Re: [RE-wrenches] traveling with digital meters

[Martin Herzfeld]

I typically travel in the US and I carry on my meters by placing them in a
separate bag all together in a separate bin.

1. "When in doubt, leave it out"  as found here:
http://www.tsa.gov/data/guide/PackSmart.html

2.  By the way, on my most recent trip, a passenger sat next to me knitted
with knitting needles.

All the best,

Martin Herzfeld, IREC Certified Master Trainer ™ for PV Installation
Professional #IREC 10037
California Solar Contractor License  #833782  C46, D56, D31, C-7
Solar, Trenching, Pole Installation & Maintenance, Instrumentation
Roof & Ground Mounted Solar PV Systems
Licensed Contractor & Consultant - Since 2004
Contract PV Technical Inspector
BBB Accredited Business

UL Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30
OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer #C0068034
CompTIA Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+) #T3NSZCNBBKB4QTQG

NABCEP Advanced Continuing Education (CE) Training Provider for
Certification and Recertification Classes in Solar (PV) Technology
On Nov 9, 2015 4:40 PM, "Dan Fink"  wrote:

> Hi Jay - I was busted for the probes in Canada. Too sharp. Fortunately it
> was a tiny airport and my checked bags were right outside on the tarmac, so
> the nice Air Canada lady went out and put the probes in.
> So now I check the probes, and carry on the meter.
>
> Dan Fink
> Adjunct Professor, Ecotech Institute
> IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Accredited Continuing Education Providers™
> 970.672.4342
>
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 9, 2015 at 4:49 PM, jay  wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I believe this was talked about in the past, but I can’t find it.
>>
>> I’m going to be traveling out of the country with a clamp on w/probes
>>
>> And curious if I should/can check this or carry it on?
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> jay
>>
>>
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[RE-wrenches] Pv i-v analyzers

[d...@solarwork.com]

Fellow Wrenches:
If you were going to buy or have bought a PV i-v analyzer:
What product did you purchase?
Would you do so again?
Would you purchase a different product?
How has the reliability been?
Does it need to be sent in for periodic recalibration?
Pluses & Minuses?

Thanks for your input & opinions!


Dana Orzel 208.721.7003
Encourage Free Thinking Self Responsible Free Range Children
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

[jay]

HI Steve,

So they are all low?

Then I suggest an IV curve tracer.


jay


> On Nov 19, 2015, at 7:18 AM, Steve Jefferson 
>  wrote:
> 
> The outputs are pretty close. That’s what is throwing me off.
> In most trouble shooting adventures, the problem is fairly obvious.
> This one, not so much.
>  
> SMA America, LLC
> Steve Jefferson
> Service Line Supervisor
> 3925 Atherton Ave
> Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
> U.S.A.
> Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
> Fax: +1 916 625 0871
> Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
> 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.
>  
>  
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
> ] On Behalf Of Jay
> Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 1:42 PM
> To: RE-wrenches  >
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help
>  
> Hi steve. 
>  
> Is the output from each string of 11 the same?
> Have you tried ruining 1 string at a time?  
>  
> Jay
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Nov 18, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Steve Jefferson 
> > 
> wrote:
> 
> Afternoon wrenches,
>  
> I have a friend who I helped install second hand modules onto a pergola 
> structure at their home.
>  
> The system is as follows:
>  
> 44 – Siemens SP-150
> 1 – SMA SB6000US-12 (XFMR unit)
>  
> Since install, they have not produced half of what they should be.  I have 
> tested the diodes and they seem to be good, there were a couple that tested 
> questionable, so they were replaced.
> VOC is good, but it seems that under load the system goes to garbage.
>  
> I am at a loss of what/how to test anything else that may determine cause.
>  
> Would a PV Analyzer help? Would there happen to be anyone in the Sacramento 
> area with one who could come to the site? Obviously the customer will pay for 
> their time.
>  
> Thanks in advanced.
>  
> SMA America, LLC
> Steve Jefferson
> Service Line Supervisor
> 3925 Atherton Ave
> Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
> U.S.A.
> Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
> Fax: +1 916 625 0871
> Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
> 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.
>  
>  
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

[Steve Jefferson]

All 4 strings were run separately. And all 4 ran significantly lower than they 
should. Based off of calculations done.

