XS400

This is my second replacement and I'm still having trouble using it!
After half an hour or so, the inverter shuts down showing its red fault light. It recovers after a reset but the same behaviour keeps coming back. The connections have been revised many times and are done according to specs (AWG 4 over a 15 feet run directly to the battery switch). There is no overload as it only runs a Mac Mini and a 17" lcd screen (150 watts max).

Is there anyone in the world using that sane model (XS400), after some research, I feel that I am the only one!

Could this problem be related to an improper ground connection?

When the XS400 shuts down I replace it with a $39.00 Westmarine model (using the same cable connections) and this cheap one performs perfectly well. The only problem is that it generates a buzz in my sound system. This is why I purchase the $500.00 XS400 in the first place.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Richard    

The first replacement I got went into a fault red light mode too and there was nothing I could do to reset it. There is only one review at Amazon (if you look for the Xantrex XS400) and that review is mine. No wonder why the price went down to $100.00!

My thinking is that if Xantrex made a mistake selling this piece of crap they should at least exchange it with one of their reputable models. Even if we have to pay a little more, we would at least end up with something for our money. As of now, if Xantrex doesn't do a thing, this would really match the true definition of a robbery.

I feel sorry for you but I must admit it feels good to see that I'm not the only one! Throughout the whole process I was constantly questioning my own installation (which cost me over $300.00). They always made me feel that I was responsible.

Anyhow, let's continue shooting them with e-mails.

Richard    

Hello Dave!

Thanks for your input!

I did measure the voltage once but I didn't have a very good voltmeter. I was running a MacMini and a LCD screen (150W Max.), I never saw a reading under 12V. Furthermore, most of my last tests were done with short #4 cable (2 feet). Also, there doesn't need to be any charge at all for the inverter to crash. Leave it alone and it will crash in about 15 to 30 minutes. I have replaced the XS400 with an even cheaper model (west marine 150W with cigarette plug). Using the same cable run this little one performs very well.

I did disconnect the body ground for a long period. I also thought this would have something to do but there was no change. Now, Are there other grounds I should mess with? We all know that on a boat the body ground is actually the DC negative and for security reasons this ground has to be connected to the AC shore ground. But all of this is irrelevant because I did many tests with the body ground and AC input disconnected, only DC input and AC load connected.

I understand what you mean by being responsible because I bought it. I will certainly pay for my mistake but I am also responsible for not letting them getting away with it. If you give a one year warranty, It implies that the device should be working properly for at least a year. Not the case with those three in a row I got. When you see an advertisement with words like "superior quality" from a reputable company along with a price tag of $500.00, you kind of think that you are on the right track, wrong! It is clear that they made a mistake with the XS400, shouldn't they also pay for their mistake?

So Dave, if you come up with more suggestions for reviving the XS400 I'd be very happy to hear them. Maybe you're on the right track with the ground and neutral bond, please explain!

Richard   

Wow, the price at (Amazing) seems pretty high -


XS400 400w Sine Wave Inverter
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Price:      $9,999.00

Ricardo,
I would look at the AC ground and for testing I would make sure that the neutral is not connceted anywhere to ground. No bond to ground. I assume you have done this but.... Hook the inverter to the battery. connect a cheater plug ( plug with out ground) from your computers charger (laptop?) to the inverter. Test and ? You do know that below approximately 11VDC the inverter will disconnect? Good Luck