Xantrex XW [RE-wrenches]

[John Raynes]

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What would happen in a system with more than one XW charge controller tied 
into the same DC bus?  Wouldn't each controller see the other's GFP as an 
external ground fault?  I would hope that there would be some way of 
disabling the internal GFP in lieu of a single system GFP breaker, external 
to the CCs.

John Raynes
RE Solar
Torrey, UT


At 07:36 PM 11/5/2007 -0700, you wrote:

>Ken,
>
> From what I've seen, the XW charge controller has GFP built in to it, so if
>you're using that controller, negative and ground must be kept isolated so
>the GFP will work correctly, and probably for the controller to work at all.
>If you're using a different charge controller, you'll be OK unless you want
>GFP, in which case you may need to install a Midnite baby box and Midnite
>GFP(s) and separate negative from ground, or some other kluge (and I mean
>that in a GOOD way). As far as I can tell, a solid neutral-ground bond does
>not adversely affect the inverter in any way.
>
>The fact that Xantrex chose to use a GFP fuse inside the controller (and an
>expensive 600 VDC KLKD fuse at that) instead of a separate breaker is a poor
>call IMO. A ground fault anywhere in the system, not just in the array
>wiring, will cost you the price of that fuse. Not sure what Xantrex has
>planned for GFP in the new distribution panel when using somebody else's
>charge controller either. Maybe ye olde Trace PVGFP from years back will
>mount up to the DC breaker panel in the new enclosure, since it uses the
>correct size breakers. It appears to still be available (that is, the manual
>is not in the "discontinued products documents" list).
>
>Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the inverter.
>
>Dan Rice
>Abundant Sun, LLC.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Ken Schaal" <ken at commonwealthsolar.com>
>To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 4:56 AM
>Subject: Re: Xantrex XW [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>|
>| As I mentioned in my last post, we are doing a Y2K system upgrade so we
>can
>| net meter and have gen backup, at affordable prices.
>| The 6048 XW is now on the wall and wired into the existing Trace DC
>| disconnect and transfer switches. After wrestling the old Power Panel down
>| off the wall---I use two 'farm jacks' for that joyful task---, it was a
>| pleasure to bolt a bracket to the wall and lift the 125# XW into a slot on
>| the bracket that carries the weight and then secure in the vertical
>position
>| with two screws at the top.
>| Sweet!
>| We will be finishing the install today I trust and start to play with it,
>| although the net meter inspection and appropriate meter install is still
>in
>| progress.
>| Our only hassle so far is due to our use of the existing DC disconnect,
>and
>| the fact that we will be adding an additional array, necessitating a
>second
>| charge control, both mounted above the Trace disconnect where the original
>| C40's were mounted. The knockouts don't quite align, so we had to do a
>| little grinding, about 3/8 ".
>| The other thing we noticed is that the old Trace disconnect has common
>| battery neg and equipment ground, where the new XW disconnect uses
>seperate
>| buses, with the battery neg isolated. Any thoughts on how big an issue
>this
>| is?
>| The new XW distribution panel is quite complete with transfer breakers,
>nice
>| flex wire, etc but does cost $1K, so the temptation for many will be to
>use
>| the existing Trace.
>|
>| More thoughts to follow after we try it out with the existing array.
>|
>| Ken Schaal
>| CommonWealth Solar
>|
>| ----- Original Message -----
>| From: <i2p at aol.com>
>| To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>| Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 3:15 PM
>| Subject: Re: Xantrex XW [RE-wrenches]
>|
>|
>| >
>| >
>| >
>| > In a message dated 11/3/2007 6:34:33 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>| > jay at asis.com writes:
>| >
>| > What are  the comments about the new XW equipment.
>| >
>| >
>| >
>| > Me too, waiting.
>| >
>| > Don L
>| >
>| >
>
>
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