First steps

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.

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. All detailed technical data can be found he​re.

1. Storage and content


2. Unpacking 



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.

Contents:

·       Quick Installation Guide and user interface guide

·       Next3 inverter-charger

·       Nx-interface with 

o   Mounting structure

o   USB stick with detailed technical manual, to be used for datalogging with the nx-interface.

o   Kit for front panel fixing

o   1m communication cable

·       Sunclix connectors for PV cables (4 pairs)

·       Male connectors for 

o   CAN lithium battery communication

o   RS485

o   2 pieces for AUX contacts

o   1 piece for CMD inputs

·       Temperature sensor nx-tempSensor (with male connector)

·       Mounting plate (for wall mounted version) with 1 screw for fixing on the body of the next3. The screws for the wall are not provided. Choose the appropriate screws for your wall. 

·       Fixing belt with 2 screws

·       4 handles

·       Cable-glands for battery and AC (for wall mounted version)



3. Mounting and installation



3b. Rack next3

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.


Please see also multi-units application note here


4. Connecting



For more details about connecting , go to the connection section.



5. First start



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

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.