For about the last year, DPW has been sending all the 5/16" nuts which work
with their mid and end clamps plus the foot-to-rail connection, splices, etc
with a polymer coating on the threads. Since then I have had zero issues with
galling or backing nuts off for fine tuning alignments. If your rack manu is
not doing this job for you, maybe its time for a phone call.
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
----- Original Message -----
From: Benn Kilburn
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
Good points Ray.
I always warn the crews of galling and to avoid spinning the SS hardware to
fast. Another tip is to try to keep the SS hardware out of direct sun prior to
using it.
Kinetic tells me that their threaded hardware comes with a clear coat of
anti-seize.
Benn Kilburn
SkyFire Energy Inc.
780-906-7807
On Jun 28, 2015, at 3:27 PM, Ray Walters <r...@solarray.com> wrote:
Besides your note that cordless impact drivers can over torque the clamps,
also they spin the bolts too fast which can lead to spalling of the SS hardware.
We now hand torque those connects. Finally, most torque specs are for
lubricated bolts. We use anti-seize on the threads before torquing.
Using a cordless impact driver and no lube can cause not only module damage
but also clamp damage, and end up with clamps not actually securing the
modules, because the bolts spalled out before fully clamping.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760On 6/28/2015 3:06 PM, Benn Kilburn wrote:
Chris,
It sounds (to me) that you are describing the bonding "tooth" dug through
the aluminum frame and into the glass? or at least compressed the frame enough
to break the glass? If that is the case then i'm betting that the clamp bolt
was way over-torqued.
You need to check the recommended tightening torque for the module and
for the racking system you are using. For example, what we are using these
days, Kinetic, the tightening torque for mid and end clamps is 12 ft-lb and
here are some recommended clamping torques from some different module mfgrs....
Conergy 8 NM - 6 ft-lb
Hanwha 5 NM - 3.7 ft-lb
JA Solar 18-24 NM - 13-18 ft-lb
These likely vary based on the construction of the module frame.
I've also found that some module mfgrs do not list recommended tightening
torques in their install manuals, so best to use discretion.
We had a module break after clamping it down. The crew described it as
'putting the module in place, clamping it down and turning around to grab the
next module and hearing a 'crack' followed by the crackling glass sound (if you
have ever heard a module break, the crackling sound can last for a few
minutes). The break pattern in the glass seemed to focus on a particular mid
clamp. I used a torque wrench, set at around 10 ft-lb and checked all the
mid-clamp bolts, increasing the torque setting by a few ft-lb each time until
it finally turned a bolt instead of clicking. I found that most of the bolts
were close to 30 ft-lb and the one that appeared to break the glass was about
34 ft-lb.
Suffice to say, we were getting carried away with tightening using
cordless impact drivers.
At that point i and the rest of the crew started using the torque wrench
as we were going along until we had a better feel for what was the proper
torque. (i've done this before, but it is something that needs to be self
"re-calibrated" often.
Benn Kilburn
CSA Certified Solar Photovoltaic Systems Electrician, SkyFire Energy Inc
6706 – 82 Ave NW | Edmonton, AB | T6B 0E7
P: 780-474-8992 | F: 888-405-5843 | www.skyfireenergy.com
On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 5:11 PM, Chris Worcester
<ch...@solarwindworks.com> wrote:
Hi Jason,
Have you or others been using the new UniRac SM mid and end clamps with
the integrated bonding yet? My concern is the “Stainless steel Midclamp points,
2 per module, pierce module frame anodization to bond module to module through
clamp.”
We had an MSI Alpha + self-bonding midclamp shatter the glass on an LG
280 last fall, as the factory set point was sticking out too far, so as it was
being tightened down, on top of the module the point dug through the module’s
top frame hitting the glass, shattering it.
I do wonder if there are any issues with this “point” on the UniRac
midclamps potential for doing the same damage?
Chris Worcester
Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Office 530-582-4503
Cell 530-448-9692
Fax 530-582-4603
www.solarwindworks.com
ch...@solarwindworks.com
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 1:13 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
That decision was based on our distribution network offering better
pricing on Unirac, and engineers being comfortable with it. Now with the
integrated grounding from Unirac, I can't see moving away from it again barring
a significant cost benefit. It also stacks and stocks easier than the Ironridge
rails.
On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 5:55 PM, Dana Brandt <d...@ecotechenergy.com>
wrote:
Hi Jason,
We've used Unirac for years but have been contemplating Ironridge. I'm
curious what your experience was and why you went back to Unirac?
Anyone else have input on best racking systems for flush-mounted
residential systems on comp roof?
Thanks,
Dana
Dana Brandt
Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
www.ecotechenergy.com
d...@ecotechenergy.com
360.318.7646
On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 12:09 PM, Jason Szumlanski
<ja...@fafcosolar.com> wrote:
By Snap N Rack, you mean Sun Run...
http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/05/sunrun-acquires-rec-solars-residential-business-aee-solar-snapnrack-means/
I'm curious if these vertical integrators will still make their
acquired brands available to small dealers through distribution. When SolarCity
snatched up Zep, I had concerns about being able to service or add onto
existing Zep systems we installed. That's definitely a concern going forward,
and reason to perhaps stick with the most compatible racking solutions
available. We used IronRidge for a while, which is largely compatible with
Unirac, but now we're back on the Unirac bandwagon.
Interesting times...
Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar
On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 12:45 PM, Max Balchowsky <m...@seesolar.com>
wrote:
We have been using Snap N' Rack for a while, Have lots of installs in
Hawaii - so far no problems, I like the convenience of the design for snapping
in the slider nut in mid rail, and also the ability to install the panels flush
with the end of the rails….
Max Balchowsky
Design Engineer
SEE Systems
1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217
Newport Beach, Ca. 92660
760-403-6810
"Building a Better Future For The Next Generation"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Allen Frishman <amfr...@aeonsolar.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 6:17 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
I am curious about the mid clamps on the snapnrack. The flange that
rests on top of the solar panel frame is so small ~ 3/16". Anyone experience
any problems with these failing in a big storm? With solar panel frames not
being square it is nice to have a little extra to grab - I am always curious as
to why these clips are made with such a small area to hold the panels down.
All feedback on these clips is appreciated.
Al Frishman
AeonSolar
(917) 699-6641 - cell
(888) 460-2867
www.aeonsolar.com
On Jun 1, 2013, at 10:41 AM, Max Balchowsky wrote:
Have installed last three systems (35Kw)with snap n rack.
love it....
Max Balchowsky
Design Engineer
SEE Systems
1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217
Newport Beach, Ca. 92660
760-403-6810
"Building a Better Future For The Next Generation"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Solarguy <nt...@1scom.net>
To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
The only complaint with the Snapnrack rails is the thin wall can easily
be distorted. This will allow the nut to drop out of its groove. Love the
universal end clamps but have learned to assemble every one to check for proper
fit before getting on the roof.
Jim Duncan
-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 7:32 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
Hello Wrenches,
How would you rate the SnapNrack mounting systems against Unirac and
other mounting systems?
Thanks,
Drake
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