Link 2000 replacement

wmiii · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

I have a Freedom 2000 Inverter/charger and a link 2000 control. I have had this set-up for several years and it has worked well.
A few months ago, my link 2000 started acting up with lights not working and erratic readings. I called Xantrex and found it was no longer repairable, but could get another for a couple of hundred dollars. I bought the new one and now it is acting up.
I called Xantrex and they are not available any more, but they do have a $380 replacement. Not sure I want to go there.

What are my options? I want to be able to use my inverter, which is inaccessable and also need battery status information.

Thanks,

Wm Mayberry
OPTIMYSTIQUE
IP 37-30

Stu Jackson · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

If it was my boat, I would jump at the chance to get a new Link 2000. We have a Freedom 15. I had installed the Freedom 15 in 1998, but didn't get around to installing the Link 2000 for at least five years. I used the switch on the Freedom to control the inverter, and the charger worked whenever we plugged into shorepower. The Link, of course, allows control of the charging, and, more importantly, allows equalizing which can't be done without it.

You have two choices: work the Freedom without the Link, with the limitations noted above, or get the new Link.

Given your earlier posting, however, I would try to find out what was wrong with your original installation. It sounds suspicious that the second Link stopped working with exactly the same symptoms. I agree with the answers to that earlier post that you have some wiring issues that need to be addressed before you make a decision on the second replacement.

Since there's really nothing else that will "control" your Freedom and get the most out of it, the Link is not only your only choice, it's the best one.

You noted your Freedom was hard to access. You may simply have some bad wiring, maybe something as simple as the pinched telephone wire. I would also check what previous posters have suggested: check each wire between the Link and the shunt. They're small and most wiring problems come at the connectors. You might want to redo each single wire connector at each end to assure that everything works. Do one at a time. You might be surprised that it'll be the 16th one, yup, the very last one, but then everything could well start working properly again!

Good luck.

BTW, am I correct in understanding that Xantrex is selling old Link 2000s? For $380?

wmiii · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

The $380 unit is a Link Basic. Fits in the same footprint, it has LED lights instead of the read-out, has the inverter control and not sure if it reads 2 battery banks.
Thanks for the input.
Wm

Stu Jackson · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmiii

The $380 unit is a Link Basic. Fits in the same footprint, it has LED lights instead of the read-out, has the inverter control and not sure if it reads 2 battery banks.
Thanks for the input.
Wm

Wm, that sounds suspiciously like a Freedom Remote panel, and NOT a Link. If so, it is horribly and truly overpriced. I would caution you to NOT buy it and spend the time and effort to find out whats wrong with your Link(s) or two.

You should be able to see the Freedom Remote panel in the Freedom manuals on the Xantrex website under discontinued models: try this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/XANTREX-FREEDOM-...item2eaf96c292

http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Dis...series%201.pdf

and

http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Dis...nersManual.pdf

...depending on what model and age Freedom you have.

Ours is a 15, been working well since 1998.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Omatako · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

Am I missing something?

When I bought my boat it had a Freedom 25 inverter/charger. I only use the inverter since I have no shore power.

But I've never had any device to "control" the inverter with and frankly, I've never seen a need to control anything.

What have I missed.

Stu Jackson · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

What am I missing?

Not much.

You could read the links I provided above your last post that include the Freedom manuals, for starters, that describe how the remote and the Link works with the unit.

And what I described for Wm in my earlier posts is that without the remote or the Link you can't turn off the charger when connected to shorepower. Nor equalize.

Without shorepower, you CAN use the switch on the Freedom to run the inverter.

Given your description, you're not missing anything at all, other than knowing how the rest of the system would work if you needed or wanted to know. Other than being able to equalize your batteries, although we don't know what kind of batteries you have, so that may not be an issue for you at all. With wet cells, I found that I decreased the life of my house bank 'cuz I didn't equalize them for altogether too many years since I didn't install my Link 2000 until a few years after I installed the Freedom 15.

Hope that helps.

Stu

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

The Link series of battery monitors allowed you to remotely control the inverter/charger, which was often convenient, since the inverter unit would be buried in a wiring closet someplace...

It wasn't ever necessary to operate the inverter/charger, but made a lot of installations a lot more user-friendly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omatako

Am I missing something?

When I bought my boat it had a Freedom 25 inverter/charger. I only use the inverter since I have no shore power.

But I've never had any device to "control" the inverter with and frankly, I've never seen a need to control anything.

What have I missed.

wmiii · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010

Stu,
Here is the Link replacement:

Link 2000 Replacement Kit Basic Tekris Power Inverters and Chargers

Looks like my best option is to turn on my Inverter/Charger and leave it on all the time. It should go off when plugged to shore power and be on when unplugged.
Then get some type of stand alone battery monitor. Blue Sky, Xantrex, whoever.

Wm

wmiii · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010

Just found this on Amazon.
This might be my solution????

Amazon.com: Freedom Basic Remote Remote Panel F/Freedom 25'Cable New: Sports & Outdoors

Wm

Stu Jackson · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010

Those appear to be the same things, the Freedom remote panel. Comments above from my earlier posts still apply. If it was my boat, I'd fix the Link, or try to find one on eBay or somewhere else. The Link 2000 is so much more powerful a tool.

If, however, you choose to not go this route, then do buy it, 'cuz it's the only way you'll be able to equalize your house bank unless you have a bank that doesn't need to do so (you didn't say).