Hi all,
Today I went out to the bus and started it. After running for about 15min. I started to smell electrical smoke. :o :o :o I shut everything down and searched for the problem "After I changed my shorts" I found smoke coming out of my $3,500 Xantrex Prosine 3.0 inverter. This is just out of warranty. It has worked flawlessly prior to this.
Does anybody know anything about xantrex inverters? If so.. Is it rebuildable? Does xantrex have a bad reputation on this prosine 3.0? Is there something with the bus that could have caused this? What kind of 24v sinewave inverter would you recommend if I have to replace it?
I'm at a loss right now, and not very happy with Xantrex. This inverter is just over two years old and only has one summer on it. Warranty is only good for 2yrs.
Any help would be great help!!
Thanks
Gary
$3.5k for 2 years=one expensive inverter. I sure hope this isn't a "hidden cost" in Xantrex inverters.
I dont know..... but Im kinda in the market (or close to being in the market) for an inverter. This story scares the heck outta me for the prosine 3 which is one of the ones I was considering.....
I had problems with the transfer relay in my Xantrex Prosine 3.0 two years ago. I talked to Xantrex and they are no longer repairing them out of warranty. I talked to a number of Xantrex authorized service places and none of them could work on a Prosine. One dealer said Xantrex never provided any wiring diagrams or anything for the Prosine 3.0.
Somebody told me that Xantrex was actually shipping container loads of Prosine inverters to China to get them fixed. When someone asked to have a Prosine fixed Xantrex just shipped the customer a repaired Prosine and held onto to the broken Prosine until the next container went to China.
A friend of mine was able to take my relay apart and clean up the contacts. I am now very careful to remove all load before the inverter has to transfer power.
$3,500 is a lot of money for a Prosine 3.0. I paid $800 for mine, but it was a factory refurb. New ones were going for about $1,800 at the time.
Quote$3,500 is a lot of money for a Prosine 3.0. I paid $800 for mine, but it was a factory refurb. New ones were going for about $1,800 at the time
I live in Alaska, they stick it to us up here. Today I paid 4.41 for a gallon of Diesel. I sure wish I could get one for even 1,800. I looked on line today and found a new one on sale for 2,570 and would still have to pay shipping. Now I'm not sure I want to buy another one, unless I can get a refurbished for 800.00
Is there another brand that is comparable to this one that has a good reputation?
Thanks,
Gary
Magnum and Outback are supposed to be good..... but so was Xantrex....
We had one of the Prosines and had the same trouble; the transfer switch failed. There is no mystery to these relays and new ones are readily available.
If you take a picture of the relay before removing it, it should not be much of a problem to to replace it. Dressing the contacts works, but may require repeat treatments.
It's obvious that this item did not have the best of engineering. Shutting the inverter off before plugging into shore power might prevent damage to the contacts; it's easy and I recommend it.
For what it's worth.
Tom Caffrey
They repaired one I sent them last month.
Did not switch it repaired the one we had and sent it back.
Very painless UPS picked up the next day it was back in less than a week.
That said I wouldn't buy one this one was less than 1 yr old.
FWIW I decided, after an inordinate amount of thought, to go with a Samlex inverter that doesn't have a built in transfer switch and doesn't have a built in charger. I pieced those together from the best of each that I could find. I chose the Samlex, at the end of the day, for a couple of reasons beyond it's being a direct connect 3K watt pure sine, remote controllable unit - Samlex is a Canadian company with engineering in Vancouver (same as Xantrex used to be, wonder if there is a clue there) that has off-shore manufacturing, and CN Rail, one of the two large Canadian rail way companies, had selected them for installation in their service trucks. I figured if they won a serious engineering company procurement exercise, I might as well tag along with that.
Brian
Quote from: pvcces on March 19, 2011, 11:40:39 PM
We had one of the Prosines and had the same trouble; the transfer switch failed. There is no mystery to these relays and new ones are readily available.
I had a heck of a time finding a replacement relay of the same part number. I don't remember all the details, but I seem to recall it had to be special ordered. It doesn't help that the relay is soldered.
My friend cleaned up the contacts and it has worked for two years now.
If Xantrex is fixing the Prosine 3.0 again that is good news. They told me two years ago in no uncertain terms that they were no longer repairing them out of warranty.
