Re: [RE-wrenches] DC fan for greenhouse

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

I have also used SnapFans and they are great quailty.
SnapFan was sold a year or so ago, the new owners I think are based in AZ



Bryan Norkunas

PV-Cables Inc.

989 Milton Ave Ste 1D

Ferndale CA 95536

(707) 923-3000 office

www.pv-cables.com

 [cid:33b5ed1a-0116-44eb-a19d-84b987c7fa9c]



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From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of 
solareagle--- via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 10:12 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: solarea...@solareagle.com 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DC fan for greenhouse

I’ve used Snap Fans as well, they come in various configurations, both AC & DC. 
Good quality for sure but not cheap.

Ron Young
earthRight Solar


On Jul 9, 2024, at 6:43 AM, AE Solar via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:

We had used some Snap-Fans many many years ago on some greenhouse applications. 
Looks like they are still in business and their product line has expanded so 
that says something….
http://www.snap-fan.com/


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



On Tue, Jul 9, 2024 at 9:36 AM David Palumbo via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Wrenchters,

I have a friend looking for a DC fan for his 20' x 40' greenhouse here in 
northern Vermont.

Recommendations please.

Thanks,

Dave Palumbo
Hyde Park, VT
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15k solar panel frame grounding

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

White PV wire was something we used to sell often, but that demand has dropped 
off in the last 5 years or so and always wondered why.
Thanks for sharing William

Sunny Regards,
[Description: Description: PV-Cables_Logo_Transparent_Bkgnd_140x140]

Bryan Norkunas
PV-Cables Inc.
989 Milton Ave Ste 1D
Ferndale CA 95536
(707) 923-3000 office
www.pv-cables.com


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From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of 
William Miller via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 12:53:52 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: William Miller 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15k solar panel frame grounding


Friends:



On a related subject, I was researching the question: What color should my 
grounded PV conductor be?



History:



In the beginning, negative leads were always black.



When it became apparent that negative PV leads were indeed grounded, the 
requirement to have them white or grey became enforced per 200.6(A)(3).



When transformerless inverters were implemented it was assumed the negative was 
floating, so white/grey was no longer acceptable.



Then the NEC recognized that some leads were kind of grounded, not solidly, but 
through some components, either OCPD, resistors, sensor or a combination.  A 
new term was created,  functionally grounded.  This grounding was most often 
done to implement ground fault detection and interruption, or GFDI.  I always 
assumed that if PV equipment had GFDI it had to feature a grounded polarity, 
most often indirectly, or functionally.



Grounded conductors need to be white or grey.  Therefore we are back to needing 
grey/white, most often for the negative lead.



I wanted to verify if the Sol-Arc PV inputs established a grounded lead.  They 
have GFDI so I assumed it likely they did.  In order to verify, I called 
Sol-Arc.  Their tech support had no idea what I was talking about.  They did 
not know the term functionally grounded and could not verify if their equipment 
established a ground connection, solid or otherwise, to either polarity.



This distinction applies here because it may help determine what is causing the 
GFDI fault.  I can’t tell you for sure if one side of the PV circuit is 
functionally grounded, but if it is, grounding it elsewhere will defeat the 
GFDI and may cause nuisance tripping.



Does anyone know if Sol-Arc PV inputs have a functional ground bond?



Side note:  I called my local Greentech distributor, who sells plenty of 
Sol-Arc inverters and asked if they carried white PV wire.  They said none of 
their customers are asking for white PV wire.  I suspect they should be using 
white for negative leads.  I can’t confirm that because Sol-Arc can’t tell me 
it the PV circuits are functionally grounded or not.  Frustrating!



Fortunately the manual for Outback charge controllers specifically says the 
negative lead is functionally grounded.  So if you are installing Outback CCs 
you must use white or grey.  PV-Cables sells white PV wire.



Confusing?  Yeah, a bit.  But as my local roofing companies say:  “Solar?  It 
can’t be that complicated!”



William Miller



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985





From: RE-wrenches 
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]
 On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 6:02 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Cc: Jason Szumlanski
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15k solar panel frame grounding



Can anybody clarify the following instruction from the manual?



"GND the panel MOUNTS/FRAMES to any GND outside the circuit via 12AWG wire"



Does this mean do not connect the array equipment grounding conductor to the 
grounding terminal in the inverter? Where would be the suggested place to 
connect the equipment grounding conductor, and why does it make a difference? 
It would still be electrically bonded to the grounding terminal in the inverter.



