Renogy Solar deal

[WhittleBurner]

Not sure how long it is on for but the Renogy 400 w system (100w panels) is on sale for 379.99
Great for the people that don't need a ton of solar power

 

[Soundsailor]

That's a good basic system, no frills but it would be fine in many situations.

 

[Butcher]

I doubt if I will ever buy another Renogy product. Their warranty program is a shear cluster F.

I purchased an inverter and 6 months, I finally had time to install it. It was dead. I emailed them and after several days, I realized this was going nowhere and I was going somewhere. I ended up buying another inverter on eBay and sending my bad one back. I got my money back.

I felt dirty that I have to play this game just to get a good inverter in a timely manner. Without a doubt, after the week my testing [with videos], they told me I could send it in so they could test it. Only then would they would send out a replacement. I suspect it would have been a good three week ordeal if I played their game.

On the bright side, I did get a good inverter a couple days before I left camping. I was able to send back the bad one when I got back.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

On the bright side, I did get a good inverter a couple days before I left camping. I was able to send back the bad one when I got back.

What brand, or funny Chinese name did you go with?

 

[Butcher]

I used a Renogy. The exact same one. I just had to go about the fastest way to get the original one warrantied because their warranty procedure appears to believe the parts they sell never fail and the user is at fault. Basically you are presumed to be guilty until you spend the time to prove you are not. Then you get the permissions slip to return the item for them to prove you still are guilty. Once you've jumped through all the hoops, only then they will send you a good part.

I was even willing to buy the inverter from them [not through eBay] and they would refund me the money if indeed the inverter was bad. That should prove to them, that I am willing to put my money down to prove I am right, but nope, they did not even accept that.

One thing for certain, nobody got ripped off. I had a unit under warranty and I eventually got it replaced. Just not through their regular channels. Although, I suspect I saved money on sending in the bad one. I did have to wait for the refund with eBay, but I was ok with that. I just needed something to go camping.

 

[18CrewDually]

I used a Renogy. The exact same one. I just had to go about the fastest way to get the original one warrantied because their warranty procedure appears to believe the parts they sell never fail and the user is at fault. Basically you are presumed to be guilty until you spend the time to prove you are not. Then you get the permissions slip to return the item for them to prove you still are guilty. Once you've jumped through all the hoops, only then they will send you a good part.

I was even willing to buy the inverter from them [not through eBay] and they would refund me the money if indeed the inverter was bad. That should prove to them, that I am willing to put my money down to prove I am right, but nope, they did not even accept that.

One thing for certain, nobody got ripped off. I had a unit under warranty and I eventually got it replaced. Just not through their regular channels. Although, I suspect I saved money on sending in the bad one. I did have to wait for the refund with eBay, but I was ok with that. I just needed something to go camping.

Ebay was the problem. I've had problems and heard of others too given a hard time on warranty claims by manufacturers because it wasn't purchased through a retailer. Alot of junk and black market is being passed through e-bay. For another example, a pair of Steiner binoculars were not covered because the serial number was NOT registered for sale in the US so they would not cover the foggy optic. They repaired them, but at a cost and wait for 3 months.
I don't blame companies being particular over covering warranty claims on Ebay third party sales.
On top of that, electronics with a large chance of user error and damage done by improper use is another issue that companies cannot afford to just swap out for free everytime someone calls up with a burnt up unit from the customer.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Too bad on the issues with Renogy, our experience with their simple system is almost 10 yrs now. We just kept it simple and portable for recharging when we dry camp and it still performs.

 

[Butcher]

Ebay was the problem solution.

FIFY

I purchased the first Renogy product from Renogy. 6 months later, I took it out of the box and it did not work. Renogy had a huge list of things to do and an endless list of things I had to send pictures of including videos.

I purchased another Renogy inverter from Renogy using their eBay site. There were NO third party vendors. I would not have done that to a third party vendor.

I purchased the second inverter and used that transaction to return the first inverter, stating it did not work. It was kind of shady, but was indeed the ONLY way to get a working inverter in the time I needed it. EBay had a 30 day return policy, no questions asked. Easy peasy.

I am just sharing to others, their warranty procedure is extremely long, you better be an electrical technician, and you better be patient. You better have a smart phone and know how to take and send videos. They deal with emails and you must wait for the response.

My home water heater is not working right. I have a lifetime warranty on it. I called to explain the problem and within 5 minutes, I got an authorization number to get a free burner. That is how you handle a warranty claim. Not asking the person to send videos and pictures proving that you got a problem.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

"Kind of shady"?

 

[Butcher]

Yup.

I definitely did not follow their official warranty policy, but I had 3 weeks to resolve this, and their procedure was not going to work for me. I did everything they asked [videos and pictures] but when they said I had to send it back and they would retest it and replace it after their test. I did not want to take a gamble since I believed it was going to take at least 7-10 business days.

The original inverter still had a warranty so I was not out of warranty. At least, only Renogy was effected. They owed me a good inverter, I just butchered their procedure to get one.

Which is why I would think twice to purchase another Renogy product.

 

[18CrewDually]

Thanks for the clarification