It does appear the price on the Prosine 3.0 has gone way up although I found one place that supposedly sells them for $1200. The $800 price on a reconditioned unit is long gone as far as I know. Xantrex had a whole batch of units that they had to replace the transfer relays on. Supposed they never got shipped to customers before being fixed, but had to be marked reconditioned due to being opened up after being boxed up.
I would get a Magnum Energy inverter if you buy a new one. They are still made in the USA. The MS4024 inverter is a 4000 watt 24 volt sinewave unit. There is a marine place online that sells them for under $1800. I had gotten a price from I think Inverter Sales and Service 615-285-0611 that was real good. I was going to buy one if I couldn't fix the Prosine.
I would look for a older Trace unit-- I have a Trace SW2512MC and it has worked flawlessly for over 10 years and has been running the whole time. It is always hooked up-- either on shore power, battery power, or generator power. Everyone says Xantrex cheapened the product when they took over Trace.
Although I would not say that I would not buy a Zantrex product, I must say that I am very distrustful of the company. They basically gobbled up several reputable companies like Heart and Trace, etc. so that the Zantrex brand covers all inverters from schlock to good. I would rather deal with a company that actually had a real connection to the product beyond its ability to generate income. Hopefully, my Trace 2512 continues to hold up. If it ever needed service, I am sure Zantrex would not support it. By comparison, if you have a problem with an old, discontinued Vanner product, they would still try to help.
QuoteMy friend cleaned up the contacts and it has worked for two years now
I think I'm going to take mine apart today and see what smoked. I might try and clean up the contacts and give it a try. Do you think the transfer switch would have made that much smoke?
It sounds like there is a problem with the 3.0 and Xantrex should recall it. (The darn thing could cause a fire and they should stand by their product)
If I have to replace it, I will definitely stay away from Xantrex!
Gary
Quote from: Seayfam on March 20, 2011, 10:10:55 AM
I think I'm going to take mine apart today and see what smoked. I might try and clean up the contacts and give it a try. Do you think the transfer switch would have made that much smoke?
A welded transfer relay merely causes an error code to pop up on the LCD display and the inverter to cease functioning. No smoke or anything.
I think you have something far more serious than a transfer relay.
Update
I just brought my inverter in and took a look at it. I just pulled the vented end cover off just to look inside. "IT'S COOKED"
On the bright side.. The manufactured date is SEP 24 2009, and the warranty is suppose to be 2yrs.
Now on the not soooo bright side.. I went on line and the Xantrex site said; They will not warranty unless I have the receipt. This inverter was purchased by the PO and he is no longer with us. Now what? Should I raise a stink? Or just walk away, buy a different brand and talk bad about this one?
You all have been great help!
Thanks,
Gary
Do you have a printer hooked up to your puter? ;) LOL
Quote from: Lin
Hopefully, my Trace 2512 continues to hold up. If it ever needed service, I am sure Zantrex would not support it. By comparison, if you have a problem with an old, discontinued Vanner product, they would still try to help.
Lin,
Don't bet yer bottom $ on VANNER helping! All our older model Setra's came with factory Vanner inverters equalizers! All have failed at one point or another and I have to this day only been told "Oh that unit has been out of production for so long we have no way of supporting it! But I'd be happy to connect you to someone in sales to assist you in buying a modern replacement model!"
;D BK ;D
Raise a stink. They can't kill ya and eat ya. The worst they can do is say no. If they say no, go buy one from some one else. I don't see how it could be much worse...Cable
I would tell them to check the production date in their system. The serial number is probably linked to a production date. I don't see why they should need a receipt if it is less than two years since the production date.
The warranty specifically says the warranty transfers to subsequent owners.
BK,
I didn't mean that they would necessarily be able to solve the problem, but I have spoken to Vanner's tech support about problems with old items when they did try to help. I have on old, discontinued Vanner 24v battery charger and they offered to troubleshoot it if sent to them-- not free of course. They also tried to give me suggestions to diagnose it myself. I question whether Zantrex tech support, if I could ever speak to them, would be familiar with my SW2512.
Gary,
You NEED to search your paper work form the previous owner. The receipt you need is in there somewhere. It will be from the retailer closest to the address of the PO. That shop will provide a copy of the receipt that YOU got when you purchased the unit yourself. Now God forbid you be mistaken and they, Zantrex, produce a copy of another receipt for that purchase but then they would have the receipt they say they need....right. I will go a long way towards getting a warranty repair on an item they sold with a guarantee that it would last a certain period and it doesn't. Rest assured that they have casually backed out of repairing a item cause the person entitled to the repair didn't say "Mother may I?" or whatever. Zantrex has such a pee poor rep for customer service that good people I know will no longer carry the things or recommend them. Sad. Take care of you my Knut friend. Vendors often will not take care of you and "often" is enuf to get an attitude and determined.
