Freedom 458- Replace or consider a different unit

[NHRA_Racer]

It appears that the charging side of my Freedom 458 unit went out. I have spoken to an authorized repair center and they expect a $300 or so charge.

In thinking about this, I may decide to replace the unit and have the other one fixed for a backup. When I have no 12v, the coach is pretty much dead in the water. Also, I figure if I have a backup, the new one will never break! 🙂

My question is this-- is there a better alternative to the Freedom 458? I have searched the posts and it seems like this unit is in a lot of units which makes me think that it is the standard.

Thoughts on a different unit?

Thanks for the input.

[NHRA_Racer]

So I purchased the MS2812 and the remote. I have read the directions.

Is this a simple swap? The cabling with the exception of the temp sensor seems to be the same.

Any help would be appreciated. DIY or get to my RV tech?

[NHRA_Racer]

Took the plunge. MS2812. Hope it's as user friendly as everyone says it is!

[docj]

mena661 wrote:

wilco wrote:
I had the Freedom 458 on my last rig for 12 years without problems. Unless there is some new cosmic technology that might obsolete these things, I might be inclined to repair/replace the current unit and avoid the wiring/monitoring problems that might occur with some other unit.

Shouldn't be any problems. Magnum inverters are VERY high quality, proven units.

With things electronic, it is almost certain that anything 12 years old is functionally obsolete compared with newer units. I wouldn't repair a 12 yr-old inverter any more than I would a 12 yr old TV or computer.

[mena661]

wilco wrote:
I had the Freedom 458 on my last rig for 12 years without problems. Unless there is some new cosmic technology that might obsolete these things, I might be inclined to repair/replace the current unit and avoid the wiring/monitoring problems that might occur with some other unit.

Shouldn't be any problems. Magnum inverters are VERY high quality, proven units.

[wilco]

I had the Freedom 458 on my last rig for 12 years without problems. Unless there is some new cosmic technology that might obsolete these things, I might be inclined to repair/replace the current unit and avoid the wiring/monitoring problems that might occur with some other unit.

[time2roll]

A 50+ amp converter to charge battery could be added if the inverter itself is working and you need something soon while you decide what to get. Or just leave the converter in place.

[docj]

Yes, you can buy a remote panel for the Magnum that contains AGS capability. If you are not aware, there is also a Cummins/Onan wireless add-on that does the same thing.

[NHRA_Racer]

With the Magnum, is there an auto gen start option available?

Thanks

[docj]

FW wrote:
docj; Did you mean you used the same monitor or just the cable?
If you used a new monitor, what did you do with the old one?
I'm looking for an RC7 or RC7GS?

Only the cable can be reused; the monitors are not interchangeable. I gave all the old parts to the RV mobile service tech who installed the Magnum. I can provide his contact info but I don't know if he kept the stuff or not.

[FW]

docj; Did you mean you used the same monitor or just the cable?
If you used a new monitor, what did you do with the old one?
I'm looking for an RC7 or RC7GS?

[gatorcq]

Magnum MS2800, is what I installed, came from an RG2010 Xantrex

[TechWriter]

docj wrote:

The replacement of the Xantrex by the Magnum was easy; the form factor for both is about the same and the connections are in roughly the same locations so existing cable lengths worked. The Magnum's remote panel uses the same telephone wire and RJ connectors so I could use the one that was already in place.

X2 -- but I replaced my Freedom with a Magnum MS2000. The fact that you can use the same remote control panel wiring was icing on the cake as I had no desire to run wire.

[MrWizard]

moved from technology corner

[docj]

Bill.Winegard wrote:

During the sleep period it completely stops charging the battery as a way of reducing water loss.

That appears to be what our new inverter does as well. While I don't see any documentation as to time, it does go into a state where it shows 0.0 amps of charging. Then, from time to time it kicks in at some random rate but never the full 150 amp which appears to be a step higher than float. We have AGM batteries so water is not an issue but I think this charging pattern will provide a better overall experience than our old 458. I do know that the new 150 amp charger and the way the charging cycles are handled, substantially reduces the recharging time when we are dry camping.

It's pretty clear that electronics have made significant strides in the past decade. Another thing I noticed about my new unit is that if you have the charger off for any reason it starts back up with a minute or two of rapidly ramping the charge rate up and down from zero to 150A. I think what it's doing is determining how the batteries react so it can then select an appropriate charge rate, rather than always starting from bulk charge and going forwards from there like the old Freedom 458 used to do. As you said, Bill, these little things should improve overall battery performance and lifetime.

[Bill_Satellite]

During the sleep period it completely stops charging the battery as a way of reducing water loss.

That appears to be what our new inverter does as well. While I don't see any documentation as to time, it does go into a state where it shows 0.0 amps of charging. Then, from time to time it kicks in at some random rate but never the full 150 amp which appears to be a step higher than float. We have AGM batteries so water is not an issue but I think this charging pattern will provide a better overall experience than our old 458. I do know that the new 150 amp charger and the way the charging cycles are handled, substantially reduces the recharging time when we are dry camping.