Unknown Fault on Magnum Remote

[JBMB1212]

Motorhome is a 2009 Monaco Camelot 42 PDQ.

The remote on the wall is showing unknown fault. It appears there is no power to the charger/inverter. The progressive surge protector shows good power coming in from plug. The remote reads shore power then switches to read gen set when the generator is turned on so I believe the transfer switch is good. Batteries read 12.29 -12.31 but are dropping, the remote does show charging when the engine is running.

Is there a reset button on the charger somewhere? Holding the power button for a few seconds has not worked.

Thanks for any help.

[Georgia Mike]

I had a very similar problem a while back. If you search for “power load balance” lots of good information in there. To do a soft reset there is a little black button on the Magnum charger next to the little green light. You have to push it in for 15-20 seconds and I think it starts rapidly flashing then release.  

[Martinvz]

There should be 2 circuit breakers on the inverter/charger. These are typically a little push pin and should be pushed in. Pull these out and then push in to ensure they are well seated.

[JBMB1212]

Martinvz These are the two small white circuit breakers correct?  I pull these out until they click and stay out, do they need to be pushed back in after that?

[Martinvz]

Yes, push these in

[Tom Cherry]

I got the same.  What I would do and what I continue to do.

Check the Magnum.  There are 3 circuit breakers there….small pins.  I would PUSH them all in.  These are not “on/off style, so I don’t pull them out.  It is difficult sometimes to see the differences….but when you push them in….and hold “tightly” for a second or so, that resets them.

Then check the 30 Amp breaker on the main 120 - 50 Amp panel in the bathroom.  Magnum recommends NO POWER ON a for the Soft Reset, although MOST of us, with experience, leave the AC ON.  TIURN OFF the 30 amp breaker.  This is the easiest point to do so.

ASSUMING you have some charge in your batteries, then HOLD IN a the power button in the lower right corner.  You need to hold it in for say 20 seconds.  When you see “flashing” lights, then hold it for a few seconds…..Then release.  Typically WAIT for a few minutes before you turn it back on. So….push it ONCE and release.  That powers it back on.

NOW go inside.  Look at the remote.  You might have to push the meter button,  there should be two green lights…..since you have NO an incoming AC, the CHG light will be off.  It should say “inverting”….and display a DC voltage and Amps.  

NOW…..turn back on the 30 Amp Breaker…go to the remote and make sure the CHG light is ON.  Since you had a fault….maybe from a “low battery cut off”, then make sure the Magnum is set up properly.

Push Shore.  Should be at 30 A….that is your BREAKER rating…. Keep at 30.  Being on a 50 amp service does NOT change how the breaker is rated.  Only change this when you go to a lower service like a 15 or 20 amp household receptacle.

SETUP. These are not necessarily in order…..from my memory. If you do not know how to use the push button rotary knob, find your manual.  This assumes you have the original remote.  They fail.  I have a newer one and the screens are different.  Write these down….as they will need to be checked from time to time.  If the remote is getting flaky, then it has a twisted mind of its own and will change the settings or not allow you to set them.  That is the sign of a bad remote,

Press SETUP.  Search Watts should be OFF…probably reading 5 watts….turn dial to OFF and push the knob….that locks in the setting.  Turn knob to right…

Low Battery Cutoff.  I set mine to 11.9   Magnum has it way too low

Battery….type is FLOODED (assuming you do not Lithium or AGM).  Amp hours is 400….I thing the next setting is 1000….you have two series connected batteries…..usually 220 - 225 AH…so two of them is 450.

Low AC….set it to max, 100….

the rest is pretty simple….the power save and contrast are screen issues.

IF YIU CANNOT set something or the screen is frozen…..bad remote.

IF you still have a fault light…..then Google Hard Magnum RESET.  Follow the instructions…..but leave the batteries disconnected for an hour,

Report back.  If STILL issues, there are several steps to take to isolate the issue.  Not hard.  Don’t need a VOM.  But detailing them here is overkill.  This should fix it…

 

 

.  

[JBMB1212]

Tom Cherry thanks for the info, I did the soft reset. The unknown fault has now changed to Internal Bridge so, now I have disconnected the battery cable and and will wait a while to plug it back in. Hope that resets if not I will call Magnum.

[Martinvz]

Tom, thanks for the details you provided. I now have a list of settings to check and most probably have to change.

[Tom Cherry]

1 hour ago, JBMB1212 said:

Tom Cherry thanks for the info, I did the soft reset. The unknown fault has now changed to Internal Bridge so, now I have disconnected the battery cable and and will wait a while to plug it back in. Hope that resets if not I will call Magnum.

