WHY??? $1,000 ---> Schneider Conext XW PRO 6.8KW Hybrid Inverter/Charger | 48V 120/240V

[OffGridIdaho]

Are these worth buying or ??? They have them marked down $2,500 dollars. Seems like a no brainer.
I am off grid so would this be all I need or do you need optional components to program and make work correctly?
Is there an issue with these models or the company?

Need advice. I will buy one and dump the victron if they are good.

 

[Drunkin Solar]

With the setup in your sig just thinking.... Why?
That looks like a great setup. If you want more/split phase just get another multi.

 

[Mattb4]

They are good but they are also no longer going to be made. Support may be non-existent but also may not be required. They need other components to control them and set parameters. But for $1000 I would be tempted myself if I had not already spent all my money on other items.

 

[Crowz]

Like mentioned, damn good inverter and a great buy UNLESS you need parts/want more/and or need support since they are discontinued.

I'd buy one if I wasn't over stocked on inverters I bought from sales earlier right now. Way behind installing stuff with winter and all.

 

[sumpower]

The Schneider is a very stable system for off-grid use only, in my opinion. But this is obviously a get them out of stock sale. Looking like they are going to discontinue them.??? The appearance of it anyway.

The Victron has many advances that are far superior to the XW-Pro. Very good support and software that is open source which promotes community involvement in making thier platform more user friendly. Something you won't find with the XW-Pro enviroment.

I have one Victron install under my belt so far and I am now a Smurf, true blue all the way through. I don't believe there is a better platform in Solar to be "stuck" with. Just my opinion.

 

[OffGridIdaho]

With the setup in your sig just thinking.... Why?
That looks like a great setup. If you want more/split phase just get another multi.

Fair question. The 30a charging won't be enough when I add a second (16 cells) 48v pack. I will have to buy another bigger inverter and I have looked inside a Victron inverter and also a Conext inverter. Its like looking under the hood of a Yugo and then looking at a Lamborghini, no comparison in build quality, none whatsoever. And I have delt with Victron NON-support and am left wanting. Victron support, or lack there of sucks! Really sorry I bought into the blue brainwashing. Did I step on any toes?

 

[robbob2112]

They have been going for around $1150 to $1200 on either signature solar or NAZ solar websites. The freight shipping goes from $300ish depending on your situation. My last one was $1140 + $299 shipping from NAZ. I should have just ordered it with the original 2, but couldn't help myself.

Each inverter can do 6800w continuous, 8000w for 30 minutes, 10000w for 10 minutes, and 12000w for 1 minute. Even at 12kW the sine wave is stable and clean. They do weigh a ton so you either need 3 man lift or a block-n-tackle, or electric hoist to get them on the wall.

They require an insight home device to program them. The insight facility may be used instead or the older SCP used on the SW line of products.

Optional - but make for a neat install

• PDP - full or half sized - this contains breakers and everything to interface the box with your house -- price things separate and it comes out close. Half sized can only be used with one inverter. The full sized can bring 3 inverters together.
• BCS - Backup control system - this has a 500amp ATS and a Wattcycle in it along with spots for main breaker and non-critical breaker. You use this to interface with the grid if you want to sell back. You can do it without but this makes it simpler.
• Expansion kit - if you buy more than 1 inverter - this has the cables and DC breaker for connecting things to a full size PDP - It is also the wireway for under the inverter to connect everything together. It has separate wireways for the Xanbus wires to keep them away from your AC/DC wires.
• Breaker kit - this is 3 x AC breakers and interconnect plate to do bypass with 2 inverters - needed for inverter #2 if using a full size PDP. With the 3rd inverter this totally optional
• MPPT - they are high voltage isolated type and are great for string of larger panels - start voltage is 190v and maxes at 550v. They can take 600v with no complaint and will not actually fry until you hit almost 690v from the directions. At 550v they go into shutdown until it goes lower.
• Battery Monitor - this is a 500amp shunt that speaks Xanbus to the inverter - I am using Victron for this purpose without the inverter connection.
• Genstart - this will auto-start the generator if the batteries get low - using victron is simple to do.

You can skip all the optional items and do your own thing by just hooking the wires up, but the prices are within $50 if you do all the same things.

The inverters are built like a tank and should last 20 years.... and once installed unless you are a fiddler you don't need support or code... Just use the batteries openloop. There are people using the EG4 batteries with communications - same deal - once installed they are fine.


So, IMO
Are they worth it - YES
On or off grid - YES

Quality wise they are on par with Victron.

 

[sollap]

Where did you see them advertised for $1000?

