Link 2000 and Freedom 20 problems

[Wainui]

Hi guys
I have 2 problems
Problem 1
My new link 2k voltage and amp readings are fluctuating between 14 and 16 volts when my volt meter is reading 12.8 volts

Problem 2
My Freedom 20 is putting out up to 20 volts when charging and I get a function 04 message.
It also has stopped inverting.

Are these problems related and do I just need to replace the inverter/charger?
I have load tested the batteries and they are fine.
Regards

[dksail]

This definitely is interesting. We have the same inverter/charger and it has never acted this way.

The 04 message is a battery overload message and it thinks the battery is dead. I would thoroughly check all of the wiring connections to make sure there is nothing loose. The voltage readings by your volt meter and the link should be within 0.10 of each other depending on cable lengths. Use your meter to check the voltage in a couple of spots. At the battery and at the inverter charger, see if they match.

The fact that it thinks the battery is dead and it does not invert leads me to think it is a wiring issue. When you say when charging you are seeing 20 volts. Are you seeing any amps?

[Chotu]

I’m going to guess wiring issue also. It’s confused. It’s not getting the right measurements.

[Wainui]

Showing 42 amps at 20 volts
Checked and double checked wiring

[dksail]

What does your hand held meter say for both volts and amps while it is charging? If your hand meter is saying 13.4-14.4iish volts the charger is probably working about right but the link is messed up.

Maybe try cycling the link off and back on again. Page 30 of the link 200 manual shows you how to do this correctly. It also shows you how to check the amps at the shunt to verify behavior.

[Stu Jackson]

This is a relatively obscure reset procedure I downloaded ages ago for my Link 2000 from Xantrex. I've used it a few times, successfully.


I also agree to check all the voltage sense wires, including the back of the Link and the inline small fuses (2A?) at the batteries, including the fuses (cheap to replace), their connections and the wires' connections to the fuseholders.


Good luck.


*********************
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Link 2000/2000-R Microprocessor Reset Procedure November 1996
512-0089-01-01 Rev 1 Page 1 of 2
Technical Note
Link 2000/2000-R
512-0089-01-01 Rev 1
Link 2000/2000-R
Microprocessor Reset Procedure
Overview
This procedure is more detailed than what is described in the Advanced Functions section on page 19 and 20
(page 30 and 31)* of the Link 2000 Owner’s Manual. Please refer to the Link 2000 manual for other information
regarding Link operation and reprogramming of the setup values. Please read and understand these instructions
entirely before beginning the procedure. Also note that in the advanced functions mode the Battery 1 button
becomes the “Reset” button.
To reset the Link 2000/2000-R Microprocessor
1. Disconnect the inverter remote cable from the rear of the Link monitor.
2. De-power the meter by removing the fuse from the red wire. If the red wire is connected to the blue or violet
wire, remove the fuse from the appropriate wire. If your meter is a Link 2000-R you can de-power the meter
by removing the gray ribbon cable from the monitor terminal board.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds before reconnecting the fuse (or the ribbon cable if you have a 2000-R). When the
fuse or ribbon cable is reconnected, use a continuous motion while making the connection. If the meter is
intermittently powered and de-powered several times in a short time period, the microprocessor may lock up.
4. Press the Invert and Charge buttons so that their LEDs are illuminated.
5. Select battery bank 1 on the Link 2000 by pressing the Battery 1 button
6. Press and hold the Setup button for approximately 10 seconds. After 5 seconds the setup LED will begin to
flash slowly. Continue to hold until the setup LED begins to flash quickly (about 3 times per second).
Release the setup button, press and hold the Battery 1 button for 5 seconds. A “0” (zero) will appear
momentarily in the display. If you do not see the zero, the meter did not reset and this step must be repeated.
7. Select battery bank 2 on the Link 2000 by pressing the Battery 2 button
8. Press and hold the Setup button again for approximately 10 seconds until the setup LED begins to flash
quickly. Release the setup button, press and hold the Battery 1 button again for 5 seconds. A “0” (zero) will
appear momentarily in the display. If you do not see the zero, the meter did not reset and this step must be
repeated.
9. Re-program the necessary setup values such as battery type, battery capacity, etc. Refer to the setup section
of your Link 2000 Owner’s Manual.
10. Press the Invert and Charge buttons so their LEDs are not illuminated and reconnect the remote cable to the
rear of the Link 2000.
*Newer style Link 2000 (Link 2000 above serial number 4000, 2000-R above s/n 2000) with “Time” function.

