Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire locator

[Kristopher Schmid]

A reply from Theo Van regarding wire locators.

-- Forwarded message --
From: Theo Van 
Date: Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: Wire locator
To: Kristopher Schmid 


I have a Greenlee 508 S, my second one. Transmitter sends a signal tone on
conductor and receiver whines when near target and nulls out when dead on.
Very accurate once you're used to it.

On plus side:
About $300.00
Compact, fits in truck nicely in a good case.
Locates 3' deep and more and at least 2000' in my use.
Will trace anything conductive.
Conductors can be energized (to 120VAC I think?) or not.

Cons are:
User learning curve but prob same w most units.
Wimpy alligator clips but carry a bigger one and clip to that.
Not so good in walls.
No provisions for fault locating other than tone fades or stops.
Can pick up interference from AC and DC sources.

Call USA and use them as a guide if possible.
And ALWAYS make sure the buried wire you think is de energized REALLY is. A
local wire jocky just died here cause he cut buried wire he was sure he de
energized.
More than once I've come across underground hack work (and not) that was
hard to make sense of because I couldn't see where the wires really came
from or went. My locator didn't lie; it just didn't tell the whole story.
On a related note, something new to think about considering  long distance
underground high voltage DC runs now becoming more common; how can you test
if it's live? How would anyone even know it's there?
One day someone is going to drive a steel fence picket through a DC feeder
that nobody remembered was there
Be safe. Good luck.



On Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 1:57 PM, Kristopher Schmid 
wrote:

> Wrenches,
>
> Michael requested that i keep replies to this wire locator thread on
> list.  Below is a reply from Travis Jordan reposted with permission.
>
> -- Forwarded message --
> From: Travis Jordan 
> Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 11:34 PM
> Subject: Greenlee Locators Wrenches
> To: sol...@legacysolar.com
>
>
> Kris,
>
> I have the greenlee model 501 locator at roughly $500 and it works fine :
> http://www.greenlee.com/products/CABLE-LOCATOR-TACKER-II-(501).html
>
> I also bought the greenlee pulse fault locator at roughly $1,100 and I
> have been very happy with the combination. The fault locator is especially
> awesome, my employees as first time users can find faults in quarter mile
> long buried lines over 4ft deep with no trouble within a few inches
> worth every bit of the investment!
>
> Good luck,
>
> *Travis Jordan**Owner/ President**844-687-6527, Ext. 104**406-206-5105*
> *tra...@mtsolar.us **www.mtsolar.us
> *
>
>
> *tra...@jordansolar.net www.jordansolar.net
> **MT Solar LLC*[image: MT Solar Logo]
> 
>
> On Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 3:59 PM, Chris Mason  > wrote:
>
>> We have a Schonstedt unit, works very well for electrical services. There
>> has to be current in the cable to see it. Otherwise you can find data
>> cables and dead electrical cables by injecting a signal using the signal
>> generator, either by induction or direct connection.
>> It can find a service very accurately and give you the depth. However, it
>> takes some practice as you can get fooled by stray currents and water
>> pipes. It's nicely made and robust.
>> Price is a bit more than you were expecting, if memory serves me right.
>> You can rent for one-offs.
>>
>>  www.schonstedt.com
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 3:36 PM, Kristopher Schmid <
>> sol...@legacysolar.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Wrenches,
>>>
>>> Do any of you use a underground wire locating device?  If so, can you
>>> recommend a brand?  I've seen them for $50 and $2,500.  Reply off list,
>>> please.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Kris
>>>
>>> --
>>> Shine On!
>>>
>>> Kris Schmid
>>> Legacy Solar, LLC
>>> 864 Clam Falls Trail
>>> Frederic, WI 54837
>>> www.legacysolar.com
>>> 715-653-4295
>>> NABCEP Certified PV Installer
>>> Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
>>> BSEE
>>>
>>> ___
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Chris Mason
>> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
>> Solar Design Engineer
>> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>>
>> www.cometsolar.com 
>> 264.235.5670
>> 869.662.5670
>> Skype: netconcepts
>>
>> 

[RE-wrenches] Bay Area Structural Engineer Recommendation?

[Kelly Larson]

Hi Wrenches,

Can anyone recommend a good structural engineer in the Bay Area?

Blessings,
Kelly


~
Kelly Larson
707-223-3209
Box 504
Ukiah, CA 95482
Electrical Engineer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional
IREC Certified Master Trainer for Photovoltaic Installer
CA Electrical Contractor# 868189
SolarKelly.com 





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Re: [RE-wrenches] Rapid Shutdown

[Mac Lewis]

Hi Ray,

Yes, 690.12 is very tough to comply with for battery systems.  The way we
have done it is via Midnite's system and using shunt trip breakers.  We
have just shunt tripped the master Inverter breaker and this puts the other
inverter(s) into standby with most off-grid systems.  I like Brad's idea of
just using remote On/Off terminals when that is available.

I don't see many circumstances in which tripping a breaker within 5' of the
batteries makes a big difference in safety, and this doesn't work well with
very many off-the-shelf switchgear cabinets, and will certainly be
redundant with switchgear cabinets designed to mount to the inverter.