I'm asking because I do, in fact, have an equipment grounding conductor from 
the array connected to the ground terminal in the inverter at a home. I am 
getting an F08 GFDI fault. The manual doesn't say anything about the DC side 
with respect to this error. It suggests it is an AC current leakage to ground. 
But Sol-Ark tech support suggested that I disconnect the PV to rule it out as a 
source of the fault.







Jason Szumlanski

Florida Solar Design Group
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Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

Try Solar Rack Works


[Description: Description: PV-Cables_Logo_Transparent_Bkgnd_140x140]

Bryan Norkunas
PV-Cables Inc.
989 Milton Ave Ste 1D
Ferndale CA 95536
(707) 923-3000 office
www.pv-cables.com


 [cid:image002.jpg@01DA17CF.578FC540]  Please print only if necessary.

NOTE: This email message and any attachments are for the sole use of the 
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information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is 
prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by 
replying to this email, and destroy all copies of the original message.


From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of 
Nathan J. Stumpff via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 2:40:20 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Nathan J. Stumpff 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] TPM Search

It’s been a few years since I bought these but it looks like they are still 
going, I always thought it was a good product when I bought in the past:

https://www.mtsolar.us/

Cheers,
-Nathan

On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 2:31 PM Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
With news that PLP has dropped the TPM line, what are you all recommending for 
a good mount for up to 8 modules , 400 w range.
I looked in the archives, but no luck.
I thought there was someone formerly at DPW that was making them.

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St.
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for high current modules? NEC interpretation/guidance?

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

It was explained to me, the compounds Amphenol used in this large batch of 
connector housings were bad/incorrect.

We started seeing failures on these modules as quickly as 6 months of being in 
service.

Bryan Norkunas
PV-Cables




Get Outlook for Android

From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of Jay 
via RE-wrenches 
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2023 7:39:43 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Jay 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for high current modules? NEC 
interpretation/guidance?

I’ve wondered what other variables are at work given that mostly these 
connectors work as they should.

I’d like to see them come with plugs covering the openings. This would keep 
dirt, salt air, moisture, etc  out until they are connected.

As to if there were lots of failures with SW modules then I wonder if whoever 
built the whips had poor quality control. Might be they were not seated 
properly or dirty or the crimp they used wasn’t calibrated correctly or they 
were stored in a salt environment creating corrosion or something like that.

I looked up the specs last night on the mc4 and it’s like 30+ amps depending on 
the wire, pretty impressive

Jay







On Nov 10, 2023, at 5:53 AM, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:


Mine was a roof mount. We had very few SolarWorld projects. In fact, this might 
be our only one.

On Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 8:10 AM Chris Schaefer via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
I'd be curious to know of the connector failures y'all have experienced, were 
the majority of these roof mounts?
Just wondering if with better air flow like that of a pole/ground mount, if 
that helped to minimize connector failure.

Christopher

On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 1:21 AM Bill Battagin via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:

Ray,

Exactly the same thing happened for me on a ground mount system, 
3500 feet elevation the the Sierras so open cooler air, fully engaged MC4 
factory connectors PV to PV connectors with SW285's, not passing current, 
melted.  No attempt to contact SW just made up new connectors.

My calculation is with anything that is no doubt made up by the 
bazillion with a machine (connectors, light bulbs, pencils, chicken nuggets, 
etc) you're going to get some duds.  In 20+ years of installing PVs with 
factory made-up connectors, I've only seen this happen 2-3 times.  Installing 
in the mountains we no doubt use ground mount much more often than most 
installs in urban areas which would make a hot, melted connector possibly more 
of an issue a couple inches above a comp or wood roof.  We've never seen any 
connectors fail beyond the melted/deformed but still "contained" stage .

Back when SW was first transitioning from one connector to another, 
I remember them saying they (I think it was UTX and MC or was it UTX and 
Amphenol?) were compatible.  We NEVER mixed connectors despite their claim.

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric
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 11/9/2023 4:31 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:

I'm trying to find a pic to post, but they were MC4 connectors, not the UTX.

Ray

On 11/9/2023 4:57 PM, Brian Mehalic wrote:
Are they the Amohenol UTX connectors? SW had a recall on them, sounds like 
about the right timeframe.


