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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Lou:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">I am sorry to hear about your situation. Too often the installer is stuck in the middle between equipment that does not perform as it should and the customers that experience the problems.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">I have a system with similar problems, although it is an Outback system. The facility is an off-grid state highway maintenance station. The loads are large, the PV small and therefore requires two generator run time per day. The load profile shows peak loads in mornings and evenings. We figured the best way to accommodate this profile was to have two must-run periods per day. The Outback equipment does not support two must-run cycles per day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">The generator runs were achieved by using an external time clock set for two closures per day. The problem is the generator shuts down without the system knowing. If the system knew about the shutdown, it would disconnect first and stop generator second. If your inverter is starting and stopping the generator, it should disconnect first. If it is not doing so, the logic is faulty. This may be what the firmware fails to do. If so, this is a very basic flaw in the firmware. This concept is quite old and should have been incorporated in the system without second thought.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">In our case, the generator shutdown generates a lot of error codes due to decaying voltage and frequency. We minimized the errors by shortening the transfer delay. If this parameter exists in the Conext system, it may be called something different from the term Outback uses, so you will have to determine for yourself if this adjustment exists. If you find it, set it to transfer at a high threshold (nearer 120/240 at 60 hertz) and as quickly as possible. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">This may not be possible, but see if you can adjust your way out of this problem.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Good luck.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">William Miller</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><img width="64" height="28" style="width:.6666in;height:.2916in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D261D3.6318F760" alt="Gradient Cap_mini"><br>Lic 773985<br><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/"><span style="color:blue">millersolar.com</span></a><br>805-438-5600</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> RE-wrenches [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Lou Russo<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, December 29, 2016 11:27 AM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] Conext SW 4024 with bad firmware</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Wrenches,</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I recently installed a Schneider Conext SW 4024, Schnieder's DC Distribution panel, AC Distribution panel, SCP, and the AGS. It was to be a straightforward inverter swap, Xantrex 4024 to the Conext SW setup. The actual installation went fine. I did switch over the house wiring from 120 to 240 as well as the diesel genset. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">After a steep learning curve with the client all seemed well. 1 week later she called and says the power behaves oddly as the generator is shutting down. Symptoms are some arc fault breakers trip and the compressor on her fridge sounds like its bogging down. I make the 45 minute drive out and started my search. This is a site with 3 buildings on 3 acres. I double checked all my wiring at the inverter, then moved onto the various buildings checking for redundant neutral to grounds, proper bonding, etc… Surprisingly although not great workmanship everything is where it is supposed to be. I decided to give the AC input on the inverter it's own dedicated neutral as at this point I was reaching for straws and the installation manual was unclear about this detail. Still nothing. A call to Schnieder confirmed that there was no setting I was missing. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I placed another call to Schnieder tech support. They did and have continued to answer the phone promptly. It did take a bit of chasing them but I finally got a answer that there Level 3 folks can reproduce the error. The inverter is following the frequency of the genset as it winds down down to 40hrtz. This is after the AC transfer inside the inverter has happened. During the cool down period everything is fine. This happens as the genset is actual shutting off and spinning down to a stop. They say this a firmware issue and that it will take months to push out as is needs to be UL listed. In the meantime I have a pissed off client, her oven went belly up on the low frequency voltage, there is concern about possible unseen damage to her new water pump, and I wasted countless hours of my own time attempting to make the situation right. All of this due to a firmware that was released with a fatal flaw and can not be changed for months. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I am extremely disappointed in Schneider. I have been hesitant use them over the years as I was still scarred from the Xantrex days. My “beta” test went will with a early version I installed 2 years ago so I figured it was a safe move. Obviously I was wrong. Lesson learned stick with Outback and SMA. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">So I have 2 questions for the list.</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">1.Has anybody else on the list seen this issue and corrected it regardless of the firmware? I have installed one other conext sw about 2 years ago when it first came out. The setup is very similar except that it is 48V and has a very old firmware. I went out to this old site to confirm all is well and it is fine.</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">2.Does anybody have a good contact at Schneider that could be of help? I tried to contact Sandra Herrera as she was a great help years ago, but her phone number no longer works. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">3.Does anybody have an old version of the Conext firmware lying around they could point me to? The website does not seem to have old versions. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Any input is greatly appreciated!</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Schnieder, if you have a presence here contact me. </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Aloha,</p><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Lou Russo</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:lou@spreesolarsystems.com" target="_blank">lou@spreesolarsystems.com</a></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">440 345 6762</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Spree Solar Systems LLC </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">CT-34322</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>