Re: [RE-wrenches] midnite new inverter

[John Blittersdorf via RE-wrenches]

Bill,
   Now that you mention it I did not have an SPD near the inverter,  I have
one  on 1 of 2 TOP Racks, other rack with old Delta... My inverter lives on
my workbench to allow swapping other inverters in for load testing using my
whole house with everything connected to ancient wiring which did not
include an SPD.  I put them on all my customers' systems and have had no
issues on most of them and have never had to replace one. .  I have removed
lots of those grey cans but have not taken care of my own system !!!  The
Fortress eflex was not fully protected either.  That strike would have been
the perfect test of the SPD's if I had them all installed. I  had a perfect
real world test of
Outbacks ACA with surge protection  on two GVFX inverters that had annual
lightning failure until I installed their surge protectors.  There have
been no more failures since (at least 10 years)  The lightning was so
severe at that  location that the power company was constantly having
issues on that power line.

John


On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 12:31 AM Bill Battagin via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> John,
>
> Just curious if you had SPDs (like Midnites) in either
> system?  AC side, DC side
>
> Bill
>
> Feather River Solar Electric
> Bill Battagin, owner
> 4291 Nelson St. (Shipping)
> 5575 Genesee Rd. (USPS, UPS)
> Taylorsville, CA  95983
> 530-284-7849, 258-1641(cell)
> CA. C10 Lic # 874049
> Solar Powered since 1982
> Home of the Sunny Side Up
>
> On 4/10/2024 6:01 AM, John Blittersdorf via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> Time will tell where the failure modes are.   I still don't like all the
> eggs in one basket. Do you have to send the units back for repair?  Had
> enough of that with Trace SW series inverters..
> For off grid, I'll stick to the tried and true for now.  For Grid tie it
> is just a financial hit.  For off-grid power loss it is more important
> to deal with right away..
>
> I am going to try a Fortress Envy at my off grid home but will keep my
> Outback field repairable VFXR wired in just in case. I had a massive
> lightning strike between my house and a guest cabin 1/4 mile away and I
> lost power from my Fortress Eflex battery at the cabin and my Outback
> inverter at my house.  I replaced the control board on my inverter ( I
> always keep one in reserve as it is usually the only board failure due to
> lightning)  and was back on line in 1/2 hour and Fortress rushed me a new
> BMS board for the E-flex and a day later and a half hour swap had it back
> in service,  Now it is a different story with 2 Simpliphi batteries I have
> from a customer that failed.  I have to ship them to California to have
> them evaluated to see if we had damaged them by misuse.  Lots of expense
> and time lost.
>
>
>
> John Blittersdorf
> CV Wind Service / Off Grid Vermont
> 802-770-8625
>
> On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 11:43 PM Scot Arey via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Wow, are we in the golden age of inverter/chargers? If it had 200-a.p
>> pass thru it would be near perfect.
>>
>> Begs the question: are stand alone charge controllers becoming a
>> historical artifact?
>>
>> Howard "Scot" Arey
>> Owner, Solar CenTex
>> 254-300-1228
>> ___
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> There 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.org
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>>
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & 
> settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> There 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.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
>
> 
> Virus-free.www.avast.com
> 
> <#m_492919807829329248_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> _

Re: [RE-wrenches] midnite new inverter

[pieter offgridenterprises.org via RE-wrenches]

Just as a point of clarification: The Delta lightning arrestors (gray cans) are 
not surge arrestors and are not designed to protect sensitive electronics. They 
are lightning arrestors, it says so right on them. They are a spark Gap device 
and work on  Dv/DT.  The lightning arrestors do work for the designed purpose 
and are a good idea as a first line of defense. The surge arrestors like the 
MNSPD series are by definition a surge arrestor and specific break over 
voltages and should be used on all input and output connection points on a 
system. I would ever recommend removing a delta lightning arrestor, but would 
encourage installers to add a surge arrestor. The Delta lightning arrestors are 
useful to protect things like stator windings, transformers, and conductors, 
but they offer little protection for electronics like a surge arrestor is 
designed to do.
Pieter Huebner
Project Manager
Of grid Enterprises

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of John 
Blittersdorf via RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2024 8:09 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: John Blittersdorf 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] midnite new inverter

Bill,
   Now that you mention it I did not have an SPD near the inverter,  I have one 
 on 1 of 2 TOP Racks, other rack with old Delta... My inverter lives on my 
workbench to allow swapping other inverters in for load testing using my whole 
house with everything connected to ancient wiring which did not include an SPD. 
 I put them on all my customers' systems and have had no issues on most of them 
and have never had to replace one. .  I have removed lots of those grey cans 
but have not taken care of my own system !!!  The Fortress eflex was not fully 
protected either.  That strike would have been the perfect test of the SPD's if 
I had them all installed. I  had a perfect real world test of
Outbacks ACA with surge protection  on two GVFX inverters that had annual 
lightning failure until I installed their surge protectors.  There have been no 
more failures since (at least 10 years)  The lightning was so severe at that  
location that the power company was constantly having issues on that power line.

John


On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 12:31 AM Bill Battagin via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:

John,

Just curious if you had SPDs (like Midnites) in either system?  AC 
side, DC side

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric

Bill Battagin, owner

4291 Nelson St. (Shipping)

5575 Genesee Rd. (USPS, UPS)

Taylorsville, CA  95983

530-284-7849, 258-1641(cell)

CA. C10 Lic # 874049

Solar Powered since 1982

Home of the Sunny Side Up
On 4/10/2024 6:01 AM, John Blittersdorf via RE-wrenches wrote:
Time will tell where the failure modes are.   I still don't like all the eggs 
in one basket. Do you have to send the units back for repair?  Had enough of 
that with Trace SW series inverters..
For off grid, I'll stick to the tried and true for now.  For Grid tie it is 
just a financial hit.  For off-grid power loss it is more important to deal 
with right away..

