[RE-wrenches] Outback VFX 2812 charger not working

[Richard Nicol]

New AC board [if available) is around $250  +/- and relatively straightforward to replace.
FET board is twice as much $

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 14, 2024, at 6:19 PM, jay via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> 
> HI Michael,
> 
> I’d say the AC board on the VFX is suspect. Bad relay. 
> 
> 
> Yes to #2.  That will work just fine.  
> Good luck
> 
> jay
> 
>> On Aug 14, 2024, at 4:13 PM, Michael Welch via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Wrenches. I am hesitant to post here, since I am not really a Wrench. I feel like maybe I can get by with it since I'm so involved with running the list. So ...
>> 
>> After many years, my VFX 2812 stopped charging my batteries, but continues powering my home.
>> 
>> The VFX 2812 is mounted to a Midnite e-panel, with two PV inputs (MX-60 and an old Heliotrope CC-60), a FlexNet DC, HUB, and a Mate2. A battery temp sensor is between two of my Surrette 2-KS-33P batteries.
>> 
>> Some time ago, the red error light behind the clear cover on the inverter started blinking, but it continued charging from our 7 kW generator -- so I suspect it had nothing to do with my current charging problem. Discussing with Bill Battagin, the light was possibly a fan error, apparently a bit common. 
>> 
>> I tried switching generators, as the first one showed 64 CPS, but that did not help.
>> When I start the generator, the AC In light on the Mate2 on (and stays on), and I hear an inverter relay clicking as if the generator warm-up delay feature keeps going through its cycle. The house lights flicker at the same time as the click, but charging never happens.
>> 
>> I've re-seated all the Cat-5 cables with Outback contact goop on all ends, and I replaced the Mate2 cable with a new Outback one. I've checked and tightened all the connections in the e-Panel and batteries.
>> 
>> Question 1: 
>> So what can I do to further diagnose or even fix this? Buying a new or even used VFX inverter is out of the question, financially.
>> 
>> Question 2:
>> I still have my old Trace U2512 inverter. I'd like to hook its charger into the  e-Panel, as a temporary situation -- for times like last week when we were fogged in for a few days, letting my batteries get a lot lower than I want. 
>> 
>> I would not use the AC output on the Trace, but would continue powering my home with the VFX. I figured I would put the Trace battery cables in parallel with the VFX so that the Trace charging will also go through the shunt so I can see the charge rates and levels on the Mate2. 
>> 
>> The generator's wires would be changed from the e-Panel  AC In to the Trace AC  In.  
>> 
>> The last thing I want to do is further harm my equipment. What say ye to this temporary idea?
>> 
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> 
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