replacement for Xantrex inverter??

[Bill S]

I'm interested in suggestions about what I should do. Here are the basics:

I have a 2 kw 48 volt system at my home in SE Pennsylvania that I had installed in early 2003. The system was supplied by Astro Power and uses a Xantrex SW4048 inverter with a grid tie interface and includes battery backup. I picked this system at that time because I had to use a system that was "certified" in order to qualify for grant money to assist in financing and besides Astro Power was relatively local and I thought it would be nice to support a local, and what seemed like at the time, an up and coming company.

The system has been humming away performing flawlessly since installation. Here is my dilemma. The inverter, batteries and associated equipment are housed in a cabinet that has to be moved because of some home reconstruction. I got to thinking that maybe, after 12 years, I should think about possibly replacing the inverter and associated equipment (grid tie interface, charge controller) since the SW4048 is now obsolete. I haven't kept up with the latest in solar technology and equipment in recent years and have now started to look around. The installer I used is no longer involved in solar installation so I don't have them to call to get an opinion on this.

Is there any relatively direct replacement for the SW4048 inverter these days?
Do I replace it now or just keep using it until it fails?
Will replacement of my inverter require a major reconfiguration/replacement of my system because of the newer technologies?

Thanks, Bill

[solar pete]

Howdy Bill, if its all working good just let it go, there is no advantage in upgrading the inverter now. I would get a pro in to move the system unless your a sparky, cheers

[Mike90250]

The Schneider/Xantrex XW series (there is a 48V model) would be a safe choice. It has internal transfer switches (2, 60A relays, 1 for AC1 input & 1 for AC2 input) both inputs are 240VAC, one for grid, one for a generator.

Then keep the SW as a spare. You may want a Combox for use as a control panel and logging, instead of the "dumb" SCP.

[Bill S]

Solar Pete....I like the idea of not spending any money for new equipment and only having to pay my electrical contractor to disconnect and move the unit to it's new location. (I'm not really a "sparky", my adventures in electronics are with vacuum tube amplifier projects, not my homes wiring that has to be inspected and approved)
I was thinking that if I might need to replace equipment in the not too distant future now might be the time to do it. I've read that the Xantrex SW were workhorses but how many years might I expect it to last? Luckily I'm grid tied so if it fails it's not like I would have to have things replaced in a hurry like I would if I was off grid.

Mike90250... thanks for the suggestion. Do you know if the Schneider/Xantrex inverters are still good? I'd read some complaints about them. Of course just reading a few complaints online isn't a good way to judge a product.

Thanks again, Bill

[Amy@altE]

I get calls all the time from people looking for a GTI, they still love their old SWs and want to add the grid tied option. They are few and far between to find them. If you do decide to replace the system, there is definitely a market for the GTI on eBay if you don't want to hold onto it.

Your options these days would be for an Outback Radian GS4048 or the new Schneider XW+5548. We have good feedback from both of these products.