Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

[William Miller via RE-wrenches]

Todd:

This is about batteries that exist.

William Miller
Miller Solar.com
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com


On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 1:23 PM Todd Cory via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Another option for grid tied with battery based systems, is to use flooded
> lead calcium batteries which last 20 years and only need about 20 ml/ cell,
> added every 3 years.
>
> Todd
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 12:35pm, "Roy Butler via RE-wrenches" <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> said:
>
>
> And to add to Steve's good advice, make sure the sprayer has a plastic
> wand. Some are made with brass
> wands and that can add a degree of excitement that I can live without.
>
> I also only fill when the batteries are mostly charged. That lessens the
> chance of the cell being overfilled
> as the state of charge increases. Oh...and a headlamp helps to see the
> fluid level, just cock you head
> and you'll find just the right angle to see the fluid.
>
> Roy Butler Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC 8902 Route 46
> ,
> Arkport, NY 14807
>
>
>
> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
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Re: [RE-wrenches] 30% ITC

[david quattro via RE-wrenches]

I thought the primary goal of the federal ITC was to address climate
change.
 Thus as a citizen of Earth, increased PV adoption is success
regardless of whatever financial implications arise from a taxpayer
perspective.
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

[Todd Cory via RE-wrenches]

Another option for grid tied with battery based systems, is to use flooded lead 
calcium batteries which last 20 years and only need about 20 ml/ cell, added 
every 3 years.

Todd



On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 12:35pm, "Roy Butler via RE-wrenches" 
 said:
 
And to add to Steve's good advice, make sure the sprayer has a plastic wand. 
Some are made with brass
 wands and that can add a degree of excitement that I can live without.

 I also only fill when the batteries are mostly charged. That lessens the 
chance of the cell being overfilled
 as the state of charge increases. Oh...and a headlamp helps to see the fluid 
level, just cock you head
 and you'll find just the right angle to see the fluid.

Roy ButlerFour Winds Renewable Energy, LLC8902 Route 46, Arkport, NY 14807


Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

[Roy Butler via RE-wrenches]

And to add to Steve's good advice, make sure the sprayer has a plastic 
wand. Some are made with brass

wands and that can add a degree of excitement that I can live without.

I also only fill when the batteries are mostly charged. That lessens the 
chance of the cell being overfilled
as the state of charge increases. Oh...and a headlamp helps to see the 
fluid level, just cock you head

and you'll find just the right angle to see the fluid.

Roy Butler
Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC
8902 Route 46, Arkport, NY 14807

Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you 
don’t.

“The less people know, the more stubbornly they know it.”

Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message,
a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.




On 2/28/2024 3:05 PM, Steve Higgins via RE-wrenches wrote:

Here is my cheap version of a water-filling kit...

Get yourself a new weed sprayer from a hardware store 1-2 gallons will 
work the best.


Cut the nozzle off to 8-10 inches in length (or whatever works for 
you) so the water comes out as a stream instead of a spray.


Mark the Nozzle with colored electrical tape for the depth of the fill 
tube +  1/4 to 1/2 an inch.  I would suggest the length of the fill 
tube + 1/2 an inch for Rolls batteries.)  For example, the Rolls L16's 
fill tube is 1 inch so I would make the mark 1.5 inches.


Now, when you go to fill your batteries, you line the mark up with the 
top of the battery, and while looking into the cell, when the water 
level touches the bottom of the nozzle, you shut off the flow and move 
to the next cell.


Some people have attached a small LED light to the wand, but I use a 
headlamp when working in a battery room.


Here is a link to one that I'd use...

https://www.amazon.com/Chapin-International-2-1-Gallon-Translucent/dp/B000E28UQU/ref=sr_1_4?crid=TEWUZPEEE5WX=1+gallon+weed+sprayer=1707149489=home-garden=1+gallon+wee%2Cgarden%2C250=1-4 



One last thing... the sprayer must be new. You cannot use one that has 
already had chemicals in it.   This is not perfect, but its easier 
than using a funnel...





