Inverter placement

[JRRNeiklot]

I'm redoing my system and I'd like to get my inverter closer to the batteries. I have the Renogy 1,000 watt invrter, and I'd like to put it in the storage area under the bed, next to the batteries. I understand this can be done with lithum batteries. There is plenty of space, but very little - if any - ventilation. IS this a bad idea? The only other option is placing it in the pass-through storage area outside the trailer, which would have to be closed in inclement weather anyway.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

In fan on one end

Out fan on the other end

A 120vac relay will pass 12vdc just fine. NOCTUA fans can be dead silent. A pair of 80 CFM fans would do the trick. Get the filter pads and grills Noctua offers.

18 AWG zip cord will work fine for power to the fans.

[time2roll]

JRRNeiklot wrote:
The space under the bed is 6 feet long by 15 inches wide by 20 inches high. There is really no airflow under there, though.

This would seem reasonably adequate for moderate use or intermittent max power.

[pianotuna]

dougrainer wrote:

So, the MAGNUM fans caused the problem? Since Magnum builds hundreds of thousands of Inverter's IF the magnum design was the problem, there would be lots of this type problem. FYI, Magnum was started by ex Heart/Xantrex Engineers and they designed and built a much better RV product. I have NEVER seen a Magnum have such a scorch fire problem and I have repaired/replaced probably in excess of 1 hundred Magnums in the past 15 years. Not all factory defects, usually outside 120 power source caused. Doug

What caused the problem was lack of cooling. That could easily be avoided. I suspect Magnum makes millions of inverters.

I spoke to the gentleman in Calgary who authorized the warranty. He said he had seen more than a few burn up. I suspect he sees more inverters in a month than you have seen in your entire career.

I am fully aware of who started Magnum, and also that that team is no longer involved.

I suggest that if the cooling fans were powered by 12 volts and thermostatically controlled, the failure would not have happened.

If I were to start over, I'd go with Victron or perhaps Outback.

The reason for that is my Magnum doesn't always like gfci outlets. Sometimes it is fine, and sometimes it blows the gfci.

I have a patch panel so can easily wire around the Magnum and when I do, the gfci never blows, so it is not the RV.

My friend has a Victron with load support (which I love). It never has a problem with gfci.

I'd also jump to 48 volts instead of staying with 12 volts on the input side.

[JRRNeiklot]

The space under the bed is 6 feet long by 15 inches wide by 20 inches high. There is really no airflow under there, though.

[dougrainer]

pianotuna wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
dougrainer,

Using 120 volt fans may not be the best idea. My Magnum inverter caught on fire because of that design. Far better to have a 12 volt fan, thermostatically controlled, that will continue to operate when the inverter is turned off.

Explain how 120 volt 4 inch fans INSTALLED correctly could cause an Inverter to catch on fire. Doug

Properly install the inverter as per Magnum specifications, following their recommendations for clearances.

Put the inverter under a heavy load such as an air conditioner.

After 1 hour, decide you wish to go shopping.

So turn off the air conditioner.

Now turn off the inverter, using the remote control for the Magnum (internal fans cooling fans stop, as the circuit providing power to them is on the 120 volt side of the inverter).

Go shopping and come back to scorch marks up the wall above the inverter.

And that is how my Magnum 3000 inverter/charger self destructed.

If Magnum had chosen 12 volt fans, powered from the DC input, the scenario would not have occurred.

Magnum did replace it under warranty.

So, I suggest, 12 volt cooling fans, thermostatically controlled, may be a better choice.

So, the MAGNUM fans caused the problem? Since Magnum builds hundreds of thousands of Inverter's IF the magnum design was the problem, there would be lots of this type problem. FYI, Magnum was started by ex Heart/Xantrex Engineers and they designed and built a much better RV product. I have NEVER seen a Magnum have such a scorch fire problem and I have repaired/replaced probably in excess of 1 hundred Magnums in the past 15 years. Not all factory defects, usually outside 120 power source caused. Doug

[time2roll]

Depends on how much airspace is under the bed. I have maybe 6" so no space for batteries and marginal for an inverter. Especially if you will be running near 1000 watts for any significant time generating 150+ watts of heat. Possibly you could add some venting positioned to allow the fan to blow warm air into the cabin area.

