Replacing the Xantrex inverter on a BT36 with Victron 3000w inverter/charger

[Fourknobs]

Has anyone swapped the stock Xantrex 2000 inverter and WFCO 55amp converter with a Victron 3000w inverter charger? I couldn't find any info on this using the search feature so I figured I would put it out to the group. I've upgraded my batteries to a single 400ah Chins lithium and swapped my bim/bird for a LiBim 225. Something is going on with my converter and I'm only getting 10 amps max on shore power or generator. It is an AD converter so it should be able to detect the lithium battery and push 40amps when it is low. Instead of wasting $200 on a new converter I'm planning to just bite the bullet and install a 3000w Victron. My question is this: for anyone that has done this, did you just run a 50amp capable AC wire from the transfer switch to the Victron, then another one from the Victron back to the distribution panel? Since the Victron is a pass through inverter, it should make all the breakers live by doing this. I also believe I'll need to take the fridge and tv wires that ran from the Xantrex and cap them off in a junction box inside the front storage compartment where the Xantrex/Victron swap would be. I suppose I could add a 120 outlet to the box as well. I also will need to install proper bus bars in the battery compartment and use the 6awg positive and negative wires that ran from the converter to the battery to supply 12volt dc back to the distribution panel. I know that's a lot to digest, but surely someone here has done this and can shed some light on my situation and keep me from screwing things up royally.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I did pretty much the same... but on a 30 amp motorhome. I believe you'll have two split phase 120v legs though. Plus many installs on 50A setups use two separate inverter/chargers. Hello Macdaddy... this one's for you!!

 

[Beau388]

Yes, it doable but you will need a 120 volt sub panel with 15 amp CBs, since the inverter output is 25 amps and then there is a 50 amp pass through. If you want everything on the inverter, you will need 2 inverters because your coach has two 50 amp legs. Second problem is the wire size from the battery bank to the inverter. You need the cable to handle at least 300 amps (a couple 1/0 welding cables on each lug). I used 2 #2 cables for my Xantrex Freedom 2000 with a 250 CB.

As for putting the inverters, before the power center, not a good idea; however, I think the Judge wired his original coach somewhat that way.

 

[ducksface]

My a/c is ran separately on shore or generator only.
When I ran it through the batteries it sometimes freaked out if the batteries were too low to buffer the load.

 

[macdaddy1111]

Has anyone swapped the stock Xantrex 2000 inverter and WFCO 55amp converter with a Victron 3000w inverter charger? I couldn't find any info on this using the search feature so I figured I would put it out to the group. I've upgraded my batteries to a single 400ah Chins lithium and swapped my bim/bird for a LiBim 225. Something is going on with my converter and I'm only getting 10 amps max on shore power or generator. It is an AD converter so it should be able to detect the lithium battery and push 40amps when it is low. Instead of wasting $200 on a new converter I'm planning to just bite the bullet and install a 3000w Victron. My question is this: for anyone that has done this, did you just run a 50amp capable AC wire from the transfer switch to the Victron, then another one from the Victron back to the distribution panel? Since the Victron is a pass through inverter, it should make all the breakers live by doing this. I also believe I'll need to take the fridge and tv wires that ran from the Xantrex and cap them off in a junction box inside the front storage compartment where the Xantrex/Victron swap would be. I suppose I could add a 120 outlet to the box as well. I also will need to install proper bus bars in the battery compartment and use the 6awg positive and negative wires that ran from the converter to the battery to supply 12volt dc back to the distribution panel. I know that's a lot to digest, but surely someone here has done this and can shed some light on my situation and keep me from screwing things up royally.