Steve Higgins ⋅ Technical Services Manager
t+1.902.597.4020 m +1.206.790.5840
f+1.902.597.8447 est...@surrette.com


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On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 11:59 AM William Miller via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:


Friends:

In spite of all of this talk about Li batteries, I still maintain
a whole lot of flooded cells.  I have always struggled with
getting accurate measurements of the electrolyte level.  Staring
past a flashlight down into a cell looking with one eye through
scratched safety glasses, it is hard to see just how high (or low)
the level is.  I am cogitating on a few ideas to make this easier
and more accurate, but in the meantime, what are your favorite
tricks for this?

TIA

William

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com 

CA Lic. 773985

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

Hi williamFor checking level the best trick I’ve ever seen is a solid glass rod. I can’t remember if you have to grind one end flat or not. When you put the end into the water the top end your looking at changes color. The side you look at would be the one you grind. Mark the rod with tape or use an adjustable stop and you can fill or check the water exactly to the level you want. Easily adjustable to different batteries. For filling. The one steve recommended is classic. The other technique is to use surgical tubing inserted into the end of a 2.5 gallon jug or drill a hole in the top of a 1 gallon. The correct size tubing won’t leak. And your fingers can start/stop the flow. On Feb 28, 2024, at 12:59 PM, William Miller via RE-wrenches  wrote:Friends: In spite of all of this talk about Li batteries, I still maintain a whole lot of flooded cells.  I have always struggled with getting accurate measurements of the electrolyte level.  Staring past a flashlight down into a cell looking with one eye through scratched safety glasses, it is hard to see just how high (or low) the level is.  I am cogitating on a few ideas to make this easier and more accurate, but in the meantime, what are your favorite tricks for this? TIA William Miller Solar17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422805-438-5600www.millersolar.comCA Lic. 773985  
___List sponsored by Redwood AlliancePay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.orgList Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgChange listserver email address & settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgThere are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other:https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.orgList rules & etiquette:http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmCheck out or update participant bios:http://www.members.re-wrenches.org___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

[Steve Higgins via RE-wrenches]

Here is my cheap version of a water-filling kit...

Get yourself a new weed sprayer from a hardware store 1-2 gallons will work
the best.

Cut the nozzle off to 8-10 inches in length (or whatever works for you) so
the water comes out as a stream instead of a spray.

Mark the Nozzle with colored electrical tape for the depth of the fill tube
+  1/4 to 1/2 an inch.  I would suggest the length of the fill tube + 1/2
an inch for Rolls batteries.)  For example, the Rolls L16's fill tube is 1
inch so I would make the mark 1.5 inches.

Now, when you go to fill your batteries, you line the mark up with the top
of the battery, and while looking into the cell, when the water level
touches the bottom of the nozzle, you shut off the flow and move to the
next cell.

Some people have attached a small LED light to the wand, but I use a
headlamp when working in a battery room.

Here is a link to one that I'd use...

https://www.amazon.com/Chapin-International-2-1-Gallon-Translucent/dp/B000E28UQU/ref=sr_1_4?crid=TEWUZPEEE5WX=1+gallon+
weed+sprayer
=1707149489=home-garden=1+gallon+wee%2Cgarden%2C250=1-4

One last thing... the sprayer must be new. You cannot use one that has
already had chemicals in it.   This is not perfect, but its easier than
using a funnel...



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Higgins ⋅ Technical Services Manager
t +1.902.597.4020  m +1.206.790.5840
f +1.902.597.8447  e st...@surrette.com










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taking of any action in reliance upon this information is prohibited. If
you receive this email in error, please contact the sender and delete or
destroy this message and all copies.
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On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 11:59 AM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Friends:
>
>
>
> In spite of all of this talk about Li batteries, I still maintain a whole
> lot of flooded cells.  I have always struggled with getting accurate
> measurements of the electrolyte level.  Staring past a flashlight down into
> a cell looking with one eye through scratched safety glasses, it is hard to
> see just how high (or low) the level is.  I am cogitating on a few ideas to
> make this easier and more accurate, but in the meantime, what are your
> favorite tricks for this?
>
>
>
> TIA
>
>
>
> William
>
>
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
>
>
>
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] 30% ITC

[Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches]

I can tell you with absolute certainty that the ITC increases the "purchase
price" of some systems because the finance companies are lumping in their
interest in the way of dealer fees. This buydown of the interest rates is
being funded partially by the taxpayer. In my opinion, this is not in our
best interest (as taxpayers).

