Fried my Xantrex inverter today

Seayfam · March 20, 2011, 02:39:25 PM

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

happycamperbrat · March 20, 2011, 02:52:02 PM

Do you have a printer hooked up to your puter?

LOL

Busted Knuckle · March 20, 2011, 03:07:49 PM

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!"

BK

fe2_o3 · March 20, 2011, 03:22:06 PM

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

belfert · March 20, 2011, 03:33:14 PM

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.

Lin · March 20, 2011, 04:52:45 PM

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.

JohnEd · March 20, 2011, 08:46:38 PM

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

eagle19952 · March 20, 2011, 08:53:12 PM

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.

Seayfam · March 20, 2011, 09:44:01 PM

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

Seayfam · March 20, 2011, 09:47:42 PM

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

zubzub · March 21, 2011, 03:00:26 AM

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.

Seayfam · 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.

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

Just Dallas · 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.

Boomer · March 21, 2011, 10:39:50 AM

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.

belfert · March 21, 2011, 11:16:57 AM

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.