**** yeah! Mobile power plant!

 

[macdaddy1111]

Has anyone swapped the stock Xantrex 2000 inverter and WFCO 55amp converter with a Victron 3000w inverter charger? I couldn't find any info on this using the search feature so I figured I would put it out to the group. I've upgraded my batteries to a single 400ah Chins lithium and swapped my bim/bird for a LiBim 225. Something is going on with my converter and I'm only getting 10 amps max on shore power or generator. It is an AD converter so it should be able to detect the lithium battery and push 40amps when it is low. Instead of wasting $200 on a new converter I'm planning to just bite the bullet and install a 3000w Victron. My question is this: for anyone that has done this, did you just run a 50amp capable AC wire from the transfer switch to the Victron, then another one from the Victron back to the distribution panel? Since the Victron is a pass through inverter, it should make all the breakers live by doing this. I also believe I'll need to take the fridge and tv wires that ran from the Xantrex and cap them off in a junction box inside the front storage compartment where the Xantrex/Victron swap would be. I suppose I could add a 120 outlet to the box as well. I also will need to install proper bus bars in the battery compartment and use the 6awg positive and negative wires that ran from the converter to the battery to supply 12volt dc back to the distribution panel. I know that's a lot to digest, but surely someone here has done this and can shed some light on my situation and keep me from screwing things up royally.

Get rid of old converter, built in Victron converter makes dc charger to batteries
Did you get pc to inverter dongle to set inverter?

 

[Fourknobs]

Get rid of old converter, built in Victron converter makes dc charger to batteries
Did you get pc to inverter dongle to set inverter?

Ultimately, that's what I'm trying to accomplish. I like to boondock and if I use up 50% of my battery(200ah), I'd like to run the genny for a couple hours to bring it back to 95%+/-. I considered getting a 100amp converter and running new 2awg lines from under the bed to battery. I mentioned that to a few people and they all said "well at that point you might as well just put in a new inverter/charger". I'm not trying to run air conditioners on battery(yet), and I'm ok with only having the fridge, the tvs, and the bedroom vanity plugs live from the inverter. It's a bit annoying to move the Kureg to the bedroom to make a coffee without firing up the genny in the morning, but I can live with it for now.

 

[ducksface]

Amazon.com

If you haven't bought yet please consider the linked unit.

Lots of youtube videos explain some very useful advantages.

One is that if shore power is 107v(insert any inadequate voltage here), this unit steals from the batteries to make it 120v...while STILL charging the batteries.

Another is 150a charging.

 

[Fourknobs]

If you haven't bought yet please consider the linked unit.

Lots of youtube videos explain some very useful advantages.

One is that if shore power is 107v(insert any inadequate voltage here), this unit steals from the batteries to make it 120v...while STILL charging the batteries.

Another is 150a charging.

I'll have to read more on that Xantrex. At first glance it appears to have the same specs and features as the Victron Multiplus. It still puts me back at my original question of how to wire it in. The simplest and cheapest way, in my opinion would be to get a much stronger converter and run new DC lines. But I'm more than willing to spend the money and have all my plugs live with a better inverter/charger IF I have a clear understanding of how to do it. And as it stands, I don't have a clue. I'll look for the youtube videos you referenced.

 

[Fourknobs]

Yes, it doable but you will need a 120 volt sub panel with 15 amp CBs, since the inverter output is 25 amps and then there is a 50 amp pass through. If you want everything on the inverter, you will need 2 inverters because your coach has two 50 amp legs. Second problem is the wire size from the battery bank to the inverter. You need the cable to handle at least 300 amps (a couple 1/0 welding cables on each lug). I used 2 #2 cables for my Xantrex Freedom 2000 with a 250 CB.

As for putting the inverters, before the power center, not a good idea; however, I think the Judge wired his original coach somewhat that way.

I guess I'm not understanding why I need all of that? I'm just dropping the inverter between the transfer switch and the panel, although the inverter will be 15 feet away from the transfer switch and panel. They are under the bed, whereas the inverter is in a front storage bay, next to the batteries. The Victron multiplus 2 takes a split phase input and gives a split phase output. It passes through 50amps on each leg as it comes from the transfer switch. The only real caution that I've seen is that I would have to be mindful of loads when I'm on battery power. Obviously I can't fire up both AC units and the microwave at the same time.
This is the best video explanation I've seen.

 

[Fourknobs]

My a/c is ran separately on shore or generator only.
When I ran it through the batteries it sometimes freaked out if the batteries were too low to buffer the load.

