Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

mnocket · July 2011

I'm investigating solar battery chargers and it seems that Xantrex has a good reputation. However, I was puzzeled though when I visited www.xantrex.com and didn't see any of these controllers listed on their Products page (for example I'm considering their C-12 controller). They also didn't have any link to contact them by email - although they do list their customer service phone number. This sure leaves me with a somewhat unsettled feeling about investing in a Xantrex C-12 controller. I'm thinking maybe I'll switch to a Morningstar SunLight SL-10L-12V controller instead. Any thoughts?

Cariboocoot · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

Xantrex seems to have an aversion to communicating with end users. The prefer to deal with retailers and installers.
So why not deal with our host, NAWS? They list the C12 here: http://www.solar-electric.com/c12.html And there is a specification sheet: http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wind-sun/C12specs.pdf

Nothing wrong with the Mornigstar units either: http://www.solar-electric.com/mochco.html

You don't have to buy from NAWS, but it's a good place to start because their prices are fair and their service is fine.

And no I don't work for them or receive any sort of compensation. All of us moderators are volunteers.

niel · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

try it from this page.
http://www2.schneider-electric.com/sites/corporate/en/general/search/search-result.page?URL=http://websearch.schneider-electric.com/GsaLost/portlets/AutonomyGlobalSearch.jsp%253FLanguage=en%2526Country=CORP%2526lancer=oui%2526firstQuery=true%2526site=null%2526autnmSource=*%2526autnmQueryBis=solar

in fact try here for our host's store.
http://www.solar-electric.com/
and for xantrex charge controllers in particular try here.
http://www.solar-electric.com/xachco.html
for the price of $9 more you can get the c35.

mnocket · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

Thanks. I'm looking at the C12 because it is also a light controller. With the C35 I'd have to install a separate photocell to turn the light off and on. Surprisingly it's hard to find a 12VDC photocell. I've only found one online for about $30. I think the C12 makes more sense, but it does cause a problem for me in positioning the solar panel so that the light doesn't shine on it.

Mike

Cariboocoot · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

Do take a look at Morningstar's solar lighting controllers to see if they suit your needs better:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wind-sun/SunLight.pdf

BB. · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

Here is a direct link to the "Schneider" xantrex line of charge controllers:

http://www.ops-ecat.schneider-electric.com/ecatalogue/browse.do?el_typ=node&cat_id=BU_RE_7656_L3&nod_id=0000000001&xcbu=http://logi10.xiti.com/go.click%3Fxts=225304%26s2=89%26p=Range::Xantrex%20Charge%20Controllers::%26clic=T%26type=click&caller=http://www2.schneider-electric.com/gc_1_0/htm/ResizeOpsFrame.htm?

Hopefully it will work for a little while (had to break out of their "Frames" to get direct link--And I could not do it yesterday--they seem to take down there website on weekends fairly often).

-Bill

mnocket · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

BB. wrote: »

Here is a direct link to the "Schneider" xantrex line of charge controllers:

http://www.ops-ecat.schneider-electric.com/ecatalogue/browse.do?el_typ=node&cat_id=BU_RE_7656_L3&nod_id=0000000001&xcbu=http://logi10.xiti.com/go.click%3Fxts=225304%26s2=89%26p=Range::Xantrex%20Charge%20Controllers::%26clic=T%26type=click&caller=http://www2.schneider-electric.com/gc_1_0/htm/ResizeOpsFrame.htm?

Hopefully it will work for a little while (had to break out of their "Frames" to get direct link--And I could not do it yesterday--they seem to take down there website on weekends fairly often).

-Bill

Thanks for the reply. It turns out that Xantres no longer manufactures the C-series line of controllers. I emailed Schneider Electric and asked about the absence of C-series controllers on the Xantrex website. Their reply is below. Notice the signature "Formally Xantrex Technology". It seems Xantrex is out of the solar battery charger business and the replacement controllers are under Schneider Electric.

[note: the following may not be correct information--See post below by "Crewzer". -Bill B. Moderator]

Start Schneider Electric's Reply

The C series charge controllers are discontinued but there is still stock available in the distribution chain for the C40 and C60.
Our current charge controller line is the XW MPPT series, shown on the schneider-electric website.

Regards,
Michael Mui
Schneider Electric Renewable Energy
(Formerly Xantrex Technology)
Customer Support

niel · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

side comment-

we here have been suspicious of what they were up to as they seemed to be shying away from the solar industry. this semi-confirms it in my book when they can wipe out a near iconic controller line that has been nearly a standard and is still in demand that that it is not a good thing. true, it may not be of the latest configuration like the mppt ccs, but many small systems or small budgets can and do embrace this cc. it is still in demand. even if one has a bigger more modern mppt, the c series can in many instances act as a backup should the mppt cc need repaired or removed for any reason. as i hinted it may be a bit outdated, but why not redesign or improve upon it rather than scrap it? good basic ccs are needed and not just the high priced mppt types. i guess other manufacturers will be very happy at schneider's follies and foolishness. it isn't all about the installer or dealer, but we knew that.

crewzer · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

All,

The Xantrex C-Series charge controllers are still in production. Until recently, they were in my product portfolio, but were recently transferred to another product manager.

Here's a direct link to their page on our website. I apologize for any miscommunication.

Regards,
Jim Goodnight
Global Product Line Manager -- XW Product Family
Schneider Electric
Renewable Energies Business Unit

Vic · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

Jim !!

Nice to see you back here ... oopsss a slight derailment.

All The Best, Vic

niel · July 2011

Re: Xantrex Solar Battery Chargers

well, that is good news and a bit of a relief.

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