[RE-wrenches] Wireless AC relay

[jay peltz]

> Hi all

I seem to remember some folks using a wireless remote to control a AC relay
Any info on this would be appreciated 

Thanks in advance

Jay

Peltz power


___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

[Chris Mason]

We install solar pool pumps quite frequently here in the Caribbean. We use
Sunpumps - excellent company, great support. Email Joe Lines joe@
sunpumps.com for design assistance, he is very helpful.


On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 1:02 PM, William Korthof  wrote:

> A few questions.
>
> I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool pump for his home.
> Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like the pump to be strong enough to
> lift to the solar pool panels (12 ft lift above pool level). I'd like to
> offer him hardware that is at least one notch above experimental beta-test.
> I remember the SunCentric from several years ago, but not sure how durable
> that turned out, and I was having trouble a vendor for it now. Any
> suggestions for today with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on
> what to avoid?
>
> William Korthof
> Sustainable Solutions Partners
>
>
> ___
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Options & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List-Archive:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
>


-- 
Chris Mason
President, Comet Systems Ltd
www.cometenergysystems.com
Cell: 264.235.5670
Skype: netconcepts
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

[RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

[Whitley Forman]

I was faced with this dilemma a few weeks ago. Luckily the customer had 
multiple 2100s so we got the replacement as a 5000US, then combined (2) 2100s 
and kept one as a backup when the next one fails in order to prolong another 
major components upgrade.

Whitley Forman
Owner
Bannon Designs, LLC
HIC# 13VH06908800
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ 
Certification No. 032611-109

On Feb 20, 2013, at 1:38 PM, re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org wrote:

> SB2500 Refurbish program gone
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Redundant Bonding

[Solarguy]

Could you maybe add some details to the photo and download it to the
Wrenches ftp site? Then we can all view it there.

I don't recall the process though Michael once posted the steps. The site is
a great place for info just like this. M also screens everything before it
gets posted.

ftp://ftp.re-wrenches.org/pub/ 

 

Jim Duncan

North Texas Renewable Energy Inc

www.ntrei.com   

NABCEP PV 031310-57

TECL-27398

nt...@1scom.net 

817.917.0527

NABCEP Logo

 

 

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of August Goers
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 2:34 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Redundant Bonding

 

Hi Karl -

 

I'll send you a picture off list showing how we typically wire up 7-terminal
meter sockets. In the Milbank meter sockets we typically use the neutral bar
is factory bonded to the can. So, we pass the neutral through the can and
then connect a ground in the can. This provides the power necessary to run
the meter without bonding the neutral to ground in two locations.

 

I'm not sure that I'm following your issue relating to the inverter and NEC
250.142(B). The Power One 10k unit has HF isolation and still needs a DC GEC
as far as I know.

 

Best,

 

August

415.559.1525

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Karl Jaeger
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 8:13 AM
To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Redundant Bonding

 

Greetings Wrenches,

I am having issues with the electrical plans reviewer approving our drawing
package. The system consists of a  PVI 10.0, 3-phase inverter to be
interconnected via backfed breaker to a 120/208 service. We have a feed in
tariff program which requires a solar generation meter base. The solar meter
base is provided by the utility, it is 7-terminal therefore it has a neutral
connection and a bond between neutral and ground. The service is also
bonded, of course. We have two bonds resulting in a ground loop. The utility
refuses to allow us to remove the bonding jumper in the solar meter base and
we can't float the neutral thru because the meter must see a neutral  to
spin. The inverter has an isolated transformer which I believe steers us
around 250.142 (B). However, Power One does not specify a GEC termination
point in their inverter so the reviewer is reluctant to accept this
solution. Has anyone ran into this issue? Any thoughts?

Thank you for your help!

 

Karl Jaeger

  Description: FOR-EMAIL-SIGNATURE
(Small) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<><>___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

[Solarguy]

SunRotor has a surface pool pump with controller, with a five year warranty.
That's longer than some others I have looked at. I've been a dealer a little
over a year and no complaints except one sub well pump with a helical rotor
that keeps getting loaded with sand falling into the casing.
http://www.sunrotor.com/ 

 

Jim Duncan

North Texas Renewable Energy Inc

  www.ntrei.com 

NABCEP PV 031310-57

TECL-27398

  nt...@1scom.net 

817.917.0527

NABCEP Logo

 

 

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William
Korthof
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 11:03 AM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

 

A few questions. 

