Conext SW4024 potential AC support solution

Oraculo18n67w
Oraculo18n67w Registered Users Posts: 4
Hello all, Im new here and this is my first post.  I have trouble with the Conext SW4024 maximizing AC support benefits when the sun is HI. After reading other dicussions, maybe is due to unbalanced loads on LI-L2. It looks that AC supports is based on the smaller load of the two lines.  My temporary solution is to turn "Off AC In" when sun is "Hi" and turn it "On" when sun is "Low".  This way forced inverter mode and use PV power to charge the batteries and run my loads.  Works nice !

I'm wondering to automate this process by using auxiliary features of the Midnite MPPT charger.  The plan is to replace my 30amp AC In breaker with a remote programable breaker,  linked to the Midnite Day Light mode.  This will turn Aux 1 "On" at sunrise and turn it "Off"
at sunset based on the PV input voltage.

The Schneider Electric QO230PLILC QO ILC PowerLink Circuit Breaker 2-Pole, 120/240Vac, 30-Amp, 10 kA AIR looks could do the job. Found in Amazon for $64.70.  It is controlled by a 24 volt source.

I want feedback if this fix looks promising or other way to maximize AC support ?





Oraculo
Schenider Conext SW4024, 9 Solarworld 290W - Midnite Solar Classic SL 150, 6 Canadian Solar 375w -Midnite Solar Classic SL 150, 3 banks Deka 84ad AGM 12V 198Ah (596 ah@ 24v total 14300kwh).

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks clever, but i don't know enough about the SW to know if it will work better than a load balance Autotransformer
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Without looking too deeply into the breaker, it would seem that an external signal could trip it, but what about reset? A simple relay or contactor could achieve both functions.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2018 #4
    I don't know what charge controller u have, but I have no problems charging batteries and running balanced loads from the array in the day in AC support mode. .

    Ur idea looks kinda clever, but still does not solve the load imbalance issue. I have yet to try an autotransformer, like Outback psx-240, but this would b the better experiment.

    The best I can tell, it seems the SW was designed for 240v countries and 240v split phase in North America was an after thought.

    Schneider did finally release a tech update that shows it is doing what they expect (but not what they advertised it to do).

    https://www.schneider-electric.us/en/faqs/FA332947/
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • Oraculo18n67w
    Oraculo18n67w Registered Users Posts: 4
    Thanks for the comments

    I tried to balance the loads to improve enhance support, but the house breaker distribution is kind of odd.  Some circuits very light in load and others heavy loads.  I balanced by selecting which loads goes into L1 or L2 of the Inverter output sub panel.  But with LED lights on some circuits driving very low loads is difficult to have a dinamic (actual use) balanced system, specially when my daylight loads are low, about 700 watts.

    The PowerLink Circuit Breaker can be turn Off & On with the Auxiliary relay of the Midnite Classic.  This will turn Aux 1 "On" at sunrise and turn it "Off" at sunset based on the PV input voltage. See wiring diagram below for where the Midnite relay is in the circuit.









    Oraculo
    Schenider Conext SW4024, 9 Solarworld 290W - Midnite Solar Classic SL 150, 6 Canadian Solar 375w -Midnite Solar Classic SL 150, 3 banks Deka 84ad AGM 12V 198Ah (596 ah@ 24v total 14300kwh).
  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    I have the same problems with loads and the SW
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    @MrM1 said 
    The best I can tell, it seems the SW was designed for 240v countries and 240v split phase in North America was an after thought.

    It would appear that way, but the price of the split systems in North America are consistently less than the single phase unit, supply and demand I guess, I use the SW 2524 which was cheaper here, in Thailand, than in the US, based on NAWS prices, again supply and demand, no need for 120V here.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,722 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    It works fine for Offgrid.

    It just is too small of an Inverter for grid use compared to a typical load panel size.

    Balance your loads and use 240v well pumps, cooling & most anything that is more than 500 watts. 

    Use an XW+ or an 8KW Radian.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    Dave and Mcgivor are the experts and seem correct to me. I agree it is an excellent off gird inverter and a great value. I still seem to be getting lights that dim in a single quick flash when loads over a 1000w come on. Still have not been able to figure that out.

    Dave, would you say loads under 500 watts balanced or not are just not going to work well with the SWs ac support mode while connected to grid? That is, pulling mostly off the grid and not battery / re source.

    This is what has caused me to not get an autotransformer. Too expensive to justify the little savings.
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    But I was wondering the other day, what if I ran a 240v line to fridge and then used one of those travel to Europe plug adaptors before plugging my fridge in. That would balance the fridge then... Yes? And it is the biggest "offender" that is still not 240v on the system. And if I did this would I need L1 L2 neutral and ground or just L1 L2 and ground
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Those " Europe plug adapters" have to be a transformer to reduce 240V to 120VAC for a fridge.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    Yes that would be what I want. I wonder if how something like this that would work and what it would cost to run a full size fridge.
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,722 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Back around Y2K I had an old SW 4024 and the fluorescent lights (some of them) would dim on reefer starts. I just changed brands and never expected anything using a light dimmer to really not flicker during a motor start.
    At the time I rewired my fridge circuit with 12 Gage and a 20 amp breaker and it seemed to help.

    These days an Inverter based fridge would solve that. Maybe just change out to different leds? The FEIT leds at costco work well for me.

    Good Luck
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I saw some LG inverter fridges at Costco, +700kwh year, and about $3,500 for the fridge
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,722 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    And yard furniture at Costco for 5K+.  There are some folks out there that have it to burn.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]