Hi John, Magnum support probably had you do this but just in case... Did you press and hold the tiny power button on the inverter for 15+ seconds? This forces the processor to reset. Also try applying AC power to the input. This should force the charger to start. Make sure the DC voltage measured on the inverter bolts is in proper range.
We have installed over 80 Magnum inverters in RV's in unheated compartments. No
one has ever had a problem powering on. BTW, the product quality and support
has been very good.
Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar
(928) 941-1660
----- Original Message -----
From: cvso...@aol.com
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 8:55 PM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Magnum Energy 120/240 inverter problem.
Wrenches,
We recently decided to try the relatively new 120/240 VAC inverter from
Magnum for an off-grid customer. The inverter is located in a power shed which
shares space with a wood gasifier hot water furnace to heat their house. Upon
completing the hookup using an E-panel, we found that the inverter appeared to
be dead on arrival. No activity when the DC breaker was turned on and the
little "on" button pushed. We requested a replacement from our distributor and
when returning to the job site a few days later with the new unit, decided to
try the defective inverter one more time.... it turned on. Then we added
another string of batteries and turned it back on again with no luck.. seemed
to be intermittent. We then installed the new one and same result.. would not
turn on. Seemed very unusual and the Magnum technician we talked to agreed.
Our distributor then allowed us to send a person to pick up another inverter
and get it to the job site. Same result, would not turn on. Now we have three
inverters. Magnum suggested we hook one up and call them to troubleshoot over
the phone. We hooked up each one in our shop first to see what would happen.
One begrudgingly started to work after numerous attempts to get it to turn on,
one would not turn on at all. We warmed that one with a heat gun (carefully,
of course as to not damage it in any way) and it then fired up. Number three
the same. Looks like it does not come close to the -4 F low end operating
temperature. Our shop is 55 degrees F and the customers shed was at least 32F
or higher with the furnace on. Outside temperature was near about 10 F. HAS
ANYONE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THIS MODEL IN A COLD ENVIRONMENT OR STARTING PROBLEMS
AT ANY TEMPERATURE? I need some feedback to see if we can make this work. I
like the idea of an off-grid only 120/240 inverter that is reasonably priced
but we have COLD weather here. Our Outback systems routinely work in unheated
power sheds.
I am guessing that once they are turned on, they may have enough self
generated heat to stay on. We reinstalled one late this afternoon and coaxed
it alive with some external heat. We are trusting it to stay on and keep their
heat on.
John Blittersdorf
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer tm
Central Vermont Solar & Wind, LLC.
104 River Street
Rutland, VT 05701
802-747-0577
802-773-0924 fax
802-770-8625 cell
www.cvsolar.com
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