My real concern with rapid shutdown is the reliability over time.
Roof-mounted electronics will fail at some point, I just hope that many
expensive battery banks won't be lost because of this.  Not to mention,
that needing to get on the roof to reset electronics in winter can be
extremely hazardous and/or impossible.

Good luck!

On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 10:01 AM, Ray Walters  wrote:

> Greetings Esteemed Wrenches:
>
> I've just heard back from our inspector here in Colorado, and we are still
> being required to disconnect the batteries under 690.12.  No where in
> 690.12 are batteries mentioned, nor in the appropriate 690.71 section that
> deals with batteries.  The entire reasoning behind this is based on a
> single article written by a single person: Bill Brooks.  I have contacted
> both Outback and Magnum on this issue, and their engineers are unaware that
> rapid shutdown applies.
> My interpretation is that I could install an inverter and battery system
> that was charged from a generator, and we would not need any rapid shutdown
> at all.  But according to Bill, as soon as I put a single solar module into
> the system, suddenly the entire system becomes PV? The problem lies with
> the term 'PV System circuit'  used in 690.12.  690.2 Defines 'PV Output
> circuit', and 'PV source circuit', but there is no 'PV system circuit'
> defined.  690.12 therefore uses an undefined term.
> Our design uses 2 inverters, so if we used Midnite's E panel with their
> remote trip breakers, the 2nd inverter would be more than 5 ft from the
> batteries.  If we used Magnum or Outback DC disconnects (that would comply
> with the 5 ft rule specified in 690.71) they don't offer remote trip.
> We have a Midnite Rapid disconnect Combiner on the roof with the
> Birdhouse, so we are complying with 690.12, it should not be applied to
> batteries though.
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
>
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-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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Re: [RE-wrenches] HIQ Inverter Experience?

[Daniel Tittmann]

I have been contacted by the inverter sales rep that provided this product
to us and he has asked that I clarify the situation.

first off the HiQ inverter system used was test equipment from the
manufacturers so it may not represent their current product line.

This project is located in Redway ca where we get an average of 58 Inches
of rain a year.  (predominately in large storms with high volumes of rain)
The inverters were installed using S-5! brackets on standing seam metal
roof so the balancers were not oriented vertically.  (company rep was on
site for installation and had no issues with the orientation.)
This was a small system of 12 modules and we used 3 balencers.  If I
remember correctly the balencers have space for 4 modules so the final
opening was sealed by method recommended by manufacturer.
We had repeat failure of a single balencer (in the same location) due to
water damage on the inside of the equipment.
It was suggested that the cause of this water was due to a pore seal on one
of the MC4 connections that allowed water to "wick" through the connection
and into the inverter.

Here is where the manufacturer rep and I part ways.

Upon replacing the inverter a second time we checked connections and MC4
seals and found nothing indicating water or corrosion due to water damage
and thus we did not replace them. This is what the manufacture is stating
caused the inverter to fail the third time and perhaps it was.  At the end
of the day we ended up replacing the HIQ system with a string inverter and
have had no issues with the system.  (we did check the MC4 seals and
connections again and found no corrosion or water.)

Perhaps it was a connection issue and we just haven't found the proper
connection causing the problem, and over time it will show it self.

I did not mean to disrespect the company and the product line, it was
simply my intention to share my experience with the product that we had
with others in my field so that they might avoid similar headaches for
other installers.

I hear that they no longer use balencers and are just a string inverter
manufacturer at this point.  So perhaps the whole experience was of value
 and the issue that we experienced was solved.

there are obviously many other locations out there that have functioning
inverters from HiQ without this problem.  The fact that the same balancer
failed 3 times is suspicious and does point to some sort of environmental /
installation reason.

just wanted to outline the full story as I was not trying to sling mud,
just trying to share our experience.

cheers-
Daniel




Daniel Tittmann
CTO
Greenwired
www.greenwired.com
dan...@greenwired.com
707-923-2001 (office)
707-206-5088 (Cell)

On Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 2:17 PM, Daniel Tittmann 
wrote:

