Freedom 1800 charger current too low

[Sindbad]

We have a Freedom 1800 inverter installed, which came with the boat. As we are mostly anchoring we run the generator to charge the batteries through the inverter. Maximum charger current is 40 amps, which can be set at the control panel. But whatever I set, the current is limited to 10 amps. It was not an issue in the marina when we had shore power 24 hours a day therefore it took some time until I realized, we don' t get charged our batteries.
So far I didn' t notice any problems on the supply side, e.g. Microwave works fine as long the batteries are not flat.
Any idea what the problem is?
Thank you
Sindbad


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[Ex-Calif]

Did you ever have it working properly while on generator?

Prime suspect is the supply from the generator to the inverter.

I presume you are not getting any error codes.

http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Inv...1_Rev-A)-1.pdf

[Sindbad]

Not 100% sure it ever worked properly. I just didn't pay attention, as I was not aware of any problems. But after I started to look more carefully I noticed that the fans are always running, which they didn't before. Possibly an issue with high temperature due to poor ventilation? But then I do not understand why there is no limitation when inverting DC to AC!
No error code is displayed.
Guess I will first check the input from the generator.


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[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Sindbad

Not 100% sure it ever worked properly. I just didn't pay attention, as I was not aware of any problems. But after I started to look more carefully I noticed that the fans are always running, which they didn't before. Possibly an issue with high temperature due to poor ventilation? But then I do not understand why there is no limitation when inverting DC to AC!
No error code is displayed.
Guess I will first check the input from the generator.


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Well the fans running continuously is a sign of high temps. The manual linked has a temperature chart that shows output limiting based on ambient temps.

But the key for me is that it works normally on shore power AC and it is limited on Generator AC.

Apples to apples this leads me to suspect the generator AC supply to the inverter...

[smac999]

is the 10a the actual charger current or the net amps to your battery (read on a battery monitor) big difference. that later just means you are using 30a on the boat.

the first might mean your charger / inverter is dying. I've replaced lots of xantrax freedoms in the past 2 years.

[Sindbad]

10 A is the actual charger current.


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[Sindbad]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Well the fans running continuously is a sign of high temps. The manual linked has a temperature chart that shows output limiting based on ambient temps.



But the key for me is that it works normally on shore power AC and it is limited on Generator AC.



Apples to apples this leads me to suspect the generator AC supply to the inverter...

The inverter does not know if he is on shore power or generator. I didn't notice that there is an issue, because the batteries were continuously charged with 10A while in the marina. All are big consumers fridge/freezer, watermaker, aircon only run on AC power directly and not through the inverter.
The location were the inverter is located, is far from optimized in a closed compartment under the seats in the saloon. I guess this might have eventually caused the trouble.


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[Sindbad]

I opened the inverter and found that one of the smaller fans, which are cooling the electronics had quit. My guess was that it did not contribute much to the cooling, therefore I took it out.


After everything else was in place again, things looked promising first. Charging current was 30 amps, but went down within a few minutes to less than 5 amps. And even worth was that the inverter quit to supply AC power.



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[Sindbad]

This is the back of the fan. One of the blades had been rubbing against the mesh of the air intake.


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[Stu Jackson]

The Freedoms have a feature called

Power Share Feature for Link 2000 Controlling Honda Generators
Very helpful hint to control generators and 20A shorepower
Power Share feature on Link 2000

Check the manual. If you don't have a manual:

DISCONTINUED XANTREX PRODUCTS LINK

Discontinued Power Inverter/Chargers

and for Link products:

Discontinued Power Accessories

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Sindbad

I opened the inverter and found that one of the smaller fans, which are cooling the electronics had quit. My guess was that it did not contribute much to the cooling, therefore I took it out.
Attachment 87608

After everything else was in place again, things looked promising first. Charging current was 30 amps, but went down within a few minutes to less than 5 amps. And even worth was that the inverter quit to supply AC power.



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If the drop in current is correlated with the unit temperature it is likely the unit's temperature self limiting feature.