Kisae Inverter stuck

[shontm]

I'm the new owner of a 2020 Ranger Tug R-29CB with the Kisae Abso 2000w inverter charger. I've been having a problem where the inverter charger will not reliably turn on when I connect to shore power. The Kisae remote display will turn on once power is connected (and breakers on) but it seems to get stuck showing the software version (r4.0) with neither LED illuminated and providing no battery charging or AC power bypass. I confirmed there is AC power because the water heater switch will work, but the other AC breakers (that run through the inverter bypass) won't illuminate (as expected if they have no power). I also confirmed there is DC power on the other side of the inverter. I've hit the small reset button on the side of the inverter. I've flipped on and off all the DC switches I could find, but it sits there stuck showing the r4.0. Weirdly, it will then just start working sometimes -- after 30 minutes or more and everything then behaves as expected -- battery charging and AC power. Any thoughts?

 

[Rebel112r]

They are very good at responding to questions, usually by email. A fellow named Ricardo has helped me a couple of times. They have offices and warehouse just across border in Surrey, BC.

 

[shontm]

They are very good at responding to questions, usually by email. A fellow named Ricardo has helped me a couple of times. They have offices and warehouse just across border in Surrey, BC.

Thanks and that’s good to hear. I couldn’t find any direct phone or email support yesterday, but I did complete their web form and am waiting to hear back.

 

[Rebel112r]

Email for Kisae.. ricardo.kisae@gmail.com.

 

[pete s]

The Kisae inverter on my 2018 R31 CB died this past summer, and did the exact same thing... would only display the Software Version (altho mine, being older, was r2.0). It also would intermittently work.. but then finally was pronounced dead. I also contacted Ricardo at Kisae... he walked me through some diagnostic trials, but then pronounced it dead.. It was out of warranty at that point, but they offered me a significant discount on the new one. I bought it since it was the easiest to swap out... took about an hour. I am up and running again... hopefully for a longer time... (The company appears to need to address "durability").
Pete S.

 

[Gin]

My experience is that Kisae provides decent support. And Ricardo in particular is super. But the Kisser inverter seems to have a short life span. Numerous posts on this forum have involved Kisaes that seemed to bite the dust within 2-4 years of installation. That has been my experience too. While they work, they are good. Once they stop, not so much. Richard0, however, provides excellent support throughout.

Gini

 

[shontm]

Thanks all for the help. Kisae never responded to my support request so I emailed Ricardo directly and he's been terrific. He told me that the stuck on release number (for me r4.0) can be a symptom of a bad connection between remote and main unit or a failed main unit. Ricardo sent me a short patch cable to test the former. Sadly, that was not the issue and the problem has gone from erratic to not working at all. Ricardo can provide a replacement unit at a discount ($405 compared to $759 list price). The old one is only 3 years old (2020). I debated upgrading to a Victron inverter-charger (over $1000) but I'd need to redo wiring and mount, whereas this will be a simple swap out so I'm going to get the replacement. Hope the new one lasts longer than 3 years!

Until I get the replacement, I have no battery charging or AC power when plugged to shore power (the latter because even AC bypass still runs through the broken unit). I fixed the latter by wiring the AC in and AC out wires together -- physically bypassing the inverter. I'll keep the battery switch off when the boat is not in use and rely on the engine (and small solar trickle charge in Seattle winter) to keep them full.

 

[dbsea]

Thanks all for the help. Kisae never responded to my support request so I emailed Ricardo directly and he's been terrific. He told me that the stuck on release number (for me r4.0) can be a symptom of a bad connection between remote and main unit or a failed main unit. Ricardo sent me a short patch cable to test the former. Sadly, that was not the issue and the problem has gone from erratic to not working at all. Ricardo can provide a replacement unit at a discount ($405 compared to $759 list price). The old one is only 3 years old (2020). I debated upgrading to a Victron inverter-charger (over $1000) but I'd need to redo wiring and mount, whereas this will be a simple swap out so I'm going to get the replacement. Hope the new one lasts longer than 3 years!

Until I get the replacement, I have no battery charging or AC power when plugged to shore power (the latter because even AC bypass still runs through the broken unit). I fixed the latter by wiring the AC in and AC out wires together -- physically bypassing the inverter. I'll keep the battery switch off when the boat is not in use and rely on the engine (and small solar trickle charge in Seattle winter) to keep them full.

Fingers crossed it lasts for you. TBH, I find that the quality of those Kisae products is substandard at best. Had one nearly cause a fire on a friends boat, and had the same one die on my boat. I will never use another Kisae product. I swapped mine for the Victron Multiplus II 12v/120a/3000w model and it was just a few hours to remove the old one and get the new one in and all connected up.