Cracking Radion G5

[Jaebster]

Thank you all for pointing out the cracking issue. As consumers, letting others know of know issues is a great help to others and that's what forums are for... however, stop tagging the ecotech folks in this thread. They're not going to respond to a group of unsatisfied angry folks. Send them your complaints in appropriate separate email and claim your warranty. They will deal with it on an individual basis, or create a recall notice if there at that many issues. If you read other thread in this forum, ETM already said what they are going to do with that particular customer, and that may be the same response to you. I'm not linked with Ecotech in any way. The only Ecotech product I have bought is the MP40s and MP60. Calling out ecotech staff to respond to this thread is not the proper way to deal with your issues. I also heard ecotech is closed due to the Covid-19 crisis. Shoot them a warranty claim and give them some time to figure out what they will do about the claims.

 

[ReefRondo]

Has anybody got a new one they can release the bolts slightly before using and see if it helps? Just a thought.

 

[robbyg]

I would not expect a staff member to reply to this issue:
This has to be discussed by the owners, engineers and accountants to see what can be done in a timely manor with the least amount of expense. Then an official announcement will be formulated along with a time line.

 

[Naturalreef]

I just purchased a G5 Blue XR30 from Marine Depot and 3 of 4 screws plastic is cracked. Ecotech Support said cracking noises were normal and closed the ticket. Really? I had a defective G4 that was 5 mins old and support wanted me to wait for parts and DIY. I told them no way a 5 min old $900 light should be taken apart. They wouldn’t budge. I had to take it up with the retailer who took care of me. I will give Ecotech support another chance at replacing with a brand new G5 Blue unit or I will give Marine Depot a call and have them intervene.

 

[Hypnotize]

So after some digging and talking to friends I found 2 lights that were not cracked/broken and here is the difference in the unites.

Left torx screw from a broken unit and right a crosshead screw from a one of the perfectly fine units.

 

[JeffB418]

My G5 xr30 has cracking around the screws =(
My G5 xr15s are ok but I just installed them a few days ago....

 

[mfinn]

So after some digging and talking to friends I found 2 lights that were not cracked/broken and here is the difference in the unites.

Left torx screw from a broken unit and right a crosshead screw from a one of the perfectly fine units.

So maybe shorter screws putting less pressure/stress on the plastic?
Wow.

 

[User1]

They need to ease up the torque on the auto assembly assuming this isn't done manually.

 

[Naturalreef]

I wonder if a rubber grommet to allow some movement during warmup/cool down would help.

 

[TheHarold]

Let us know what Ecotech and BRS says regarding returns/repairs/etc, given they are open today.

 

[mfinn]

I just got off the phone with ETM and my only 2 choices are send them back and wait until they have workers that can do the repairs. Maybe months? I guess it depends on when there is enough progress on the fight with the covid 19 virus.
Or I can do the repairs myself. I asked when I can expect the parts to be shipped. The reply was a very vague maybe later today or maybe tomorrow.
I was sent a new link on how to repair the light.
Only about 1/3 of the picture showed up. And from what I saw it's not as simple as pulling 4 screws and swapping cases.

Looks like the clown car is still being emptied.

 

[HolySmoke]

Thank you all for pointing out the cracking issue. As consumers, letting others know of know issues is a great help to others and that's what forums are for... however, stop tagging the ecotech folks in this thread. They're not going to respond to a group of unsatisfied angry folks. Send them your complaints in appropriate separate email and claim your warranty. They will deal with it on an individual basis, or create a recall notice if there at that many issues. If you read other thread in this forum, ETM already said what they are going to do with that particular customer, and that may be the same response to you. I'm not linked with Ecotech in any way. The only Ecotech product I have bought is the MP40s and MP60. Calling out ecotech staff to respond to this thread is not the proper way to deal with your issues. I also heard ecotech is closed due to the Covid-19 crisis. Shoot them a warranty claim and give them some time to figure out what they will do about the claims.

I'm sure we all have a claim in and most of us have gone above and beyond trying to diagnose the issue and help ecotech. I tagged tim because he was viewing the thread, I wasnt looking for a response or explanation.

 

[siggy]

New models always have bugs, sorry to hear you are having troubles. Someone should be asking when the redesigned housings will become available.

 

[HolySmoke]

So after some digging and talking to friends I found 2 lights that were not cracked/broken and here is the difference in the unites.

Left torx screw from a broken unit and right a crosshead screw from a one of the perfectly fine units.

It doesnt really prove anything and I dont see how different length bolts could cause or solve the problem but they clearly made some changes that seemed to work. Regardless it was a nice find and thanks. I just checked my lights and both my xr30 are torx head. The xr 15 has had no problems and is Philip's head. I think the head on the torx bolt might have been too big for the countersunk hole and was putting tremendous stress on the plastic.

It could just be they are tapped into different depths within the housing. Did you take out all 4 on both? Did you remove the same bolt from the same hole on each light, making sure they both are in the same orientation?

 

[Hypnotize]

Unscrew the 4 screws then unplug the cable in the upper left corner

 

[Lithoman]

Has anyone made the replacement? If so is there any difference in the new cover?
Also has anyone received the lights without this problem?

Just looking to know what the odds of receiving a good light would be...…..

 

[Hypnotize]

Unscrew the 4 screws then unplug the cable in the upper left corner

 

[HolySmoke]

Unscrew the 4 screws then unplug the cable in the upper left corner

Thanks that shines some light. No pun intended
I'm guessing the screws must have been a hair too long and they had to excessively torque them in order for them to sit flush with the housing.

 

[Houstoner]

I bought 2 xr15 blues no cracks or clicking noise. I think I'm in the clear guys.

 

[Kyl]

I'll buy anything if it's shiny and made by Ecotech.