John
John
I'm at a loss right now, and not very happy with Xantrex. This inverter is just over two years old and only has one summer on it. Warranty is only good for 2yrs.
Any help would be great help!!
Thanks
Gary
Were I you I would call this # 941-748-1941 THIS IS A Xantrex auth service center in Bradenton FL, their service tech is the BEST I have found. talk to him,he will give you good advice.
FYI Trace owners: he was perturbed that I had disposed of my old SW2512 (22 years in service) he can definately save an SW.
Xantrex gave me a very sweet deal on a Freedom 458 (Marine)3000W/12V
They have/had a loyal customer discount in 2007-2008, not sure if they still do.
QuoteYou NEED to search your paper work form the previous owner. The receipt you need is in there somewhere. It will be from the retailer closest to the address of the PO. That shop will provide a copy of the receipt that YOU got when you purchased the unit yourself.
Thanks John,
I have been racking my brain (what's left of it) all day trying to figure out where he bought it. By the manufactured date, That would put him someware between my house in Alaska with 300# of halibut and Idaho before he passed. He passed in Idaho just after he got home, So my guess is, he had a problem with the old inverter and had to buy a new one sometime after he left my house.
I really appreciate the thought my fellow nut!
Thanks,
Gary
QuoteWere I you I would call this # 941-748-1941 THIS IS A Xantrex auth service center in Bradenton FL, their service tech is the BEST I have found. talk to him,he will give you good advice.
Thanks for the info, I'll give them a call in the morning and see what he has to say.
Gary
the product's manufacturing date is more than enough info for them to honor warrantee. Call them up and raise hell if they say it isn't. What could be better proof of age than their own manufacturing sticker.
Update
I just got done talking to Xantrex and the Xantrex dealer in Florida. It sounds like it could be 2 days old and wouldn't be warrantied without recpit. The Xantrex dealer in Florida said he is the best repairman and the prosine 3.0 is not rebuildable.
I usually don't do this but, STAY AWAY FROM XANTREX!!!
I even told the Xantrex rep that I was going to post their service all over the net. He didn't care...
Thanks for all the help
Gary
I've been watching Xantrex for many years.
At one time they had service that was unparalleled.
Then it seems the bean counters and lawyers got into the act and they started buying up all the other inverter manufacturers. Heart, Trace, Sima, etc.
Since that time, the service and warranty work they offer has been almost non-existent.
They are out to do nothing more than sell as many units as possible, and then default. In my own prejudiced opinion, I would never recommend buying any of the Xantrex products.
If it were me I would call Dick Wright at Wrico in Eugene. He will have all the right answers and if it comes to it he handles the Magnum. No sales tax in Oregon either. He's the man.
Quote from: Seayfam on March 21, 2011, 09:59:00 AM
Update
I just got done talking to Xantrex and the Xantrex dealer in Florida. It sounds like it could be 2 days old and wouldn't be warrantied without recpit. The Xantrex dealer in Florida said he is the best repairman and the prosine 3.0 is not rebuildable.
Every authorized Xantrex service center I called said they cannot repair the Prosine 3.0. They said they need to be fixed by Xantrex. Two years ago Xantrex was not fixing them out of warranty.
I would find out where Xantrex is headquartered and call the attorney general's office in that state. I would also call Xantrex's executive office.
Here is a guy that may can help you he carries some weight with Xantrex or did
www.donrowe.com (http://www.donrowe.com)
good luck
Quote from: Just Dallas on March 21, 2011, 10:09:30 AM
I've been watching Xantrex for many years.
At one time they had service that was unparalleled.
Then it seems the bean counters and lawyers got into the act and they started buying up all the other inverter manufacturers. Heart, Trace, Sima, etc.
Since that time, the service and warranty work they offer has been almost non-existent.
They are out to do nothing more than sell as many units as possible, and then default. In my own prejudiced opinion, I would never recommend buying any of the Xantrex products.
And your point would be that in the absence of competition the consumer gets screwed. Power corrupts. Along those lines, did you read today that AT&T has bought Sprint(?) and is now, once again, the biggest cell phone company and there are only three left, total. Remember how well that type of consolidation worked out for us with "BIG Oil, Pharma, Ag, Coal, Elect companies, etc. Thank God we are getting rid of those infernal and inept Fed Regulatory agencies so private industry can implement the most efficient..... Which do you personally prefer? Inept and inefficient Fed regulation or outright thievery and predation?
