Forum Discussion

Tinstar's avatar
Tinstar
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017

I need help from some battery and inverter/charger guys.

I've got the Xantrax Freedom 2012 Inverter/Charger. I've never had an inverter prior to this M/H. When I bought the coach it had 4 - 230 amp hr AGM batteries. I've not messed with any settings on it yet. I had to buy 4 new batteries today. I bought Trojan T-105 and they are 225 amp hr.

I'm going to install them tomorrow and do whatever I need to at the inverter display panel. I don't really know what to do. I understand I need to reprogram it for the new batteries. Hopefully, I can follow along in the Owners Guide. Here's what I have found I'm supposed to do.

1. Battery Type: It should set to "Flooded". I am assuming it is set to AGM now.

2. Battery Capacity: I've got 4 at 225 amp hours so should I set it to 900 amp hours which is the total of the 4 new batteries? According to the Owners Guide, the default is 250 Ah but is configurable between 50 and 2000 Ah and I don't know the increments. OR is it asking for the Ah of the individual batteries instead of the total of the whole bank?

3. Max Chg Rate; I assume this should be set at 100% but is also configurable between 10% and 100%

4. Charge Cycle: I should set it to 3 Stage charging.

5. ReCharge Volts: Default is 12.5 but is configurable between 11 and 13.5 volts.

6. AC1 Breaker: Default is 30 but is configurable between 5A and 30A. I'm not sure what this means. I am normally plugged into 50 Amp circuit. Every now and then, to 30 Amp and seldom if ever to 20 Amp. Would this mean I need to change it to a lower value if I'm plugged into a 20 amp circuit or should it just be left on the default 30A?

7. Low Batt Cut Out: Default is 10.5V. It is apparently configurable for these settings: 10.5V 10.0V 12.0V 21.0V 20.0V 24.0V

Like I said, I do have the manual but it is apparently assuming I know more than I do. I didn't find any help on YouTube either. Am I missing anything else I need to do or do you have any suggestions?
Class A
  • msturtz's avatar
    msturtz
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2017
    To make this easier I am interlineating my answers below in Red
    Tinstar wrote:
    I've got the Xantrax Freedom 2012 Inverter/Charger. I've never had an inverter prior to this M/H. When I bought the coach it had 4 - 230 amp hr AGM batteries. I've not messed with any settings on it yet. I had to buy 4 new batteries today. I bought Trojan T-105 and they are 225 amp hr.

    I'm going to install them tomorrow and do whatever I need to at the inverter display panel. I don't really know what to do. I understand I need to reprogram it for the new batteries. Hopefully, I can follow along in the Owners Guide. Here's what I have found I'm supposed to do.

    1. Battery Type: It should set to "Flooded". I am assuming it is set to AGM now.
    Yes
    2. Battery Capacity: I've got 4 at 225 amp hours so should I set it to 900 amp hours which is the total of the 4 new batteries? According to the Owners Guide, the default is 250 Ah but is configurable between 50 and 2000 Ah and I don't know the increments. OR is it asking for the Ah of the individual batteries instead of the total of the whole bank?
    No, you have a series parallel configuration which means you add the capacity of two sets. This means you get 2 x 225 total. So in your case you AMP hour capacity. Please understand you can only use 1/2 of that capacity because lead acid batteries lifetime is dramatically shortened if you discharge them more than 50% depth of discharge.
    3. Max Chg Rate; I assume this should be set at 100% but is also configurable between 10% and 100%
    100% is fine
    4. Charge Cycle: I should set it to 3 Stage charging.
    Yes
    5. ReCharge Volts: Default is 12.5 but is configurable between 11 and 13.5 volts.
    12.5 VDC is fine.
    6. AC1 Breaker: Default is 30 but is configurable between 5A and 30A. I'm not sure what this means. I am normally plugged into 50 Amp circuit. Every now and then, to 30 Amp and seldom if ever to 20 Amp. Would this mean I need to change it to a lower value if I'm plugged into a 20 amp circuit or should it just be left on the default 30A?
    This tells the inverter / charger if you are plugged into a 15, 20, 30, or 50 Amp circuit. Set it as appropriate.
    7. Low Batt Cut Out: Default is 10.5V. It is apparently configurable for these settings: 10.5V 10.0V 12.0V 21.0V 20.0V 24.0V
    I would use 12.1.
    Like I said, I do have the manual but it is apparently assuming I know more than I do. I didn't find any help on YouTube either. Am I missing anything else I need to do or do you have any suggestions?
    .

    Please keep in mind the lower you discharge your batteries the shorter life they will have. This is especially true for flooded batteries.
  • Tinstar's avatar
    Tinstar
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2017
    OK, I've got the 450 Amp hour figured out. Since it's a 12-volt inverter, and I'm wiring 2 - 6 volt batteries in series to get the usable 12 volt supply, it does not increase the Amp hours. Using 4 batteries doubles my Amp hours to 450. Each set of batteries will add another 225 amp hours capacity.

