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General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Jason Worman on August 12, 2019, 05:30:06 PM

Title: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Jason Worman on August 12, 2019, 05:30:06 PM
Hi All,
So I have the Xantrex Freedom 458 20 inverter/charger. The unit no longer charges my batteries while plugged into shore power. When I disconnect from shore power and turn on the inverter it works just fine. I bought a replacement which  I will get installed this week. I tried doing the "hard reset". When I turn on the charger from the remote, the low battery LED instantly turns red, the the troubleshooting guide does not have an answer for this problem. I am trying to decide if it is worth sending the unit for repairs and have as a back up. The LED for the charge button on the unit lights up but it only shows 12.8 volts while charging. Thank you.

Jason Worman
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Bill Lampkin on August 12, 2019, 06:00:17 PM
Here's a link to the manual, in case you don't have one
http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Inverter-Chargers/Freedom-458/Freedom458(445-0193-01-01_rev-2).pdf

Try unplugging the batt temp sensor from the inverter and see if that solves anything. The inverter on my '05 PT does weird things when I have the temp sensor plugged in (have since unplugged it).

Check the LED lights on the inverter against the troubleshooting guide in the manual. And you might try another 'reset' after you pull the temp sensor.
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Jason Worman on August 12, 2019, 06:30:30 PM
Bill,

Thank you for your response. How old is your inverter? My unit was replaced in 2006. I guess I am old school and think these units can be repaired. I will try your suggestions.

Jason Worman
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Bill Lampkin on August 12, 2019, 06:47:38 PM
Knock on wood: Ours is original to our '05 PT, its an RV2512M Xantrex inverter. I just checked the water level in my house batteries, with the temp sensor plugged in, I was adding maybe a couple of cups of water every two weeks. Since I disconnected the temp sensor, I'm not using any appreciable amount of water.
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Fred Brooks on August 12, 2019, 07:31:54 PM
    Jason,
Inside the Inverter/Converter on the green PC Board there is 2 micro inline fuses (they look like miniature sfe glass fuses). I believe 1 is 1/4 amp rating and the other is 1 amp. I am pretty sure the 1/4 amp is the charging circuit. Fred
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Jason Worman on August 12, 2019, 08:05:20 PM
Fred,

Thanks for responding, if the fuse was bad would the green LED charge indicator light up?

Jason Worman
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Rick Daniels on August 12, 2019, 09:20:38 PM
My Xantrex inverter got fried last summer due to a extreme power surge.  Contacted Xantrex and they said that there is not a Xantrex they cant repair unless the transformers are burned up.  I sent it in for $35.00.  They fixed it and sent it back for around $300.00.  Works great now.  Mine was so bad there were even melted wires. 
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Jason Worman on August 12, 2019, 10:34:06 PM
Rick,

Thanks for the advice, I paid $300.00 for a certified used unit and it came with the remote. I am going to get this one repaired, there is a place in Portland my next trip north ii am going to drop it off at.

Jason
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Fred Brooks on August 13, 2019, 12:15:34 AM
    Jason,

   That is a good question, I would probably think if the fuse was bad the LED would not illuminate. $300.00 is a great price for these little work horses. When you consider a new 2000watt pure sine wave is going for $1600.00. Fred
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Jason Worman on August 13, 2019, 06:09:00 AM
Fred and Bill

I don't suppose either of you happen to be travelling along the Oregin Coast this week ;) and want to give me hand.

Safe travels everybody :)

 Jason Worman
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Bill Lampkin on August 13, 2019, 06:49:13 AM
We're in Woodland Wa till the end of this week, then the Kelso area; We'll be at Cape Kiwanda for Labor Day. I think I saw where Fred said he's in AK!
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: Fred Brooks on August 13, 2019, 02:07:23 PM
    Hey Guys,
   Fred is in Tucson getting ready to go to Royse City just north east of Dallas TX to my son's wedding. Fun trip Texas.
  Fred
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging
Post by: David T. Richelderfer on August 13, 2019, 03:11:40 PM
Jason - your experience with this problem sounds eerily similar to mine.

http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,5273.msg39479.html#msg39479
Title: Re: Xantrex inverting but not charging #update#
Post by: Jason Worman on August 15, 2019, 10:48:29 PM
Hi All,

I had the service tech out yesterday, replaced the unit, nice to have the unit inside the coach and no external battery charger connected. He said it was interesting the unit had been installed inside a box without much venting, he said the fan needs lot of air to keep cool. We made plenty of venting holes all around. I am wondering if at some point the unit overheated and shorted out. Thanks

Jason Worman