dealer I purchased the unit from but the quotes are always non-descript when it comes to all of the smaller electrical components like fuses, wiring kits, and they just lump into a big line item.

What does the group think and is there any specific guidance that I should either look out for or ask for more details. I want to do this right the first time and appreciate and value this groups knowledge on this topic. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Hi

The Xantrex 3000 does not come with any sort of "remote" display at all. The only way to control the stock item is with the top panel controls on the unit. If you want to run it remotely, you will need to buy and wire the remote.

If you want to know / spec exactly what has been done every step of the way on an install, the only practical solution is to do it yourself. Hiring a pro and then second guessing every step implies you already know more than they do. Simple answer: either you trust them (and let them do their thing) or you don't trust them (and hire somebody else).

The Xantrex spec states the wires must be < 5' to the batteries, regardless of gauge. That may or may not be practical depending on just where all the batteries are in your van.

Bob

[Gerdog]

Very good point Bob since I cant do the work myself nor an expert in any sense of the word. I haven't had the best experiences with my dealer’s service in my brief couple of years with Airstream but to your point, either I trust who I am going with or I need to find another source. Thank you for clarifying that the Xantrex should have a outward display similar to the current Magnum inverter and I believe I saw a picture from Mike on his install. I wasn’t sure if that was part of the Inverter kit or not. I do very much appreciate the comments while working on my trust issues

[Rocinante]

I wouldn’t trust any RV Dealer to do this kind of upgrade work. I’d seek out a specialist. We used AM Solar to upgrade our 2014 Airstream trailer, and Solar Tech Energy Systems, a Naples, FL-based specialist, to upgrade our AI.

[Gerdog]

Thank you for your comment Rocinante and that was the impetus for my post and concerns as I would prefer to work with a specialized firm but cant locate one. AM Solar was my first choice and they wanted to use Victron (no issues) and put everything in the rear of the coach. After I sent them photos with measurements they told me it would take virtually all the rear which I know from others they ended up using just a portion. Solar tech is now full time in Naples and hoping to find someone in the western half of the country. In the meantime I feel like I may have landed with a dealer that is better equipped to do this than where I have purchased and have serviced my units to date.

All, please comment if you know of any other reputable installers on the left coast as I would like to make an inquiry.