Merlin Equipment / Merlin power store

whipper_snapper

whipper_snapper

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Does anyone have any experience of this lot?

http://www.power-store.com/index.asp

They seem to have a nice range of good quality boat electricals, but I ordered some bits and pieces a month ago, my card was charged and I heard nothing since with no response to emails. I dealt with them once before, 2 or 3 years ago and found them similarly chaotic but they eventually delivered the goods and did respond to queries. This time they are not responding to repeated emails.


Thanks
 
Tried to get the efficiency curves for Merlin inverters when I was looking to purchase one. They didn't reply to my emails so I called them up. Spoke to a guy who said he'd get someone to send me the data. They never did.

Possibly a good product. But who would know with staff who can't be @r$£d?

EDIT: Should point out that power-store.com isn't just a distributor for merlin products, it's part of the group which manufactures them
 
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Have you tried phoning them?

Rather than Email, I've picked up the phone and always found them helpful.

I've used them a couple of times (bep stuff, a battery charger and smart gauge) and while thy might not be the quickest, they do deliver in a reasonable time.
 
Ordered their Datacell battery monitor and remote display at 2010 SIBS (direct from Merlin). By end of 2011 finally had the datacell black box but no display and no installation / user manual. Turns out the manual hadn't been written and they were having problems with the display. By 2012 (I think) after a few exchanges still no movement on the missing pieces so offered a full refund, £150 credit on their gear and the display and manual when available. Still haven't got them but in all fairness haven't chased them for a while. (refunded straight away and still got the credit note)

That said I still think the Datacell in theory is very good and would like to install it as its pretty much the only monitor I've come across that can monitor 4 banks. If you phone them they are pretty good on the phone but my opinion of the company is that they are a bit chaotic. Also get the impression that they are more interested in their MOD work than supplying to boat people.

Also spoken with a relatively large installer who has had problems with gear being promised and then not turning up on time but again phones calls have usually got it there eventually.

Shame really as I still rate them on the technical front. BTW if anyone knows a company that has something that can monitor 4 or more banks (volts and amp usage) let me know :):):)
 
I've used them a few times, they have some very good products. James Hortop, Merlin's Managing Director, is/was a contributor to Practical Boat Owner. You might try emailing him at james.hortop@merlinequipment.com - if he's not aware of what's happening (or not happening) he can't do anything about it.
 
deuc02 said:
BTW if anyone knows a company that has something that can monitor 4 or more banks (volts and amp usage) let me know
Click to expand...

The Datacell is the only one I know of which monitors 4 banks, although I didn't realise the leisure version monitored current (thought it only gave volts and state of charge). The military Datacell does measure current, but it's OTT for leisure use!

The next best thing is probably Cristec's battery monitor which can show volts/amp/amphours for 3 banks, plus volts only for a further 2 banks. It's very neat too. See http://www.cristec.fr/images/stories/documents/digital battery monitor JBNUMII-CPS3.pdf

If you really need full monitoring of 4 banks, why not get a pair of 2-bank monitors? The nicest looking displays are undoubtedly on the BEP DC Systems Monitor. http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu-8/product-677/dc-systems-monitor-dcsm-
 
pvb said:
The Datacell is the only one I know of which monitors 4 banks, although I didn't realise the leisure version monitored current (thought it only gave volts and state of charge). The military Datacell does measure current, but it's OTT for leisure use!

The next best thing is probably Cristec's battery monitor which can show volts/amp/amphours for 3 banks, plus volts only for a further 2 banks. It's very neat too. See http://www.cristec.fr/images/stories/documents/digital battery monitor JBNUMII-CPS3.pdf

If you really need full monitoring of 4 banks, why not get a pair of 2-bank monitors? The nicest looking displays are undoubtedly on the BEP DC Systems Monitor. http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu-8/product-677/dc-systems-monitor-dcsm-
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. Cristec looks very interesting. I always assumed the Datacell 1 did do current but in the end we were sent the Datacell 2 which definately does (think it's very similar to the MOD box internally) Initially went for the Datacell as it offered very good value for money for what it was capable of. Guess it's time to give James a nudge and see if they will ever deliver the complete package :):):)
 
I just got a reply to another email, saying they were waiting for some items and offering to part ship. A little bad I think that they have already charged my card and that they have not kept me informed during a very long delay. But it looks like things are happening.
 
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