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FloridaRosebud's avatar
FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Mar 21, 2021

Inverter/Converter

OK, a question for you all. I have a Xantrex 1000 watt converter. It's new, BUT it will not charge my house batteries. It is within the one year warranty but Xantrex will not honor it. I (and the RV shop) have been fighting with them for 7 months now (yep, that's right) and I'm ready to just give it up. So I can do one of two things; buy a different brand inverter and spend $1800 installed, or just buy a 60 amp converter to charge my batteries and convert 120 to 12V. The RV place will sell me the converter at cost with two hours of labor for install.

We do not boondock, and most of the time here in FL when traveling we have the genny on to run one of the roof A/C units because of the dogs. So for the time being we do not really need the inverter. My inclination is to go with the converter for now (money is a bit tight for the moment) and maybe next year put a new inverter in the budget.

So am I missing something? Any thoughts? (I'm going to post this as well on the iRV2 site)

Al
Class A
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Mar 21, 2021
    Xantrex does not have poor service. I have been dealing with them for 30 years. From when they were Heart and Trace. Xantrex is the company from the Heart/Trace merger. What they do have is disdain for so called Techs and Service centers that do not install the correct product for the applications. NOT installed to spec or they have a problem with the customer or Service Center NOT giving them adequate info and they will not just replace parts or complete Inverter/Chargers.
    NOW, I take YOU to task. You stated just a 1000 watt Xantrex. You then repost and state you either had a 458 or you are installing a 458. Now, the 458 series is a 2000 or 2500 watt Inverter/Charger, NOT A 1000 WATT. So, from your 2 posts, you could not adequately explain your problem and what was done to your RV. We still don't know. So, how is Xantrex supposed to get to a resolution when you cannot even post a easy description of your problem? Doug
  • ndrorder's avatar
    ndrorder
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2021
    Another option is a 120v battery charger direct connected to the batteries and plugged into the coach somewhere for a hundred bucks. Install it yourself and use it for a year while saving for a replacement inverter/charger.

    Contact xantrex yourself to understand why they refuse warrantee coverage. If their contention is an installation error, why isn't your installer warranteeing their work and replacing the unit they destroyed.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2021
    Al,

    Did you read the manual that came with the Xantrex 1000?
    I have installed a couple (give or take) and as I recall, it is not an inverter/converter/charger.

    If it was sold to you as a replacement for a Freedom Series 458 inverter/charger, then someone did not know what he was selling. I suggest that you talk to him in a very convincing way.

    If it works as an inverter (Make 120VAC from 12VDC), leave it alone and buy a good converter/charger like Iota or Progressive Dynamics.

    Matt
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2021
    I would find a different brand, get a 2k Watt pure sine wave inverter/Charger. It will be a bit more pricey, but will solve all your issues.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2021
    Either decision will work--


    Replace the inverter/charger. If you go this route, strongly suggest going with a PSW (Pure Sine Wave) model as an upgrade to your current MSW Freedom.


    If just adding a stand alone converter, strongly suggest is a "smart" converter and will go through bulk, absorption and float modes/voltages. Certainly, this is the less expensive alternative.
  • FloridaRosebud's avatar
    FloridaRosebud
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2021
    OK, it is an inverter/charger. Came that way from the factory. Sorry for the confusion. Right now we are waiting for the inverter/charger to be returned from the Xantrex service center. It's the replacement for the Freedom Series 458 which was installed in 2006.

    That said, I was not asking what I needed to fix it. If the budget would allow I'd put in a new inverter/charger and be done, and let everyone know of the poor customer service Xantrex has. Right now I have a 12V trickle charger set up to charge the batteries when on shore power or on genny and I want to be rid of that before we start our camping this year. I was just asking if I was missing anything in my thought process.

    Al
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Mar 21, 2021
    theoldwizard1 wrote:
    Let's het the terminology correct !

    You Xantrex 1000 is an inverter. It take 12V DC from your battery and make 120V AC. Handy if you want to watch television at night when your RV is not "plugged in". At 1000W, it is not big enough to run a microwave or probably most coffee pots. This unit does NOT charge batteries !

    A converter take 120V AC and make 12 DC to keep your batteries charged and run the lights in your RV. You should have on already installed in your RV (came from the factory).

    They DO make inverters that have chargers built in. Some also have an automatic transfer switch. This means you will always have 120V AC available, either from the RV plug at the campground, or your generator or the batteries. Once installed everything is automatic ! Nothing to do but enjoy life. Plus, you can REMOVE the existing converter, so one less thing to go wrong.

    Here is and example of one that would fit your needs Samlex EVO-1212F-HW 120V Pure Sine Inverter/Charger - 1200 Watt


    BINGO! If your so called RV shop has been fighting for months for a product that does NOT Charge your batteries, then find another shop. No wonder Xantrex is not helping. They have a INVERTER and probably told your shop that, but your Idiot Shop is too stupid to understand their business. Now, this said, we NEED the model number of the Xantrex. Xantrex DOES make a 1000 watt Inverter/Charger, but it seems since Xantrex refuses to help, you have an Inverter model only. Did this shop INSTALL the Xantrex? Doug

    Until you post Model Number, nobody can give you any other help
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2021
    Let's het the terminology correct !

    You Xantrex 1000 is an inverter. It take 12V DC from your battery and make 120V AC. Handy if you want to watch television at night when your RV is not "plugged in". At 1000W, it is not big enough to run a microwave or probably most coffee pots. This unit does NOT charge batteries !

    A converter take 120V AC and make 12 DC to keep your batteries charged and run the lights in your RV. You should have on already installed in your RV (came from the factory).

    They DO make inverters that have chargers built in. Some also have an automatic transfer switch. This means you will always have 120V AC available, either from the RV plug at the campground, or your generator or the batteries. Once installed everything is automatic ! Nothing to do but enjoy life. Plus, you can REMOVE the existing converter, so one less thing to go wrong.

    Here is and example of one that would fit your needs Samlex EVO-1212F-HW 120V Pure Sine Inverter/Charger - 1200 Watt

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