First steps


1. Unpacking

All informations about the unpacking and and how to safely unbox your device.


2. Mounting

Simply mount your device on the wall.


3. Connecting

Connect your device to the AC network, the solar and the battery.


4. Setting

Power up the system and set up your next3 by simply following the information on the interface.

Congratulations! You own a next3, your new smart inverter-charger

You are about to install and use a high-end equipment that will play a central role in the energy management of your battery-based system. The next3 is the first device of our new generation of smart battery inverter/charger with advanced functions. This next3 has been designed, manufactured, assembled and tested in our factory in Switzerland. It has a 6-year warranty and is eligible for an extension 6+6, under the studercare+ program (not yet available, check with your studer representative for further information). 

Studer disclaims all responsibility and liability for damage, costs or losses resulting from an installation that does not comply with the instructions, a faulty operation or inadequate maintenance. The use of studer equipment is in any case under the responsibility of the customer.   

Read the safety and operation instructions carefully. Installation must be entrusted to qualified personnel.   

1. Unpacking

Please control the quality of the packaging and the list of accessories. In case of problem, contact our support.

When unpacking, check that the next3 has not been damaged during transport and that all accessories listed below are present. Any fault must be immediately reported to the product distributor or the contact mentioned at the back of this manual. Check carefully the packaging as well as the next3.

The list of supplied accessories includes :

  • Quick installation guide

  • Programming interface nx-interface with

    • Mounting structure

    • USB stick

    • Kit for front panel fixing

    • Communication cable (1 m)

  • Sunclix connexions for PV cables (4 pairs)

  • Male connectors for

    • CAN lithium battery communication

    • RS 485

    • AUX contacts (2 pces)

    • CMD inputs (1 pce)

  • Temperature sensor nx-tempSensor (with male connector)

  • Mounting plate with 1 screw for fixing on the body of the next3 (only for wall mounted version)

  • Fixing belt (with 2 screws)

  • 4 handles (only to be used for carrying and installing the device)

  • Cable-glands for battery and AC connections (only for wall mounted version)




Unboxing the next3

  1. Unscrew the 8 screws situated on the side of the casing and remove the top cover

  2. Take the documentation, the fixation structure, the next interface if included and check the content according to the list above

  3. Remove the external casing

  4. Cut the strings, remove the transport handles and fix the 4 installation handles provided on both sides of the next

2 removable handles on each side of the device can be screwed to help the lifting of the device and then leave adequate space for them. Never lift the device by handling the plastic cover part! If the next3 is installed in a closed cabinet, it must have a sufficient ventilation to guarantee that the ambient temperature is kept within the operating limits of the next3.

The handles can be removed once the device is installed. 4 black covers are delivered with the device to cover the handle wholes. We strongly advise to keep the 4 installation handles in a well-know accessible location in case they are required for servicing the device. 

2. Mounting

Mounting location 

The next3 comes in IP30 with a standard coating to provide additional protection in difficult environments. We recommend installing the device in a controlled environment, limiting exposure to moisture, dust, salt, chemical, temperature changes and mechanical abrasion. The mounting location is indoors and should be protected from children and unauthorised people. 

Installation must be entrusted by qualified personnel.

The place of installation must satisfy the following criteria: 

  • Protected from any unauthorised person
  • Protected from water, dust and in a place with no condensation
  • It must not be situated directly above vented lead acid batteries, or in a cabinet with them, due to corrosive gas
  • No easily inflammable material should be placed directly underneath or close to the next3
  • Ventilation holes must always remain clear and be at least 20cm from any obstacle that may affect the ventilation of the equipment (see mounting schematics)
  • In mobile applications, it is important to select an installation site that ensures the lowest possible vibration level
  • According to the IEC/EN 62109-1 standard, the level of pollution at the mounting place should not exceed PD2 (second-degree environment), which means that there can be pollution as long as it becomes not electrically conductive
  • Protected from direct solar radiation or heat sources

As much as possible, reduce exposure to sudden temperature variations: important heat variation may create undesired and harmful condensation inside the equipment. 

Installing the next3 wall-mounted version

The next3 must be installed vertically and on a non-flammable wall or support. Distances of at least 12cm around the units and 25cm above the equipment are required to guarantee an adequate ventilation.

The next3 is a heavy equipment (~60kg) and must be mounted to a support/structure designed to bear such a load. It is imperative to ensure a complete and safe fastening of the equipment. If simply hung, it may fall down and cause severe damages. The image below show a typical mounting of the device with distances to respect for ventilation and cabling.


For the wall mounting plate, use the 5 screws and buffers capable to stand the weight of the inverter in full safety. Those are note provided in the package, make sure that you choose the right screws according to your wall type and ensuring a solid mounting. The diameter of the holes in the plate are meant for 8mm screws. 


 
When drilling the holes, keep at least 542 mm from the top screws to the ceiling to respect the 250mm clearance above the device. Keep at least 290mm to the nearest on the left wall (150mm+454mm/2-90mm=287mm) and 350mm to the next next3 (120mm+454mm/2=347); distance from the middle of the plate.


When you fix the mounting plate on the wall, don't forget to put the fixing-belt (in yellow on the following picture) in place before screwing the mounting plate on the wall.

fix the 4 handles on the two sides of the next3 and remove the loops if you don’t need them to move the next3. 


Fix the mounting plate on the wall, leaving enough space around the unit for the ventilation and cabling. Don’t forget to put the fixing-belt in place before screwing the mounting plate on the wall.

