I agree I have been waiting now for 15 months and this is beyond ridiculous. It has gotten to the point where I consider their replies just lies saying anything to divert from the customers anger. They need to get their act together and get these things shipped.
*New* Inergy "Flex" Solar Generator
- Thread starter Will Prowse
- Start date
mattleonard
New Member
Just called them again - after previously being told in May that I could expect my first order to ship in June. Now... they say I might hope for July. While they extended their warranty as an "apology" for all these delays - it's hard to believe they will honor the warranty (or even still be a company) after this debacle.
mattleonard
New Member
I actually went ahead and canceled my Flex pre-orders (2x full units + an extra battery) - the continual delays and excuses were just too much, and I lost confidence that the company can stand behind the product. And, now EcoFlow, Bluetti and others are out with modular systems and features that make the Flex no longer stand out from the pack.
Other than their affiliates' and product promotion videos (now posted on inergytek's website), have any customers posted reviews of those "thousands" of new Flex units—stations and/or lithium batteries—that've been shipping for the past two months (since May)? Any customers running one or more "smart" Flex lithium batteries with their Apex or Kodiak yet?
Two years ago, right after the Apex began shipping, I recall seeing a number of Apex customer reviews. But it seems like radio silence for the Flex system. Is there a problem with the units? Is Inergy still shipping Flex units out to any of the original pre-sale purchasers?
Two years ago, right after the Apex began shipping, I recall seeing a number of Apex customer reviews. But it seems like radio silence for the Flex system. Is there a problem with the units? Is Inergy still shipping Flex units out to any of the original pre-sale purchasers?
Well it pasted my first test and the one I was most worried about and that was running my Well Water pump. It performed flawlessly. It took the surge watts about 2100+ and maintained the draw of 900 watts till the pressure switch turned it off. I now have a way to get water without running a noisy gas generator when the power goes out. I am going to see how it handles my 2 freezers and refrigerator tonight.
greenlobster
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2021
- Messages
- 4
Ugh. I got caught up gambling on this dumb product. After over a year of missed deadlines and messed up orders, I finally got my flex 1500 on Sep 14. Wouldn't you know it? The paper-thin latch that holds the module to the battery bent and broke immediately. I didn't even notice until I picked the unit up after doing the full charge. One side of the battery dropped and bent the other latch. Now the unit is stuck together with one bent latch. Because I couldn't detach the unit, they had to send me hazmat packaging to handle the unit as a whole. Of course, they messed up the paperwork so they had to also ship me new hazmat paperwork. The tracking number still shows it hasn't been shipped.
THIS IS A WARNING to anyone thinking about getting this unit: the 'quick start' paperwork says not to disconnect the units once connected. Now, I know this is because you run the risk of the tiny latches breaking anytime you connect the units. With that being said DO NOT get this unit if a selling point is to attach/detach batteries semi-frequently (or at all). You will probably (and quickly) break the latch and have a great time playing email tag with their support staff to get it replaced. Alternatively, you can, as they suggested to me, tie the unit together with a strap. I'm not kidding, this was an actual suggestion from them. I didn't wait 13 months to have to tie a product together with a strap like a bumper on an old jalopy.
Another thing to look out for, especially if you plan on having this in a van/RV with moving objects, is to be careful with the LCD screens. They have no protective glass over them and are completely exposed to damage.
What have I got myself into?
THIS IS A WARNING to anyone thinking about getting this unit: the 'quick start' paperwork says not to disconnect the units once connected. Now, I know this is because you run the risk of the tiny latches breaking anytime you connect the units. With that being said DO NOT get this unit if a selling point is to attach/detach batteries semi-frequently (or at all). You will probably (and quickly) break the latch and have a great time playing email tag with their support staff to get it replaced. Alternatively, you can, as they suggested to me, tie the unit together with a strap. I'm not kidding, this was an actual suggestion from them. I didn't wait 13 months to have to tie a product together with a strap like a bumper on an old jalopy.
Another thing to look out for, especially if you plan on having this in a van/RV with moving objects, is to be careful with the LCD screens. They have no protective glass over them and are completely exposed to damage.
What have I got myself into?
Wow. Well I did have my final straw with this company and cancelled all of my orders (Flex 1500 and Flex Dc with extra battery). Since I had placed my order in May 2020 I had bought an EcoFlow River Pro. I then used my refund money to do the EcoFlow Delta Max which should be here soon. I have been happy with the EcoFlows and like the phone app on them. I wanted something under 50# so larger units were not a consideration for me. I feel kind of bad for Inergy, but they dug their own grave.
I've been using the Flex for a couple of months now, while traveling with my camper and it's performed flawlessly. Didn't experience the bent latch issue. Inergy has been a good to me company, with no issues when I returned the APEX. Just wanted to post something positive on here for the Flex, haha. It does what it says can do.
Who did you return your Apex to? And what did you receive in exchange?
After receiving the APEX (When it was released) and learning about the continuous watt limitation, I returned the Flex to Inergy. The customer service was excellent. Maybe worth noting that I purchased the unit directly from them.
Okay, so you returned the Apex shortly after purchase, not recently, which I assumed to be the case from your post.
Thanks for the clarification and good luck with the Flex.
Nathan2021
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2021
- Messages
- 2
I finally received the Flex and within two weeks I was told by Inergy to test the battery pack position because it might have been damaged in shipping. I am within a 1/8 of an inch outside of spec. They told me NOT to use the unit and place the battery away from the house because it could be a fire hazard. I live in Maine. Where an I going to place it that it won't be buried in the snow in about two weeks.? I have contacted the repeatedly and I get all kind of different replies. The last was that they would be sending a tech to my house....last week...no one came. I wasn't really expecting anyone. DO NOT buy from this company unless you want to have a new boat anchor.
I watched a video on youtube from City Prepping on the flex he received and he stated that one of the things he didn't like was the way the battery latched and suggested that putting a strap around the whole unit was a way to rectify the problem it is at the 10:00 minute mark and the review can be found here
Bluedog225
Texas
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2019
- Messages
- 2,886
Why is it called a generator?
greenlobster
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2021
- Messages
- 4
Sorry to hear about your delays, @Sejac. Fortunately, after getting my new unit/battery I haven't had any issues (and hope you don't either!). I didn't watch that video first, but also ended up putting a strap around it anyways. I purchased this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G97P9Y1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bolted the anchors to the floor of my van. So if the strap is not keeping the units together, then I use it to strap it to the floor of my van and it does a good job of keeping the unit in place. Absolutely shows that they didn't test this like normal people would use it. It is all too easy for the latches to detach either by vibration or brushing up against something. Shame I have to have a strap as insurance to keep a $1,350+ unit together because of negligent design/testing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G97P9Y1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bolted the anchors to the floor of my van. So if the strap is not keeping the units together, then I use it to strap it to the floor of my van and it does a good job of keeping the unit in place. Absolutely shows that they didn't test this like normal people would use it. It is all too easy for the latches to detach either by vibration or brushing up against something. Shame I have to have a strap as insurance to keep a $1,350+ unit together because of negligent design/testing.
tigerwillow1
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2021
- Messages
- 194
IMO to trick people into buying something that they otherwise wouldn't have if it were called something like an electric or energy storage system.
greenlobster
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2021
- Messages
- 4
I mean, that's not a wrong opinion. I agree that it's a marketing term. Basically a solar generator is like a gasoline generator, except the fuel is.. the sun. IMO they should call it what it is: a collection of solar panels, a battery, and a charging system.. sold together. Then again, I think the opposite view would be strange to think about not calling a gas generator a "generator". Rather a prebuilt "motor, gas tank, and alternator" sold together.
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