SPX Voltec 240v EVSE died today

[fishhawk]

I had some issues with my self-installed 240v Voltec EVSE today. The unit was installed April 23, 2011, so it's just a bit over a year old. I used 10-2 w/g, 20ft run, 20amp double breaker.

On two occasions today (at noon, and just a few minutes ago) while charging, all lights went out on my 240V Voltec EVSE. The car went into some kind of repetitive honking, sort of like the pedestrian alert. It sounded like a short burst of the pedestrian alert, a pause, then another burst, and so on. It kept doing this. The light on the dash was off. The car was not locked. I hit the unlock button on the keyfob, and the honking stopped. No CEL, no message.

I checked the breaker; it wasn't tripped. I shut the breaker off, then back on. Nothing. Then I just shut the breaker off for about 5 minutes, and turned the breaker back on. The Voltec lights went green, red, then green, the dash light went to amber for a few seconds, then sold green accompanied by a single honk. In other words, charging resumed. I went into the house.

Not sure if this is related, but I came back a few minutes later, and charging was still continuing. The Volt interior light was still on. Doors were all closed but not locked. I opened the passenger door and closed it, and the interior light went off.

So far, I haven't made it through a charge cycle successfully.

The EVSE had been functioning just fine for months. The only other issue I had with it was a red light on 3 occasions last summer which were resolved with resetting the breaker. Otherwise, its been flawless. What sucks is it's a self install, just barely outside the 1yr warranty. Too bad I didn't have a 2yr warranty credit card at the time.

I wonder if they are repairable; I hate to think I have to spend $500 again. Seems like there have been a number of failures with these units, so it would seem the warranty should be honored anyway, at least as a customer satisfaction item.

[SPX EVSupport]

I wonder if they are repairable; I hate to think I have to spend $500 again. Seems like there have been a number of failures with these units, so it would seem the warranty should be honored anyway, at least as a customer satisfaction item.

fishhawk, SPX Tech Support would be happy to help you troubleshoot even if your unit is no longer under warranty. If you would like to speak with an SPX representative please call us at 1-877-805-3873. ~Meghan, SPX EV Team

[fishhawk]

fishhawk, SPX Tech Support would be happy to help you troubleshoot even if your unit is no longer under warranty. If you would like to speak with an SPX representative please call us at 1-877-805-3873. ~Meghan, SPX EV Team

Thanks, Meghan. I have been in contact with tech support. They are looking into the VIN and serial number, and will call me back, hopefully sometime today. They seem truly interested in helping, so we'll see.

[Red Volt]

My car does that honking when there is a power failure. I know because I was doing some electrical work and shut off the main the other week, and guess what......

I think that's a little much. Wish it would only do it if someone removed the plug.

[fishhawk]

Update on my situation. SPX Tech Support has finally (after 4 conversations with them because they kept leaving the option open they might replace it) decided it was out of warranty, and there is nothing they can do. The tech support guy (Scott) told me it is not repairable either, and that he has closed the tech support ticket. 13 months, and now I have to buy a new one or something else. I guess that doesn't surprise me, nor can I really blame them since 12 months is the official warranty for self-installs.

Here's the kicker. Three hours later, someone who works for Scott (don't remember his name) called to see if my warranty questions had been answered. I told him what Scott had said (surprised him), and asked if the least they could do is offer me a discount on a new one. He said he would follow up with Scott and call me back. No call.

I found out that my Discover Card does offer an extended warranty to 2 years, so I have put in the claim with them. The problem is, I need a repair estimate or a statement it cannot be repaired to complete the claim, and SPX is giving me the run around to get something in writing from them that replacement is the only option. When Scott called to tell me it was out of warranty, he promised me an email outlining that the unit is defective, cannot be repaired, and needs to be replaced. That was 3 days ago. No email.

I called yesterday to find out when to expect the email, and I got some guy whose accent was difficult to understand, but he basically told me that tech support couldn't help with the email, and I needed to talk to sales. He trasnferred me to sales, but I was on hold forever, and I finally had to give up (despite the fact the automated "thanks for holding" told me the wait time was only 2 minutes).

So here I am, with a defective unit, can't get SPX to send me an email saying it needs replacing, and not able to complete my credit card warranty claim form. Meghan, if you see this, please help!

[hunseder]

I just installed my SPX unit yesterday. I'm watching closely how all these issues are handled, as it seems like the units are prone to problems and the vendor is prone to avoid dealing with them. I did a self-install but did purchase with an AmEx card for extended warranty. Let's hope I don't have to take that route.

[artsci]

After seeing post regarding SPX's ripoff prices and the problems some people have had with the unit, I instead bought the EVSE upgrade (a Leaf EVSE modified to work with the Volt). There's no installation -- it just plugs in to a 240v outlet and it's good for outdoor use. I have no problems of any kind and it's in use outdoors all the time.

Here's a link to the EVSE upgrade site http://evseupgrade.com/

[wishman]

I've been thinking if it would be possible to purchase a squaretrade warranty for about $90 for 3 years. Sometimes they have coupons that'll knock it down further.

[fishhawk]

I've been thinking if it would be possible to purchase a squaretrade warranty for about $90 for 3 years. Sometimes they have coupons that'll knock it down further.

Don't you have to prove something to SquareTrade, like repair estimate or something? If so, that wouldn't be any better, because I can't get anything in writing from SPX.

[wishman]

I'm still researching, it seems like you can mail the defective unit to them or they send their a repair person (both of which I don't think they can repair). They'll end up cutting a check for the original cost. With a 30% coupon it'll be around 60 bucks for the warranty.

http://squaretrade.force.com/support...ave-to-send-it