repair of Xantrex inverters

Topic: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0 (Read 2178 times) previous topic - next topic

repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

August 14, 2012, 11:01:27 am

Somewhere there has to be someone who tackles these inverters. Most comments are that they are non-rebuildable...expecially because there are no schematic diagrams or parts available. The manufacturer trashes them or tells you to buy a new one. Exactly like the Dometic 4 button thermostats that I repair.

Any ideas from the group?

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #1 – August 14, 2012, 11:15:32 am

Check with Gary Omel (a forum member, http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1022). He has rebuilt several. I also heard of a business in the Seattle area that fixes these inverters. I posted on it in the June of 2010. I don't know the company name, but Infinity Coach (near Seattle) knew who could do it. You might give them a call (Infinity Coach | Your Expert Luxury Motorcoach Specialist).

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #2 – August 14, 2012, 11:38:01 am

Authorized Service Centers
from Google search there are quite a few places to take them if out of warranty etc
John H

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #3 – August 14, 2012, 01:28:32 pm

Jim,
Not sure where you are but I have had help from these guys. They helped me repair my inverter after a high voltage encounter (before installationa of an EMS). Their tech had me check an internal fuse which is not usually a field repair. After checking and finding the fuse blown I called back and he sent me a couple. If I had to repair again I would talk to them first.
Good luck,

Tekris Power Electronics Inc | tekris, inverter chargers, xantrex powerhub 1800,

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #4 – August 14, 2012, 02:55:03 pm

They definitely can be repaired if it's just a blown fuse. I repaired mine 4 years ago due to accidental high voltage. It took 2 or 3 attempts before I found it, very small. Sometimes one can find problems on circuit boards just by looking with a high power magnifying glass or jewelers loupe; cold solder joints, overheated resistors, shorts, etc. Trouble with repairing a lot of the newer electronics is that the boards are assembled by robots and the parts are very tiny and difficult to replace even if you can find the problem and a new part.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #5 – August 14, 2012, 06:53:07 pm

Quote

They definitely can be repaired if it's just a blown fuse. I repaired mine 4 years ago due to accidental high voltage. It took 2 or 3 attempts before I found it, very small. Sometimes one can find problems on circuit boards just by looking with a high power magnifying glass or jewelers loupe; cold solder joints, overheated resistors, shorts, etc. Trouble with repairing a lot of the newer electronics is that the boards are assembled by robots and the parts are very tiny and difficult to replace even if you can find the problem and a new part.

I was impressed with James Kerbel's technical repairing skills:

Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

best, paul

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #6 – August 14, 2012, 10:32:52 pm

I had a modified sine wave Xantrex repaired in Albuquerque NM a few years ago. Cost was less than purchasing a refurbished unit. Now we have a Xantrex pure sine wave inverter that just crapped out guess I will have to send that out for repair. Had to rewire my mains as the unit will not pass AC when plugged into shore power. Sure wish I had only one problem at a time.

Roland

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #7 – August 15, 2012, 05:52:48 am

Southeast Power Systems, in Orlando Florida @800-733-6101 or Southeast Power Systems. They do diesel engine mechanical and electrical, as well as coach electrical and some generator repair. They tell me they repair inverters.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #8 – August 15, 2012, 09:38:05 am

I have a buddy who has used this place and thinks highly of them:
Inverter Service Center

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #9 – August 15, 2012, 09:28:34 pm

Not sure about that, but they are good working my coaches. Frank runs the diesel repair group and he is a joy...

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #10 – September 06, 2012, 12:32:08 pm

Quote from: George Hatfield – August 14, 2012, 11:15:32 am

I also heard of a business in the Seattle area that fixes these inverters. I posted on it in the June of 2010. I don't know the company name, but Infinity Coach (near Seattle) knew who could do it. You might give them a call (Infinity Coach | Your Expert Luxury Motorcoach Specialist).

As a followup.
I talked to Jim at Infinity Coach and he said Prosine Inverters are not repairable and does not know of anyone to recommend. He does have someone that can work on Freedom inverters but it has to go thru him. Basically When Xantrex moved they threw out all the parts for the Freedom as they did not want to repair them. Several companies went and salvaged whatever parts they could and that is what these guys use to repair them until it runs out.