> We were a test site for HiQ inverters at our warehouse in Redway ca.  long
> way from the ocean, but plenty of rain.  We had to replace the "Balancers"
> three times due to water damage before we switched to a string inverter.
>  even at free HiQ wasn't worth the hassle.
> Maybe they have fixed the issues but I would not put them in any sort of
> challenging env.
> Daniel
>
> Daniel Tittmann
> CTO
> Greenwired
> www.greenwired.com
> dan...@greenwired.com
> 707-923-2001 (office)
> 707-206-5088 (Cell)
>
> On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 1:19 PM, Patrick Shortell 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Jay,
>> I did cut open one of the inverters.
>> The electronics are potted but I noticed that there were studs that
>> appeared riveted to the external casing which appeared to be aluminum. It
>> appeared that the saltwater had entered along this stud and eventually made
>> its way to the circuit board. I assume that the stud performed a grounding
>> function since that model inverter is externally grounded.
>> I could see the green evidence where the stud entered the potting that
>> salt water had indeed passed through the potting and encountered some
>> copper. I think Enphase has gone with a ground wire in the cabling
>> nowadays. Maybe a new design has eliminated that route to the board.
>> Pat
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 12:58 PM, jay  wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Patrick
>>>
>>> I would add that the NEMA 6 rating is for dust/water intrusion, not
>>> corrosion resistance.
>>>
>>> I don’t know what the metallurgy of the Enphase was/is or the HIQ.
>>> But I would not make the assumption that whats bad/good for one is the
>>> same for any other.
>>>
>>> jay
>>>
>>> Peltz power
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mar 11, 2016, at 9:29 AM, Patrick Shortell 
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Chris,
>>> My experience with microinverters rated NEMA 6 in a salt environment was
>>> an absolute disaster. I have a 50KW ground mount, Enphase M210's, Sanyo
>>> 220's and within three years more than half failed.
>>> The system is approx a 1/2 mile from the Ocean and about 300 Yards from
>>> a bay and is also on an island.
>>> We removed the microinverters and installed SMA string 

Re: [RE-wrenches] HIQ Inverter Experience?

[Christopher Warfel]

All the information I received to my post has been very helpful. 
Products are being constantly changed, and I wanted to make sure 
previous edition products are not reflective of today's products, if 
today's products have solved legacy problems. I've talked to the 
manufacturer and they have improved past designs.  It's difficult for 
me, as this product could solve a design problem, but I want to make 
sure that it does work as described in today's literature. No one wants 
to go back to fix a system because of a manufacturer problem. Thanks to 
everyone. Chris




On 3/16/2016 2:17 PM, Daniel Tittmann wrote:
I have been contacted by the inverter sales rep that provided this 
product to us and he has asked that I clarify the situation.


first off the HiQ inverter system used was test equipment from the 
manufacturers so it may not represent their current product line.


This project is located in Redway ca where we get an average of 58 
Inches of rain a year.  (predominately in large storms with high 
volumes of rain)
The inverters were installed using S-5! brackets on standing seam 
metal roof so the balancers were not oriented vertically.  (company 
rep was on site for installation and had no issues with the orientation.)
This was a small system of 12 modules and we used 3 balencers.  If I 
remember correctly the balencers have space for 4 modules so the final 
opening was sealed by method recommended by manufacturer.
We had repeat failure of a single balencer (in the same location) due 
to water damage on the inside of the equipment.
It was suggested that the cause of this water was due to a pore seal 
on one of the MC4 connections that allowed water to "wick" through the 
connection and into the inverter.


Here is where the manufacturer rep and I part ways.

Upon replacing the inverter a second time we checked connections and 
MC4 seals and found nothing indicating water or corrosion due to water 
damage and thus we did not replace them. This is what the manufacture 
is stating caused the inverter to fail the third time and perhaps it 
was.  At the end of the day we ended up replacing the HIQ system with 
a string inverter and have had no issues with the system.  (we did 
check the MC4 seals and connections again and found no corrosion or 
water.)


Perhaps it was a connection issue and we just haven't found the proper 
connection causing the problem, and over time it will show it self.


I did not mean to disrespect the company and the product line, it was 
simply my intention to share my experience with the product that we 
had with others in my field so that they might avoid similar headaches 
for other installers.


I hear that they no longer use balencers and are just a string 
inverter manufacturer at this point.  So perhaps the whole experience 
was of value  and the issue that we experienced was solved.


there are obviously many other locations out there that have 
functioning inverters from HiQ without this problem. The fact that the 
same balancer failed 3 times is suspicious and does point to some sort 
of environmental / installation reason.


just wanted to outline the full story as I was not trying to sling 
mud, just trying to share our experience.


cheers-
Daniel




Daniel Tittmann
CTO
Greenwired
www.greenwired.com 
dan...@greenwired.com 
707-923-2001 (office)
707-206-5088 (Cell)

On Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 2:17 PM, Daniel Tittmann 
> wrote:


We were a test site for HiQ inverters at our warehouse in Redway
ca.  long way from the ocean, but plenty of rain.  We had to
replace the "Balancers" three times due to water damage before we
switched to a string inverter.  even at free HiQ wasn't worth the
hassle.
Maybe they have fixed the issues but I would not put them in any
sort of challenging env.
Daniel

Daniel Tittmann
CTO
Greenwired
www.greenwired.com 
dan...@greenwired.com 
707-923-2001  (office)
707-206-5088  (Cell)

On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 1:19 PM, Patrick Shortell
> wrote:

Hi Jay,
I did cut open one of the inverters.
The electronics are potted but I noticed that there were studs
that appeared riveted to the external casing which appeared to
be aluminum. It appeared that the saltwater had entered along
this stud and eventually made its way to the circuit board. I
assume that the stud performed a grounding function since that
model inverter is externally grounded.
I could see the green evidence where the stud entered the
potting that salt water had indeed passed through the potting
and encountered some copper. I think Enphase has gone with a
ground wire in the cabling nowadays. Maybe a new design has