Xantrex Inverter/Charger

[banman]

In my working world I've only used "power carts" (diesel generators/compressors)
(military remote field maintenance facilities ain't stealthy...)

I tried the search and I'm sure it's my lack of familiarity with the topic to find much...

Sooo...
I'm in possession of an Xantrex Freedom 458 Inverter/Charger 1000W 50amp rating.
Can anybody tell me their experience using this device?
I guess I'm looking for limitations? It says it can handle start-up surge to 2x it's rating. How many batteries (probably 6v golf cart batteries) is this good to charge with? Good/Bad places to mount the device -- it obviously needs ventilation but I'm sure it needs to stay dry too! And have easy access or...
Is the optional "LINK 1000" remote control panel a must have? or are there better ways, or for occasional use just manually control it as needed...

My expected use would be a small/medium sized chest freezer turned into a fridge, ventilation fan, usb chargers, for several days.

[john61ct]

Xantrex makes good gear, but once out of warranty, corporate attitude wrt CS really sucks.

Develop a relationship with an authorized service center, and ask them to stockpile parts off DOAs from your model, they quickly stop being available.

Read the datasheet / manual for maximum charge current rate.

When depleted most FLA batts will only accept 0.15C or so,

AGM can get up to 0.6C

but not for long, maybe the first 20-30min of Bulk / CC stage. For the remaining 6-8hrs it takes to get back to Full, amps acceptance rapidly declines in the Absorb / CV stage, down to 0.005C

The only downside with a lower C-rate (bigger capacity bank) is longer charging times, and a bit shorter lifespan, in the case of AGM.

[banman]

Being a freebie I'll assume it's long out of warranty...

That I could find a manual for it on Xantrex's web-site I take as a good sign.

Reliability is paramount regarding my building anything around it -- I presume these types of items either work, or don't work, very little inbetween...

Are there any particular wear items in one of these that I'd want to find and keep on hand?

[john61ct]

Most service techs just swap out at the board level.

Don't expect any help soldering, replacing individual components like leaking capacitors.

If you really want reliability, save your pennies and buy new, likes of Magnum and Victron, but even then. . .

Some people share the loads between two units so they always have a spare, like for far-north expeditions.

[banman]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Most service techs just swap out at the board level.

Don't expect any help soldering, replacing individual components like leaking capacitors.

If you really want reliability, save your pennies and buy new, likes of Magnum and Victron, but even then. . .

Some people share the loads between two units so they always have a spare, like for far-north expeditions.

Aviation redundancy I'm very used too...

If I get past the pleasure use that would be the way to go.