Gary,
I had a situation with a warranty that would not be honored by a day. I could not get satisfaction. I put all my records together and composed a great letter to "Action Line" in Hiways Magazine (Good Sam) and got FULL reimbursement from the culprit company. The threat of a negative article about anything to do with RV stuff written in that magazine seems to carry a lot of weight and changes the attitude of the company's management in amazing ways.
If you come up empty, give it a try. It may get you some positive results
Quote from: luvrbus on March 21, 2011, 11:21:34 AM
Here is a guy that may can help you he carries some weight with Xantrex or did
www.donrowe.com (http://www.donrowe.com)
good luck
Thanks Clifford! Is there anyone or anything bus related that you don't know? You never cease to amaze me.
I haven't given up yet. I am contacting every dealer between my house and Idaho trying to find out where it came from. I got ahold of the main dealer for Xantrex in Alaska, She is very helpfull! She is going to get ahold of all the places in Alaska that sell Xantrex and try to find a recpit. I sure wish all dealers were like hers. If all this fails, I will try donrowe.com and if that fails, I am going to order the Magnum MS4024 unless nobody likes it.
Thanks,
Gary
Gary as you have discovered Clifford is THE YODA of buses and the "GOD FATHER" of EAGLE buses!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: David Anderson on March 21, 2011, 05:21:31 PM
Gary,
I had a situation with a warranty that would not be honored by a day. I could not get satisfaction. I put all my records together and composed a great letter to "Action Line" in Hiways Magazine (Good Sam) and got FULL reimbursement from the culprit company. The threat of a negative article about anything to do with RV stuff written in that magazine seems to carry a lot of weight and changes the attitude of the company's management in amazing ways.
If you come up empty, give it a try. It may get you some positive results
Thanks David,
We must have been posting at the same time. I think that is a very good idea. I told the guy on the phone today that I was going to post all over the net and he just didn't care. That just blows me away that a company won't back a product that is still under warranty. I could see it if the manufactured date on the part was expired and you didn't have a recpit. (That's why I have Magnum in mind)
Thanks
Gary
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on March 21, 2011, 05:35:57 PM
Gary as you have discovered Clifford is THE YODA of buses and the "GOD FATHER" of EAGLE buses!
;D BK ;D
And you BK are the man with the
BIG HEART ;)
The Magnum line is also still made in the USA. The service folks I talked to who couldn't repair a Prosine said the Magnum line is easily repairable and a lot of parts are generic off the shelf stuff.
I still hope you get some help from Xantrex. The receipt requirement is stupid if they know the exact date it was made. Some companies with lifetime warranties require receipts. If the warranty is lifetime why does it matter when I bought it? The warranty seems to be the lifetime of the receipt.
Quote from: JohnEd on March 21, 2011, 12:50:58 PM
Along those lines, did you read today that AT&T has bought Sprint(?) and is now, once again, the biggest cell phone company and there are only three left, total. ..... Which do you personally prefer? Inept and inefficient Fed regulation or outright thievery and predation?
AT&T has been busy buying a bunch of Verizon service areas, and I do think right now they may be the largest cell company. I dont know what I'll do, but I will never be an AT&T customer. Luckily, or thankfully, they didnt buy our area and I am still Verizon. For now.
That really bites about that inverter, thats a lot of money to just throw away. I would seriously contact the attorney generals office and at least make a written complaint.
Out back is a really good product but they are the most expensive option out there. Read the specs and you will see that they are the most over-engineered electronics product ever. All inverters have a momentary overload rating and a duration of seconds or so. OB has a overload time limit of half an hour or some such foolishness. They were way over my head in price even though I could afford one. Dick Wright at Wrico quit handling the Zantex line because of "no" customer support as I understand it. He now carries "MAGNUM". Those are well priced and are repairable and that would be my choice.
Art,
I won't argue with you about that merger hurting us all. It will and I have no doubt.
