diy solar

diy solar

Xantrex has a new inverter/charger and its pretty sweet.

John Frum

John Frum

Tell me your problems
Joined
Nov 30, 2019
Messages
15,233
Like a Victron Multiplus 2=MP2 it has a 50 amp split phase automatic transfer switch.
Like a MP2 it inverts 120 volts to both sides of the panel.
Unlike an MP2 its rated for 4000 watts continuous.
Unlike an MP2 its 48VDC nominal.
Unlike an MP2 it contains a 48->12 dc to dc converter(I've been waiting for this).

Hopefully its decent quality because the features and performance look very attractive for the 50 amp RV niche.
The unit weighs ~80 pounds(36 Kilograms).


First thing I want to see is the ac connections.
I think its going to be supersized Wago lever nuts.
Please fact check this post.
 
Last edited:
Because the converter is included people will be incentivized to put 300 more pounds of stuff as close as possible to the ac/dc distribution panel.

200 pounds of batteries
80 pounds of Xantrex inverter/charger(all-in-one)
20 pounds for balance of system
=300 pounds
 
To add (after looking at the specs) the 48V->12V DC-DC converter is 45A continuous.

It's UL listed which may help some folks.

No mention of idle draw though.
 
smoothJoey said:
Like a Victron Multiplus 2=MP2 it has a 50 amp split phase automatic transfer switch.
Like a MP2 it inverts 120 volts to both sides of the panel.
Unlike an MP2 its rated for 4000 watts continuous.
Unlike an MP2 its 48VDC nominal.
Unlike an MP2 it contains a 48->12 dc to dc converter(I've been waiting for this).

Hopefully its decent quality because the features and performance look very attractive for the 50 amp RV niche.
The unit weighs ~80 pounds(36 Kilograms).


First thing I want to see is the ac connections.
I think its going to be a supersized Wago lever nuts.
Please fact check this post.
Click to expand...
Looks like supersized Wago lever nuts in the manual.

https://www.xantrex.com/documents/Inverter-Chargers/Freedom EX4000/975-0998-01-01_Rev-D(Freedom EX4000 Installation Guide)_ENG.pdf

Looks like the selling price is $2500.

Screen Shot 2022-03-07 at 19.03.09.png
 
Last edited:
@corn18 That's not in the PDF in the OP. That seems to be in the one you posted.
 
rmaddy said:
@corn18 That's not in the PDF in the OP. That seems to be in the one you posted.
Click to expand...
Correct. I posted a link to the installation manual. From what I read, this looks like a sweet box. I've gone blue, but I will certainly recommend this box for 50A RV's.
 
smoothJoey said:
@CamoGreg you were looking for something like this.
There was another member too but I can't recall exactly who.
Click to expand...
Looks good! Wondering why the 12VDC power supply is noted to not be used as a battery charger...loads only?

I too have already committed to a pair of MP2 48/3000s.
This Xantrex has a nice footprint size for most applications.

Probably could have made it work. But now the compartment space I have is limited to a thickness under of 6".

Originally, I considered a pair of LV6548s. They were too big to squeeze in available space. Both height and thick.
 
CamoGreg said:
Looks good! Wondering why the 12VDC power supply is noted to not be used as a battery charger...loads only?

I too have already committed to a pair of MP2 48/3000s.
This Xantrex has a nice footprint size for most applications.

Probably could have made it work. But now the compartment space I have is limited to a thickness under of 6".

Originally, I considered a pair of LV6548s. They were too big to squeeze in available space. Both height and thick.
Click to expand...
There is a note in the manual not to hook it to batteries.

Screen Shot 2022-03-07 at 21.26.37.png
Maybe a DC-DC converter/smart charger would be ok.
 
CamoGreg said:
Looks good! Wondering why the 12VDC power supply is noted to not be used as a battery charger...loads only?
Click to expand...
Its meant to be functionally equivalent to a generic ac2dc converter.
That means 13.6 volts fixed with no charge termination.
Might make a nice feature for a future iteration.
 
smoothJoey said:
Its meant to be functionally equivalent to a generic ac2dc converter.
That means 13.6 volts fixed with no charge termination.
Might make a nice feature for a future iteration.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's almost like someone heard you. ?
Wasn't it just a week or so ago where you said someone should make a 48V inverter with an integrated 12V power supply?
 
CamoGreg said:
Yeah, it's almost like someone heard you. ?
Wasn't it just a week or so ago where you said someone should make a 48V inverter with an integrated 12V power supply?
Click to expand...
Yep, I actually shared the idea around, but this would product would have been months to years in the pipeline.
Now lets see when we can actually purchase one.
 
Actually to be more precise I was hoping Samlex would make a discrete 48->12ac2dc converter.
Since the system voltage is 48 volts it doesn't need to be very close to the ac/dc distribution panel.
Just the converter has to be close to the ac/dc distribution panel.
Ideally it would fit in the same space as the legacy ac2dc converter.
 
Last edited:
I've had my 5th wheel 5 years now. Solar capability has always been in the back of my mind.
At first, a 12V system seemed like the way to go. Then I was seeing so many 5vers with 24V as panels and the real estate to hold them increased. There's a bunch of 40+ ft 5th wheels out there these days.

Now with some creative thinking, 3,4,5,6K watt solar on board is actually happening.

Also, big 5th wheels don't lend themselves to frequent travel as well as other RV types. It is the preferred snowbird rig. Follow the warmth and the sun where they park for months at a time.

Panels are cheap enough now that it's feasible to have an additional ground array at one or both snowbird planting locations.

My thinking was that 48V is going to be the preferred configuration for the big 5ver crowd. Especially those that full or most time.

The MP2 made a pretty big splash catering to the 50amp crowd. But they're going to have to do better than 12V only. I'd say Xantrex just applied a nice competitive gauntlet
 
So, how do you integrate your brake battery into this? And with a 48V bank it gets tougher to use alternator output for battery top off on drive days. Still, Ill put it on the short list
 
AndyRonLI said:
So, how do you integrate your brake battery into this?
Click to expand...
1: disconnect the legacy ac2dc converter.
2: Connect the 12 volt dc output from the all_in_one to the dc side of the distribution panel same as the legacy ac2dc converter that it replaces.

Now your brake battery will get 13.6 volts from the all_in_one.
The 7-pin cable may provide even higher voltage if you choose to keep the charge wire in circuit.

AndyRonLI said:
And with a 48V bank it gets tougher to use alternator output for battery top off on drive days. Still, Ill put it on the short list
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top