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 14, 2012, 11:38:01 am

Authorized Service Centers
from Google search there are quite a few places to take them if out of warranty etc
John H

I talked to several of these.
None of them repair Prosine.
The answer from all of them is " it is a sealed unit made in China" and no parts are available. Poor design.

Quote from: Rick – August 14, 2012, 01:28:32 pm

Jim,
Not sure where you are but I have had help from these guys. They helped me repair my inverter after a high voltage encounter (before installationa of an EMS). Their tech had me check an internal fuse which is not usually a field repair. After checking and finding the fuse blown I called back and he sent me a couple. If I had to repair again I would talk to them first.
Good luck,
Tekris Power Electronics Inc | tekris, inverter chargers, xantrex powerhub 1800,

Same response from Chris at Tekris Power Electronics Inc. They are not repairable.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #11 – September 06, 2012, 01:32:23 pm

Not repairable because they're smt? I wonder if they have protection diodes, a pretty common failure point. What a shame, that's a big honkin piece of gear to throw out. If anyone has a dead unit I'd like to see if I can mod, hack, tinker, repurpose or fix.

Chuck

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #12 – September 06, 2012, 01:42:17 pm

Not certain that I have an Xantrex inverter/charger in my 96 270, but here is my inverter story. Find it to be 'intermittent' during the days we spent moving out of our previous MH (traded in to FOT when we bought this new-to-us 36 footer). Foretravel said they would be glad to sell us a new inverter.... I removed the metal shell. Pulled each circuit board and cleaned the contacts with an eraser. When replacing the boards, I used tiny wire-ties to hold each one in place. Have not had a problem with the inverter for the last eleven years; hence I don't even remember the name of the unit. andy1

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #13 – September 06, 2012, 03:42:15 pm

Chuck, I am with you on just taking the frame off and checking it out. I am not an electrician but would have a look at it first before throwing it. On a side note, I have written a letter to Xantrex and will mail it later voicing my comments on "no service available" on certain units and the fact so many of us have them that they are getting a bad name and future loss of business because of this problem. I also mentioned that the web site is not friendly as you cannot post a comment to them only by 'phone or mail. I told them also about the number of Forum members and how word spreads quickly (to loss of future sales). It upsets me as it is a BC company.
John H

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #14 – September 09, 2012, 08:43:57 am

Quote from: John Haygarth – September 06, 2012, 03:42:15 pm

Chuck, I am with you on just taking the frame off and checking it out. I am not an electrician but would have a look at it first before throwing it. On a side note, I have written a letter to Xantrex and will mail it later voicing my comments on "no service available" on certain units and the fact so many of us have them that they are getting a bad name and future loss of business because of this problem. I also mentioned that the web site is not friendly as you cannot post a comment to them only by 'phone or mail. I told them also about the number of Forum members and how word spreads quickly (to loss of future sales). It upsets me as it is a BC company.
John H

Word spreads quickly, Your not kidding there, I am on a worldwide Cruiser forum, Thats a boating forum, they are having the same problems with Xantrex Crap invertors,

They invertors are failing and Xantrex is very slow on the uptake about fixing them or even wanting to know about them,
Turn around is about a month,

Xantex is made in China, My 1800 Watt Xantrex invertor is approx, $2000-00 New,

My Brand new Chinese 5000 Watt, Pure Sine Wave invertor was $500-00 including delivery and in my hand in a week,

It is to replace my 1800 watt Xantrex one, which drowned when my boat sunk,

Xantrex is getting a bad name very fast, There is another company in the USA making them, But I cant remember their name,
Mastervolt I think it is, Or some thing like that,

My new Invertor runs my 5 inch grinder and my 550 watt electric drill both under load at the same time, Well I had to test it out,

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #15 – September 09, 2012, 09:34:48 am

Brian,

MasterVolt is a German made marine grade pure sine wave inverter. I have one. Its structure is stainless steel because of the marine grade construction.