About AT&T.....I have an unusually good story. I quit AT&T and got an air card with Verizon for my "Man Packable" 11 pound Lap Top Computer. Shortly afterward s I got a bill from AT&T for $280 as my penalty for cancellation. I called them and questioned that bill (wouldn't you?) as I hadn't gotten a phone deal with them and had only renewed my contract. They "splained" how I was charged for the phone cause of a mix up at Wall-mart that I thought I had cleared up at the time. I was wrong about the resolution and was asleep at the switch...my fault but I really hadn't received anything of a promo nature. I wasn't angry and I did realize my failure but I did register my frustration with the agent and she commiserated. The next day I received a call from a supervisor and she also explained the mix up and that their records showed a phone being sold but the activation was for my old phone and no new phone S/n was registered. Sorry! She politely asked if AT&T service had been deficient. I told her I was very happy with everything about my AT&T service except the price and I was moving only to get service that I understood was superior with Verizon in a specific location. We parted on good terms and I was out a chunk of change. Three days later I got a bill correction in the mail and it canceled "all" charges including my last bill. I guess they were still number two back then and still trying harder.
I really feel obligated to share the "good news" when a merchant or corp treats me like a human being, especially as I never hesitate to share when one does otherwise. But this is nothing more than my personal experience. "$#!% happens" and so does "nice stuff".
Seayfam,
What was the name of that sterling Xantrex dealer up in Alaska. Hope you can share the good news and not hurt her with corporate.
Thanks,
John
QuoteWhat was the name of that sterling Xantrex dealer up in Alaska. Hope you can share the good news and not hurt her with corporate.
The company is Renewable Energy, it's based out of Anchorage AK.
She spent half of a day looking for me and didn't have any luck. I highly recommend their services if you are ever in Alaska. I also searched every other place I could think of outside of AK and had no luck. So I guess I'm going to order the Magnum MS4024. I found one for $2,000 and that is the top of my budget.
I also seen it has a 3 year warranty, Hopefully they stand by their product.
Gary
Gary,
I honestly don't know if Dick Wright can beat that price but I would sure give him a call at Wrico (541 744-4333)and find out. I have often told local merchants "you don't have to be cheaper....just close". They understand that I value being a "local" and a "loyal" customer. We have some of the best merchants I have ever found in this smallish town and Dick Wright of Wrico and Dick Kaiser of Kaiser brake and alignment are two superb examples. I think you will find that you will have reasons to call both of these gents as time goes by and they provide a host of service and advice at min cost or for free. Eventually, both will save you a ton of money.
Dick advertises in the BCM and has done so for many years. Just one more reason.
Good luck to you and sorry about the Zantrex,
John
The word on the web seems to be that when Xantrex started buying out people a few years ago, there was a partner split. The partner split seems to have given birth to the Magnums according to this thread I found and others like it... http://forum.woodenboat.com/archive/index.php/t-77928.html (http://forum.woodenboat.com/archive/index.php/t-77928.html) It seems you are probably making a good choice by getting away from Xantrex and going with Magnum
Gary,
There are features you would want and while I know a couple you should get advice from experts. One feature is called "load sharing" or "auto load adjust" or some such. What it does is modulate the AC draw for the inverter so you don't pop your 30 amp breaker. That is a crisis issue on a dark rainy night when the temp is in the high 30's. Fourth trip out to the "pole" with a flashlight at 0'dark thirty and a boys thoughts go to.....well, we won't go there. If you pull in with low bats and hook up and the bat charger, 140 amps, goes to "full" charge and you turn on anything, you will pop the breaker. Some "30 amp" breakers pop at 22 amps. errrrrrrr! The feature on the inverter lets you select the max draw the inverter can present so the breaker never trips and at the same time the inverter charges the bats at the fastest possible rate for your situation.
The second feature is difficult or impossible to find. Magnum was supposed to market a model with this feature years ago but it was always delayed. In this scenario the "pole" is asked to provide more amps than the breaker will allow and the inverter kicks in the bats to augment the inverter and synchronizes everything in phase. This allows you to start the second air conditioner on a 30 amp breaker. 12 amps plus 25 gives a short duration load of 37 amps but that drops to 25 after start up. My numbers can be quibbled with, as can anyone's, but you get the picture. My understanding, as of a year ago, was that only Zantrex made a inverter with that feature and it was a "vintage" one. Sean has that inverter in his bus and might , make that WILL, know of other newer models.
Magnum has to be the biggest bang for your buck. Try for the model that will allow you to get the "generator AUTOSTART" feature. That one will allow you more "sack time", as well.
HTH,
John
I also heard that AT&T and Sprint were marrying and there wasn't going to be any reception! ;)
;D BK ;D
Thanks guys and gals, You have been great help!!!
