My new Parallax 6730 is not working!

[chorizon]

Well I got my Parallax 6730 from Bestconverter last Tuesday. I hooked it up, flipped the breakers on and heard some ticking inside. I immediately started to hear strange sounds coming from my battery.

I checked the voltage at the battery and it was getting 18 volts and climbing!

I've isolated the problem to the AC branch circuit #2. Whenever it is on the battery charging voltage goes thru the roof.

Today, I switched batteries and had the same problem.

To rule out any possible mis-wiring, I switched all AC wires around between the other 2 breakers. Same problem, when the #2 breaker was on my battery started to cook.

When that breaker isn't on, everything works just fine. I get good DC voltage where I should, and good AC on #1 and #3. The battery voltage stays around 13V, so the charger must be working, too.

I should mention that when I received the unit, it was damaged. The mounting flanges were bent down, and the case looked tweaked. The labels had become unglued and had fallen off. The box it came in was OK, no damage, and it was the original box that had come from Parallax.

Did I get a lemon, or is there something I'm overlooking? I'm about ready to see if I can trade it for a WFCO, since so many other people here use them and seem to have no problems.

[madjack]

I would call 'em up and do swap/return immediately...I don't know where the unit is made BUT we got a 3 stage B&D charger from Wally World which was made in China(slave/prisoner labor)...the box was pristine...when you shook the unit, it RATTLED...something was flopping around loose inside...we opened it up and someone had deliberately sabotaged the unit...it looked like someone had taken a hammer or a screwdriver handle and bashed the components...returned i,t got a new one and all worked well...so SEND IT BACK.......
madjack

[chorizon]

Thanks madjack, sounds like more Mal-Wart rox-in-the-box hijinx to me. Yes, I was surprised to see "made in china" stamped on the side of the box from Parallax.

Bestconverter was cool when I told them about the damage. Randy said he'd credit me $25 if I wanted to keep the converter and live with the cosmetic damage. Since I just determined the electrical portion has got a problem, I'll have to follow up with them and see where we go from here.

I'm pretty sure this unit is toast. Should I keep my fingers crossed and hope to get a decent, working replacement, or should I go with the WFCO 8725 or possibly even the 8935?

We shall see...

[dan galvin]

I just hooked mine up today and yes i had trouble the instructions were crap .I unhooked the unit from everything and took a good look at it
I found stamped in the plastic next to one lug bar [Ground]
and nrxt to the other it said [NETURAL] it also in the back said to ground to the frame with a #8 wire i also ran a ground to the NEG grounding block
Ihooker it all back up it seems to be working ok
hope it helps
Dan
reminder white on 120v is ground and the bare copper netural
also i an a bad speller

[Nitetimes]

I just hooked mine up today and yes i had trouble the instructions were crap .I unhooked the unit from everything and took a good look at it
I found stamped in the plastic next to one lug bar [Ground]
and nrxt to the other it said [NETURAL] it also in the back said to ground to the frame with a #8 wire i also ran a ground to the NEG grounding block
Ihooker it all back up it seems to be working ok
hope it helps
Dan
reminder white on 120v is ground and the bare copper netural
also i an a bad speller

Ya got that backwards.........white is neutral..bare copper is earth ground.

[hunter535]

I just hooked mine up today and yes i had trouble the instructions were crap .I unhooked the unit from everything and took a good look at it
I found stamped in the plastic next to one lug bar [Ground]
and nrxt to the other it said [NETURAL] it also in the back said to ground to the frame with a #8 wire i also ran a ground to the NEG grounding block
Ihooker it all back up it seems to be working ok
hope it helps
Dan
reminder white on 120v is ground and the bare copper netural
also i an a bad speller

Ya got that backwards.........white is neutral..bare copper is earth ground.

Thank you Nitetimes! I got majorily confused on that one. Any AC that I have run, white is neutral and bare is ground.

[Nitetimes]

I just hooked mine up today and yes i had trouble the instructions were crap .I unhooked the unit from everything and took a good look at it
I found stamped in the plastic next to one lug bar [Ground]
and nrxt to the other it said [NETURAL] it also in the back said to ground to the frame with a #8 wire i also ran a ground to the NEG grounding block
Ihooker it all back up it seems to be working ok
hope it helps
Dan
reminder white on 120v is ground and the bare copper netural
also i an a bad speller

Ya got that backwards.........white is neutral..bare copper is earth ground.

Thank you Nitetimes! I got majorily confused on that one. Any AC that I have run, white is neutral and bare is ground.

[dan galvin]

I knew that i do not know why i typed it that way thanks all for pointing it out
comming up on 16 hours at work

[madjack]

Joshua, personally I would go with the WFCO...I have only heard of a few who used the Parallax and as many had problems as didn't...there have been a bunch of folks here, who have used the WFCO and the only complaints I recall were the directions weren't the best if you have any questions about them, just ask, there is a lot of experience with them around here...........
madjack

[Nitetimes]

I knew that i do not know why i typed it that way thanks all for pointing it out
comming up on 16 hours at work

I kinda figured that. It happens!

[planovet]

Joshua, personally I would go with the WFCO...I have only heard of a few who used the Parallax and as many had problems as didn't...there have been a bunch of folks here, who have used the WFCO and the only complaints I recall were the directions weren't the best if you have any questions about them, just ask, there is a lot of experience with them around here...........
madjack

And if you need one I have one that I'm not going to use. I can get you the model number and a price if you are interested.

[chorizon]

Thanks everybody!
Dan, I'll check my connex again, just in case. I remember working long hours; it sure made for some nice expendable income at the end of the week!

Madjack, I believe you're pushing me in the right direction. I'm definitely going to try and get a WFCO.

Mark, I'll be PM'ing you shortly to discuss your extremely generous offer!

[hunter535]

I knew that i do not know why i typed it that way thanks all for pointing it out
comming up on 16 hours at work

That's cool! I do those double shifts every once in a while and man do they kick my butt!

Joshua,
Just recieved a WFCO 8945. The directions aren't to bad but tend to be a little vague on some stuff. Everything else that I have read and heard about the wfco have been good and are reasonably priced.

[chorizon]

Joshua,
Just recieved a WFCO 8945. The directions aren't to bad but tend to be a little vague on some stuff. Everything else that I have read and heard about the wfco have been good and are reasonably priced.

Yes, I remember someone recently tried to steer you towards a Parallax 6730. If only things were as good in reality as they are on paper. I'm hoping to be able to exchange the Parallax for a WFCO 8735, we'll see how that goes...