Link 2000/2000-R Microprocessor Reset Procedure
Link 2000/2000-R Microprocessor Reset Procedure November 1996
512-0089-01-01 Rev 1 Page 2 of 2

Xantrex is a registered trademark of Xantrex International.
© 2003 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.
Technical Note: Link 2000/2000-R Microprocessor Reset Procedure © November 1996 Xantrex International
UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, XANTREX TECHNOLOGY INC. (“XANTREX”):
(a) MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION
PROVIDED IN ITS MANUALS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION.
(b) ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
INCIDENTAL, WHICH MIGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH INFORMATION. THE USE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE
ENTIRELY AT THE USER’S RISK.
Part number: 512-0089-01-01 Rev 1
Contact information:
Phone: 1-800-670-0707 (toll-free in North America)
Fax: 1-604-420-2145 (outside North America)
Email: CustomerService@xantrex.com
Web: www.xantrex.com

[Wainui]

I depowered the link and cycled the shore power with out the link.
The voltage went up to 17 volts for about a minute then the unit shut down.
I re set the link a couple of times now.

[Wainui]

Tried the advanced reset but no success.
Regards

[StoneCrab]

I have the same setup.
I lost a whole bank of batteries.

Came back to the boat and smelled rotten eggs. Batteries were all cooked. I ripped out the system and sent it back.

They sent me a replacement which has worked fine but my trust remains low. I am reluctant to leave the charging function on while away from the boat.

It may not be your wiring but rather something defective inside of the unit.

[Wainui]

I have recrimpted all my neutral wiring and have good connections to the engine block.
The F20 will not invert and attempts to charge at 20v and 40 amps in accept mode until it shuts down after a minute or so.
I think that the unit is toast.
Looking at a Freedom 458.
The link 2k is a seldom used replacement but is still miss reading without the F20 in the system.
Batteries are fine.
Regards

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Wainui

I have recrimpted all my neutral wiring and have good connections to the engine block.
The F20 will not invert and attempts to charge at 20v and 40 amps in accept mode until it shuts down after a minute or so.
I think that the unit is toast.
Looking at a Freedom 458.
The link 2k is a seldom used replacement but is still miss reading without the F20 in the system.
Batteries are fine.
Regards

Look at the Victron Multiplus. Better product than the Xantrex and probably less expensive.

Victron also has much better customer support.

[dksail]

If you are going to replace it, get something with a true sine wave inverter. The 458 is modified. The Victron Multiplus 12/2000/80 is a nice unit but you have to pay attention to how it is mounted to make sure it will fit your application. Be careful if you try to go to 3000W inverter as you need to make sure your fuses and wiring are sized for it.

[waterman46]

Ditto the inverter issue. Sine wave much better. Our Freedom 20 and Link monitor from 1998 still work great, when they were made by Heart before Xantrex took over. But the inverter doesn't work with some appliances, for example, microwave ovens that don't have 60Hz transformers in their power supplies but use solid state convertors to produce the high voltage.

[JRM]

If it turns out the Freedom is dead, I have a working one that I'm removing. Free to a good home, pickup in Oxnard or cover shipping (probably more than it's worth.) It'll be a bit before I get back down to the boat, but it's available if it helps.

[briblack]

They're old units, and have lived in a marine environment. When I replaced mine, I went with a Magnum Energy inverter/charger/remote display/controller. It's essentially a bolt-in replacement for the Xantrex, made in USA, good support. Even the ARC controller fit the old cutout in the panel!