John, you have mentioned some good points. I have popped that 30a amp breaker once and was wondering what caused that. I'll be going up to Anchorage in a couple of weeks. I noticed that the dealer I was ranting and raving about sells Magnum also. I'll be quizzing the tech there.
As far as the remote start feature goes, I have a Smart Gen installed. I don't believe I can adjust the amount of time the gen runs though. If I remember right it's just a on/off voltage adjustment.
Also it sounds like you know a lot about inverters. What are your thoughts about pure sinewave or modified sinewave? I have a second inverter in my bus and it runs all my kitchen and interior outlets. The inverter I am having to replace runs one of my duo-therm 600 series roof airs, all my electronics, TVs, stereo, cell booster, Mirage automatic awning and my bay outlets. I use laptop computers, so I'm not too worried about them. I'm just not sure if I really need the pure sinewave.
Thanks,
Gary
I believe that you will need pure sine wave to run the AC's efficiently and without problems. Probably the same could be said for much of the electronics. Not an expert opinion, just what I have read.
Gary,
I only sound smart cause the "real" heavies aren't chiming in. I own a couple inverters and one of them is a busted Xantrex but it is repairable and I will get to it sooner or later.
There are lots of guys on here that are getting by without the Pure Sine wave inverters. They are considerably more expensive is the problem. The PURE sine wave can be approximated by having a "modified" that runs at really high step rates. The likes of Sean are coughing and gasping at that but..... PVCCS, Tom, runs Magnums and they do the Air Conditioner motor OK. The fact remains that Sean is correct when he says that the efficiency goes in the toilet when you run a inductive load with a Modified sine inverter. If you can start out with a Pure Sine then do it. The motor also runs hotter so you risk burning up the load. Like I said, lots of Knuts are breaking that rule....and it is a hard and firm rule with 'rithmatic and other stuff backing it up.
The auto start feature on a good inverter ALSO turns off the genny when the bats get topped off. NO WORRIES! Set and forget forever....and that includes over night.
Safe travels,
John
While most of the time all that automatic stuff works just fine, its those odd occasions when they dont that can cause total disasters. I have a hard enough time sleeping with the Gen running. Having something using high current through a large battery bank starting and stopping the Genny would have me up pacing all night. And after reading this thread and some others about inverter problems, I dont think I want one. $5000 would buy a lot of fuel for the Genny, at $4 gal and 1/2 gal hour burn rate, thats 2500 hours.
Art,
Your thoughts are pregnant with wisdom.
Thanks,
John
Art your dreaming if you think a generator will only use 1/2 gallon a hr under a load the small 3 cylinders 5.0 kw I have on light towers use more than that they have a 12 gal tank for 8 to 9 hr run time don't believe every thing you read on the net or a manufacture tell you lol
Most generators are not run at full load very often. My 8KW generator is lucky to see much more than 1/2 load even with both roof ACs cranking. I think 1/2 gallon per hour is a reasonable number for most bus conversions unless they have a huge generator.
I did 8KW because that was the smallest quiet box RV diesel generator Powertech had at the time.
My MSW inverter can not run my electric compressor.
OK, OK! Well, maybe just pregnant. ::) Thanks, Clifford :P
Update,
I just went up to Anchorage to by my new inverter after fighting with Xantrex. I was going to buy the Magnum MS4024 and they were out of stock. So I ended up buying the Out Back VFX3524. I paid 2,840.00 with the remote and cad5 harness. Hopefully the Out Back is better than the Xantrex.
Gary
I have a pretty early run OutBack FX2024. It has been extremely reliable with no issues. I hope yours is the same for you.
I have a Xantrex and a couple other off brands. Xantrex is toast once again but I will pay the repair as it is special and should be doing better.
When I was looking the OB was the easy winner. One thing that amazed me was the "overload" capacity. Most are 50% for a couple minites max but the OB was 100% for 30 min. Whatever it was it was outta sighty. I hope they haven't downed the capacities, and I doubt they did, and I am sure you got a superb piece of equip. Please share the warranty info.
Thanks,
John
So my memory failed....again. It is rated for 3.5KW but will surge to 6KW and run 5KW for 5 seconds but will run in overload at 4KW for a full 30 minutes. SUPERB!