    I still don't understand the AC1 Breaker though. The default is 30 Amps but is configurable between 5 and 30. Apparently, there is not a 50 amp option.

    Low Batt Cut Out: In the manual it shows the settings to be 10.5V, 10.0V, 12.0V, 21.0V, 20.0V, 24.0V. I understand I don't want to discharge too low. So the default of 10.5 is too much?
  • Chad_Heiser's avatar
    Chad_Heiser
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2017
    msturtz wrote:
    To make this easier I am interlineating my answers below in Red
    Tinstar wrote:
    I've got the Xantrax Freedom 2012 Inverter/Charger. I've never had an inverter prior to this M/H. When I bought the coach it had 4 - 230 amp hr AGM batteries. I've not messed with any settings on it yet. I had to buy 4 new batteries today. I bought Trojan T-105 and they are 225 amp hr.

    I'm going to install them tomorrow and do whatever I need to at the inverter display panel. I don't really know what to do. I understand I need to reprogram it for the new batteries. Hopefully, I can follow along in the Owners Guide. Here's what I have found I'm supposed to do.

    1. Battery Type: It should set to "Flooded". I am assuming it is set to AGM now.
    Yes
    2. Battery Capacity: I've got 4 at 225 amp hours so should I set it to 900 amp hours which is the total of the 4 new batteries? According to the Owners Guide, the default is 250 Ah but is configurable between 50 and 2000 Ah and I don't know the increments. OR is it asking for the Ah of the individual batteries instead of the total of the whole bank?
    No, you have a series parallel configuration which means you add the capacity of two sets. This means you get 2 x 225 total. So in your case you AMP hour capacity. Please understand you can only use 1/2 of that capacity because lead acid batteries lifetime is dramatically shortened if you discharge them more than 50% depth of discharge.
    3. Max Chg Rate; I assume this should be set at 100% but is also configurable between 10% and 100%
    100% is fine
    4. Charge Cycle: I should set it to 3 Stage charging.
    Yes
    5. ReCharge Volts: Default is 12.5 but is configurable between 11 and 13.5 volts.
    12.5 VDC is fine.
    6. AC1 Breaker: Default is 30 but is configurable between 5A and 30A. I'm not sure what this means. I am normally plugged into 50 Amp circuit. Every now and then, to 30 Amp and seldom if ever to 20 Amp. Would this mean I need to change it to a lower value if I'm plugged into a 20 amp circuit or should it just be left on the default 30A?
    This tells the inverter / charger if you are plugged into a 15, 20, 30, or 50 Amp circuit. Set it as appropriate.
    7. Low Batt Cut Out: Default is 10.5V. It is apparently configurable for these settings: 10.5V 10.0V 12.0V 21.0V 20.0V 24.0V
    I would use 12.1.
    Like I said, I do have the manual but it is apparently assuming I know more than I do. I didn't find any help on YouTube either. Am I missing anything else I need to do or do you have any suggestions?
    .

    Please keep in mind the lower you discharge your batteries the shorter life they will have. This is especially true for flooded batteries.


    I agree with everything msturtz said except for #5. Each battery manufacturer has recommendations for charging voltages for their batteries. Trojan is no different. If your charger is programmable as you indicate, you need to set the voltages to the manufacturer specs. Trojan recommends the following specs for a T105 battery in a 12 volt configuration: Bulk 14.82 volts, Float 13.5 volts and Equalize 16.2 volts.

    Here is the data sheet for a T105: http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/datasheets/T105_Trojan_Data_Sheets.pdf
  • Chad_Heiser's avatar
    Chad_Heiser
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2017
    Tinstar wrote:
    OK, I've got the 450 Amp hour figured out. Since it's a 12-volt inverter, and I'm wiring 2 - 6 volt batteries in series to get the usable 12 volt supply, it does not increase the Amp hours. Using 4 batteries doubles my Amp hours to 450. Each set of batteries will add another 225 amp hours capacity.

    I still don't understand the AC1 Breaker though. The default is 30 Amps but is configurable between 5 and 30. Apparently, there is not a 50 amp option.

    Low Batt Cut Out: In the manual it shows the settings to be 10.5V, 10.0V, 12.0V, 21.0V, 20.0V, 24.0V. I understand I don't want to discharge too low. So the default of 10.5 is too much?


    Your charger is capable of using up to 30 amps of power. Whether you are on 50 amp or 30 amp is irrelevant to the charger, it will only ever try to draw 30 amps at the most if you set it at 30 amp. Leave this setting at 30 amp. The only time you should change it is if you are plugged into something less than 30 amp power. In this situation the charger could potentially call for up to 30 amps for the charger to recharge a depleted battery bank. If less than 30 amps are available, you will trip the breaker. In this case, set this number to whatever amperage you are plugged into (15 amp or 20 amp).

