Anyone use a Conext 4024 inverter?

[1Admin]

Or similar, like maybe the XW4024?

Got a question on the AC in (generator) hookups.

My old Trace 4024 was easy enough- power wires in and one 12-2 wire run to relays as a "communications wire."

New one doesn't have a place for the comm wire. AC in (generator) input it fine, but meter says "qualifying AC" the entire time the genset is running.

Was told I would not need the generator autostart add on as I said specifically that we never use the auto start.

Generator has a Murphy switch setup.

Any ideas would be appreciated, TIA.

Other than that the Conext was simple to install.

[tech]

Sounds like it is just in a normal AC bypass mode..."qualifying AC" being within acceptable ranges. See page 1-4, item 4 in the manual.

Is there a specific problem? (Doesn't sound like it from the OP)

[1Admin]

Here's the kicker- So the problem I was having with the SW4024 that had heretofore performed perfectly for 15 years was that when AC2 in (generator) power was going in, it would show on the meters. Normally the voltage would bounce around a bit until the generator and inverter "synched" and then it would peg out around 115. Hertz would settle at 60, sometimes 61. Both numbers well within the large "acceptable" range.

Last time I tried to put power in the old SW4024 via the genset, it SHOWED the readings, the AC2 in good LED flashed and continued to flash, never going solid, which is what is supposed to happen once they are synched and the AC power is actually going in to the bank. So it never went solid and after 20 minutes of attempting, the voltage and hertz were slowing climbing- still within the "acceptable" range. But in 15 years they had never climbed past that point. It was like the 4024 was trying to correct it to find the right mix to synch.

Talked to a couple of Trace/Xantrex/Schneider people including a place that repaired the LED readout years ago when it started to fade. No one had a clue. Best I got was "wow, you still have an SW4024, you know we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for parts on those...." Well darn...

Now here's the kicker and something I should know soon whether this is the problem or not-

So since the voltage showed coming in on the last inverter, I never checked anything other than voltage coming right out of the generator head- which was good.

There is a breaker between, set up so we can "exercise" the generator without charging the bank if need be. So yesterday afternoon I'm still messing with this thing, double checking all my work. AC in (generator) on the new Conext inverter shows nothing at the connections. Nothing? Really? So back to the generator head- voltage is good there. Scratch head, pull breakers/fuses- it's that pull out type arrangement. Fuses look fine.

Check the voltage from the generator head to the connection on the breaker, it's good too. Check the voltage on the leg going out of the breaker/fuses to the inverter- NADA. What????? Notice the white wire looks black right at the connection... Pull the breakers/fuses, everything looks fine there.

I'm gonna replace the whole wire out of the breaker/fuses to the inverter and see if that makes a difference. Since the old inverter showed voltage I never even thought to check the breakers or the wiring.

It's gonna suck if I dropped $1800. on this new inverter and I didn't need to... That and the fact that I really liked my old inverter.

Do you think the wire could be the cause?

[prc-104]

Yep

Yep,

sorry, but Yep.

Besides, you can't have too many spare inverters. You're just ahead of everybody else when the next Carrington event happens.
:-)

[1Admin]

Well darn...

Already have a DR1512 in a big metal military medical box. Guess I got a spare in 12 and 24 volt.

[610Alpha]

Man how often does that happen. I wonder if you increased the wire size if that would prevent it from burning out again? if you can that is.

[prc-104]

Dang, Feller!

Well darn...

Already have a DR1512 in a big metal military medical box. Guess I got a spare in 12 and 24 volt.

I got exactly the same thing.

Guess good folk think alike!

hahaha grin

[tech]

Not really an uncommon problem. The thermal cycles will eventually loosen your connectors, especially those with higher loads on them. As that happens, more heat is generated due to the poor connection, exacerbating the problem, until finally the circuit opens.

[1Admin]

Replaced the wire and fuses (just to be sure on fuses- they weren't popped). And voila...




So I'm kicking myself for not checking better before buying the new inverter- but I ASSumed that since the voltage and hertz were reading on the old inverter, that the power was getting there, just the inverter wasn't synching correctly with generator. The old SW4024 has been a great inverter for 15 years and honestly, I may swap it back out with this one. Nothing wrong with the Conext inverter, but I'm a creature of familiarity :)

Thanks for you all's help.

[Lowdown3]

What a flipping joke this Conext 4024 was.

Schneider (manufacturer) is difficult to work with. Call for "technical support" and they spend more time getting your "contact info" than they do helping with the problem. Then you'll get an email with a PDF of the manual- the manual that you get with the unit....

Also, this newer model has virtually none of the protections the Trace 4024 had. I can't tell you how many lightning strikes, surges, etc. the old Trace saw in 15 years of which the worse that had to happen was the battery cables were disconnected for a few minutes and then the unit worked fine again.

The Context toy? Yeah that didn't last through the first remotely serious lightning storm. Repair? $1400. to repair- purchase new for not much more.

WHAT A JOKE.

Trying a Magnum inverter now, to hades with Schneider. To say "not impressed" would be the understatement of 2015.

[Rmplstlskn]

Man, that blows chunks when you spend good money on what you think is quality, only to find out it is a POS... Thanks for the heads up update...

Rmpl

[Dennis W]

I'm using a couple of Trace/Xantrex/Schneider 24/24's. I bought a spare last year while the tax credit was still available.

[Lowdown3]

My older Trace 4024 was - and still is- working great.

When they sold to Schneider is I'm guessing when things started going down hill.

Going to switch out to a Magnum, and will report back on how that goes.