OK…from the Magnum manual….below,  STOP before your reconnect.  Disconnect the Battery Temp Sensor and the Network Cable.   Or stated another way, pull the two phone cables….leave the REMOTE a cable or phone line hooked up.  Let it sit for an another 30 minutes.  You are bleeding off any stored energy on the printed circuit board…..and that is where the Internal Bridge Fault is happening.  If you had a blip…..sometimes it takes awhile to chase out the demons,

Then, reconnect the batteries…..and look at the remote…..then power (30 amp) breaker on.  This has worked before,,,,,but not seen the dreaded IBF code….

If NO JOY…call Magnum.  My comment…..if you can unhook wires from terminals using a socket or a screwdriver, then you would be better off to order a NEW MS2012….and replace the whole blinkin’ thing.  The board is well over $500…maybe more and you still have a bunch or stuff that could go wrong,  by the time you paid an authorized Magnum shop, you have more than 50%….or maybe 75% in a rebuilt 2009 box.  I would buy a new one and also a NEW a remote (mine failed…..but the Inverter was OK) and do it yourself.

Just some unsolicited advice.  We have had many “not an electronic tech” members pop in a new inverter…..

Good luck…
 

Perform a hard reset of the inverter. If the internal fault remains or returns, the inverter will require repair at an authorized service center.
 

[JBMB1212]

The hard reset did not change anything, still shows internal bridge. I will call Magnum and see if they have suggestions.

[Georgia Mike]

Sounds like your going down the same road I did and unfortunately I had to buy a new charger/inverter. Hopefully yours will turn out better

[JBMB1212]

Georgia Mike. Where did you get yours?

[philcarrell]

I had the same issues that you did, ordered an inverter online, mine is a 2812 model was $1599 a year ago.

[Georgia Mike]

This is where i purchased it. I paid $1600 in August with free shipping. They are an authorized dealer.

https://www.solar-electric.com/magnum-ms2012-2000-watts-12-volts-inverter.html

[Tom Cherry]

FIRST THING....to be sure....you DID remove the Network and the Battery Temp Sensor phone lines prior to doing the Hare Reset.....if so....then do it....and if the fault stays....

BUMMER....  Another individual just PM'ed me.  He is getting a new Inverter and also got the new Remote.  If you budget can stand that...maybe $175 or so (Amazon), I would advise it.  The remotes will fail....not a major problem, but IF they do, they will mess with the Inverter's settings and your batteries are at risk of damage (over or under charging).  It is SO MUCH better and it takes into account and lets you use all the revisions and features of the updated OS in the Inveterter.

Here is the settings for the NEW RC remote.  Need to get Frank to post them....

TGC Rev 1 ME-RC Setup Guidelines DRAFT.pdf

[JBMB1212]

Installed a new MS 2012 yesterday. Batteries are now fully charged and back to normal. Thanks to all for the trouble shooting advice.

[LakeBob]

On 12/13/2022 at 11:49 AM, Tom Cherry said:

OK…from the Magnum manual….below,  STOP before your reconnect.  Disconnect the Battery Temp Sensor and the Network Cable.   Or stated another way, pull the two phone cables….leave the REMOTE a cable or phone line hooked up.  Let it sit for an another 30 minutes.  You are bleeding off any stored energy on the printed circuit board…..and that is where the Internal Bridge Fault is happening.  If you had a blip…..sometimes it takes awhile to chase out the demons,

Then, reconnect the batteries…..and look at the remote…..then power (30 amp) breaker on.  This has worked before,,,,,but not seen the dreaded IBF code….

If NO JOY…call Magnum.  My comment…..if you can unhook wires from terminals using a socket or a screwdriver, then you would be better off to order a NEW MS2012….and replace the whole blinkin’ thing.  The board is well over $500…maybe more and you still have a bunch or stuff that could go wrong,  by the time you paid an authorized Magnum shop, you have more than 50%….or maybe 75% in a rebuilt 2009 box.  I would buy a new one and also a NEW a remote (mine failed…..but the Inverter was OK) and do it yourself.

Just some unsolicited advice.  We have had many “not an electronic tech” members pop in a new inverter…..

Good luck…
 

Perform a hard reset of the inverter. If the internal fault remains or returns, the inverter will require repair at an authorized service center.
 

 

INTERNAL BRIDGE FAULT - Magnum Inverter

Well....I decided to pull the shunt off the Big Boy and clean the contacts on the Big Boy in preparation for our annual winter pilgrimage south yesterday. 

