I guess I got twice lucky…my first "E-meter" (predecessor to the Link10) worked fine, but I wanted the serial data interface option and needed a new meter to do that. Contacting Xantrex, they kindly informed me that they could (at that time) furnish me with a like-new, refurbished Link10 with serial interface for $125…that was too sweet to pass up. The E-meter I then installed on a friend's boat (cca 2004 or so) and it's worked fine since. And mine has worked fine for the past 7 years.
The main problem with the E-meter/Link10 design has been its vulnerability to permanent damage due to miswiring or improper power sequencing of its inputs. I took the advice of several with experience with these meters who advised it's safest to:
1) Attach a multi-pin connector to its interface strip, plugging and unplugging all wires simultaneously
2) Always, always, unplug the connector whenever any cables are being disconnected to the pack and reconnect only after you're sure the pack is back to its proper configuration and the shunt sense wires still attached properly.
Again, I guess I've been lucky, but then I've read a lot of horror stories and to avoid disappointment, you had to be very careful.
My 2cents-
-Myles Twete, Portland, Or.
From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2011 2:15 PM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Xantrex monitors
Jason That's the beauty of a group like this some of us have made mistakes so others don't have to. In reality there was nothing wrong with my Xantrex XBM monitor as it was made by TBS which seems to be a reliable company from the Netherlands and made the units for Xantrex. The problem was I assumed that when the Xantrex literature says the units were "splash proof" that I could conveniently install it in the cockpit where the diesel gages use to be. Of course they did not mention that the sun would destroy the LCD in a little over a year. Where Xantrex did fail was their customer service as they would not repair the unit or sell me the part. Luckily, I found out about TBS and was able to order the new display from them for $15 (plus a wire transfer fee) http://biankablog.blogspot.com/2009/12/going-electric-repairing-zantrex-xbm.html which was much better than Xantrex customer service advice which was to buy another $250+ monitor. My advice would be to do like Eric did and cut out the middle man and go with the TBS unit from the start. Capt. Mike http;//biankablog.blogspot.com
|
No comments:
Post a Comment