I recently moved into a house that came with a Xantrex SW5548 inverter, which worked perfectly for four years. Out of nowhere this week, the screen displays: "Set Inverter OFF SRCH ON CHG." Hitting "On" causes power loss to the house, and neither CHG nor OFF seem to work. Now, the batteries aren't charging, so I can only get power when it's sunny out or when I'm using a generator. I have the manual, but it's confusing. Does anyone have any tips on what I should do?
1 Answer
It sounds like your system might be pretty ancient! Start off with simple fixes—cleaning and tightening all connections is a great start. Just be careful; if you’re not familiar with electrical equipment, it’s best to ask for help. If that doesn’t work, check the fluid levels in the batteries if they’re the type that requires it. Remember, lead-acid batteries can last a long time but aren't maintenance-free, and their age matters.
You're right; it's about 26 years old! I've been maintaining the batteries every 6 months by adding water. I'm saving up for a new system, but they can be pricey. Just hoping these old batteries can hold on a little longer. A technician checked them last year and said they were doing well, but they seem to have taken a hit this summer.