Repair/replace Xantrex Inverter/Charger for 600amp/hr AGM battery bank

[Eric Dalessio]

Hi Folks,

I'm the second owner of a 2007 Hunter 410 -- The Xantrex Freedom Marine 20 charger/inverter is failing on us -- The high-temperarture warning goes off all the time when it's doing heavy charging. I've isolated the issue to the circuit that controls the cooling fan. Something there has failed (the fan itself is fine).

It's out of warranty with Xantrex, and so I'm trying to figure-out if I can get it repaired at a reasonable cost vs. whether it's a better idea to replace the whole unit. The Freedom Marine 20 is connected to a nice control panel at the nav station, so picking a different brand would need to deal that idea in as well.

Let me know if you have any advice for me?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The thermal sensor is a relatively cheap part and would require only minimal labor to replace assuming that is the problem but what you are asking is howan unknown repair cost compares with an unknown replacement.

Personally, I prefer separate charger and inverter units for the obvious reason.

Also, I doubt anyone has sufficient experience with every inverter and charger on the market to make an objective judgment which is/are the best. Consequently, take recommendations as to replacement brands as subjective.

 

[Ken Cross]

Contact Xantrex and see if they repair them, or if they can recommend someone.

Ken

 

[Stu Jackson]

The Freedom Marine 20 is connected to a nice control panel at the nav station

Don't you also have an echo charger on that Freedom unit?

Is it the remote panel or a Link?

What are you running off the inverter and how is it wired into the boat's AC system?

Don's right. Hard to tell you. You might want to try here from seasoned cruisers - http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/

I have a Freedom 15 controlled by a Link 2000. I like it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Contact Xantrex and see if they repair them, or if they can recommend someone.

Ken, while good for many boat items, i.e., go to the manufacturer and ask them, it simply rarely works with electronics, and especially for Xantrex. Why? They bought out Heart Interface from Seattle years ago. After all these years, Xantrex still doesn't know "what's under the hood" of any of that generation's equipment.

Best bet is to find a local electronics guru who knows his way around a circuit board and a soldering iron.

This comes up every one in a while, and that's the solution those skippers have found, unless they just started over. Hard to justify for a $50 fix.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Eric, it sound as though the thermostat that controls the fan has stopped working. I would first call Xantrex technical support and ask for their assessment. We replaced our original 1991 Heart 1600 with an Xantrex Freedom 25 in 2004. The re-certified unit I purchased was through their store at store4power.com. Installed it myself with minimal tools. We also have two 8D wet cell batteries (now AGMs) for the house bank that hold 480 amp hours total. Our unit continues to serve its purpose. If it ever fails I would purchase a new Xantrex.

 

[Eric Dalessio]

Hi Eric, it sound as though the thermostat that controls the fan has stopped working. I would first call Xantrex technical support and ask for their assessment. We replaced our original 1991 Heart 1600 with an Xantrex Freedom 25 in 2004. The re-certified unit I purchased was through their store at store4power.com. Installed it myself with minimal tools. We also have two 8D wet cell batteries (now AGMs) for the house bank that hold 480 amp hours total. Our unit continues to serve its purpose. If it ever fails I would purchase a new Xantrex.

Thanks, Terry. Yep, I think that's right. I called Xantrax and went through all the troubleshooting steps, including disconnecting (dealing-out) the battery temp sensor as the prob. The more detailed troubleshooting idea of working through the boards to troubleshoot the circuits with my soldiering iron is just a little beyond my competencies. I can do the repairs and replace/resolider components, but I don't really know how to debug and detect the source of the problem.

Xantrax said they wouldn't repair since it's an older unit and to buy a new one... Seems like such a waste.

Guess it raises a related question, does anybody want to recommend an electronics Guru in the Annapolis/Baltimore/Eastern Shore area ?

 

[Terry Cox]

Guess it raises a related question, does anybody want to recommend an electronics Guru in the Annapolis/Baltimore/Eastern Shore area ?

Sorry Eric, but a bit out of my league being on the left coast. Seems odd that Xantrex would not take it in on a repair. I can accept their rationale with older units. Did you ask them whether they know of a shop that will take it on? Even if out here it might be worth your while.

 

[Ron20324]

Merke Marine or Y.E.S. are familiar names to me. Y.E.S. does boat electric classes for my SOS club, but not sure he digs in under the covers.. Do you have the "Port Book" for Annapolis/Eastern Shore?

 

[seadaddler]

I called Xantrex a few years back and they gave me a good repair guy here in Fl. and he fixed it for me but needed a new board $500.00 and been working good ever since.
He checked it first and gave the repair cost before doing the repair.
Nick

 

[Maine Sail]

Hi Folks,

I'm the second owner of a 2007 Hunter 410 -- The Xantrex Freedom Marine 20 charger/inverter is failing on us -- The high-temperarture warning goes off all the time when it's doing heavy charging. I've isolated the issue to the circuit that controls the cooling fan. Something there has failed (the fan itself is fine).

It's out of warranty with Xantrex, and so I'm trying to figure-out if I can get it repaired at a reasonable cost vs. whether it's a better idea to replace the whole unit. The Freedom Marine 20 is connected to a nice control panel at the nav station, so picking a different brand would need to deal that idea in as well.

Let me know if you have any advice for me?

Thanks,
Eric

There are Xanterx service centers out there who repair these. I 've used Tekris Power in NJ for Xantrex inverter repairs.. Do be aware that these repairs are not inexpressive. To repair these units, you're in the $500.00 and up range, plus shipping, and you'll still have a late 90's technology inverter. The Link control panel that was discontinued many years ago and can no longer be repaired. FleaBay is your only option on the remote unless you go with the bare bones basic remote which is really quite underwhelming.

A few years ago I had one customer insist on sending in his Freedom inverter instead of going with new one. The repair & shipping cost him approx $900.00. Three weeks later his Link 2000 died.

My suggestion to most boaters who have had their Trace/Heart Interface or Xantrex inverters fail is to bite the bullet and move on to a Magnum ME or MS series (MS is pure sine). The Victron I/C's are also nice but the Magnum is a near drop in only more reliable, better built and is backed by a great company who stands behind the products really well.

Magnum, as a company, is made up of a number of the guys who left/spun off when Xantrex bought Trace/Cruising Equipment/Heart Interface. Their inverters are extremely reliable and the ME-ARC remote with battery monitor kit is also extremely nice. The Magnum remote is specifically designed to fit the hole left by a Xantrex Freedom remote because they are smart guys and are aware of the Xantrex failure rate....

As a marine electrician there are very, very few Xantrex products I will install. Reliability & customer service is not one of their strong points.

 

[mz4wheeler]

Hi Folks,

I'm the second owner of a 2007 Hunter 410 -- The Xantrex Freedom Marine 20 charger/inverter is failing on us -- The high-temperarture warning goes off all the time when it's doing heavy charging.

Dumb question: Are your batteries OK? How does it charge with just the alternator? Maybe your Freedom is just fine, but overworked by dead batteries.