I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool pump for his home.
Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like the pump to be strong enough to lift
to the solar pool panels (12 ft lift above pool level). I'd like to offer
him hardware that is at least one notch above experimental beta-test. I
remember the SunCentric from several years ago, but not sure how durable
that turned out, and I was having trouble a vendor for it now. Any
suggestions for today with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on
what to avoid? 

William Korthof
Sustainable Solutions Partners

<>___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

[RE-wrenches] Kudos to manufacturer!

[penobscotsolar]

Hi all,
   I am not sure Michael will let this one pass, but with all the problems
we seem to have at times, I thought it was worth mentioning...
   We are currently working out of the country, in the Caribbean, in a
very isolated, off grid location. Our distributor (this name will
beheld for the "RE Bitching" List) sent us a wrongly configured quad
stack (Flex1000) which took less than 60 seconds to fry one of the
inverters due to AC feedback. I was in the middle of checking the
stacking configuration when the DC breaker to one of the inverters
tripped. Needless to say, the inverter never came back to life. OutBack
techs did an amazing job, getting me replacement boards in ONE DAY
(with NO HELP from the  distributor, despite my asking them to fix
their mistake). It might just have been luck, but the OutBack techs
created that luck in a situation that could have cost me many thousands
of dollars. I just think they deserve some recognition for it. A big
shout out to Jorge and Kurt at OutBack!! I owe you guys many cuba
libre's)

Daryl DeJoy
NABCEP Certified PV installer
Penobscot Solar Design
www.penobscotsolar.com

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lithium batteries

[Ray Walters]

I'd try a set with a few adventurous customers, but the price needs to 
be really good for Beta testing.  Once you get a couple of years of 
proof of concept, and work out the charging details, etc. then your 
friend could set the price higher.  Its all about amp hours and cycle 
life.  If he can prove reliable performance for 300 or deep cycles, it 
could be worth while.
I definitely get inquiries.  Also some of us dabble in electric 
vehicles, where Li+ has more advantages.  Why were they taken out of 
service?


R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified, Licensed Contractor
808 269-7491

On 2/20/2013 10:14 AM, William Korthof wrote:
Anyone have experience using lithium batteries for solar and/or backup 
power applications?


A friend in the EV development business has access to a large number 
of used EV battery packs that still have a good deal of life left in 
them. He's looking to find a market for them and solar/backup power 
seems potentially like a good application.


The batteries were configured as ~100 amp-hour nominal blocks, 
consisting of 2 series cell blocks (4.1 vdc open circuit).
The simple path I suggested was to start with 7-block packs (14 cells 
= ~56 vdc full charge) and battery management control.
The battery performance is excellent, and they should have a lot of 
life left, and are move compact/light weight than leads
(something like 50% less volume, and 70% less weight)---but are more 
geared toward power and high voltage to match the
needs for automotive usage. Penciling it out, it seems plausible that 
these could be priced competitive with new lead group

31 lead acid batteries...

I'm curious what is available (lithium) and if anything has a track 
record or cost benchmarks. Also curious what kind of

interest there might be in this kind of secondary battery offering.

William Korthof
Sustainable Solutions


___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

[Allan Sindelar]

  
  
William,
  The SunCentric is well proven, still made and available. Dankoff
  Solar Pumps (http://www.dankoffsolarpumps.com/) remains the
  manufacturer. The specific pool pump model is no longer on the
  website, so I don't know if it's still offered. They have limited
  their number of dealers, requiring minimum stocking orders to weed
  out some of those less experienced. The dealer/distributor list is
  on their website; as a PV dealer yourself, I believe that you cab
  purchase them through AEE, maybe others. Contact Matt at 505
  471-3469 to locate a dealer or distributor, and find out which
  models may be best suited to pool pumping - we don't do much here.
  In a pinch, we can serve as your dealer (contact me off list), as
  we're local to DSP and have a long history with Dankoff Pumps, but
  we can't offer the prices a distributor can.
  Allan
  
  


Allan Sindelar
al...@positiveenergysolar.com
  NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic
Installer
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Positive Energy, Inc.
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com



 
  On 2/20/2013 10:02 AM, William Korthof wrote:

A few questions. 
  
  I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool pump for
  his home. Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like the pump to be
  strong enough to lift to the solar pool panels (12 ft lift above
  pool level). I'd like to offer him hardware that is at least one
  notch above experimental beta-test. I remember the SunCentric from
  several years ago, but not sure how durable that turned out, and I
  was having trouble a vendor for it now. Any suggestions for today
  with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on what to avoid?
  