Fix the mounting plate with the fixing belt to the wall and then mount the next3 in the support with the help of the installation handles. 2 technicians are required to ensure a safe installation. Once the device is mounted in the plate, fix the belt with the device with the 2 screws provided and fix the mounting plate with the device with the screw also provided. 


Those are not provided in the package, select the proper screws for your wall type and ensure a solid mounting.
The diameter of the holes in the plate are meant for 8mm screws. 

In vehicles (road or marine), or when the support undergoes significant vibrations, the next3 is to be mounted on anti-vibration elements. The fixing belt use is mandatory in those cases. Use of the wall mounting bracket delivered with the
inverter is mandatory. Warranty claims will expire if the inverter is operated without the wall mounting bracket.

For the wall mounting plate, use the 5 screws and buffers capable to stand the weight of the inverter in full safety. 

When drilling the holes, keep at least 542 mm from the top screws to the ceiling to respect the 250mm clearance above the device.
Keep at least 290mm to the nearest on the left wall (150mm+454mm/2-90mm=287mm) and 350mm to the next next3 (120mm+454mm/2=347); distance from the middle of the plate. 

Keep sufficient space below for the cabling.


The next3 is a heavy equipment (~60kg) and must be mounted to a support/structure designed to bear such a load. It is imperative to ensure a complete and safe fastening of the equipment. If simply hung, it may fall down and cause severe damages. 

For the next steps there must be 2 people at least! 

Hang the next3 on the structure.


Fix the structure at the bottom with the provided screw 

Fix the belt on the sides with the screws provided.

Fix the nx interface with 2 screws provided. Install the communication cable on the screen before mounting. 


The nx-communication cable goes in the plug on the left of the nx interface and is easier to install before the mounting on the nx device. The ethernet cable (LAN) goes on the right. 


See the wiring sections for details.
Special installation on the wall or in a cabinet is shown in the following chapter below.




Unpacking and mounting process of the rack next3

The rack version of the next3 is for 19'' rack and has the equivalent of 8 units in height.

The first steps of the unpacking of the rack version is similar to the wall mounted version. The same packaging is used. 


The mounting in cabinet must be performed leaving sufficient space in front and behind the units. If a closed cabinet is used, some extraction fans must be used to evacuation the heat of the power conversion losses. 


Go to the wiring section of this manual for all explanations about electrical connections.

 

3. Connecting

General overview

The battery and AC connections are done inside the removable cover. The solar and communication wiring is external with the provided connectors.

Open the bottom panel and proceed to wiring.

 

Battery, AC and earthing wiring

The device must be installed in accordance to the local standards and regulations in force. Please obtain information to your local regulator.


Cabling the solar and inputs/outputs communication

The solar connections are done using the Sunclix connectors provided in the package. There are 2 independent MPPT inputs and 2 strings per input. 

The communication and I/O should also be cabled with the provided male connectors and communication cables. 


These connections are outside the device so please make sure that they are done accordingly and therefore prepared for dust exposure and others. 

For lithium communicating batteries, please make sure that you connect a communication cable between the battery BMS and the next3 CAN BMS I/O. You could find more information here. 

Installing the next interface

The next interface (user remote control) can be installed integrated in the device using the pre-mounted support. Simply fix the support to the device right side using the 2 screws provided.

The next interface can be installed as well embedded in a cabinet or wall. Unmount the support and the plastic next interface cover and use the fixing elements provided for the embedded installation.

 

Connect the communication cable between the next interface and the next3. There is only 1 nx interface required in the communication bus. Make sure that you set to "T" the first and last element of the Studer communication bus. 


4. Power up and setting

First start, powering up the device

Make sure that all the connections are well tightened. Visual and electrical checks to be made before first start of next3.

Attention: There are dangerous energy sources in the device. Make sure to fulfil the safety regulations before energising the installation. 


1. Connect the battery

The powering of the next3 starts with the battery. Verify that the PV DC switch is off and there is no voltage presence on the AC wires. 

When  supplied with 48Vdc from the battery, the next3 beeps and all lights turn on for a few seconds. The device is now off but the battery is connected (voltage presence on the battery side). There is no other voltage presence on the PV side nor the AC connections side. The next interface is also supplied and will start nextOS. 

2. First configuration

A next3 installation requires an initial configuration with the assistant. It is not possible to turn on the device without the first configuration. Make sure that you follow the assistant and configure the main elements of the system (battery, solar, AC). After the configuration assistant, you could see the nx interface menu and the configured elements in the dashboard. 

3. Starting the next3

You can now turn on the device using the nx interface or the front panel button. By switching on, the device will then provide voltage on the AC wires according to the configuration. Make sure that the configuration follows the energy system. You can check element by element that everything is working as expected: solar, AC source, AC loads, AC flex, battery, communication and I/O. 

Display panel.

On top of the nx interface, the front panel has all the necessary information to understand the state of the next3 with he LEDs. Please find below the description of all buttons and symbols you will see on display panel:

Next interface

The nextOS is the gate to your energy system and the platform for the graphical user interface (GUI), datalogger and monitoring. You can configure, visualise, record monitored data and be connected with the nx interface. 

The configuration assistant will guide you through the commissioning of the system. Later on you can navigate in the nextOS to visualise the system information and configure and fine tuning the installation (basic and advanced configurations). 

You can click on the configuration elements for a detail description. With nextOS the user experience is a real added value.