Xantrex inverter not inverting

[TimFromLI]

I have a Xantex freedom 458 2000 watt inverter/charger that is on the fritz. When in invert mode it won't put out any A/C. The analog ac volt meter on my panel will pulse from 0 to about 20 volts. It had been doing this intermittently for the past couple of years but I thought it was just dead batteries. Now it does it all the time and with brand new batteries. The second issue is that the charger is set for AGM's and I can't switch it to the new Trojan flooded that I just installed. This thing was installed in 2012 and only lightly used by the PO and myself. Could it be dead already? If it is dead, do I buy another Xantrex and hope for another 6-8 years?

 

[Terry Cox]

We’ve had a refurbished Freedom 25 since 2003 and has been a flawless machine. Once in awhile when I select invert the volt meter will jiggle around ten volts then it will wake up when I turn on a draw. Works normal after that. If it were my boat I would contact Xantrex technical support and seek their recommendations If the problem persists.

Do you have a Link1000/2000 or similar device.in order to reset the Freedom parameters, which might help? We have a 1000 that makes resetting pretty easy.

 

[TimFromLI]

Thanks. I called a company that does repairs, inverter service center. The tech recommended pressing and holding the setup button on the remote. it should clear any errors. I will give it a try tonight.

 

[Terry Cox]

Please let us know the outcome.

 

[JohnShannon]

So did I just read that the jiggling at low voltage is "normal" until a load is placed on it? The benefit is likely low consumption off the DC source when there is no load. In which case maybe the OP's unit is fine?

 

[TimFromLI]

I tried to power a drill while it was jiggling. it just tried to turn, stopped, tried to turn, stopped at the same pace as the jumping needle on the meter

 

[TimFromLI]

Well, I pressed and held the setup button and a bunch of lights lit up, then went out. Still the same thing no inverter. Then I pressed the invert button a few times, then some buzzing and voila, it worked and continued to work after turning it off and on. I still can't get the charger to switch to wet cell from AGM but it's progress. I am going to call Xantrex tomorrow and see what they say, then I'll call Inverter service center and see what he says. I have to say, the guy from inverterservicecenter.com was very helpful. If I can't sort this out I will definitely spend the 60 bucks to have them check it out. To be continued.

 

[TimFromLI]

contacted xantrex and they talked me through the setup. Apparently I downloaded the wrong manual. Had I downloaded the correct one I would have learned that the setup must be done from the remote. When in setup mode the buttons are repurposed. one is for battery type and one is for "idle load". Idle load sets the ac output to 0 when there is no load detected, it saves battery life. that was the jiggling I saw. I changed that to always on problem solved. Many electronic devices wont turn on when there is no voltage detected, they may need juice first unlike an incandescent bulb that has a mechanical switch. hope this helps someone else.