[dedmiston]

pianotuna wrote:
Put the inverter under a heavy load such as an air conditioner.

Woah. You ran the AC from your inverter? That's pretty gutsy. I feel like a crazy man when I run the toaster or the microwave. I never considered running the air for an hour though.

[dedmiston]

Just a reminder to please keep it civil, friends. Disagree without being disagreeable.

[Itinerant1]

dougrainer wrote:

Itinerant1 wrote:
Plenty of folks have mounted the inverter under the bed with the lfp batteries, some have cut a hole in the side board of the bed frame to allow it to cycle cool/ warm air in depending on the season and add a small muffin fan. The inverters I've seen are 3000w ones not a small 1000w and not yet have I seen anyone say it killed the inverter.

Really, what do YOU do for a living? I WORK on RV's for a Living(41 years). My advice is based on what I have seen since Inverters have become common in the past 25 years. Also on the HEAT observed when Inverters are installed in a closed air space with lack of fresh air. Doug

And your point is?
Your way or no way?
With proper air flow it won't work?

Or you missed the part of...."some have cut a hole in the side board of the bed frame to allow it to cycle cool/ warm air in depending on the season and add a small muffin fan"

As for you working on rvs for 41 years good for you. These forums should give you job security, that's is what the stellar work from manufacturers roll out everyday don't supply. 😉

[pianotuna]

dougrainer wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
dougrainer,

Using 120 volt fans may not be the best idea. My Magnum inverter caught on fire because of that design. Far better to have a 12 volt fan, thermostatically controlled, that will continue to operate when the inverter is turned off.

Explain how 120 volt 4 inch fans INSTALLED correctly could cause an Inverter to catch on fire. Doug

Properly install the inverter as per Magnum specifications, following their recommendations for clearances.

Put the inverter under a heavy load such as an air conditioner.

After 1 hour, decide you wish to go shopping.

So turn off the air conditioner.

Now turn off the inverter, using the remote control for the Magnum (internal fans cooling fans stop, as the circuit providing power to them is on the 120 volt side of the inverter).

Go shopping and come back to scorch marks up the wall above the inverter.

And that is how my Magnum 3000 inverter/charger self destructed.

If Magnum had chosen 12 volt fans, powered from the DC input, the scenario would not have occurred.

Magnum did replace it under warranty.

So, I suggest, 12 volt cooling fans, thermostatically controlled, may be a better choice.

[dougrainer]

pianotuna wrote:
dougrainer,

Using 120 volt fans may not be the best idea. My Magnum inverter caught on fire because of that design. Far better to have a 12 volt fan, thermostatically controlled, that will continue to operate when the inverter is turned off.

Explain how 120 volt 4 inch fans INSTALLED correctly could cause an Inverter to catch on fire. Doug

[dougrainer]

Itinerant1 wrote:
Plenty of folks have mounted the inverter under the bed with the lfp batteries, some have cut a hole in the side board of the bed frame to allow it to cycle cool/ warm air in depending on the season and add a small muffin fan. The inverters I've seen are 3000w ones not a small 1000w and not yet have I seen anyone say it killed the inverter.

Really, what do YOU do for a living? I WORK on RV's for a Living(41 years). My advice is based on what I have seen since Inverters have become common in the past 25 years. Also on the HEAT observed when Inverters are installed in a closed air space with lack of fresh air. Doug

[2oldman]

I wouldn't want my inverter in the house for the fan noise.

[Itinerant1]

Plenty of folks have mounted the inverter under the bed with the lfp batteries, some have cut a hole in the side board of the bed frame to allow it to cycle cool/ warm air in depending on the season and add a small muffin fan. The inverters I've seen are 3000w ones not a small 1000w and not yet have I seen anyone say it killed the inverter.