 

[robbob2112]

This is where I bought all of mine for $1140 ($1200 * 0.95)

Conext XW Pro 6.8kW 120/240 Volt Inverter 48V Charger

CONEXT XW PRO 6.8kW UL 120/240 Volt Inverter 48V Charger w/UL1741SA (RULE21 Compliant)

www.solar-electric.com

They almost always have 5% to 7% off

 

[robbob2112]

Oh yeah, one more note -

The inverters put out 240vac split-phase by default and are set to FLA for the charge profile - if you want to use that you can skip the insight home - of course you get no monitoring without the control.

And the split-phase can run imbalanced to the tune of 5kW for something like 25 minutes - I would have to check back in the manual to be sure, but might be important to someone deciding to buy or not.

 

[OffGridIdaho]

Oh yeah, one more note -

The inverters put out 240vac split-phase by default and are set to FLA for the charge profile - if you want to use that you can skip the insight home - of course you get no monitoring without the control.

And the split-phase can run imbalanced to the tune of 5kW for something like 25 minutes - I would have to check back in the manual to be sure, but might be important to someone deciding to buy or not.

So if I buy the schneider cerbo unit I can turn that off? Run 6.8kw on each side or one side? Currently I do not use 240v. Can I turn off the imbalance too? Not to sure what you are saying......

 

[OffGridIdaho]

Where did you see them advertised for $1000?

Either SS or Naz had it on a lower price of 1050 + 50 off discount or 5% discount. Its 1200 at both now.

 

[dougbert]

I love my XW Pro except for the price of charge controllers ($600 for 60 amps, $1100 for 100 amps), price of Insight box $500

great surge capacity. I installed my first over 2 years ago ($3500 + plus 4 of the 60amp CCs + Insight box) and have waiting for the 2nd unit which I received last week. I got it for $1255 from SS

I document my system in the MY BUILD THREAD located below in my signature

my bottom line on today: If I were starting now, I would go for the EG4 Gridboss/Flexboss or the NHX-10 (or 12kw)

even with the lower cost, you will put out for the CCs and the Insight

YET if you are willing to work with a top of a line inverter, watch this video.
Its design is a decade but a great design and top notch implementation of it
It was sold with the understanding of a TRAINED INSTALLATION staff. But DIYers like myself and posted a lot on this baby on this website

and do some XW Pro searches on youtube. learn all you can first

 

[robbob2112]

So if I buy the schneider cerbo unit I can turn that off? Run 6.8kw on each side or one side? Currently I do not use 240v. Can I turn off the imbalance too? Not to sure what you are saying......

With the 6848 can be converted to run 120vac only if you want. The procedure is in the install manual. I think there is a jumper or something similar to do it. But to read the install manual before purchase if you intend to run this way.

 

[dougbert]

With the 6848 can be converted to run 120vac only if you want. The procedure is in the install manual. I think there is a jumper or something similar to do it. But to read the instal manual before purchase if you intend to run this way.

yep, called SINGLE-PHASE of 120v

SPLIT-PHASE is the 120v/240v option in their docs

 

[OffGridIdaho]

I love my XW Pro except for the price of charge controllers ($600 for 60 amps, $1100 for 100 amps), price of Insight box $500

great surge capacity. I installed my first over 2 years ago ($3500 + plus 4 of the 60amp CCs + Insight box) and have waiting for the 2nd unit which I received last week. I got it for $1255 from SS

I document my system in the MY BUILD THREAD located below in my signature

my bottom line on today: If I were starting now, I would go for the EG4 Gridboss/Flexboss or the NHX-10 (or 12kw)

even with the lower cost, you will put out for the CCs and the Insight

YET if you are willing to work with a top of a line inverter, watch this video

and do some XW Pro searches on youtube. learn all you can first

Ok, thanks. I don't need that much power. We use about 3.5kw during winter and 12kw during summer with AC-on. With ac-off its 3.5kw. Our power draw is very little. So the conext 6.8kw will work fine by itself. I really need the extra battery charge capability. I currently have 30a and one 48v/280ah pack and want to add another pack. That will give me 10-12 days before I need to charge upping the chance of a sunny day during winter. It also means I have to charge only twice per month. If I didnt need to add more charge amps I would stay with what I have. I cannot stack inverters because it wont stack charge amps too. UGH!

 

[Drunkin Solar]

A second Multi will double your charge capability

 

[OffGridIdaho]

Quality wise they are on par with Victron.

Yeah.....I have looked under the hood on both and in no way does a Vic compare to a conext. The components are much higher quality, a better design keeping components dust free, higher quality across the board on the conext. Look at both and you will see what I mean.

 

[OffGridIdaho]

A second Multi will double your charge capability

No it doesnt. Two 30a chargers doesnt give you a 60a current. At least I don't think it does. I asked this of a Vic rep and they said "no".
And a second vic costs more then the Conext and it charges at 140a and a 12kw one leg draw on surge. The one conext would do more then 3 vics.

