Trace to Xantrex "upgrade" problems

[RonNBama]

My Trace 2012GS went kaputt a couple of weeks ago. I ordered what was claimed to be a direct replacement unit from Xantrex. The remote in my coach is the RC6 but the new inverter will not connect with it. The manual says it will connect but tech support and real life says it will not. Now they tell me I have to purchase a RC/GS remote ($250'ish).

After talking with the Xantrex tech support and getting conflicting directions and instructions, I have no faith in what they are telling me. Has anyone here replaced their inverter and run into a similar situation? How did you resolve the remote/inverter issue?

BTW: I do not need the generator start feature. Never had it hooked up. Didn't even know what the "GS" stood for on the inverter.

[Mr_D]

I replaced the RC6 with an RC7/GS so I could get the auto start feature, wish I could get it to work though. Had to add some wiring for passing signals. Still doesn't work. And, just like you Xantrex support has been no help either. I can use the remote to stop the gen set but it won't start it.

[RonNBama]

Yep, I knew Xantrex tech support was going to a loser when their customer service email link was bogus.

The tech support guy was on the phone with me, swearing the inverter would NOT "invert" without being linked to the remote and I was looking at working 120V appliances with shore power disconnected. Looks like I might have another boat-anchor. An expensive one though.

[KJINTF]

Sorry to hear you wasted your money
I repair inverters, charge controllers, etc and am always looking to pick up dead units for spare parts - send me a PM if interested in getting rid of the "dead" one

[RonNBama]

Will do KJINTF. Might end up putting it back in service.

One more thing Mr_D, did they tell you that you had to roll the pin connection on one end of the interface cable? The instructions were fairly vague but that's what I recall the guy telling me. This info was given as I was reading about the compatibility assurance between my RC6 and the new inverter in the manual.

[RonNBama]

I got in a used RC/GS from Visone in Kentucky. Very rapid response and shipping and helpful folks when I called in for info. Unfortunately, the panel did not function. Shipped it back and am waiting for a replacement to be delivered. Having 20/20 hindsight, I should have ordered a new remote panel from the very start.

[RonNBama]

To close out this discussion, the system is once more operational. Turns out that the panel I received from KY was probably good but the techs were not aware that the telephone-type control wire required a mod (rolling connector on one end). After installing a bran-spankin-new remote panel, everything is fully functional now.

So, if you encounter such an issue, rest assured that the manual is lying when it shows compatibility between the new inverters and the old RC6 (and probably others) panels.