    The low battery cutout is what tells the inverter to stop inverting if the batteries get too low. There is usually a time associated with the voltage. For example if you set this at 10.5 volts and the time is 10 seconds, the inverter will shut down if it measures 10.5 volts or less for more than 10 seconds. The reason there is a time associated with this setting is because the inverter will initially draw down the batteries to get an AC load going (surge) and then settle into a more constant voltage. You do not want this initial surge to shut your inverter off. As the inverter draws power from the batteries, it will also make the batteries read lower voltage than they actually are. Once the AC load is done (ie the microwave or hair dryer is done being used), the batteries will rebound some to a higher resting voltage. All of this is a long winded answer to say the default setting of 10.5 volts is good.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Nov 21, 2017
    450 amp hours (you put two batteries in series you add VOLTAGE not Amp hours

    You put the two pairs in Parallel THEN you add amp Hours. not voltage

    Other than that you are good.. Trojan suggests a slower recharge than Xantrex does but there is a trade off. Recharge time (important when using Generator) v/s overall battery life.. I do not think Xantrexs suggested 30% C/20 is too fast But if you cut it down a bit.. The batteries will need less maintence
    (Cut it down by reducing the Amp HOurs of battery)

    Odds are that inverter can't charge faster than 100 Amps anwyay so you are good.
  • DSDP_Don's avatar
    DSDP_Don
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2017
    This is a great thread for those new to inverter/chargers. Many don't realize that the more sophisticated inverter/chargers are programmable. Even if you buy a new coach, you should check that the settings are correct, especially if there were optional batteries available upon purchase.
  • msturtz's avatar
    msturtz
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2017
    Chad Heiser wrote:
    msturtz wrote:
    To make this easier I am interlineating my answers below in Red
    Tinstar wrote:
    I've got the Xantrax Freedom 2012 Inverter/Charger. I've never had an inverter prior to this M/H. When I bought the coach it had 4 - 230 amp hr AGM batteries. I've not messed with any settings on it yet. I had to buy 4 new batteries today. I bought Trojan T-105 and they are 225 amp hr.

    I'm going to install them tomorrow and do whatever I need to at the inverter display panel. I don't really know what to do. I understand I need to reprogram it for the new batteries. Hopefully, I can follow along in the Owners Guide. Here's what I have found I'm supposed to do.

    1. Battery Type: It should set to "Flooded". I am assuming it is set to AGM now.
    Yes
    2. Battery Capacity: I've got 4 at 225 amp hours so should I set it to 900 amp hours which is the total of the 4 new batteries? According to the Owners Guide, the default is 250 Ah but is configurable between 50 and 2000 Ah and I don't know the increments. OR is it asking for the Ah of the individual batteries instead of the total of the whole bank?
    No, you have a series parallel configuration which means you add the capacity of two sets. This means you get 2 x 225 total. So in your case you AMP hour capacity. Please understand you can only use 1/2 of that capacity because lead acid batteries lifetime is dramatically shortened if you discharge them more than 50% depth of discharge.
    3. Max Chg Rate; I assume this should be set at 100% but is also configurable between 10% and 100%
    100% is fine
    4. Charge Cycle: I should set it to 3 Stage charging.
    Yes
    5. ReCharge Volts: Default is 12.5 but is configurable between 11 and 13.5 volts.
    12.5 VDC is fine.
    6. AC1 Breaker: Default is 30 but is configurable between 5A and 30A. I'm not sure what this means. I am normally plugged into 50 Amp circuit. Every now and then, to 30 Amp and seldom if ever to 20 Amp. Would this mean I need to change it to a lower value if I'm plugged into a 20 amp circuit or should it just be left on the default 30A?
    This tells the inverter / charger if you are plugged into a 15, 20, 30, or 50 Amp circuit. Set it as appropriate.
    7. Low Batt Cut Out: Default is 10.5V. It is apparently configurable for these settings: 10.5V 10.0V 12.0V 21.0V 20.0V 24.0V
    I would use 12.1.
    Like I said, I do have the manual but it is apparently assuming I know more than I do. I didn't find any help on YouTube either. Am I missing anything else I need to do or do you have any suggestions?
    .

    Please keep in mind the lower you discharge your batteries the shorter life they will have. This is especially true for flooded batteries.


    I agree with everything msturtz said except for #5. Each battery manufacturer has recommendations for charging voltages for their batteries. Trojan is no different. If your charger is programmable as you indicate, you need to set the voltages to the manufacturer specs. Trojan recommends the following specs for a T105 battery in a 12 volt configuration: Bulk 14.82 volts, Float 13.5 volts and Equalize 16.2 volts.

    Here is the data sheet for a T105: http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/datasheets/T105_Trojan_Data_Sheets.pdf
    I stand corrected. I didn't bother looking up the specifications from Trojan. I should have. Thanks for pointing it out.

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