  
  William Korthof
  Sustainable Solutions Partners
  
  
  
  
  ___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org




  

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

[William Miller]

Steve:

Thanks for your input.  I think there is enough general interest amongst 
this group that it would be useful for you to enlighten all of us on-line 
as to what the options are.  Thanks in advance.


Sincerely,

William Miller


At 08:51 AM 2/20/2013, you wrote:

Morning Wrenches,

SMA is no longer supporting the SWR model line, due to lack of available 
components.

This includes the 1800, 2100, 2500, 3800, 6000U and 700U.
These are all of our "legacy" products.

There are a couple different options for upgrades. The SB5000US is not one 
of them, it was for a short time while we were putting together the 
program for replacements.


There is no "3rd Party" repair facility.

If you have questions about the upgrade program, please contact me offline.

Thanks

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Supervisor, Service Line
6020 West Oaks Blvd, Suite 300
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 0870
Fax: +1 916 624-2445
Service Line +1 877 697 6283 (Toll Free)
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com

This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC 
confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the 
intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or 
any attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not 
the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and 
permanently delete the original and any copies of this email and any 
attachments thereto. Thank you.



-Original Message-
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller

Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

Friends:

SMA is no longer offering refurbished SB2500 inverters. If you find a dead 
one, the only option is to acquire a refurbished SB5000US for 
$700.00.  This is touted as an "upgrade" but I don't see it that 
way.  Rarely will you want to add more solar.  Usually the system was 
originally designed to either fill the roof or provide the needed solar 
energy.  Furthermore, try matching strings of modules from a 5 or more 
year old system with new modules.  Ain't likely to happen.  And the 5000US 
is just bigger and won't always fit where the 2500 was.


Added headache:  The SB5000US inverters are sent out sans accessories,
specifically: mounting bracket, bug screens, fasteners or AC/DC 
disconnect.  They are sent as if you are replacing an existing 5000US and 
have those parts already.


The AC/DC disconnect function may not be needed since you already should 
have AC/DC disconnecting means outboard of your 2500 (or 1800, for that 
matter), but the AC/DC disconnect is part of the mounting system.  Without 
it the bottom of the US inverter is just swinging in the breeze.  An 
option is to build a flat bracket, pretty easy to do, but you would want 
to be warned in advance so you bring the material and metric fasteners.


It is a shame that with such a large installed base of SB2500 inverters 
out there that the factory will no longer repair them.  Is there a third 
party repair shop I don't know about?


William Miller


___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

[Steve Jefferson]

The current units that are being exchanged for these outdated products actually 
have a lower start voltage, or in the case of the 6000U, the same voltage 
window.
There is no re-stringing needed in any of the replacements I have dealt with.

There had to be a time when the product life cycle ended. We cannot get parts 
for repair of these units anymore. So we are offering a upgrade to more 
efficient and newer technologies.

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Supervisor, Service Line
6020 West Oaks Blvd, Suite 300
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 0870
Fax: +1 916 624-2445
Service Line +1 877 697 6283 (Toll Free)
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com
 
This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC 
confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the intended 
recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or any 
attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the 
intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently 
delete the original and any copies of this email and any attachments thereto. 
Thank you.


-Original Message-
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bob-O Schultze
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 9:09 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

Just about the worst thing a company can do, IMO, is "orphan" a vast number of 
their early products. This is a slap in the face to the early adopter Wrenches 
who's recommendations made your company into what it is today. Offering 
"replacements" which require higher array voltages is clearly just not a viable 
solution. 
Sad and insupportable.


On Feb 20, 2013, at 8:51 AM, Steve Jefferson wrote:

Morning Wrenches,

SMA is no longer supporting the SWR model line, due to lack of available 
components.
This includes the 1800, 2100, 2500, 3800, 6000U and 700U.
These are all of our "legacy" products.

There are a couple different options for upgrades. The SB5000US is not one of 
them, it was for a short time while we were putting together the program for 
replacements.

There is no "3rd Party" repair facility.

If you have questions about the upgrade program, please contact me offline.

Thanks 

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Supervisor, Service Line
6020 West Oaks Blvd, Suite 300
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 0870
Fax: +1 916 624-2445
Service Line +1 877 697 6283 (Toll Free)
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com
 
This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC 
confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the intended 
recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or any 
attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the 
intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently 
delete the original and any copies of this email and any attachments thereto. 
Thank you.