Good for you,
John
Quote from: JohnEd on March 24, 2011, 10:12:39 AM
The second feature is difficult or impossible to find. Magnum was supposed to market a model with this feature years ago but it was always delayed. In this scenario the "pole" is asked to provide more amps than the breaker will allow and the inverter kicks in the bats to augment the inverter and synchronizes everything in phase. This allows you to start the second air conditioner on a 30 amp breaker. 12 amps plus 25 gives a short duration load of 37 amps but that drops to 25 after start up. My numbers can be quibbled with, as can anyone's, but you get the picture. My understanding, as of a year ago, was that only Zantrex made a inverter with that feature and it was a "vintage" one. Sean has that inverter in his bus and might , make that WILL, know of other newer models.
The Victron Quattro inverter has a "Power assist feature" that works this way.
Check out the details here:
http://www.victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/quattro/ (http://www.victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/quattro/)
Does anyone here have any experience with Victron? Seems like a fabulous inverter.
I too had a Xantrex inverter die on me once. It was a Xantrex XM1000. I had the original receipt and they replaced it promptly with a new one under warranty. And then they sent me a second new one to my billing address by mistake too. I called and asked for instructions on how to send the spare back, and after a month of fumbling around trying to figure out how to arrange for shipping (I wasn't going to pay for it!) they eventually told me to keep it.
Overall, other than getting a free inverter out of them, I'm not impressed with Xantrex... They bought up a lot of good companies, but the quality isn't there anymore.
- Chris // www.technomadia.com (http://www.technomadia.com)
Quote from: Geoff on March 20, 2011, 08:44:25 AM
I would look for a older Trace unit-- I have a Trace SW2512MC and it has worked flawlessly for over 10 years and has been running the whole time. It is always hooked up-- either on shore power, battery power, or generator power. Everyone says Xantrex cheapened the product when they took over Trace.
Gee, I saw this thread popped up again. I have nothing to say, my 'older" Trace SW2512MC is still working perfectly.
Problem with the Dutch made Victron inverters there is no support what ever here for one I have one in the boat been waiting 4 months for a part go with the Magnum or Outback better price and service
good luck
Chris, They seem to do warranty work OK but after that there is no support. You don't have to go to Victron to get left. You can achieve that with domestic stuff.....buy Amerikan. I wonder what ever became of Magnums grand design? Dick at Wright's should have answers as he carries them due to their excellent customer support and quality. Outback seems to be the best but that is a pedestrian opinion of mine.
John
Just thought I'd let you all know that I have been using my new OutBack for two months now and it has been flawless. The thing is very quiet and the fans don't run for very long. I have noticed that the batteries seem to go a lot longer before the gen kicks on. Nothing I use has even hesitated with this new inverter. I LOVE IT so far!!! We will see what happens in a couple of years.
Gary
Wow, there has been several post in the last several months about these, I don't have one. Maybe everyone
might take a look and see if all of there electrical connections are in good shape?????? Just a thought!
Steve 5B.....
I see xantrex/trace inverters on ebay cheap. But sounds like some wouldnt want one even if it was free.
Gary great news about the Outbacks and also I have heard the Magnums are good also.
Xantrex has bought a lot of other inverter companies lately including some of the cheap China ones that are 5000 Watt etc. and are real light weight ones but most are not hard wire type and don't last. The good ones are heavy because of the transformers. The cheap ones also sometimes have plugs which mean they can only be used or should only be used for single items to plug in like Refrigerator or heater etc.
Dave
Paul, be very careful about mixing Xantrex and Trace Inverters.
Xantrex bought Trace and they ran it into the ground. Inverters with only the Xantrex name can be some real crap especially in later years. But Trace inverters were the very best product around.
We have a SW2512 that we bought in 01 and it has been on the whole time since. It has features that no other inverter has today. Many folks have these and they have operated without any flaw for 10s of years.
I have followed the Magnum inverter since they went into business. The company was started by the ex Trace folks. The last I checked (couple of years ago) they did not make a unit that has all of the features of the SW2512 or the 24V version. I really doubt that you will find anyone with the Trace SW series that would want to replace their unit.
I have a standing Ebay search on "Trace inverter" and get very few hits. At the present time there is only one listed. When I do get notified, the price is always well over $500 and a true sine wave model is never less that $1000.
I would love to find a sine wave unit that I can put on the shelf in case mine ever fails.
Jim
Same with Heart it was a good inverter before Xantrex most of those guys are at Outback by the way Jim I was told by both they are working on a load sharing inverter but doing changes as Xantrex holds the patent but does not make one now
good luck