I am going to try a Fortress Envy at my off grid home but will keep my Outback 
field repairable VFXR wired in just in case. I had a massive lightning strike 
between my house and a guest cabin 1/4 mile away and I lost power from my 
Fortress Eflex battery at the cabin and my Outback inverter at my house.  I 
replaced the control board on my inverter ( I always keep one in reserve as it 
is usually the only board failure due to lightning)  and was back on line in 
1/2 hour and Fortress rushed me a new BMS board for the E-flex and a day later 
and a half hour swap had it back in service,  Now it is a different story with 
2 Simpliphi batteries I have from a customer that failed.  I have to ship them 
to California to have them evaluated to see if we had damaged them by misuse.  
Lots of expense and time lost.



John Blittersdorf
CV Wind Service / Off Grid Vermont
802-770-8625

On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 11:43 PM Scot Arey via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Wow, are we in the golden age of inverter/chargers? If it had 200-a.p pass thru 
it would be near perfect.

Begs the question: are stand alone charge controllers becoming a historical 
artifact?

Howard "Scot" Arey
Owner, Solar CenTex
254-300-1228
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org


__

[RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15kW 200A Load Breaker short-circuit rating?

[Lou Russo via RE-wrenches]

Aloha All,

Does anyone out there know the short-circuit rating of the 200A load
breaker on the SOL-Ark 15kW Outdoor.

The manual and spec sheet do not list it. Tech support did not know, which
is concerning.

Aloha,

Lou Russo
Owner
l...@spreesolarsystems.com
808 345 6762
Spree Solar Systems LLC
CT-34322
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15kW 200A Load Breaker short-circuit rating?

[Lou Russo via RE-wrenches]

Aloha All,

Sorry, I was confusing my terms. Coffee has yet to kick in.

I am looking for the AIR rating.

Aloha,

Lou Russo
Owner
l...@spreesolarsystems.com
808 345 6762
Spree Solar Systems LLC
CT-34322



On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 4:57 AM Lou Russo  wrote:

> Aloha All,
>
> Does anyone out there know the short-circuit rating of the 200A load
> breaker on the SOL-Ark 15kW Outdoor.
>
> The manual and spec sheet do not list it. Tech support did not know, which
> is concerning.
>
> Aloha,
>
> Lou Russo
> Owner
> l...@spreesolarsystems.com
> 808 345 6762
> Spree Solar Systems LLC
> CT-34322
>
>
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ironridge ballasted BX on the ground

[Carl Hansen via RE-wrenches]

Nick,

  In New Mexico it was popular on flat roof homes to lay down pressure 
treated 4x4's and lag your L-feet onto these then weight them down with 
cinder blocks filled with concrete, this would be an inexpensive 
temporary option.


   Carl Hansen

   Hansen&Sun Electric

On 2024-04-09 2:58 PM, AE Solar via RE-wrenches wrote:
Are helical piles overkill for what you are trying to do? They can be 
unscrewed when you are done so nothing is left behind.


Adam Katzman (he/him)
Autonomous Energies | Owner/Operator
www.AutonomousEnergies.com 
(518) 567-1468



On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 4:17 PM Nick A Lucchese via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:


Greetings Wrenches,

Has anyone utilized any ballasted style commercial roof rack
solutions directly on the ground? I have an upcoming project that
is only predicted to be left in place for around 5 years and is on
land expected to be put back as it was found therefore concrete is
out of the question. I’ve successfully made temporary arrays with
standard rails and tilts by pinning 2x wood material to grade but
this one calls for something lower in profile. Very minimal use is
expected during winter months so the lower production of a 10
degree tilt is not an issue. The Ironridge BX seems like it would
be ideal and have been told at conferences and distributor shows
that it would work but figure one of you may have experience with
this product or something more appropriate and affordable? Perhaps
even go for the bonus of something with a 15 degree tilt if it
exists? I realize weeds and grasses will be a factor as well but
client can come up with many low tech solutions for that aspect.
The grade is quite flat, few rocks and site prep can certainly
improve even more before the project begins.

Thanks for the wisdom and experience, Nick






___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org


___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here:http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15kW 200A Load Breaker short-circuit rating?

[Lou Russo via RE-wrenches]

6kA in case anyone ever needs it.

Aloha,

Lou Russo
Owner
l...@spreesolarsystems.com
808 345 6762
Spree Solar Systems LLC
CT-34322



On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 5:26 AM Lou Russo  wrote:

> Aloha All,
>
> Sorry, I was confusing my terms. Coffee has yet to kick in.
>
> I am looking for the AIR rating.
>
> Aloha,
>
> Lou Russo
> Owner
> l...@spreesolarsystems.com
> 808 345 6762
> Spree Solar Systems LLC
> CT-34322
>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 4:57 AM Lou Russo 
> wrote:
>
>> Aloha All,
>>
>> Does anyone out there know the short-circuit rating of the 200A load
>> breaker on the SOL-Ark 15kW Outdoor.
>>
>> The manual and spec sheet do not list it. Tech support did not know,
>> which is concerning.
>>
>> Aloha,
>>
>> Lou Russo
>> Owner
>> l...@spreesolarsystems.com
>> 808 345 6762
>> Spree Solar Systems LLC
>> CT-34322
>>
>>
___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org

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

Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

There 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.org

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

Check out or update participant bios:
http://www.members.re-wrenches.org