-Original Message-
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

Friends:

SMA is no longer offering refurbished SB2500 inverters. If you find a dead one, 
the only option is to acquire a refurbished SB5000US for $700.00.  This is 
touted as an "upgrade" but I don't see it that way.  Rarely will you want to 
add more solar.  Usually the system was originally designed to either fill the 
roof or provide the needed solar energy.  Furthermore, try matching strings of 
modules from a 5 or more year old system with new modules.  Ain't likely to 
happen.  And the 5000US is just bigger and won't always fit where the 2500 was.

Added headache:  The SB5000US inverters are sent out sans accessories,
specifically: mounting bracket, bug screens, fasteners or AC/DC disconnect.  
They are sent as if you are replacing an existing 5000US and have those parts 
already.

The AC/DC disconnect function may not be needed since you already should have 
AC/DC disconnecting means outboard of your 2500 (or 1800, for that matter), but 
the AC/DC disconnect is part of the mounting system.  Without it the bottom of 
the US inverter is just swinging in the breeze.  An option is to build a flat 
bracket, pretty easy to do, but you would want to be warned in advance so you 
bring the material and metric fasteners.

It is a shame that with such a large installed base of SB2500 inverters out 
there that the factory will no longer repair them.  Is there a third party 
repair shop I don't know about?

William Miller


Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: will...@millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

[Dana]

Ben @ Argand-Dankoff last time I knew.

 

505.471.3469

 

I used the Suncentric PV direct on a 20x40 horizon pool in Malibu
overlooking the ocean on its own tracker and it is working fine 6+ years
down the trail.

 



Dana Orzel 

Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136

d...@solarwork.com  - www.solarwork.com 

O - 970.626.5253F - 970.626.4140   C - 970.209.4076 

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  

 

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William
Korthof
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 10:03 AM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

 

A few questions. 

I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool pump for his home.
Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like the pump to be strong enough to lift
to the solar pool panels (12 ft lift above pool level). I'd like to offer
him hardware that is at least one notch above experimental beta-test. I
remember the SunCentric from several years ago, but not sure how durable
that turned out, and I was having trouble a vendor for it now. Any
suggestions for today with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on
what to avoid? 

William Korthof
Sustainable Solutions Partners

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

[Jason Szumlanski]

SunRay Solar uses the Lorentz 600W pump. It's okay, but honestly we have
had some pump issues. The variable nature if the flow is problematic and
inevitably results in low customer satisfaction. Convince them to get a
Pentair Intelliflo Variable Speed Pump and put a small PV system on the
house to offset it. It's more effective from a cost AND performance
perspective. That's my 2 cents...

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar


On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 12:02 PM, William Korthof wrote:

> A few questions.
>
> I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool pump for his home.
> Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like the pump to be strong enough to
> lift to the solar pool panels (12 ft lift above pool level). I'd like to
> offer him hardware that is at least one notch above experimental beta-test.
> I remember the SunCentric from several years ago, but not sure how durable
> that turned out, and I was having trouble a vendor for it now. Any
> suggestions for today with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on
> what to avoid?
>
> William Korthof
> Sustainable Solutions Partners
>
>
> ___
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Options & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List-Archive:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
>
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

[Bob-O Schultze]

Just about the worst thing a company can do, IMO, is "orphan" a vast number of 
their early products. This is a slap in the face to the early adopter Wrenches 
who's recommendations made your company into what it is today. Offering 
"replacements" which require higher array voltages is clearly just not a viable 
solution. 
Sad and insupportable.


On Feb 20, 2013, at 8:51 AM, Steve Jefferson wrote:

Morning Wrenches,

SMA is no longer supporting the SWR model line, due to lack of available 
components.
This includes the 1800, 2100, 2500, 3800, 6000U and 700U.
These are all of our "legacy" products.

There are a couple different options for upgrades. The SB5000US is not one of 
them, it was for a short time while we were putting together the program for 
replacements.

There is no "3rd Party" repair facility.

If you have questions about the upgrade program, please contact me offline.

Thanks 

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Supervisor, Service Line
6020 West Oaks Blvd, Suite 300
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 0870
Fax: +1 916 624-2445
Service Line +1 877 697 6283 (Toll Free)
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com
 
This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC 
confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the intended 
recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or any 
attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the 
intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently 
delete the original and any copies of this email and any attachments thereto. 
Thank you.


