Xantrex TrueCharge2 Remote not working

[RonRelyea]

My Xantrex charger is working fine but ....

I just installed the remote for the TrueCharge2. On power up, the unit flashes the upper left(green - "100 - Remote 2 Stage") light simultaneously with the upper red ("warning") light. At this point, none of the buttons work to program or turn off the unit.

If I unplug the interface cable and re-insert, the unit flashes the columns of lights in unison as I believe it should. Then it sits there with no lights until I hold the "Setup" button for 5 seconds, then it goes into that flashing warning mode I mentioned.

I have followed the manual's suggestion:
"If the remote panel does not turn on automatically when you first connect it to a poweredTruecharge2 Battery Charger, cut power to the battery charger by disconnecting the AC source (via the ACbreaker switch) and disconnecting the batteries (via the DC disconnect switch). Wait one minute before returning power to the battery charger."
This does not fix the problem.

Anyone have any suggestions? Do I have a faulty unit or ?????

Does anyone know of a way to contact Xantrex? I can't seem to find any help on their web site.

THANKS.

 

[Ken Cross]

I have a TruCharge 20 and have no such problems. Did you try without the remote panel. I think it should also work without the remote.
Ken

 

[RonRelyea]

I have a TruCharge 20 and have no such problems. Did you try without the remote panel. I think it should also work without the remote.
Ken

The charger is actually working fine ... it is only the remote that is a problem. I will update my original post !

 

[capta]

I have the older unit and it uses a phone cable between the two. If yours does too, perhaps there is bad wiring in the cable. Check the connections with a continuity tester and see if both ends are properly attached in the plugs. I believe these cables are standard, so replacing it shouldn't be difficult.

 

[CYQK]

RO
Am at the miami show
if you would like I will take your post over to the zantrex booth and ask them to take a look
Gary

 

[RonRelyea]

RO
Am at the miami show
if you would like I will take your post over to the zantrex booth and ask them to take a look
Gary

Gary ... that would be great ... if they want to contact me they can email RonRelyea at optonline.net

 

[CYQK]

Xantrex says get part numbers and cal the800 number
Don Wilson at the xantrex booth is stumped
if you can get more specific info it would help
now is agood time to ask
I will talk to them morr if need

 

[CYQK]

Don said that there are a couple different serial numbers and some are not compatible? ?
So now is a good time to get your question answered
any help I can be just ask

 

[Bill Roosa]

is the remote connecting electrically? Sounds silly but try wiggling the "phone jack" connector with the unit on. Both ends. intermittent connection is a big problem using an analog connector for digatal communications.

 

[Ron20324]

Don't you have the owners/installation manual? People say "telephone cord", but most are 4-conductor. Some electronics use what looks like the same cord, but has six conductors.

 

[RonRelyea]

Don said that there are a couple different serial numbers and some are not compatible? ?
So now is a good time to get your question answered
any help I can be just ask

Gary and All ... Tomorrow I will get serial numbers and call the 800 number listed on their web site: 1-800-670-0707
The remote came with 2 of the "phone" cables ... I will try the hookup with the second cable to see if that helps.
The cable IS connected ... the flashing red and green lights indicate to me, at least, that the remote is getting power through the cable.
Ron20324 - I do have the manuals ... they have proven to be no help with any kind of troubleshooting

Thanks Everybody for the help so far!

 

[mitiempo]

Ron

How old is the charger? When Xantrex brought out the modified chargers about 3 or 4 years ago they became incompatible with the older remote panels. The change to the new chargers is the ability to stack more than one for more output. The older remotes do not work with newer chargers and new remotes do not work with older chargers.

 

[twalker H260]

This document indicates that it is a loss of the remote communication connection and that the solution is to reconnect the cable. - could be either end - check that the tabs that hold the connector in place aren't damaged.

Trouble code/solution indicated on page 3-8.
http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Ba...arge2 Owners Guide (975-0401-01-01_Rev-B).pdf

Looks like earlier posters were on the right track with the connecting cable. Good luck!

It also says it may be up to 15 seconds after reconnection for communication to reestablish.

 

[RonRelyea]

Gary and All ... Tomorrow I will get serial numbers and call the 800 number listed on their web site: 1-800-670-0707
The remote came with 2 of the "phone" cables ... I will try the hookup with the second cable to see if that helps.
The cable IS connected ... the flashing red and green lights indicate to me, at least, that the remote is getting power through the cable.
Ron20324 - I do have the manuals ... they have proven to be no help with any kind of troubleshooting

Thanks Everybody for the help so far!

*******************************
Update ... I haven't been able to get the serial number of the TrueCharge2 charger yet. I bought the charger in 2011 though. The remote serial number is B12780640 and has a manufacture date of 27Mar13. Is there any way to determine if these two are compatible from this information?

 

[mitiempo]

Not sure but Xantrex can tell you.

 

[twalker H260]

Assuming it isnt too much work you could pick up a short cable and take the remote back to the charger and see if you still have the issue there? Are the existing cables six or eight conductor? A short phone cord - (six conductor) or ethernet cable (eight conductor) should work