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I have a multiplus 12/3000 that goes straight to 'overload' when a battery is connected, I've sent it to a dealer who said it's non repairable as Victron doesn't support products over 10 years old which IMO is a bit poor as you pay a premium in the first place and no spares are accessible to the consumer themselves.
Anyway am i stuck with it as a paperweight or are there any independent companies (UK based) that could breathe some life into it
Thanks
I have seen people mention Sellweb in Tamworth on forums. I have never used them myself so passing on second hand info.
Just a follow up on this one in case anyone suffers the same issue. Thanks @pwfarnell Sellweb repaired it, they said they deal with a lot of them. Although it took them a while, it returned fully functioning
The part with "they deal with a lot of them" seems interesting, if not intriguing...
Can you / they elaborate a little on this?
It will help us understand where is the weak link in their manufacture process and what to expect from reliability point of view...
Thanks!
Alex
@George Crossley where abouts in the Uk are you?
The Isle of Man although the unit itself is currently in Devon
As a side note, make sure to tag people with @(name) so they know you have replied to the comment otherwise without actively looking, I wouldn't know you replied.
@George Crossley As it's over 10 years old... this might not help you
but if you need parts and Victron says "no"... you could remind them about the right to repair law
The new law means that manufacturers now have to make repair information and spare parts available for repairs for up to ten years for certain new white goods and televisions. It aligns Great Britain with the EU and Northern Ireland, where the same legislation came into effect in March 2021.
An important aim of the new Regulations is to extend the life of certain categories of products by making manufacturers, authorised representatives, and importers legally obliged to make available to professional repairers and/or end-users, spare parts for their products. These spare parts to be made available for minimum periods ranging from 7 to 10 years after the last unit of the model has been placed on the market. Repairs must be possible using commonly available tools, and there is also an obligation to make maintenance and repair information available to professional repairers. The Regulations apply to products bought from 1st July 2021, but manufacturers have a grace period of up to 2 years to make spare parts available.
I honestly don't know if Solar production is in that list of "products", but if they are not.
I think Victron would have a hard time keeping a claim that their products are 'green' and good for the environment if they don't voluntarily follow suit
I have a 4 month old Multiplus 48/1600 and the switch is playing up... can I get a switch, NO
I have to pull my system apart and ship the unit off to be fixed..
who has the time to do that, for a £5 switch that I could fit myself in less than 10 minutes
I don't know about your MultiPlus, but mine runs the TV, the washing machine and the tumble dryer. it also runs my fridge and my freezer, And everything else in my house
The point of the new law is that we should not just throw stuff into landfill just because it's old.
We the consumer, should have the choice, the abilaty to fix it.
most of the components in Victron products are replaceable, just like you would replace a motherboard, hard-drive or power supply in a PC.
It might not be for everyone, but those that can, should be given the option to fix it, rather than throw it out.
I think the new law is great. But it only applied from July 2021 and even then suppliers had a two year grace period. Appliances made before the implementation date are not covered by the rules, as it would have to be applied retrospectively.
So in this case @George Crossley and his 10 year old device wouldn't be covered under that legislation.
Worth asking the dealer what they mean by "non repairable" and "doesn't support". It is one or the other, as one excludes the other.
Non repairable to me means the parts required for repair do not exist anywhere on planet earth, in any form.
After that it's a question of cost. It might be they mean 'THEY' won't repair it. If you paid them to inspect the unit. Ask for an inspection report. It should detail the fault, and then you could look elsewhere for a competent repairer who could undertake the work.
The cynical might say the dealer are looking to sell you another unit. A good business should always be giving you best advice in good faith.
Hope George manages to keep his item running and it doesn't become just more WEEE.
Expecting someone to maintain kit after 10 years is unrealistic.
Victron do offer an optional 10-year warranty on newer gear, doubt that was available back then. In most cases, it is simply cheaper (not withstanding the cost of UK labour) to replace the unit - something that is not unique to Victron devices.
The law is the law.
It isn't the supplier either that faces the requirement, it is the manufacturer. They must make them available subject to the requirements of the act.
If they don't have the parts people can take action through the civil courts. I'd personally claim the entire amount of an item, if had the parts been available a repair could be affected, and I could have continued 'enjoyment' of my property.
Too many people listen to what they are told by businesses, suppliers, manufacturers etc. Their main remit is to not spend an extra penny.The courts exist to enable you to obtain remedy should a company or any other person or entity act contrary to law.
If it's easy, cheap, quick are all other factors people need to consider.
My personal favourite is companies telling me I have to send back faulty goods. I've lost count of the times I've had bailiffs at Amazons UK HQ. Get my full court claim back every time, with the interest.
The problem with "law" is the consumer rarely fully understands it, nor the small print.
The current regulations require an "up to 10 years" ability to repair, over 10 years does not apply.
It also does not apply to inverters, it is also limited to "dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers, refrigeration appliances as well as televisions and electronic displays".
And there is good reason for this.
Ultimately, since this is a victron forum, the legal argument is moot, parts are generally available, even at 10 years (re extended warranty) but it may be cheaper to replace, because new gear is just cheaper to make than the old stuff.
I have never seen an issue getting a repair, though, with an antique it really is not financially viable, and that's just down to global economics.
@Matthias Lange - DE my tumble dryer is over 20 years old, I have repaired it twice now.
both times it was a part that cost me lest than £30.
A lot cheaper and a lot greener than throwing it out and buying a new one
I should email Bosch and ask them to start making solar products :)
