Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

We see that a lot in large corporate forums. Someone decides they should have one, so they point at some guy to do it. Then a month later they decide he is spending too much time on it, or they transfer or fire him etc etc.

So then it sits there abandoned - often nobody even knows the admin password anymore - and collects tons of spam, which makes them really look like they are clueless.

Better to have no forum than one that totally sucks like that one does.

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

I have to wonder who's idea it was to move all the RE info for Xantrex to the Schneider website, where it is almost impossible to find anything unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

The forum at the Xantrex site was a joke, but the website itself is one of the better ones among manufacturers (Schneider is one of the worst). If you go to the Schneider website, lottsa luck on finding out any info about their new GT inverters.

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

The old Xantrex drug-infested forum now asks me for a login and password that I do not know.

boB

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

crewzer wrote: »

Ryan,

It's on my "list". No quick-fix promises, though...

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

How's the status of their forum ? Any updates ?

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

i'm beginning to wonder after this much time what has been going on with them too as it seems they are more stealth anymore. even crewzer went below the radar. they are starting to act like a top secret government agency. well ok, a typical government agency.:roll:

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

From my understanding, Xantrex views their products more like other skilled trade products. This makes allot of sense as for both support, safety and liability, high powered solar systems are very dangerous to the uneducated or unskilled.

The XW line get connected to battery banks with thousands of amp hours, GT string voltages are in the hundreds of volts DC. Xantrex has a large distribution and support network, the largest in RE, but its professional dealers, not a DIY crowd.

I've been in this for now 10 years, and while it is just my opinion, I see many people "getting into solar" thinking its nothing more than zip cord and a car battery or use 2x4's for panel mounts with no appreciation for the dangers that lurk by improper equipment installation, lack of fusing ect.

DIY may not like Xantrex position, but I for one see why they take the position they do, they are number one in sales of RE for a reason.

There are many trades that are similar, AC systems is a good example, how many would venture into installing a split AC system? its no more complex than an XW system, so why the different attitude? similarly, you can't walk into your local AC supply place and get parts or support, they don't want people not trained for working on the systems

The truth is to properly install a high power RE system requires substantial skills to be done properly, now many here have learned this and appreciate the challenges and dangers, but we are in minority, by a large factor.

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

from sg-
"From my understanding, Xantrex views their products more like other skilled trade products. This makes allot of sense as for both support, safety and liability, high powered solar systems are very dangerous to the uneducated or unskilled.

The XW line get connected to battery banks with thousands of amp hours, GT string voltages are in the hundreds of volts DC. Xantrex has a large distribution and support network, the largest in RE, but its professional dealers, not a DIY crowd.

I've been in this for now 10 years, and while it is just my opinion, I see many people "getting into solar" thinking its nothing more than zip cord and a car battery or use 2x4's for panel mounts with no appreciation for the dangers that lurk by improper equipment installation, lack of fusing ect.

DIY may not like Xantrex position, but I for one see why they take the position they do, they are number one in sales of RE for a reason.

There are many trades that are similar, AC systems is a good example, how many would venture into installing a split AC system? its no more complex than an XW system, so why the different attitude? similarly, you can't walk into your local AC supply place and get parts or support, they don't want people not trained for working on the systems

The truth is to properly install a high power RE system requires substantial skills to be done properly, now many here have learned this and appreciate the challenges and dangers, but we are in minority, by a large factor. "

and from dave sparks,

Dave Sparks wrote: »

Exactly my perspective and adding, as long as they build world class products I really do not care what people think.

this is only an opinion raised by me and not that of this board or its host in view of the comments made.

to the point of no specs and info, manuals, etc. for currently known products even to dealers or those current customers with products is a kind of slow departing from the field in my view. it's one thing to limit products to experienced people, but that's not the way i see it and that's a lame excuse to hold back even on the info for the products. they want to look upon themselves as untouchable, then that's what they ultimately will be. if many other companies in the industry did this it would be slapping the hand that feeds them and those businesses would suffer so my guess is they are getting out of this aspect of the business. the only ones in the industry i've seen who limited products were those that were either vaporware or were limited in their production abilities to sell on a wider market as some pv companies experienced during the boom for germany.

yes, isn't that welcome news that they consider most here as idiots not worthy of their products.:grr i have a new way of seeing schneider electric now that they've exposed themselves a bit here with their intentions through your comments sg. or are you speaking for schneider on their company policies or is it just your opinion?

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

It is always surprising to read posts where someone that knows nothing more about electricity than that when you flip a switch the lamp comes on thinks they are capable of building a solar panel or connecting expensive equipment into a system - correctly and safely.

The comments about how NEC is really unnecessary are good for a chuckle as well.

The Clarion type plug and play units are making the round again - probably some green blog is telling how wonderful they are and how terrible it is that they are not approved. People actually buy those stories?