-Original Message-
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

Friends:

SMA is no longer offering refurbished SB2500 inverters. If you find a dead one, 
the only option is to acquire a refurbished SB5000US for $700.00.  This is 
touted as an "upgrade" but I don't see it that way.  Rarely will you want to 
add more solar.  Usually the system was originally designed to either fill the 
roof or provide the needed solar energy.  Furthermore, try matching strings of 
modules from a 5 or more year old system with new modules.  Ain't likely to 
happen.  And the 5000US is just bigger and won't always fit where the 2500 was.

Added headache:  The SB5000US inverters are sent out sans accessories,
specifically: mounting bracket, bug screens, fasteners or AC/DC disconnect.  
They are sent as if you are replacing an existing 5000US and have those parts 
already.

The AC/DC disconnect function may not be needed since you already should have 
AC/DC disconnecting means outboard of your 2500 (or 1800, for that matter), but 
the AC/DC disconnect is part of the mounting system.  Without it the bottom of 
the US inverter is just swinging in the breeze.  An option is to build a flat 
bracket, pretty easy to do, but you would want to be warned in advance so you 
bring the material and metric fasteners.

It is a shame that with such a large installed base of SB2500 inverters out 
there that the factory will no longer repair them.  Is there a third party 
repair shop I don't know about?

William Miller


Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: will...@millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org



___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

[RE-wrenches] Solar-direct pool pumping

[William Korthof]

A few questions.

I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool pump for his home.
Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like the pump to be strong enough to
lift to the solar pool panels (12 ft lift above pool level). I'd like to
offer him hardware that is at least one notch above experimental beta-test.
I remember the SunCentric from several years ago, but not sure how durable
that turned out, and I was having trouble a vendor for it now. Any
suggestions for today with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on
what to avoid?

William Korthof
Sustainable Solutions Partners
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

[Steve Jefferson]

Morning Wrenches,

SMA is no longer supporting the SWR model line, due to lack of available 
components.
This includes the 1800, 2100, 2500, 3800, 6000U and 700U.
These are all of our "legacy" products.

There are a couple different options for upgrades. The SB5000US is not one of 
them, it was for a short time while we were putting together the program for 
replacements.

There is no "3rd Party" repair facility.

If you have questions about the upgrade program, please contact me offline.

Thanks 

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Supervisor, Service Line
6020 West Oaks Blvd, Suite 300
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 0870
Fax: +1 916 624-2445
Service Line +1 877 697 6283 (Toll Free)
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com
 
This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC 
confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the intended 
recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or any 
attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the 
intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently 
delete the original and any copies of this email and any attachments thereto. 
Thank you.


-Original Message-
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] SB2500 Refurbish program gone

Friends:

SMA is no longer offering refurbished SB2500 inverters. If you find a dead one, 
the only option is to acquire a refurbished SB5000US for $700.00.  This is 
touted as an "upgrade" but I don't see it that way.  Rarely will you want to 
add more solar.  Usually the system was originally designed to either fill the 
roof or provide the needed solar energy.  Furthermore, try matching strings of 
modules from a 5 or more year old system with new modules.  Ain't likely to 
happen.  And the 5000US is just bigger and won't always fit where the 2500 was.

Added headache:  The SB5000US inverters are sent out sans accessories,
specifically: mounting bracket, bug screens, fasteners or AC/DC disconnect.  
They are sent as if you are replacing an existing 5000US and have those parts 
already.

The AC/DC disconnect function may not be needed since you already should have 
AC/DC disconnecting means outboard of your 2500 (or 1800, for that matter), but 
the AC/DC disconnect is part of the mounting system.  Without it the bottom of 
the US inverter is just swinging in the breeze.  An option is to build a flat 
bracket, pretty easy to do, but you would want to be warned in advance so you 
bring the material and metric fasteners.

It is a shame that with such a large installed base of SB2500 inverters out 
there that the factory will no longer repair them.  Is there a third party 
repair shop I don't know about?

William Miller


Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: will...@millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny boy monitoring

[David Katz]

I am using Solar-Log with my 3 old SB2500 inverters.  It works great for local 
viewing and web viewing.  It connects to the 485 output as the SB Control did.
David Katz

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 19, 2013, at 9:57 AM, "William Miller"  wrote:

> Friends:
> 
> I have a legacy client with a SB2500 remote from a residence.  We are using 
> a Control Light but it is becoming more and more unreliable.  What 
> experience do any of you have with PLC communications with the Sunny Boy 
> using more modern equipment?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> William Miller
> 
> 
> Miller Solar
> Voice :805-438-5600
> email: will...@millersolar.com
> http://millersolar.com
> License No. C-10-773985
> 
> ___
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
> 
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
> 
> Options & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List-Archive: 
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> 
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
> 
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Inverter Radio Interference

[Glenn Burt]

Also Palomar Engineers:

 

http://palomar-engineers.com/ferrite-cores

 

-Glenn

 

From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of frank -bz
products
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 2:36 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Inverter Radio Interference

 

Look into Amodon ferrite cores. 