I don't plan to run the AC on batteries, but the power for them WILL pass through the Victron inverter while on SP or Genny.

 

[Fourknobs]

Here's another video showing the same setup in a 5th wheel without a Genny. Although his diagram shows what it would be like with a Genny and transfer switch. The diagram is at the 8:07 mark.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Shore power and generator use your existing transfer switch. If the Multiplus 2 handles two split-phase circuits, the two outputs from your existing transfer switch would go into the Multiplus... the outputs from the Multiplus into your sub panels.

The Multiplus should pass-through current from the transfer switch - essentially acting as a second in-line transfer switch. With no shore power or generator running, the Multiplus will seamlessly pull power from your battery bank.

So you are correct - you're essentially dropping the Multiplus between your existing transfer switch and sub panels.

However... be sure to do ampacity calculations carefully for every cable and fuse properly!

 

[16ACE27]

Here's another video showing the same setup in a 5th wheel without a Genny. Although his diagram shows what it would be like with a Genny and transfer switch. The diagram is at the 8:07 mark.

View attachment 1105403

To install inline to SP you will need the 5000 KVA unit for the integrated transfer switch to be able to handle 50 amps from SP or the generator.

The other thing to research is can the ATS handle the generator output which is generally both hot leads in-phase instead of the 240 VAC split phase standard.

 

[Fourknobs]

To install inline to SP you will need the 5000 KVA unit for the integrated transfer switch to be able to handle 50 amps from SP or the generator.

The other thing to research is can the ATS handle the generator output which is generally both hot leads in-phase instead of the 240 VAC split phase standard.

According to both of those videos, and Victron's website, the 3000 Multiplus ll is designed to handle 50amps.
From the Victron website:
The MultiPlus-II 2 x120V is the perfect one-box mobile solution for standard North American 50A 120/240VAC split-phase applications. Whether it is supplied from shore power or a generator, the MultiPlus-II 2x120V can accept and passthrough both lines of a 120/240V supply, with the capability to utilize the full 50A for charging and AC loads. When connecting to a single phase 120V supply, the L1 input of the MultiPlus-II 2x120V will accept incoming power for charging and passthrough, while combining the L1 and L2 outputs for single-phase 120V on each line.

 

[16ACE27]

According to both of those videos, and Victron's website, the 3000 Multiplus ll is designed to handle 50amps.
From the Victron website:
The MultiPlus-II 2 x120V is the perfect one-box mobile solution for standard North American 50A 120/240VAC split-phase applications. Whether it is supplied from shore power or a generator, the MultiPlus-II 2x120V can accept and passthrough both lines of a 120/240V supply, with the capability to utilize the full 50A for charging and AC loads. When connecting to a single phase 120V supply, the L1 input of the MultiPlus-II 2x120V will accept incoming power for charging and passthrough, while combining the L1 and L2 outputs for single-phase 120V on each line.

You're right on 2 x 120 model. I was looking at the 230 VAC models.

 

[Maggie May-THOR]

Ultimately, that's what I'm trying to accomplish. I like to boondock and if I use up 50% of my battery(200ah), I'd like to run the genny for a couple hours to bring it back to 95%+/-. I considered getting a 100amp converter and running new 2awg lines from under the bed to battery. I mentioned that to a few people and they all said "well at that point you might as well just put in a new inverter/charger". I'm not trying to run air conditioners on battery(yet), and I'm ok with only having the fridge, the tvs, and the bedroom vanity plugs live from the inverter. It's a bit annoying to move the Kureg to the bedroom to make a coffee without firing up the genny in the morning, but I can live with it for now.

I also have a BT-36 and was annoyed by how little the inverter powered. After studying the TMC wiring schematics, I noticed that the Refrigerator circuit went to the inverter, and ended under the bed. The kitchen "Power Tower" is on the GFCI circuit. I removed that wire from the breaker box and connected it to the end of the inverter circuit at the bed outlet.

If you do replace the inverter, you will need to connect the AC in and the AC out wires to keep the circuit complete