Where is the Model/Serial Number?

[rmorten]

Some time ago, I bought this really expensive inverter/charger that came installed in a huge boat. I have some paper documentation that suggests I have an FX/VFX inverter of some kind but don't see any numbers on the chassis and nothing in the paperwork (it took me weeks to figure out where the inverter was installed; big boat, don't ask). It was probably installed sometime between 2010 and 2015 when we bought the boat but I don't even have that information. One of the printouts was published in 2003 so it isn't any older than that but who knows when it was published vs. printed?

My simple newbie questions are:
Where is the important stuff hidden on the chassis?
Do I have to remove a cover to find it?

I was hoping to find a post with a similar question but after looking around for an hour or so and hoping it would be something nailed up somewhere, I gave up and decided to join and post the question(s).

Cheers,

[raysun]

First off "really expensive" and "installed in a huge boat" is a redundancy. Congrats, though, on the joy of boating.

All the FX / VFX class inverters share the same chassis, so are hard to tell apart from external inspection. The front cover plate can be removed to expose the battery lead attachment area. There's generally silkscreen printing or a sticker there that lists the model number.

Be careful removing the cover, as it mave have easily-damaged wires attached to it. There are many YouTube videos showing chassis disassembly.

[Mike Curran]

One picture = 1,000 words

[Komas]

Another Newbie, I am going through the same process. I have the VFX 3524.Have been looking at all manuals and get more confused.
Need answers to following:
1. Where do I find the model of the Mate
2. How do I know is software is current
3. Correct Settings for the VFX 3524

See details of my system

[Mike Curran]

1. Where do I find the model of the Mate

There is no model number. You either have a Mate (oval shaped), a Mate2 ( rectangular with same button layout as Mate), a Mate3 or Mate3s - both look like this:

2. How do I know if software is current

Irrelevant since none of your equipment's firmware is field upgradable, assuming you have a Mate and a VFX. If you really must know what you have, search for "firmware" in this pdf document to determine the versions you have:

mate_mate2_installation_usermanual.pdf

(1.67 MiB) Downloaded 23 times

I can't say what the latest versions are.

3. Correct Settings for the VFX 3524

Need to know a lot more about your system in order to answer that. Take a look at some of Raysun's posts, he often lists the info needed to answer your question. If I can find an example, I'll add to this post.

[raysun]

There's one small addition to Mike's post.
Is this system mounted in a mobile environment? A boat perhaps?

If so, there was a (now discontinued) MateM with simplified menus designed for the mobile/marine installations.

To give input on the system configuration, battery type (flooded/agm) and AH capacity at 20 Hour discharge rate are needed. Include the exact model designation.

Is the battery being charged from the alternators? What is the voltage setting?

[Komas]

Thanks for the input to date. Just logged back in and found your replys, The system is on a Boat. Specs are as follows;
INVERTER/CHARGER OUTBACK VFX3524M
MATE OUTBACK
HUB OUTBACK
FLEXNET OUTBACK
Have 3 banks of 4 6 volt AGM Lifeline Batteries in series parallel. 24 volt 900 AH (20lHr)

System charges but seems very slow in recovery when back on shore power.

[raysun]

Thanks for the input to date. Just logged back in and found your replys, The system is on a Boat. Specs are as follows;
INVERTER/CHARGER OUTBACK VFX3524M
MATE OUTBACK
HUB OUTBACK
FLEXNET OUTBACK
Have 3 banks of 4 6 volt AGM Lifeline Batteries in series parallel. 24 volt 900 AH (20lHr)

System charges but seems very slow in recovery when back on shore power.

The inverter charging rate is dictated by two settings: AC Input Current Limit, the amount of current the inverter will draw from the shore power; and Charger AC Input Limit, the amount of current that will flow to the charger.