Magnum Inverter Problems

[Freestyle]

I have a 3000 Watt Magnum inverter less than a year old still under warranty. It is supposed to have its own dedicated battery bank. The inverter is supposed to provide emergency power to life's essentials which I define as (freshwater pump, refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, electronics 12v battery charger, and TV KVH system). It has demonstrated the ability to do this for a reasonable period of time.

On multiple occasions it has failed to provide any power at all despite full batteries. Worse, it blocks shore power or generator power to the above described essential circuits. When it does this underway it is really irritating. When it does this when I am out of town it requires a refrigerator clean up etc. On the last three of these occasions when it blocks all power, the brand new port starting bank goes completely dead despite assurances from the installer that these batteries are not tied to the inverter in any way and that the inverter is stand alone with its own AGM batteries.

Occasionally, a hard restart will bring all things back to normal. This requires removing the positive and negative battery cables and shutting down all shore or generator power for a few hours. It will then invert, charge, and let power from shore or generator flow through it. Port batteries come back too.

Last flaky thing is that the salon SMX controls were blinking wildly today until I hit the start button on the port engine when they came on. The engine didn't start but the salon AC worked for about 5 minutes before shutting down. Are SMX controls somehow tied to the port batteries?

I have liked my inverters on my other boats but this one puts me at grave risk of being anchored on a dark boat that won't start. Does this sound like I have a bad unit, bad install, maybe both?

If both I will just remove the thing and ask for my money back. If it may just be a bad unit, then I will probably try another one only with a bypass switch.

Any suggestions to all of the above are appreciated.

Bruce

Freestyle
1986 54 MY extended to a 67 CPMY (so for systems analysis it is a 54 MY)
Tampa

 

[captainwjm]

It doesn't sound to me like a problem with the inverter, but a wiring or connection issue either w/in the boat or on shore. If this is a newer installation, I'd suggest that the problem lies in how the inverter was installed. I experienced a similar issue with the SMX controls when my inverter was installed. Resolution required tracing the path of the neutrals from the 2 50 amp shore-cords into the panel. I forget if they were crossed or not connected properly, but it was resolved. If this is an older installation that has worked well and suddenly developed issues, I'd do a full wiring review. Good luck.

 

[GJH]

What does Magnum have to say about this? Their tech support is excellent. As mentioned, have you rechecked the installation per their very detailed manual?

 

[Vincentc]

I agree re Magnum support. What about support from you installer? If the installer can not, I would prepare and as built wiring diagram of all wires connecting to the inverter, send it to Magnum support then talk to their tech.

Good luck. Hope you will keep us advised.

 

[Freestyle]

I spent the morning with the installer onboard. The inverter is fried. But the issue is why?

Upon further review, the original LaMarche charger was putting out 50 volts and frying both new battery banks.

Also the radar is non-functioning. Then there is the issue of the waste discharge pump not working. Finally, the SMX in the salon is lit up but flashing gibberish.

The installation people suspect a lightening strike but I can't recall a storm in the last few weeks but I do travel a lot. If it is lightening, then there are probably other undiscovered malfunctions.

And then there is the issue of whether lightening is insured.

Thank you for your responses. Bad morning at the boat.

Bruce

Freestyle
Tampa

 

[Boatsb]

I spent the morning with the installer onboard. The inverter is fried. But the issue is why?

Upon further review, the original LaMarche charger was putting out 50 volts and frying both new battery banks.

Also the radar is non-functioning. Then there is the issue of the waste discharge pump not working. Finally, the SMX in the salon is lit up but flashing gibberish.

The installation people suspect a lightening strike but I can't recall a storm in the last few weeks but I do travel a lot. If it is lightening, then there are probably other undiscovered malfunctions.

And then there is the issue of whether lightening is insured.

Thank you for your responses. Bad morning at the boat.

Bruce

Freestyle
Tampa

If your not tied to 32 volts look at the victoron inverters. They also make great chargers. Not like the cheap xantrex crap.

 

[GJH]

Magnum's quality is at least that of Victron's: I compared the two extensively when I bought my system. Plus they are American made, American owned, and American supported. They also don't make 32 volt stuff, mine was a 24. Flawless in 7 years of very heavy use, given we lived full time out on moorings and anchored and cruised expensively all up and down the east coast.

 

[Boatsb]

Magnum's quality is at least that of Victron's: I compared the two extensively when I bought my system. Plus they are American made, American owned, and American supported. They also don't make 32 volt stuff, mine was a 24. Flawless in 7 years of very heavy use, given we lived full time out on moorings and anchored and cruised expensively all up and down the east coast.