[X]
BREAKING: SolarWorld recalls PV modules with Amphenol 
connectors
pv-magazine-usa.com


Brian

On Nov 9, 2023, at 4:47 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches 
 
wrote:



12 Ga wire is not going to catch on fire, but the MC connectors might.  I just 
went back on a 7 yr old Solarworld install, and had a bad series MC connector 
(module to module).  It got quite crispy, deforming and bubbling the plastic on 
both sides of the connection.  It was still passing current; I didn't get a 
chance to measure the volt drop.  It was completely plugged in, so not an 
installation issue.

This was not one of our connectors made up in the field, these were Solarworld 
factory connectors on both sides, same model modules.  That also means no 
mismatch of "MC4" connector type.

10+ amps continuous, moist environment, 30F+  hotter than ambient temp, all are 
tough on connectors.  I predict more connector failures as module current 
ratings increase.

Ray Walters
Remote Solar

On 11/9/2023 3:02 PM, Glenn Burt via RE-wrenches wrote:

Good luck trying to convince your customer that their house caught on fire 
because of a manufacturers flaw, and you 

Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

When our area experienced a lot of ash from nearby forest fires, I ended up 
purchasing a telescopic brush that big rig truckers use to wash their trucks 
and had great success.  If I recall it was around $80 and it extended 20ft and 
came with a few different attachments.  

 

Bryan @ PV-Cables

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2023 9:02 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Cc: Kirk Herander
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

 

A customer of mine has both hot and cold water plumbed to his outdoor hose 
spigots, similar to an indoor sink, so he can clean anything outside with a 
warm to hot mix if necessary. Obviously better cleaning than cold alone.

 

On Mon, Oct 23, 2023 at 9:45 AM White, Will via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:

I worked with a guy who had done installs in Arizona. He had an off-grid 
customer spray down their array with cold well water in the middle of the day, 
which shattered the module glass. 

 

I’m sure it was an isolated incident, but it happened.

 

Thanks,

Will

 

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2023 4:47 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Jason Szumlanski 
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click 
links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content 
is safe.

 

I don't understand the thermal shock nonsense. It routinely starts downpouring 
here when it's blazing hot out (sun showers) and the rain is way cooler than 
ground water in summer. It makes no sense. If hose water from the ground is 
going to hurt solar panels, you better not put them where it rains!  

 

I replied privately to Dana, but for the benefit of the group, it takes a heavy 
soiling to make any appreciable difference. I have done numerous tests at times 
of high pollen and found little to no benefit to cleaning solar panels. 
Certainly it would not be worth paying someone to do it. Other climates may 
have different results. My suggestion would be to test first. Module level 
power electronics can provide incontrovertible proof.

 

Jason

 

 

On Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 4:21 PM Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:

Hi Dana,  

 

See attached from REC. I would imagine these guidelines would apply to all 
modules.

Cheers,

Dave

 

On Fri, Oct 20, 2023 at 3:56 PM Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:

Hey ally ‘all,

 

Ok bad solar installer! 7 years & I have never cleaned my modules & live on a 
dirt road. Yeah rain does a good job with the dust but there is a film mostly 
on the edges.

 

What does everyone do for cleaning?

 

My array is 16’+ tall on a hill side. I have a pressure washer & was going to 
pick up a large sponge type mop & mount it on a painters extension pole. 

 

Good Biodegradable cleaning solutions?

 

 

_

Dana OrzelGREAT SOLAR WORKS!  

C – 208.721.7003  E –   d...@solarwork.com

W - www. greatsolarworks.com 

   

 www.solarwork.com

“Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!”

 

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Intermittent

[Bryan Norkunas via RE-wrenches]

In my experience, if the Trina modules have the TS4 connectors on them and are 
mated to an MC4 connector they tend to have issues.

Bryan


-Original Message-
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Hilton Dier via RE-wrenches
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2023 2:15 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Cc: Hilton Dier
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Intermittent

Hello Wrenches

Here’s a classic problem for you. I installed an array of 11 Trina 380s on a 
ground mount, commissioned January 6 of this year. It worked fine for a while, 
but in the last week it has had an intermittent power problem. 

For example, this morning it was putting out zero watts at the inverter. I 
measured voltage at the disconnect at the array and got zero volts. I checked 
all the connections and wires and it all seemed solid. I had to leave so I 
couldn’t start isolating modules. I came back this afternoon and it was 
producing an appropriate amount of power for the light conditions. 

What’s the most obvious thing that could be going on? Some kind of micro crack 
and thermal expansion?

Thanks,

Hilton Dier III
Renewable Energy Design
Missisquoi River Hydro LLC
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