Definitely needed cleaning: 

 

In the "No good Deed goes Unpunished"  file, after repowering the coach I now have an internal bridge font.  Heading up to the coach now to do a hard reset and hopefully this corrects the fault........

 

 

 

Wish me luck........the last thing I want to do is replace the inverter, both for time and cost reasons.    Is there any reason to upgrade the inverter?   I dont plan on changing the current battery arrangement.   This is a Kongsberg coach, and it lives plugged in most of its life. 

 

 

[Tom Cherry]

1 hour ago, LakeBob said:

 

INTERNAL BRIDGE FAULT - Magnum Inverter

Well....I decided to pull the shunt off the Big Boy and clean the contacts on the Big Boy in preparation for our annual winter pilgrimage south yesterday. 

Definitely needed cleaning: 

 

In the "No good Deed goes Unpunished"  file, after repowering the coach I now have an internal bridge font.  Heading up to the coach now to do a hard reset and hopefully this corrects the fault........

 

 

 

Wish me luck........the last thing I want to do is replace the inverter, both for time and cost reasons.    Is there any reason to upgrade the inverter?   I dont plan on changing the current battery arrangement.   This is a Kongsberg coach, and it lives plugged in most of its life. 

 

 

DO THE HARD RESTART.  BUT LEAVE OFF THE INVERTER FOR AN HOUR.  Current Magnum Techs do NOT have the experience of the NEW ONES.  We have had many members in your age MH that just DID IT.  NOPE.  Didn't work.  Those that did the ONE HOUR, for the most part were successful.  At least 2 or three Dynasty....with the SAME 2,800 Watt as your (2006 or Newer).

May NOT WORK.  But, it would be my try.  Those are still using the Inverter.

OK - EDITED.  This is NOT GOOD NEWS...but at LEAST you KNOW...or have some information.  It is NOT COST EFFECTIVE to replace the Control Board.  Your other internal components such as the POWER BOARD, Fans, and such are OLD.  Therefore....my solution would be to REPLACE.  We HAVE had folks that put in their own board.  I can do it...but choose not to.  We have NOT had anyone that works on or repairs or refurbishes (to the best of my knowledge)...so that is NOT an alternative...

You have a SUB PANEL.  That gives you the ability to UPGRADE...  BUT, you also have the 2,800 Watt.  The PASS THOUGH power is limited.  SO, A NEW Inverter (Magnum 2,800) will work just fine.  I would pop for a NEW Remote....if you do NOT intend to install the Magnum BMK, get the PLAIN MC-RC (memory)...Not the Advanced.  You asked...my opinion.  Others may vary...we all have our views and our perceptions.

Good Luck.

Let us KNOW.

[LakeBob]

Performed the hard reset and the fault is gone, however the inverter will not invert on battery power only.  

The charge function works  when attached to shore power. 

I did remove the big boy yesterday.   I see the small terminal leads are marked Big Boy Hi and Big boy low in the print and on the wires,  I believe i connected them correctly, however there is only an S stamped by one of the terminals on the Big boy.  

Anyone know if “S” is high or low?

 

Appears that the “S” stands for solenoid side of the Big Boy

 

[LakeBob]

After a proper hard reset, I was able to clear the fault code and get the inverter working.   

I now have a loud buzzing sound coming from the Rear Run Box and/or the House Battery compartment when the inverter is running.  I've not noticed this before.    When you connect to shore power the buzzing stops.  It's very odd how loud it is in the house battery compartment.   I didn't have the time today to try and isolate the source of the noise, it doesnt seem to be coming from the Big Boy, (that I just removed and cleaned). 

 

[Paul J A]

On 10/16/2024 at 10:31 AM, LakeBob said:

 

INTERNAL BRIDGE FAULT - Magnum Inverter

Well....I decided to pull the shunt off the Big Boy and clean the contacts on the Big Boy in preparation for our annual winter pilgrimage south yesterday. 

Definitely needed cleaning: 

 

In the "No good Deed goes Unpunished"  file, after repowering the coach I now have an internal bridge font.  Heading up to the coach now to do a hard reset and hopefully this corrects the fault........

 

 

 

Wish me luck........the last thing I want to do is replace the inverter, both for time and cost reasons.    Is there any reason to upgrade the inverter?   I dont plan on changing the current battery arrangement.   This is a Kongsberg coach, and it lives plugged in most of its life. 

 

 

Sliver contacts last a lot longer between cleaning.