| Author | Message | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 886 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.195.78.219  Rating: |
From another board , here is an interesting problem. FF My pricey Northstar AGMs lasted only one season and just had to be replaced. I chose another brand of course. Northstar claim that my Xantrex MS2000 set to AGM mode wrecked the batteries because the Xantrex float voltage is 13.45v and not adjustable, whereas the Northstars require 13.62v. Hmm - a little over one tenth of a volt difference is critical? Therefore it's my fault the batteries are wrecked so not covered under warranty. I realize that AGM batteries need special parameters to be charged properly, but shouldn't the very expensive MS2000 charger's AGM mode suffice? Boat Electric in Seattle say they never install a Northstar without adding a nanopulser "shake the sulfation off" gizmo. This is a red flag to me that Northstars are VERY prone to sulfation. Anyone else have Northstar battery problems? Jeff | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 954 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.82.80  Rating: N/A |
How about a link to that board, so those interested can read the follow-ups? | ||
| Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
Registered Member Username: Cullennewsom Post Number: 110 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 98.201.161.214  Rating: N/A |
Probably not, and typical a DMM in the field is not so precise or accurate. Sounds like malarkey to me.
How convenient. Sound like the sort of folks that will stall you until you are past the warranty date. Did the Northstar batteries come with some sort of warning that only the Northstar charger has the right magic, and charger precision has to be ~~1%? And that all bets are off if you use other heathen chargers that lack the patented Northstar mojo? And yes, I would expect the Xantrex charger to do what it says it will do. Have you contacted Xantrex about it? What do they have to say? If there really is some sort of issue there, they might eventually be badgered in to releasing a firmware upgrade for it. Is this the thread? http://ssca.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5226&start=15 | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_liebler Post Number: 347 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 71.30.199.162 Rating: |
Fred, Something isn't right about this! Floating at a lower voltage, which is still in the "charging" region simply cannot shorten the life of a lead acid battery, no matter who the manufacturer is. I'd suggest Jeff should contact a lawyer and any consumer protection agencies he can think of. If there is no more to this story, it is clearly a case of warranty fraud and deserves punishment. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 913 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.171.79.185 Rating: N/A |
Whew, Just read the long thread, and don't know what to make of it? Notable things are 130 Amp solar panels, (I don't think so, I think the writer means Watts.) I'm with Jerry, and I know him to be well-qualified, none of the voltages described should hurt those bateries! G | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 224 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.232.232  Rating: |
I think the first step in the forensics should be to verify that there is not malfunction in your system with hard data such as a modern scope with event capture features, then offer that rebuttal evidence to them with a "I don't think so" , include an offer to view there supporting data out of court, with a deadline to reply to the last paragraph containing a letter of demand . Might not prompt them to get to admit the technical details of there batteries charge characteristics , but will likely get you some sort of warranty settlement , as the genius that syhsted that small print warranty clause is likely not into the dealing with the actual technical details (lazy). Any amount of accountability is better than none at all and might just help them fix this product intolerance in there battery on future productions. May not be the lawyer way, but then we are not that way either. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 535 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.40.215.178  Rating: |
Why do we always jump to go get a lawyer? That is always a last resort for me, if at all. Whatever happened to the good ole days! I like Clints approach better!!! | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 887 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.195.78.219 Rating: |
Its here, http://www.passagemaker.com/MagazineandEvents/OnlineResources/MessageBoards/tabid/520/foru mid/-1/threadid/72657/scope/posts/Default.aspx with the comeback from the batt guy FF | ||
| Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
Registered Member Username: Cullennewsom Post Number: 114 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 98.201.161.214 Rating: N/A |
It is against the law now. :o(  | ||
| Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
Registered Member Username: Cullennewsom Post Number: 115 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 98.201.161.214 Rating: N/A |
Wow, Sparks/Harris sounds like a fine upstanding gentleman. And quite knowledgeable (I'm guessing!) I bet folks will be falling all over themselves to buy batteries from him after they read that. lol | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_liebler Post Number: 348 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 71.30.199.162 Rating: N/A |
Fred, From what I can see on the www, Northstar AGM batteries should be avoided, for several reasons. 1. They are nearly unique in that they use a lead/tin plate alloy that has little good data on life or charge characteristics. Most AGMs use a lead/calcium plate alloy that has been widely studied and offers very good life, excellent self discharge characteristics, and charge characteristics very similar to the lead/antimony types of vented batteries. 2. In addition Northstar is represented by a fellow named Sparks/Harris who's post demonstrates ignorance and arrogance, not to mention the denial of a very justified warranty claim. Hopefully reliable AGM manufacturers, who use the well known lead/calcium plate system, such as Universal, Fullriver, Deka & Lifeline are chosen over Northstar. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 |