Other than that, I think it would be a tough argument to say that the ITC
increases the cost of solar. While it surely increases demand, it has also
invited tremendous competition and economies of scale. If the ITC was lost,
I think pricing would have to increase to make margins workable at a lower
installation volume for the companies that are able to survive. This is all
speculative, but I do have a degree with a major in Finance and a minor in
economics, so I'm not completely speaking out of school.

Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208


On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 11:47 AM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> A question maybe someone/s can answer or offer up some thoughts.
>
> A neighbor who’s an economist asked me the following question
>
> Does the 30% ITC increase the cost of solar?
>
> By which he ment that are installers, wholesalers, etc increasing the cost
> of product and installations because of the ITC?
>
> I figure it adds something but not 30%. However I have no data to go on.
>
> Anyone know anything I might tell him or a link to a study etc?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Jay
>
>
>
>
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[RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

[William Miller via RE-wrenches]

Friends:



In spite of all of this talk about Li batteries, I still maintain a whole
lot of flooded cells.  I have always struggled with getting accurate
measurements of the electrolyte level.  Staring past a flashlight down into
a cell looking with one eye through scratched safety glasses, it is hard to
see just how high (or low) the level is.  I am cogitating on a few ideas to
make this easier and more accurate, but in the meantime, what are your
favorite tricks for this?



TIA



William



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Non-battery string inverter options?

[Andrew Perkins via RE-wrenches]

I have been selling Goodwe, seems pretty decent so far, next best thing price 
wise of a good ol SMA. The only issue is they have a 5kw as their smallest but 
its pretty decently priced. They have a built in tigo transmitter too. 


Andrew Perkins

Greenwired

Store Manager/Service Tech​

P: 707-923-2001 ext. 100

1150 #1 Evergreen Rd

Redway, CA 95560

http://www.greenwired.com





http://qr.codes/qTa1Mh












 On Fri, 23 Feb 2024 04:09:30 -0800 Glenn Burt via RE-wrenches 
 wrote ---




Fronius.

Solis



-Glenn

Sent from my 'smart'phone, so please excuse typos and spelling errors.





-- Original message--

From: William Miller via RE-wrenches

Date: Thu, Feb 22, 2024 6:56 PM

To: RE-wrenches;

Cc: William Miller;

Subject:[RE-wrenches] Non-battery string inverter options?




Friends:

 

Now that RSS is required on almost every installation, I am having trouble 
finding a plain old, non-battery, non-MLPE string inverter.  This is for a 
ground mount with the inverter mounted to the rack-- the only scenario I can 
imagine that does not require RSS.  I don’t need or want battery capability, 
now or in the future.  The project does not have shading issues and the 
inverter will be mounted on the array, so no version of MLPE is needed.

 

My usual go-to would be the legacy SMA Sunny Boy series.  I can’t dine one for 
sale and I am getting the impression these are no longer available.

 

What might you recommend for this new installation?

 

This brings up the question:  Of all the Sunny Boy installations I  have out 
there, the next time one fails, what am I going to replace it with? 

 

The new Sunny Boy Smarty-Pants series is not yet shipping, it is very expensive 
and to replace a grid-connected inverter I don’t need battery capabilities.

 

I can’t use Solar Edge because I won’t want to unwire a complete array and add 
optimizers.

 

I am not that taken with Sol-Ark, not only because it includes the word Arc in 
its name.  I don’t need the battery capabilities, AC load center or any of the 
other complexities.

 

Any advice is appreciated.

 

William

 

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

tel:805-438-5600

http://www.millersolar.com/

CA Lic. 773985

 

 





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[RE-wrenches] 30% ITC

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

A question maybe someone/s can answer or offer up some thoughts. 

A neighbor who’s an economist asked me the following question  

Does the 30% ITC increase the cost of solar?

By which he ment that are installers, wholesalers, etc increasing the cost of 
product and installations because of the ITC? 

I figure it adds something but not 30%. However I have no data to go on. 

Anyone know anything I might tell him or a link to a study etc?  

Thanks in advance 

Jay




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