Magnum hybrid

[Kenny kustom]

It is listed as a inverter charger.

Does that mean it replaces the convertor???


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[itat]

I'm not an expert on this stuff but it appears to be an inverter (i.e. converts 12VDC to 120VAC) and a charger (recharges the battery when connected to shore power or a generator), but it doesn't appear to be a replacement for the OEM converter because there is no distribution panels for all your AC and DC circuits.

Somebody a lot smarter than me will come along to provide a more informed opinion.

[Kenny kustom]

Is it a good idea to get the battery monitor from magnum?

They have the controller
Battery monitor
Temp sensor.

All add ons.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[itat]

I think the most popular full featured battery monitor is the TriMetric brand but if you just want a simple digit readout volt meter you can buy them on Amazon.

Try searching the Electrical, Charging Systems and Solar threads if you don't get any responses here.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f218/

I never camp without shore power so I don't have any expertise on batteries. Sorry.

[Ramblin Recks]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

It is listed as a inverter charger.

Does that mean it replaces the convertor???


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

Your converter is still in play. When you are connected to shore pwr, AC passes through the Magnum like "normal" thus powering your Converter providing 12VDC.
IMO the Magnum Hybrid Inverter/charger is top of the line. It was out of my budget at the time I installed my solar system.
So its claim to fame is the "hybrid" operation. If you are on solar and have a generator on board. It will automatically start your generator if your AC demand is too big (4k watts) for the inverter (on solar/batteries) to handle on its own and match the desired AC output using both the generator and solar/bat together, without you thinking about it.
I manage our energy usage so we don't get into get into that scenario ( ie, not running microwave, Res Refer, hair dryer, or whatever at the same time.)
It's pretty cool, and that would be on my upgrade list if Santa ever asks......

[Kenny kustom]

My convertor is stand alone, on the floor.

I thought it would replace it.


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[Ramblin Recks]

The stock converter has the 12V fuses and AC breakers built into one unit. That stays in tacked.
Typically the stock battery charger plugs into the back of the WFCO converter. When you install an inverter/charger, unplug the stock charger from the converter, so there are not two chargers in play operated by AC at the same time. I physically left my stock charger in place, and just unplugged it, and keep it as a backup if the Magnum ever dies.

[Kenny kustom]

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I AM NOT THE WEIGHT POLICE...

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Recks

The stock converter has the 12V fuses and AC breakers built into one unit. That stays in tacked.
Typically the stock battery charger plugs into the back of the WFCO converter. When you install an inverter/charger, unplug the stock charger from the converter, so there are not two chargers in play operated by AC at the same time. I physically left my stock charger in place, and just unplugged it, and keep it as a backup if the Magnum ever dies.

X2, you don't want 2 devices trying to charge the batteries. The converters only function is to convert 12vac to 12v to charge your batteries. All your 12vdc fixtures then run from the battery power.

[Ramblin Recks]

Sorry, got my terminology screwed up.
A full solar inverter/charger system install can eliminate the charger and DC supply functions of the converter. Some rigs have an integrated converter/charger/12-volt Fuse distribution center (my confusion).

The converter you show, when rig is connected to shore, charges the battery bank. It gets its AC from the rear of the Fuse distribution center.

The DC Fuse distribution center is connected to the battery bank, so when rig is not connected to shore, the battery bank does it job.

With Magnum installed, the DC fuse distribution center is (still) connected to the battery bank.

Magnum charges the batteries (on shore/gen pwr).

converter=charger

[Kenny kustom]

That's what I figured.

Now to decide, wether to just drive the whole panel. Or add a sub panel.

Heavily leaning towards just driving the whole panel.


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[Ramblin Recks]

I added a sub-panel for the AC circuits. But I only have a 2000W inverter, so I had to chose the circuits I wanted to power.

[Kenny kustom]

With the 3k hybrid, could I get away without a sub? Knowing not to turn everything on at once.


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2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

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[Ramblin Recks]

Do you have an onboard generator?

Like you say, you would have to be careful about what is turned on like the electric hot water, fireplace, etc.

My Magnum will only handle 30A pass thru, so I could not drive my whole panel, but I think the Hybrid can handle two 30A legs pass thru, so amp wise you could drive the whole thing.

[Kenny kustom]

No on board genny.
Looking at a Yamaha.
Magnum tells me 60A for the inverter. So, that should be more than enough.

Don't ya think?


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[Ramblin Recks]

Oh yeah, two 30a legs is plenty.
I would need to verify this, but, if no on-board genny, then the only function the Hybrid would provide, is if you are "mooch-docking" plugged into your families house with a 15a circuit. If you try to run more than 15a, than the Hybrid would kick in and provide load sharing from your battery bank. IMO a Hybrid is most useful when paired with an on-board genny so it can automatically start when needed.

[Kenny kustom]

Correct!!


If I stick a large battery bank in there, it will load share from the batteries when needed.


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[Kenny kustom]

Now, on the battery selection.

The geek in me wants a nice lithium pack, although the $4k is a little wild.

Lifeline and odyssey make some nice Agm batts.

$2k would get me 4, 200ah ( 400ah total) 6 volts.
With a weight of 400lbs. ( lifeline)

Same money and weight for 4, 12 volts 214 ah ( 856 ah total? )

$4k for lithium pack. 800ah and about 150lbs.

Agm can draw down to 60% or so.
Lithium down to 30%.
So that's twice the ah with them vs Agm.

Sound about right? Or am I on glue?


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

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[Ramblin Recks]

Yeup, $$$ vs weight vs capacity.
It would be easy to shoot the moon if cost is no object. I sized my system based upon on actual usage.
I really wanted AGMs, but got a deal I could not pass up on 300 pounds of T-145s.

Some good blogs out there from some early adopters of Lithium in RVs. I read that AM Solar is installing these now. Not sure how the Magnum handles the charging of the Lithiums.

[Kenny kustom]

My spare is mounted in the bottom of the basement. I was going to relocate it, and out battery bank there.
A lot of the batteries I have been looking at are too tall.
There's a few lifeline and odyssey that are under 10" tall.


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