Dan was nice enough to spend some time with me on the phone about this.
Think I may have another visit and more TS to do.

Probably wont be until after the holidays, but I will up if anything is found.

These mods are junk in my opinion, the lack of frame makes them weak. And when 
they were torn off the other roof in LA, the foam backing blocks just cracked 
and fell apart. Who knows what damage has been done to them.

Thanks

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Service Line Supervisor
3925 Atherton Ave
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
Fax: +1 916 625 0871
Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com

[cid:image001.png@01CF1CFA.FE18BEB0]

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.


From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Brian Mehalic
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:47 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

Steve, I didn't see if you answered Jay regarding operating the inverter on 
just a single string at a time.  I'd definitely try that before curve tracing.


Brian Mehalic
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional™ R031508-59

PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor
Solar Energy International
http://www.solarenergy.org

On Thu, Nov 19, 2015 at 8:31 AM, jay 
> wrote:
HI Steve,

So they are all low?

Then I suggest an IV curve tracer.


jay


On Nov 19, 2015, at 7:18 AM, Steve Jefferson 
> wrote:

The outputs are pretty close. That’s what is throwing me off.
In most trouble shooting adventures, the problem is fairly obvious.
This one, not so much.

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Service Line Supervisor
3925 Atherton Ave
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
Fax: +1 916 625 0871
Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
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.


From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Jay
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 1:42 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

Hi steve.

Is the output from each string of 11 the same?
Have you tried ruining 1 string at a time?

Jay


Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 18, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Steve Jefferson 
> wrote:
Afternoon wrenches,

I have a friend who I helped install second hand modules onto a pergola 
structure at their home.

The system is as follows:

44 – Siemens SP-150
1 – SMA SB6000US-12 (XFMR unit)

Since install, they have not produced half of what they should be.  I have 
tested the diodes and they seem to be good, there were a couple that tested 
questionable, so they were replaced.
VOC is good, but it seems that under load the system goes to garbage.

I am at a loss of what/how to test anything else that may determine cause.

Would a PV Analyzer help? Would there happen to be anyone in the Sacramento 
area with one who could come to the site? Obviously the customer will pay for 
their time.

Thanks in advanced.

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Service Line Supervisor
3925 Atherton Ave
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
Fax: +1 916 625 0871
Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com

Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

[Roy Rakobitsch]

Hmm, interesting. I didnt even know they had a frameless version. The ones
i have are SP-150P Siemens and have a very nice frame and jbox on back.
Probably my initial comment didnt make sense to you if you have a different
mod than i was referring to. Further troubleshooting should include a clamp
ammeter and looking for half the current from any module to see if any of
the blocking diodes have opened. Do these frameless mods have blocking
diodes somewhere?

Roy Rakobitsch
NABCEP Certified Small Wind Installer®
Certified Advanced Tower Climbing, Safety & Rescue
Wind/PV Design Engineer
Windsine LLC
631-514-4166
www.windsine.org
On Nov 19, 2015 2:07 PM, "Steve Jefferson" 
wrote:

