Practical Sailor, October 15, 2001 Where Credit is Due

To Xantrex/Statpower, Arlington, WA and Lamplighter Marine Electronics, Dania, FL

Last July, while my Hylas 49 was in the yard for a water maker installation, the transient voltage (MOV) protection circuitry of the on-Board PROSine 2.5 kw inverter/charger was literally fried by 250 volts of incoming electricity. The problem was traced to a wiring fault in the dockside power outlet. Before its ultimate cremation, the PROSines MOV circuit did exactly what is was designed to do-prevent the high voltage surge from damaging other downstream circuits and components.

Lamplighter Maine, the original installer of the inverter, notified Xantrex/Statepower of the inverters fate. Xantrex responded immediately, shipping Lamplighter and entire brand new replacement inverter at no charge. Lamplighter removed the old unit and installed the replacement inverter, also at no cost to me. Everything was good as new within a few days.

By my best estimate the retail value of the goods and services provided free to me by these two companies is well in excess of $2,000. Given that neither company had any responsibility for the damage to the original unit, I was truly amazed by their level of response. Such total dedication to customer support and satisfaction is exemplary, to say the least.