Forum Discussion

alexcc1's avatar
alexcc1
Explorer
Sep 01, 2016

inverter problem (will not turn off)

Bottom line: My heart 20D inverter will not turn off.

I have a 1998 Safari Sahara with a heart 20D inverter. I got it out of parking and brought it to the house. When I parked it the inverter was on even though the control panel switch is turned off. I checked the switch on the front of the inverter and it is also off, yet the inverter is on.

Contitions:

Shore power: disconnected
Generator : off
control panel switch: off position
inverter on/off switch: off position

yet the inverter is still on!?


Background:
about a week ago I checked on my RV and found the house batteries dead. I refilled the batteries with distilled water and started the generator with the chasis batteries using the interconnect switch. While charging the batteries the inverter tripped off and displayed an overload LED. I latched the inverter compartment door open for better cooling, shut down the generator and let it sit for 20 minutes before restarting and charging. After the batteries were only pulling 20 amps I shut down the generator and called it a day since I was going to bring it to the house to get it ready for a trip. I did not notice any lights on the inverter control panel at the time.

Fast forward 1 week and now the inverter will not shut down. I checked both switches: stays on. Disconnected the control panel: stays on. Checked all of the breakers and fuses and they are good. I don't know what else to do other than disconnect the battery cable to shut it down. And that is just to keep the batteries from getting drained again.

I am looking for ideas and input.

I am also looking for a schematic for the inverter since I assume that there is a relay stuck closed causing the inverter to remain on.


Alex

---------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 2 Sept 16
--------------------------------------------------------------

When I said the inverter comes on, I mean it produces 120V AC power; the lights on the microwave comes on.

I disconnected all batteries and the solar panel and let the rig sit overnight. When I reconnected the batteries (all switches still off)the inverter came on producing 120V AC.

I removed the inverter control panel in the RV and unplugged the communication cable / network cable /telephone looking cable, and the inverter shut down.

To isolate the power switch on the inverter control panel I desoldered one of the wires to the on/off switch. I then plugged the communication cable in and the inverter began producing 120v AC; unplugged the com cable and the inverter shut off. So I resoldered the wire to the on/off switch.

Next, with the com cable unplugged and the inverter off, I went to the inverter and turned on the inverter on/off switch. the inverter came on, producing 120v AC. Turned off the inverter on/off switch andd the inverter shut off.

I took the cover off of the inverter control panel, there were no obvious signs of damaged components.

My next move is to buy a replacement inverter control panel, and check the system operation.


Any other suggestions?
Class A
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Oct 29, 2016
    OLYLEN wrote:
    From the description I would think short in com cable.

    LEN


    They have a manual button on all Inverters. So, you just disconnect the COM cable and that will eliminate that as a cause. This is a common problem on both Heart models and the replacement Xantrex (Heart and Trace merged years ago and formed Xantrex)Freedom models. Usually, (I have never failed to get this to work) you disconnect 120 power and the 12 volt DC supply cable to the Inverter for at least 10 minutes, reconnect and the Inverter reboots itself and turns on and off. One of the problems with the Heart Freedom models was, they have 3 Circuit boards and those board connections inside are kept tight by small wire ties. Those ties get loose over the years and the boards shift and the quick connects fail to make good connections. You can take the case off the Inverter and replace the Wire ties and make sure the boards and quick connects are secure and the Inverter will then work. But, this On /Off problem is not caused by this. Doug
  • OLYLEN's avatar
    OLYLEN
    Explorer
    Oct 29, 2016
    From the description I would think short in com cable.

    LEN
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 29, 2016
    Heart inverters does not exist any longer
    There are a few specialist around who can repair it
    Or you replace it, it's 18 yrs old

    Disconnect the control module
    Unplug it at the inverter where the control cable plugs in

    When the a/c or alternator breaks in an 18 year old car, do you call Ford or gm, or Toyota

    Or do you call your favorite mechanic
    Or just goto the parts store an fix it yourself

    The inverter is an APPLIANCE it was bought by the RV mfg and installed, the RV builder did not create it

    You don't call the RV builder for something like an old fridge or old inverter, you call the part Mfg or you just replace it, or find a specialized tech
  • usersmanual's avatar
    usersmanual
    Explorer
    Oct 29, 2016
    CindyRichelle wrote:
    We have a 1996 Safari Sahara and we are experiencing the same issue with the inverter not shutting off. Calling the manufacture is not likely to help as Safari was bought out by Monaco sometime ago, and their only Safari expert retired last year.

    Did you ever figure this issue out?


    so you tried the reboot method Doug has detailed here?
    and that did not work?
    Did u disconnect the remote + does it shut off then?
    the op did shut after this step
    The op inverter only jams on when using the remote
    by passing the remote it functions correctly
  • CindyRichelle's avatar
    CindyRichelle
    Explorer
    Oct 29, 2016
    We have a 1996 Safari Sahara and we are experiencing the same issue with the inverter not shutting off. Calling the manufacture is not likely to help as Safari was bought out by Monaco sometime ago, and their only Safari expert retired last year.

    Did you ever figure this issue out?
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Sep 01, 2016
    dougrainer wrote:
    Disconnect the 120 power to the RV. Disconnect the 12 volt positive cable at the Inverter for 10 minutes. Then reconnect the battery cable and see what happens. This usually resets the Inverter to function On and Off correctly. Doug


    X2

    If that does not work (and you are certain that 120V appliances are working while no shore power) give the manufacturer a call.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Sep 01, 2016
    Disconnect the 120 power to the RV. Disconnect the 12 volt positive cable at the Inverter for 10 minutes. Then reconnect the battery cable and see what happens. This usually resets the Inverter to function On and Off correctly. Doug
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Sep 01, 2016
    you inverter is also the converter charger

    what do you mean by on ? is producing 120vac ? does the light fixture over the table come on, do the wall sconces turn on, the 4ft 80 watt kitchen florescent turn on

    might be a stuck relay

    disconnect the house batteries
    then RAP/slap the converter with your palm several times
    reconnect the batteries and try again

    the switch on the remote turns off the inverter function, it does not turn off the charge function

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 24, 2025