> All 4 strings were run separately. And all 4 ran significantly lower than
> they should. Based off of calculations done.
>
>
>
> Dan was nice enough to spend some time with me on the phone about this.
>
> Think I may have another visit and more TS to do.
>
>
>
> Probably wont be until after the holidays, but I will up if anything is
> found.
>
>
>
> These mods are junk in my opinion, the lack of frame makes them weak. And
> when they were torn off the other roof in LA, the foam backing blocks just
> cracked and fell apart. Who knows what damage has been done to them.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> SMA America, LLC
>
> Steve Jefferson
>
> Service Line Supervisor
>
> 3925 Atherton Ave
>
> Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
>
> U.S.A.
>
> Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
>
> Fax: +1 916 625 0871
>
> Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
>
> Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
>
> www.SMA-America.com 
>
>
>
> [image: cid:image001.png@01CF1CFA.FE18BEB0]
> 
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Brian Mehalic
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:47 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches 
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help
>
>
>
> Steve, I didn't see if you answered Jay regarding operating the inverter
> on just a single string at a time.  I'd definitely try that before curve
> tracing.
>
>
>
>
> Brian Mehalic
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional™ R031508-59
>
>
>
> PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor
>
> Solar Energy International
> http://www.solarenergy.org
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 19, 2015 at 8:31 AM, jay  wrote:
>
> HI Steve,
>
>
>
> So they are all low?
>
>
>
> Then I suggest an IV curve tracer.
>
>
>
>
>
> jay
>
>
>
>
>
> On Nov 19, 2015, at 7:18 AM, Steve Jefferson <
> steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> The outputs are pretty close. That’s what is throwing me off.
>
> In most trouble shooting adventures, the problem is fairly obvious.
>
> This one, not so much.
>
>
>
> SMA America, LLC
>
> Steve Jefferson
>
> Service Line Supervisor
>
> 3925 Atherton Ave
>
> Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
>
> U.S.A.
>
> Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
>
> Fax: +1 916 625 0871
>
> Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
> ] *On Behalf Of *Jay
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 18, 2015 1:42 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches 
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help
>
>
>
> Hi steve.
>
>
>
> Is the output from each string of 11 the same?
>
> Have you tried ruining 1 string at a time?
>
>
>
> Jay
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> On Nov 18, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Steve Jefferson <
> steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com> wrote:
>
> Afternoon wrenches,
>
>
>
> I have a friend who I helped install second hand modules onto a pergola
> structure at their home.
>
>
>
> The system is as follows:
>
>
>
> 44 – Siemens SP-150
>
> 1 – SMA SB6000US-12 (XFMR unit)
>
>
>
> Since install, they have not 

Re: [RE-wrenches] Pv i-v analyzers

[Daniel Young]

-   I have the Tri-Ka unit.
-   I probably would not purchase it again unless I planned to make a
business out of advanced troubleshooting.
-   I don't think any other I-V tracer is necessarily any better/worse.
I think you need to pair the features with your goals/needs. I just have not
gotten the use out of our that I had hoped for.
-   Reliability has been great, consistent performance every time it's
in the field. Great memory capacity and battery life. The sensor unit is
handy for doing a standard array health check (gives good/fast cell
temperature and plane of array irradiance to base you calcs off of/ compare
with your onsite monitoring equipment)
-   If you are selling the I_V tracing as a service I believe best
practice for any high accuracy meter is to calibrate yearly/ every other
year (I think it will be in the product manual). I have not had ours long
enough to suspect that it has fallen out of calibration yet. The first trace
I ran was on the array on our office, so as time goes by I plan to test our
array again to see if the meter or array has changed significantly.
-   I think the main negative aspect to I_V tracing in general is the
time it takes. Time is not a big deal on smaller jobs, <500kW. But if you
give yourself an average of 45-60 seconds per string test (that includes
selecting the new string in the device to save the test data under, pulling
the fuse holder of the last string, and inserting the fuse holder of the
next string, with an averaged-out time to switch combiners) and have a 1 MW
array with 180 strings, then you are talking 3hrs/MW of testing time. And
that testing time should be on a day with consistent weather conditions to
ensure accuracy (constant sun at 700 w/m^2 plane of array irradiance or
better, which means you can't plan on starting till late morning, where you
likely get a 3-4hr window for measurements). So you can essentially get
1MWdc tested in a day. If you test in the Midwest, you know your chances of
getting 2-3 good days in a row without some scattered clouds, so you really
have to wait for the right time to go test. It could take over a month to
test a really big project, say 15MW, and that's if you have nothing else on
your calendar and can be on site almost every time you're going to have a
good testing day.

Given the last point above, I tend to be in the camp of monitoring larger
projects on a combiner box level (for central inverters) or string inverter
level (if you design MW's with string inverters like has become more popular
of late). You can usually tell if you have a problem child string with that
kind of granularity, then you could break out the I_V tracer if you need to
dig deeper.

