RV Inverter Repair

[levisara]

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you know of anyone that repairs RV Inverters?

Thank you,
Levi


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[MrWizard]

yes parts can be removed and replaced

but.. often times part numbers are missing ?

serviceman wll open it up, look at it and tell the customer .. too expensive
he doesn't want to invest the diagnostic time, matching up the correct part

and if it turns out to be an un-marked IC chip instead of discrete component
time involved goes way up

[delwhjr]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"I have to believe that inverters are like other modern electronics that it will be cheaper to buy a new one than getting it repaired"

A truism that promotes planet-raper resource depletion. Not a criticism of your response but a notation about general public consensus. I applaud the OP's attempt. I can only hope it works out.

If a law existed that I have mentioned numerous times before that insisted all expensive electrical and electronics be manufactured so a defect was repairable it would open up a whole new industry for the US, cause a natural correction with oriental chew & spit philosophy because of logistics

And finally such a mandate may end up being one of the most intelligent green proposals being offered.

But sadly no one is listening.

As someone who works on electronics. All electronics is repairable to component level. The problem is not the repair but people willing to repair. Typical scenario:
Product fails, cost to repair $185, age of unit 3 yrs, cost to replace $300, customer refuses repair and buys new one with more or better features. Typically when a unit repair goes beyond the 50% price point it will be dumped. It is the rare exception when that unit will be fixed. Usually it will be repaired beyond that point because it fits a unique place or has sentimental value to the customer. The other is age; with new product coming on line constantly with new or better features or specifications a unit over 3 years old will usually be consigned to recycle to get the new when the repair hits that price point as well. Sometimes even cheaper.

[liborko]

I recently repaired my Xantrex PROwatt 600 SW. After about three years of flawless operation it just quit. No AC output. Customary eyeball inspection failed to detect anything unusual. No smoke, nothing burned. Further testing with instruments found both IRF 1404 mosfets shorted and 5.1 ohm resistors feeding gates open. Total cost: 2x $1.70 + 2x $0.13 $3.66. The unit is well built-good quality.

[wa8yxm]

Labor is usually around 100-150/hr
A Good 2000 watt PSW inverter/charger can be 10 or more times that. REPAIR is indicated

A MSW.. Replace.

Oh and I have a prosine that needs help.. I was hoping to meet a technician in QZ but it does not look like that will happen this winter.. Anyone know of a Tech in upstate SC that can fix a Prosine?

[2oldman]

If he really means inverter, it's a toss. If converter, that may be fixable.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"I have to believe that inverters are like other modern electronics that it will be cheaper to buy a new one than getting it repaired"

A truism that promotes planet-raper resource depletion. Not a criticism of your response but a notation about general public consensus. I applaud the OP's attempt. I can only hope it works out.

If a law existed that I have mentioned numerous times before that insisted all expensive electrical and electronics be manufactured so a defect was repairable it would open up a whole new industry for the US, cause a natural correction with oriental chew & spit philosophy because of logistics

And finally such a mandate may end up being one of the most intelligent green proposals being offered.

But sadly no one is listening.

[Matt_Colie]

Unless the unit is a big name and you can ship it to the manufacturer, for get it.

Even if you can get it serviced, the cost may make it impractical.

Do you have a friend that does this sort of stuff? Take the unit out, take the cover off and buy him a beer. Most of the times we used to find that there was a "mechanical" issue.

Matt

[wildtoad]

I have to believe that inverters are like other modern electronics that it will be cheaper to buy a new one than getting it repaired.

[time2roll]

What make and model? Have you checked the manufacturer's website?
Some like Xantrex only sell parts to authorized service centers.

[2oldman]

Fourth tech post in FTS today. Must be a trend.