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Old 02-27-2010, 12:04 PM   #14
RodeWorthy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Woodstock, Ontario
Posts: 370
Thom,
Sorry about the Trombetta failure comment. I had you mixed up with Lauren. Also no problem on the current rating of the RS3000 charger. I just wanted to point out it is plenty capable and able to charge at a rate that is too high for the 4 x 6V Interstate U2200 battery set (according to Interstate). I will deal with the charging issue in a separate post.

Your pump issues are not untypical. I have met or read posts from many people who have had multiple failures of the Shurflo Extreme 5.7 GPM pump. Some as many as 5 and now you report 7. Wow! I am on my 3rd one. My problems were not over voltage. My pump problems were related to 1) electronics control -- pump would continuously hunt and run on at very low speed without shutting off; 2) internal check valve failure causing pump to backfill the fresh water tank when connected to c.g. supply. I never had an outright failure of the pump where it would not run. But I agree -- being without water in not an option -- and it is our only source when dry camping. I came close to buying a spare but did not. I may regret that.

The loss of the fluorescent lamps is another matter. The number of failures you have is very high. I would suspect a problem too. My first thought about a possible cause is very high voltage spikes from the inverter due to failed capacitors in the inverter/charger. They exist to filter such spikes. You are already in touch with the right people to make that assessment so I won't speculate further on that. We have 5 fluorescent fixtures in our '07 rig and have never experienced a failure. We do not use those fixtures very often. In fact, I cannot recall any light bulbs failing.

We have the same setup you have but I have modified the factory battery wiring considerably. PM me If you would like a diagram of the changes. My converter is not connected and never has been. It is available as a stand by in case the inverter has to be removed for service.

My RS3000 is model 809-3000. Firmware revision is 1.09.00. I would be very interested to know the specifics of how your battery bank is set up in the Xantrex. Especially since they have approved it. This is a bit of a confusing area. Would also be interested to know what F/W revison they are suggesting and what they think that might fix.

I am still of a mind that the voltages (mid-14V) you are seeing are not abnormal when charging and should not be causing your problem. The values are within the range for the charging algorithm of the inverter/charger.

I am not sure what more I can offer. If there is something you would like me to check to compare my system to yours let me know. Hope you get to the bottom of this soon.
__________________
RodeWorthy

'07 Mobile Suites 36RS3 #3910
Mor/ryde IS, Trailersaver TS3 hitch
Level-Up with Remote Control
4 x 135W Solar Panels, Outback Controller, 4 x 6V batteries, Xantrex Inverter/Charger
'08 Chevy 3500 dually Duramax/Allison
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