With Regards,

Daniel Young, 
NABCEP Certified PV Installation ProfessionalTM: Cert #031508-90

-Original Message-
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of d...@solarwork.com
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 2:28 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Pv i-v analyzers

Fellow Wrenches:
If you were going to buy or have bought a PV i-v analyzer:
What product did you purchase?
Would you do so again?
Would you purchase a different product?
How has the reliability been?
Does it need to be sent in for periodic recalibration?
Pluses & Minuses?

Thanks for your input & opinions!


Dana Orzel 208.721.7003
Encourage Free Thinking Self Responsible Free Range Children
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

[Mike Kocsmiersky]

My hunch is that you have four strings of 11 modules and 1 of the four strings 
is wired backwards such that the DC+ goes to the negative input of the 
inverter, and the DC- of the string to the fused DC+ of the inverter.  This 
would look fine under open circuit conditions, but not perform properly when 
connected.  But it is impossible to tell from the information given.  Jay’s 
advice to test with each string individually would be the way to go.

 

Mike Kocsmiersky

Principal

Phone: 413 883-3144 

Spirit Solar

www.SpiritSolar.net

 

 

From: jay [mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 11:31 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

 

HI Steve,

 

So they are all low?

 

Then I suggest an IV curve tracer.

 

 

jay

 

 

On Nov 19, 2015, at 7:18 AM, Steve Jefferson  
wrote:

 

The outputs are pretty close. That’s what is throwing me off.

In most trouble shooting adventures, the problem is fairly obvious.

This one, not so much.

 

SMA America, LLC

Steve Jefferson

Service Line Supervisor

3925 Atherton Ave

Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714

U.S.A.

Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)

Fax: +1 916 625 0871

Mobile: +1 916 622 4253

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.

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [  
mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jay
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 1:42 PM
To: RE-wrenches <  
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

 

Hi steve. 

 

Is the output from each string of 11 the same?

Have you tried ruining 1 string at a time?  

 

Jay



Sent from my iPhone


On Nov 18, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Steve Jefferson < 
 steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com> wrote:

Afternoon wrenches,

 

I have a friend who I helped install second hand modules onto a pergola 
structure at their home.

 

The system is as follows:

 

44 – Siemens SP-150

1 – SMA SB6000US-12 (XFMR unit)

 

Since install, they have not produced half of what they should be.  I have 
tested the diodes and they seem to be good, there were a couple that tested 
questionable, so they were replaced.

VOC is good, but it seems that under load the system goes to garbage.

 

I am at a loss of what/how to test anything else that may determine cause.

 

Would a PV Analyzer help? Would there happen to be anyone in the Sacramento 
area with one who could come to the site? Obviously the customer will pay for 
their time.

 

Thanks in advanced.

 

SMA America, LLC

Steve Jefferson

Service Line Supervisor

3925 Atherton Ave

Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714

U.S.A.

Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)

Fax: +1 916 625 0871

Mobile: +1 916 622 4253

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.

 

 

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

[Steve Jefferson]

The outputs are pretty close. That’s what is throwing me off.
In most trouble shooting adventures, the problem is fairly obvious.
This one, not so much.

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Service Line Supervisor
3925 Atherton Ave
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
Fax: +1 916 625 0871
Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
Email: steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com
www.SMA-America.com

[cid:image001.png@01CF1CFA.FE18BEB0]

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.


From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Jay
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 1:42 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Friend with system needs help

Hi steve.

Is the output from each string of 11 the same?
Have you tried ruining 1 string at a time?

Jay


Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 18, 2015, at 11:14 AM, Steve Jefferson 
> wrote:
Afternoon wrenches,

I have a friend who I helped install second hand modules onto a pergola 
structure at their home.

The system is as follows:

44 – Siemens SP-150
1 – SMA SB6000US-12 (XFMR unit)

Since install, they have not produced half of what they should be.  I have 
tested the diodes and they seem to be good, there were a couple that tested 
questionable, so they were replaced.
VOC is good, but it seems that under load the system goes to garbage.