On 2/19/2013 1:30 PM, Vince McClellan wrote:

Hello Wrenches 
I'm having an issue with a pair of Outback inverters producing
electromagnetic interference with the low band radios at a site we installed
recently. Other than a Faraday cage does anyone have any methods of reducing
the EMI from Outback inverters? I've been looking in to ferrite cores but
can't seem to find a source that lists what the frequency is that is
dissipated by the ferrite cores that I can find online. I need the ferrite
cores to be in the range of 250kHz to 2MHz. 

Thanks,

Vince McClellan
Energy Design  





___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
 
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
 
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
 
List-Archive:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
 
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
 
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
 





-- 
Frank Lewon
BZ Products INC.
8801 Gravois Rd.
St. Louis MO 63123 USA
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] wrenches] Lorentz Pumps

[john]

I am in the same camp as Allan,   I have a Lorentz pump in my 800' deep well 
that has been working since 2001 (12 years) We have had several controller... 
started with direct solar and then batteries, then replacement due to failure 
but the pump itself has been flawless. 

John Blittersdorf
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer tm
Central Vermont Solar & Wind LLC
104 River Street
Rutland, VT 05701
 
802-770-8625 Cell
802-747-0577 Office
802-773-0924 Fax
 
Mark your calendar:  SolarFest 2013, Tinmouth, VT,  July 12, 13 & 14   
www.SolarFest.org
 




-Original Message-
From: Allan Sindelar 
To: RE-wrenches 
Sent: Tue, Feb 19, 2013 6:36 pm
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Pumps


Tom,
Rant: 
I would caution you to be very careful working with Lorentz pumps. About 16 
months ago we got a service request from a longtime customer for whom we had 
installed an ETA (Lorentz) PV-direct submersible in late 2005. The pump had 
worked well for nearly 7 years, serving community water for four off grid 
households, but the helical rotor had finally worn out, as I recall. I called 
GenPro about purchasing a replacement head, and was told that the US has been 
divided into northern and southern territories by Lorentz, and I needed to 
contact another company (whose name is in our records but not my head). That 
company told me that we could neither buy a replacement head nor a replacement 
pump, as we were not licensed pump dealers.

Grundfos had once allowed their pumps to be sold through all sorts of channels, 
and it came back to bite them hard, as PV internet retailers with salespeople 
who knew next-to nothing about pump selection and water system design were 
selling pumps to anyone with a thick wallet. Grundfos tech support was 
overwhelmed, and changed policy to allow their pumps to be sold only through 
water and well industry distributors. That made a lot of sense to me, and we 
never lost our ability to spec, purchase and install their pumps, as our 
longtime conventional pump distributor knew we knew our business. But we'll 
never become "licensed pump installers", and as a result, we'll never carry or 
recommend Lorentz pumps. 

I had sworn off ETAPumps years ago when the failure rate was too high; I had 
eventually learned that those issues had been resolved and the pumps and 
controllers were proving pretty reliable. But this issue killed it for me. If 
anyone can offer an update to suggest that the situation has changed, please do 
so! (Jeez, I have a Lorentz pump in my own well at home, courtesy of Windy. I'd 
replace it, but it just hasn't stopped working yet. Talk about a bit of 
hypocrisy...)
Rant: 

Tom, 
Besides getting feedback from other Wrenches, I'd talk with GenPro, your 
distributor, about support. I'm copying this message to them; if I get a useful 
response about my rant, I'll post it to the list.
Allan


Allan Sindelar
al...@positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Positive Energy, Inc.
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com 




On 2/19/2013 3:01 PM, Tom DeBates wrote:



Hello Wrenches,
   Has anyone had recent experience with the Lorentz PS (PV) line of pumps, 
both centrifugal and helical? I searched the archives and there was some 
feedback on Lorentz pumps two years ago. Just wondering if anyone had anything 
more recent.
Thanks,
Tom 

Tom DeBates
Habi-Tek
Geneva,IL. 60134





 

___
ist sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
ttp://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
ww.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
ww.members.re-wrenches.org



___
ist sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
ttp://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
ww.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
ww.members.re-wrenches.org

___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org