Replacing a Conext XW+ 6848 with a Conext XW Pro questions

WaterWheel

Hi,    It's been a while since I've been on this site because the system has been mostly running smoothly for a while now but I'm considering replacing my XW+.   It looks like the XW Pro is the current model.

The reason I'm considering replacing the current 8 1/2 year old XW 6848 inverter is because while it's always hard to get it to use Grid Support it now seems impossible to get the unit to use Grid Support.        
What it is doing now (and has done in the past when I had troubles with it) is when the sun is shining the system is 100% solar but at night it switches to 100% grid.      There is no mixing of the power sources or even the usual drawing about 90 watts from the grid as it monitors the grid during times of good battery charge.       It's all or nothing.      This means I'm connecting and disconnecting the grid depending on battery SOC.     Sometimes during the summer months the grid power isn't needed for months but during the winter and early spring it means I'm having to check battery SOC twice a day.

When Grid Support is working it is a great inverter and has worked well for years. 

I have the 80-600 controller on the left, the PDP on the right, and the inverter tight in the middle.    The units are touching side to side with wiring going between the punchout holes on the sides of each unit.      Yes there are grommets in the punchout holes to protect the wires.

I can't find the physical diminutions for the newer XW Pro inverter.      The wiring schematic seems to be the same but can I fit the XW Pro in the same space I currently have a XW+ in?

From what I've read the Xanbus system should work but the newer XW Pro seems to use something called "Insight 2" which I assume will work over my Xanbus wiring.

Thoughts and opinions please?  

Dave Angelini

Exact fit for all 3 models of XW. XWP pro really needs Conext Home Insight device. It can work on an SCP but the new functions are not going to show on the old SCP as it is out of memory.

Before you pull the switch, have you tried restoring the XW+ defaults and then reloading the last firmware?

I do remember you saying it has had lightning. Latent defects from lightning and grid surge can exact a toll on any electronics. Even if it is protected there are only so many lives, just like a cat.  Good Luck!

WaterWheel

Researching...    Give me some time but at this point I'm trying to figure out how to upgrade the firmware.

But it seems that they want $652 for the configuration cable.

Dave Angelini

You need conext home! or the old combox. The config tool would be a waste of money for you as you do not do this all of the time. I use it because I can save some basic offgrid settings and quickly do  a config.

If you are one of the folks who does not like computers. You can fly me back and get me a new set of tires for my truck. I hate flying so...😉😉😉

What version of FW is on your XW+ ?

WaterWheel

I have a Combox which I haven't used in over a year.      Meanwhile the old computer the Combox died and was replaced.      I've tried using a thumb to install the Combox software on this computer.     No luck.
So I then tried to install the latest version of the Combox software with no luck.

Currently my inverter is running 2.01.00 BN19  which the inverter shipped with and has never been updated.       Reading the firmware update notes for the XW+ I see several patched to the AC coupling parameters so you're probably correct about needing to update the XW+ firmware.

WaterWheel

The XW+ blends grid power with solar just fine when the panels are making power.      Maybe 400 watts from the panels and 100 watts from the grid to cover a 500 watt load.     
But once the chargers stop charging it goes to 100% grid power.

WaterWheel

I may have found the problem. 
On the inverter charger control panel the charger function is disabled but in the inverter charger "Recharge Volts" value was set at 52.9v.        I have lowered that value to 48V and at least for this morning the inverter and grid are interacting correctly.       

I suspect that a while back when I was doing battery equalizing I may have used the inverter's charger to top off the batteries a bit before switching to equalize.      I have been known to raise the recharge voltage to force the inverters charger to start after the solar charger is unable to complete a charge and the SQs are still a bit low and I want to run an EQ.       
Generally during the summer months with longer days using the inverter's charger to "finish" the charging cycle before equalizing is not needed but doing the winter I have been known to do it.       I usually only equalize about 4 times a year.

I will update this thread in a few days with results.

ServicingIQ

Make Sure L1 and L2 are balanced.