I am at a loss of what/how to test anything else that may determine cause.

Would a PV Analyzer help? Would there happen to be anyone in the Sacramento 
area with one who could come to the site? Obviously the customer will pay for 
their time.

Thanks in advanced.

SMA America, LLC
Steve Jefferson
Service Line Supervisor
3925 Atherton Ave
Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
U.S.A.
Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
Fax: +1 916 625 0871
Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
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.


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Icynene spray foam insulation patching

[Jason Szumlanski]

A
​n insulation contractor mentioned to me that Great Stuff is "not
compatible" with Icynene. I took that to mean it doesn't adhere. Perhaps he
meant that it isn't as effective.

Jason

​

On Thu, Nov 19, 2015 at 10:12 AM, Luke Christy 
wrote:

> Hi Jason,
> We carry a can of Great Stuff expanding foam for that sort of thing. I'm
> always mindful of maintaining an air seal when we have to make conduit
> penetrations on newer buildings, so I try to get the expanding foam into
> the wall or roof cavity around the conduit and then seal the outside with a
> quality sealant.
>
> -Luke
>
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Certification #031409-25
> NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer™: Certification #ST032611-03
> CoSEIA Certified PV Installer
>
> Solar Gain Services, LLC
> PO Box 531
> Monte Vista, CO 81144
> sgsrenewab...@gmail.com
> 719.588.3044
> www.sgsrenewables.com
>
> On Nov 19, 2015, at 05:22, Jason Szumlanski <
> ja...@floridasolardesigngroup.com> wrote:
>
> ​What are you doing to patch up conduit penetrations through icynene
> insulation?​
>
>
>
> ​Jason Szumlanski​
>
>
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[RE-wrenches] Icynene spray foam insulation patching

[Jason Szumlanski]

​What are you doing to patch up conduit penetrations through icynene
insulation?​



​Jason Szumlanski​
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[RE-wrenches] traveling with digital meters

[Jay]

Hi all

Just back from 4 flights requiring tsa check, my clamp on with probes went 
through with no secondary checks. 
This included international flights. 

Your results my vary

Jay

> On Nov 18, 2015, at 7:53 PM, Martin Herzfeld  wrote:
> 
> I typically travel in the US and I carry on my meters by placing them in a 
> separate bag all together in a separate bin. 
> 
> 1. "When in doubt, leave it out"  as found here: 
> http://www.tsa.gov/data/guide/PackSmart.html
> 
> 2.  By the way, on my most recent trip, a passenger sat next to me knitted 
> with knitting needles.
> 
> All the best,
> 
> Martin Herzfeld, IREC Certified Master Trainer ™ for PV Installation 
> Professional #IREC 10037
> California Solar Contractor License  #833782  C46, D56, D31, C-7
> Solar, Trenching, Pole Installation & Maintenance, Instrumentation
> Roof & Ground Mounted Solar PV Systems
> Licensed Contractor & Consultant - Since 2004
> Contract PV Technical Inspector
> BBB Accredited Business
> 
> UL Certified PV Installer #17,
> 
> 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Icynene spray foam insulation patching

[Luke Christy]

It would be interesting to know what this contractor was referring to 
specifically. I've used Great Stuff extensively in buildings insulated with 1/2 
lb polyurethane foam and haven't noticed any obvious adherence or other 
compatibility issues. I believe Icynene is usually a more dense 2 lb product. I 
wonder if there is some kind of chemical incompatibility. Anyone else know 
about this?


-Luke

On Nov 19, 2015, at 8:25 AM, Jason Szumlanski 
 wrote:

> A​n insulation contractor mentioned to me that Great Stuff is "not 
> compatible" with Icynene. I took that to mean it doesn't adhere. Perhaps he 
> meant that it isn't as effective.
> 
> Jason
> 
> ​

Luke Christy

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Certification #031409-25 
NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer™: Certification #ST032611-03   


Solar Gain Services, LLC
PO Box 531
Monte Vista, CO. 81144
sgsrenewab...@gmail.com
719.588.3044
www.sgsrenewables.com

   







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