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

niel wrote: »

to the point of no specs and info, manuals, etc. for currently known products even to dealers or those current customers with products is a kind of slow departing from the field in my view. it's one thing to limit products to experienced people, but that's not the way

All of the product info. is there, it's just hard to find on their site. I received an email from them in Dec. canceling their "Energy Club" that ended with this-"We are working hard to develop a NEW Loyalty Program designed to provide you with more tools, more training and more opportunity to grow your Schneider Electric business. Watch for more details on this exciting new program coming soon!"
I'm hoping that this is true and that the problems with the GT inverters is delaying implementation of new marketing for RE.
While I'm not as supportive of them as SG, I would hate to lose them as their XW line is the best out there for versatility and power.
Dennis

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

I own Schneider in my 401K and IRA so I do kind of care when someone says he can't find information on the internet about them. I know people love conspiracies
but there is not one here. Crewzer has not joined the black helicopter crowd and we e-mail. I can just say that the late night show "Coast to Coast" on AM radio really is much better for this kind of entertainment.

These folks at Schneider have more model numbers than most companies will ever have in serial numbers. Let's pick on the folks in Japan trying to measure radition rather than how a major corporation chooses to run it's business!

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

Neil,
This is not something new, it is the way a multinational company operates. If you worked for one it might be easier to understand. This nice little forum is wonderful!
It is what it is! I am sure they would like to know that you are happy. I am also sure that they have other issues, and pleasing the shareholders is just higher than this nice little forum.

The installers and dealers choose for the customers in this part of the business based on what they are comfortable with standing behind. Personally I welcome the competition and would love for someone else to build a world class complete system like the XW!

Hint, Short of that, build something that interfaces with the XW inverter/charger or it's SCP. Make something better!

The real news is that they now think that Bigfoot does not live here on Earth but only vacations here. They think they beam down and stay to observe during good weather.

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

deva, <<<see i can spell wrong too by transposing the vowels.
yes i have worked for some before and i know what they do and why.

i know we don't compare to conglomerates, but the people are the ones who pay for the products. size doesn't always make them right in what they do and i cite the mess we the people had to bail these big corporations out of recently. that isn't my point here as i'm not about telling them what to do as they can be stupid if they like to. i just don't like less options for the people, customers, end users, and so on. this industry isn't as large as many think and every sheister and every good company that goes under is another foot in the grave for this industry and the people, customers, end users, etc. it matters not to me the size of the company and maybe more should come up with equipment that's bigger and better, but remember xantrex designed and built the xw and all of those other products and not schneider. as far as i know schneider hasn't done anything for the renewable industry. i know of a few companies that will sure give it a good go of it and unlike with schneider, the customer matters. i don't mind saying the names either as they should be proud of what they are achieving. midnight solar is one. there are others that are small too such as marc at rogue and i'm sure countless others on that same uphill battle.

if schneider is so good and so big and i see such poor customer relations it tells me quite a bit about where they could be heading and i wouldn't want to see that happen. i don't view it as just their problem and just a concern of theirs as it could be less options for us and end users of their products may not get a good shake if their concerns are for the shareholders. they forget their roots where born from the customer and not an immaculate conception of a company. this quaint little forum, as you call it, was born of northern arizona wind and sun's owner as a means of customer relationship and enlightenment. they are another company who values the customer and they have succeeded as a result. many companies are succeeding in this manner, in fact. seeing as how you revere schneider so much then go to their big forum. oh that's right they don't have one. not even a little one. too bad, i guess you'll just have to keep lowering yourself by being here.:roll:

Re: Xantrex is now Schneider Electric

waynefromnscanada wrote: »

Well said Niel! My reading of Mr Sparks last comment, (yes Mr Sparks, many end customers can actually read, and some of us can also spell) indicates that Schneider no longer gives a [***] about we the end customer. Shame really, but good to know, will definitely impact future purchase decisions by myself (yes, I know, "a nobody" in the eyes of Schneider) as well as the purchase decisions of many other informed end customers. Too bad, Xantrex WAS a great product. Pride and arrogance have ruined many a company, indeed many a government. Perhaps the highly valued shareholders might be interested in this enlightened attitude you display to us the end user? Just wondering. Have a nice day.

I have to say I answer a lot of questions every day for the general public and I think Schneider screwed themselves here. When I was installing full time my customers researched what they wanted as well and the Xantrex line very seldom made it into there list for a variety of reasons. Made in China, No customer support etc. Yes my customers would call the manufacturer and ask questions and more customers do this than you may think Dave.

In the end the best customer service will make you money period. Dave said it best Schneider has more part numbers than solar manufacturers do serial numbers. I can conclude from that they give 2 craps how many XW inverters they sell as it is such a tiiinnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyy part of there business.

And Dave I will never pick on the guys in Japan my heart goes out to them and there family's.