Mine has worked trouble free for years.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #16 – September 09, 2012, 10:19:57 am

Thanks Rudy, I wasnt sure where Mastervolt were made, I assumed they were American as most of the boatys are, And thats what they are moving over too,

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #17 – September 09, 2012, 11:33:35 am

I believe that the American company you were thinking of is Magnum Energy. I plan on replacing our Xantrex Freedom 20 with a Magnum Energy MS2812 as an upgrade.
Don

Quote from: MR B2 – September 09, 2012, 10:19:57 am

Thanks Rudy, I wasnt sure where Mastervolt were made, I assumed they were American as most of the boatys are, And thats what they are moving over too,

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #18 – September 09, 2012, 11:47:42 am

Don,

Magnum is the result of the Trace folks getting fed up with Dumbmetic dumbing down the once excellent Trace Inverter. They started a new company to build the inverter they were used to and Magnum is the result. It is now the go to RV inverter that Trace once was.

The current Trace inverter plus Xantrex and ProSine inverters from Dometic just do not measure up to the Magnum or my MasterVolt marine inverter.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #19 – September 09, 2012, 03:48:08 pm

Rudy,
I was looking at the MasterVolt products and they are impressive! Which model do you have? They have two nice combi units that are 120/60 at 2.5kw and 4kw. Still not decided completely on the combo vs separate inverter/charger set up... But the MV looks to be a contender!
Don

Quote from: Rudy – September 09, 2012, 11:47:42 am

Don,

Magnum is the result of the Trace folks getting fed up with Dumbmetic dumbing down the once excellent Trace Inverter. They started a new company to build the inverter they were used to and Magnum is the result. It is now the go to RV inverter that Trace once was.

The current Trace inverter plus Xantrex and ProSine inverters from Dometic just do not measure up to the Magnum or my MasterVolt marine inverter.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #20 – September 09, 2012, 03:58:08 pm

Don,

I think I have the 2 kw inverter/charger rather than 2.5 but would be happy if I had the 2.5. I do not really need the 4 kw capacity.

Check prices with Philip Covault of AER Supply at 281.474.3276.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #21 – September 09, 2012, 05:57:54 pm

Thanks Rudy,
I will make note of that source! Still a ways off... Maybe once I get my house or 36' Harley flathead suff sold. Hazard to believe that one year ago yesterday we brought the coach home and I am still working on the basement stuff! I would have thought we would have had many trips under our belt by now! Ah well, onward and upward...
Don

Quote from: Rudy – September 09, 2012, 03:58:08 pm

Don,

I think I have the 2 kw inverter/charger rather than 2.5 but would be happy if I had the 2.5. I do not really need the 4 kw capacity.

Check prices with Philip Covault of AER Supply at 281.474.3276.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #22 – September 09, 2012, 06:38:02 pm

time goes fast Don, but look at the FUN you have had, and the info you have given this forum--priceless!!
John H

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #23 – September 10, 2012, 02:46:38 am

Quote from: Rudy – September 09, 2012, 11:47:42 am

Don,

Magnum is the result of the Trace folks getting fed up with Dumbmetic dumbing down the once excellent Trace Inverter. They started a new company to build the inverter they were used to and Magnum is the result. It is now the go to RV inverter that Trace once was.

The current Trace inverter plus Xantrex and ProSine inverters from Dometic just do not measure up to the Magnum or my MasterVolt marine inverter.

I recently had my Xantrex Prosine 2.0 fail and have replaced it with a Magnum MS2012 (2 KW inverter, 100A charger) and the ME-ARC remote control panel. I'm quite happy with it so far. I bought the Xantrex as a reconditioned unit (on eBay) 5 years ago for $500, so I probably got my money's worth, and the failed unit went to an acquaintance who wanted to try to repair it.

FWIW - The best price I found for the Magnum was from iMarineUSA.com ($1200). They were prompt with shipment and fine to deal with.

Re: repair of Xantrex inverters - 2.5 and 3.0

Reply #24 – September 10, 2012, 11:24:53 am

Dave,
Thanks for the tip! They have great prices on the Magnum products that I checked. By far the best I have seen! Nice to hear that you had a good experience doing business with them.
Don

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – September 10, 2012, 02:46:38 am

I recently had my Xantrex Prosine 2.0 fail and have replaced it with a Magnum MS2012 (2 KW inverter, 100A charger) and the ME-ARC remote control panel. I'm quite happy with it so far. I bought the Xantrex as a reconditioned unit (on eBay) 5 years ago for $500, so I probably got my money's worth, and the failed unit went to an acquaintance who wanted to try to repair it.

FWIW - The best price I found for the Magnum was from iMarineUSA.com ($1200). They were prompt with shipment and fine to deal with.

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