[RE-wrenches] Magnum MMS inverter / Honda 3000i charger problems

[Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems]

Hi Dan,

If you have not made ANY changes to the inverter and it operates fine with the 1000 watt, it must be the Honda 3000 output.

The reliability of Magnum has been consistent and outstanding so I doubt it is the problem. I have seen them fault out on over frequency, over voltage and under voltage but always return to normal operation after the power quality is within spec.

Bottom line is I would not be looking at the Magnum as the problem UNLESS a parameter or wiring was changed. 

Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar Power Systems
11871 S Fortuna Road, #210
Yuma, AZ 85367

larry at starlightsolar.com
(928) 342-9103



On Jul 8, 2011, at 3:56 PM, Dan Fink wrote:

> Hello esteemed Wrenches,  from the wilds of British Columbia......
> 
> I'm in a bit of a pickle. Brand new Magnum MMS1012 inverter/charger install. 4 x T105, 12v system.
> 
> Inverter side works fine.  Charger side works fine too, from a Honda 1000i. But plug it into the Honda 3000i (also brand new) and I get an "AC Overload Fault" (that is with NOTHING hooked to the AC inverter outputs...stubbed off wires) --I  just called Magnum tech support on the satphone and they said that's because the power quality does not meet their specs. I'm measuring 125vac RMS off the honda 3000i, Hz is around 2.2khz (ripple I assume....not a fancy DC clamp meter, Tenma, as it can be dunked in the river at any time during transport -- 2 mile canoe trip, then 4 mile backpack trip to the site, after the 150 mile floatplane trip)
> 
> While Magnum tech support was friendly and helpful, their suggestion of having the brand new Honda 3000i checked and serviced involves a helicopter and float plane at a cost of about $6k. The Honda 1000i that actually works with this Magnum MMS is headed down to another camp.
> 
> Any ideas? My Plan B is to fly in a dedicated 3-stage solid state battery charger from xantrex or iota next month and leave detailed instructions for the novices here to install it......I head down by canoe tomorrow to shore things up , and then backpack / canoe back up here and  fly out in 7 days. Leave the charger side of the Magnum MMS unhooked.....how do I explain that to my client exactly?
> 
> I just DO NOT GET IT. These are all brand new Honda i-series generators. Since we are all clouds and rain right now, I'm on interent via an identical Magnum MMS 1012 and a Honda 2000i here at the main camp, has worked like a charm for over a year now. The computers and internet do not even so much as fart during a gen/inverter transfer, even when on the sat phone. The 3000i down there at the other camp in question has been working fine on all loads for a month before this new install....everything from power tools to lights to radio/gps/satphone chargers to laptops to boom boxes.
> 
> Why is this 3000i causing trouble? Or is it some kind of new MMS inverter software? Wish I had time to switch this Magnum gear around between camps. But even an MMS is damned heavy when you have to carry it 4 miles in a backpack......and any Honda over 1kw is impossible and needs a heli.
> 
> In fact, the gentleman who 3 days ago had to carry the MMS1012  4 miles  in his backpack through clouds of mosquitos, wading through rivers and swamps,  wanted a word with Magnum tech support too today. His name is Mark. I wouldn't let him on the phone with Magnum. I only had to carry a backpack full of breaker boxes, which are relatively light in weight, which puts me in a relatively good mood. His mood was not so great.
> 
> All suggestions appreciated, as always, and thanks in advance.
> 
> Dan Fink