AND......... You still have to deal with Vic NON-support. My brand new Vic inverter needed a WARRANTY part and SS refused to buy it and ship it. I had to pay for it myself. Despite what the SS fluff girl says on here.

 

[dougbert]

They have been going for around $1150 to $1200 on either signature solar or NAZ solar websites. The freight shipping goes from $300ish depending on your situation. My last one was $1140 + $299 shipping from NAZ. I should have just ordered it with the original 2, but couldn't help myself.

Each inverter can do 6800w continuous, 8000w for 30 minutes, 10000w for 10 minutes, and 12000w for 1 minute. Even at 12kW the sine wave is stable and clean. They do weigh a ton so you either need 3 man lift or a block-n-tackle, or electric hoist to get them on the wall.

They require an insight home device to program them. The insight facility may be used instead or the older SCP used on the SW line of products.

Optional -

• PDP - full or half sized - this contains breakers and everything to interface the box with your house -- price things separate and it comes out close. Half sized can only be used with one inverter. The full sized can bring 3 inverters together.
• BCS - Backup control system - this has a 500amp ATS and a Wattcycle in it along with spots for main breaker and non-critical breaker. You use this to interface with the grid if you want to sell back. You can do it without but this makes it simpler.
• Expansion kit - if you buy more than 1 inverter - this has the cables and DC breaker for connecting things to a full size PDP - It is also the wireway for under the inverter to connect everything together. It has separate wireways for the Xanbus wires to keep them away from your AC/DC wires.
• Breaker kit - this is 3 x AC breakers and interconnect plate to do bypass with 2 inverters - needed for inverter #2 if using a full size PDP. With the 3rd inverter this totally optional
• MPPT - they are high voltage isolated type and are great for string of larger panels - start voltage is 190v and maxes at 550v. They can take 600v with no complaint and will not actually fry until you hit almost 690v from the directions. At 550v they go into shutdown until it goes lower.
• Battery Monitor - this is a 500amp shunt that speaks Xanbus to the inverter - I am using Victron for this purpose without the inverter connection.
• Genstart - this will auto-start the generator if the batteries get low - using victron is simple to do.

You can skip all the optional items and do your own thing by just hooking the wires up, but the prices are within $50 if you do all the same things.

The inverters are built like a tank and should last 20 years.... and once installed unless you are a fiddler you don't need support or code... Just use the batteries openloop. There are people using the EG4 batteries with communications - same deal - once installed they are fine.


So, IMO
Are they worth it - YES
On or off grid - YES

Quality wise they are on par with Victron.

here is a link to show the inside of the PDP as I just installed my second XW Pro. The PDP is expensive BUT look at the wiring I had to do to implement Schiender's wiring diagram for 2 XW Pros. The PDP is needed for a clean implementation

AND think of a 3rd one in there

 

[Haze]

Yeah.....I have looked under the hood on both and in no way does a Vic compare to a conext. The components are much higher quality, a better design keeping components dust free, higher quality across the board on the conext. Look at both and you will see what I mean.

Can you show us the pictures of this quality you’re describing ? I’m sure a bunch of us would like to see the difference.

 

[Haze]

No it doesnt. Two 30a chargers doesnt give you a 60a current. At least I don't think it does. I asked this of a Vic rep and they said "no".
And a second vic costs more then the Conext and it charges at 140a and a 12kw one leg draw on surge. The one conext would do more then 3 vics.

AND......... You still have to deal with Vic NON-support. My brand new Vic inverter needed a WARRANTY part and SS refused to buy it and ship it. I had to pay for it myself. Despite what the SS fluff girl says on here.

My brand new diesel Ford needed warranty work also, sh,t breaks and nobody on earth is perfect, except my wife of course.

 

[OffGridIdaho]

My brand new diesel Ford needed warranty work also, sh,t breaks and nobody on earth is perfect, except my wife of course.

You got lucky, my wife doesnt listen to a GD thing I say. To the point of burning the house down and recking the car if I wasnt there. Sheeessshhhh
If she ever passes away or leaves Im heading to one of the tropical islands to get me a hot 21yo LBFM.

 

[Drunkin Solar]

No it doesnt. Two 30a chargers doesnt give you a 60a current. At least I don't think it does. I asked this of a Vic rep and they said "no".

Hmmm ???
Paging @sunshine_eggo Is this correct?

 

[dougbert]

Can you show us the pictures of this quality you’re describing ? I’m sure a bunch of us would like to see the difference.

here is a pic of the inside of the Pro, my first one I installed 2 years ago