Conext xw Hybrid invert/charger

Re: Conext xw Hybrid invert/charger

maan wrote: »

If I drop down to 2500w the one midnite classic 150 should be enough, going with the 24v invert/charges with two strings of 24v linked in parallel @24v battery bank wouldn't it double my AH from 420AH to 840 AH? Is this more beneficial than having the 48v @ 420AH battery bank or having double the voltage of 48v is more beneficial?

For one thing the 48 Volt battery bank will have no parallel connections. Avoid them if you can because they are possible trouble (although the risk is not high with two on 24 Volts). For another it is more efficient than 24 Volts due to the lower current involved for the same Watts.

Is going with Conext invert/charger a good choice rather than the more popular invert/chargers such as outback, SMA and magnasine? Thanks for responding

That is a "it depends" answer.
Outback makes the best inverters, but the 8kW Radian is the only one most would choose for grid-tie. You can use the GVFX series, but they are 120 VAC output so you'd end up with two to make 240 VAC and feed both legs. Messy and expensive for the application.
SMA inverters are great, but the Sunny Island is also expensive compared to the Conext and also only outputs 120 VAC and does not grid tie.
Magnum does not make a GTI, but they are good quality inverters.

I think you should do two things:
1). Decide if you really will need the ability to grid-tie.
2). Determine exactly how much power you'll need in Watt hours per day so that you can get the right size batteries, array, controller, and inverter.

Re: Conext xw Hybrid invert/charger

stmar wrote: »

"Magnum does not make a GTI"
I thought I had heard of them having a grid tie option when I was looking. I think it was the MS-PAE series. Was I misinformed or am I reading your post incorrectly? Did not mean to hijack the thread but if my SW craps out the Magnum was a contender for replacement and I am curious.

Thanks for jogging my failing memory.
I had to go looking for it: the Magnum MSH4024RE http://www.solar-electric.com/magnum-energy-msh4024re-hybrid-inverter.html

Re: Conext xw Hybrid invert/charger

stmar wrote: »

I went back and checked my notes and a salesman specifically said the MS4024PAE could be grid tied. I asked the question directly because I could not find documentation that stated that capability. What do you think? It is strange that no sales person, and I contacted a few, said anything about the Hybrid MSH4024RE unless they were trying to tout the 240 volt capability and the Hybrid is 120 volt. Hopefully by the time I need a new one I will have it figured out, lol. I really like my SW4024 and hate to have to change it out so crossing my fingers that the rebuild lasts a few years.

I have never known any Magnum to be grid-tie capable until the MSH4024 (which is very new). The salesmen probably are confused because the MS-PAE can be AC coupled. This is like using the Sunny Island in that it can be used on systems with GTI's to provide back-up power, but the inverter itself does not sell back to the grid the way a hybrid unit does. I sure hope no one tried to do a GT connection with a non-GT inverter 'cause the sparks will fly.

And yes the MSH inverter is 120 VAC only, as is the Sunny Island. Curiously, as I read through the documents I don't see anything about selling to the grid; only that grid or gen can be used in supplement to the inverter output (like gen support function). Frankly Magnum's documentation leaves something to be desired.

Re: Conext xw Hybrid invert/charger

stmar wrote: »

Maybe since I told the sales person that I was not selling back to the grid that is why he said it could be used in conjunction with the grid. Could that be the explanation? I really am sorry for hijacking the thread but this could be useful knowledge down the road.

Could be.
By the terminology we use here there's a difference between "grid-tied" and "grid-interactive" which is what the Magnums' function would seem to be. We only use the term "hybrid" to indicated a battery-based grid-tied inverter; one that functions as a GTI with sell-back but also has battery back-up ability. It isn't the first time we've had difficulty with terminology and surely won't be the last.
Perhaps someone from the company will see this and clarify. Perhaps not.