Xantrex Pathmaker 100 Problems...help!

[StumpXJ]

So I just installed the Xantrex Pathmaker 100 (dual battery) I bought from Wil at Sierra Expeditions about 6-8 months ago. I am having some issues that I hope someone will be able to help with.

When the vehicle is running, the solenoid connects the two batteries, like it should. (yellow light goes to green)
When the vehicle is then turned off, the batteries disconnect after a few seconds, like it should. (Green goes to yellow)

When I try to manually connect the batteries, it only connects if I am holding the switch. If I let go of the momentary switch, it disconnects again. It DOES NOT stay connected for 5 minutes, only while I am holding the switch.

Also, I have the remote panel. It does not work properly either. The only thing the remote panel does is the green LED lights up when the vehicle is running letting me know the batteries are connected. It will not turn the system off like it is supposed to, it will not connect the batteries like it is supposed to, and it does not show it as being "disabled" when the vehicle is not running. Basically, I cant 'control' anything from the remote 'control' panel.

I have removed the remote panel from the system totally to see if the main board would work properly, and it still does not. I have removed the negative wire for a few minutes to allow the system to reset itself as per the manual, but no luck.

I called Xantrex yesterday and talked to 'tech' (if you can call him that) who told me to unhook all of the wires, batteries and negative for 30 minutes to reset the system. I unhooked everything and left it that way over night. This morning I hooked everything back up, hooked up the negative last per the instructions, and it does the same thing.

Anybody got any ideas??

I am NOT impressed thus far with XANTREX. Hopefully the manufacturer will take care of the problem if I cant figure it out.

Thanks for any help. ~ James

 

[java]

well its either you made a connection or two wring or the porduct is defective.

start by checking all your connections

 

[StumpXJ]

The wiring is as simple as it gets (3 connections to the unit, ground and two batt positives), so that's not the problem.
Looking for someone with real world experience with this unit if there is anyone out there. The tech line for this place is kind of worthless, just got off the phone with them for a second time... they told me to unhook it again so it resets. I told them I would be sending it back for a replacement.

If its just a fluke bad unit, so be it. Just wondering if I was the only one with problems.

~James

 

[StumpXJ]

Ok, I just got off the phone with the awesome folks at Sierra Expeditions. I needed to get a copy of the purchase receipt from when I bought it so I could send it back to Xantrex. Wendy told me just to send it back to them, and that she would send out a new one today to replace the faulty unit. Then they would deal with the manufacturer.

I should have just called SE first... How's that for customer service!!


Thanks, James

 

[BIGdaddy]

as soon as I have my funds, I'm buying my snorkel and bajarack from Sierra expeditions.

Best prices
Good service
good people
plus, doesn't she have a purple high-lift? how cool is that!

 

[StumpXJ]

I found the problem with the Xantrex when I was pulling it off the Xj to send back to Wil and Wendy. I went to unplug the phone line that connects the main unit to the remote panel, and the solenoids started clicking. I played around with that connection for a bit, and when I could get a good connection, the entire thing worked like it should. The phone jack on the main unit needed a slight 'adjustment' to one of the pins with a small pick, and everything was good to go. Whats wierd is that when I unplugged the remote panel to see if the main unit would work as a stand alone, it would not. Not sure whats up with that, but its working like a champ now, and I finally have a decent dual battery set-up in the XJ!!

Called Wil and Wendy to let them know not to send out the new unit, and told them about the problem. Thanks to them again for the willingness to step up for their products sold.

Thanks, James

 

[StumpXJ]

I found the problem with the Xantrex when I was pulling it off the Xj to send back to Wil and Wendy. I went to unplug the phone line that connects the main unit to the remote panel, and the solenoids started clicking. I played around with that connection for a bit, and when I could get a good connection, the entire thing worked like it should. The phone jack on the main unit needed a slight 'adjustment' to one of the pins with a small pick, and everything was good to go. Whats wierd is that when I unplugged the remote panel to see if the main unit would work as a stand alone, it would not. Not sure whats up with that, but its working like a champ now, and I finally have a decent dual battery set-up in the XJ!!

Called Wil and Wendy to let them know not to send out the new unit, and told them about the problem. Thanks to them again for the willingness to step up for their products sold.

Thanks, James

 

[java]

sweet! glad to see it was an easy fix.

PS. told you so! (meant only in jest...)

 

[teotwaki]

.........Called Wil and Wendy to let them know not to send out the new unit, and told them about the problem. Thanks to them again for the willingness to step up for their products sold.

Thanks, James

Will and Wendy are always good, even with grumpy customers like me.

 

[StumpXJ]

sweet! glad to see it was an easy fix.

PS. told you so! (meant only in jest...)

Yeah...lol. Nothing eating my own words there... its all good!

~James