"Cruised expensively". Is that your way of saying on plane?


Maybe my experience with magnum was not so great because I either replaced a bad unit or was being sold wrong equipment. My distributor tried to pull a fast one on me and a customer with a 220 volt unit. It was 50 hz.

I like the victron gear and have been quite happy with their interfacing. I use the laptop to program the systems and have found them to be solid and reliable. I have installed a bunch of their gear and can't say I ever replaced one.

 

[Vincentc]

Bruce,

Re insurance, why would it not cover damage caused by a lightning strike or any other sudden accidental occurrence?

Is there some applicable exclusion in your policy?

Considering the scope of your damage, it sounds like a covered loss.

 

[GJH]

Maybe my experience with magnum was not so great because I either replaced a bad unit or was being sold wrong equipment. My distributor tried to pull a fast one on me and a customer with a 220 volt unit. It was 50 hz.

Extensive, and it doesn't sound like your problem was with Magnum, now was it?

If you can get a quality product like Magnum or Outback from an all-American company, why wouldn't you?

 

[Boatsb]

Too bad I can't sell the chargers and inverter's I replace. Magnum's, xantrex, promariner. .. they all seem to break more often than my favorite. Then again I see dozens a year but you had one for however long.

I'm not saying the magnum is bad. I feel the victron is better.

 

[q240z]

Magnum's quality is at least that of Victron's: I compared the two extensively when I bought my system. Plus they are American made, American owned, and American supported. They also don't make 32 volt stuff, mine was a 24. Flawless in 7 years of very heavy use, given we lived full time out on moorings and anchored and cruised expensively all up and down the east coast.

+1 to this.
I've had three boats that I've installed Magnums on and, having researched them all extensively prior to committing to Magnum, wouldn't consider another brand. Had two Xantrexs, one I bought new and its replacement when the first failed...the second failed soon thereafter. My Magnums have always performed flawlessly, and with the remote panel they're very easy to program.

On the OP, BOATUS recently ran an article in its newsletter about lightning strikes. The things you're describing, especially with multiple electronic devices failing that you're just noticing one-by-one, is exactly the sort of thing they said is common to the claims they see.

 

[risctaker]

Re: BRUCE - 54 MY extended to a 67

I have a 3000 Watt Magnum inverter less than a year old still under warranty. It is supposed to have its own dedicated battery bank. The inverter is supposed to provide emergency power to life's essentials which I define as (freshwater pump, refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, electronics 12v battery charger, and TV KVH system). It has demonstrated the ability to do this for a reasonable period of time.

On multiple occasions it has failed to provide any power at all despite full batteries. Worse, it blocks shore power or generator power to the above described essential circuits. When it does this underway it is really irritating. When it does this when I am out of town it requires a refrigerator clean up etc. On the last three of these occasions when it blocks all power, the brand new port starting bank goes completely dead despite assurances from the installer that these batteries are not tied to the inverter in any way and that the inverter is stand alone with its own AGM batteries.

Occasionally, a hard restart will bring all things back to normal. This requires removing the positive and negative battery cables and shutting down all shore or generator power for a few hours. It will then invert, charge, and let power from shore or generator flow through it. Port batteries come back too.

Last flaky thing is that the salon SMX controls were blinking wildly today until I hit the start button on the port engine when they came on. The engine didn't start but the salon AC worked for about 5 minutes before shutting down. Are SMX controls somehow tied to the port batteries?

I have liked my inverters on my other boats but this one puts me at grave risk of being anchored on a dark boat that won't start. Does this sound like I have a bad unit, bad install, maybe both?

If both I will just remove the thing and ask for my money back. If it may just be a bad unit, then I will probably try another one only with a bypass switch.

Any suggestions to all of the above are appreciated.

Bruce

Freestyle
1986 54 MY extended to a 67 CPMY (so for systems analysis it is a 54 MY)
Tampa

Hey Bruce, Did you get the extension done or did a PO have the extension done. Having a cockpit extension done on my 53MY is an interest of mine. Can you tell me what yard did the work , what was involved and the approx cost?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Freestyle]

Prior owner did the extension in 1992 at St Augustine Boatworks which I have been told is no more.

The cockpit with a 6 foot deep garage below the deck is really nice to have for all sorts of toys and additional fuel. One owner had a jet ski in there. I use it for kayaks, paddle boards, and a couple of extra deep freezers.

Bruce

Freestyle
Tampa