[RE-wrenches] Kyocera 140W modules

[Chris @ The Oasis]

Dear Wrenches:
 
What's the best source for KD-140GX-LFBS or KD140SX-UFBS?
 
I know Kyocera has flown the coop   Please contact me offlist.
 
Happy (energy) independence day!
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 or 4321
  www.oasismontana.com
  

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Re: [RE-wrenches] BP275F, 75W module

[Chris @ The Oasis]

Does anyone have one?  Used would be OK, just needs to work.  If so, please
contact me offlist.
 
TGIF,
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309
406-777-0830 fax
www.oasismontana.com   


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[RE-wrenches] Installer in Jamaica

[Chris @ The Oasis]

Dear Folks:
 
Does anyone do PV installations in Jamaica?  If so, I have a lead for you.
Please contact me offlist.
 
Best,
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309
406-777-0830 fax
www.oasismontana.com 


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[RE-wrenches] MC 3 cables

[Chris @ The Oasis]

Dear people:
 
I have a customer with some older Sharp modules, and he's in need of four
35' PV cables with MC3 connectors.  Does anyone have a line on them?  Please
feel free to contact me offlist.
 
Sincerely,
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309
406-777-0830 fax
www.oasismontana.com 

(e-mail - i...@oasismontana.com)

  


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Trouble Shooting Bad Diode

[Chris @ the Oasis]

Hello Kirpal:
 
What is the relative age of these modules?  For starters  Just curious.
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 local line
406-777-0830 fax
 

  _  

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kirpal
Khalsa
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 8:33 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trouble Shooting Bad Diode


Bill and all...So we were at the site today and these were our findings:
We covered each solar panel with cardboard 1 at a time.we continued to
see the same lower voltage on string #2.  String #1 had an expected Voc.  
String 1 had a Voc of 368, String 2 had Voc of 312.  
We decided to disconnect the entire string.  Luckily the interconnects were
accessible without physically removing the modules...I love array's that
are only 2 rows deep with service aisles all around.
The system was 2 strings of 9 BP SX170's connected to a PVP2800XV.  
Module nameplate Voc was 44V.  Cell temp of the modules at time of
measurement was roughly 85-90 degrees F.  
all modules were in the 40.1-8 rangeexcept module # 3 from the positive
homerun side was 38.8V, module 6 was 36.6V and module 8 was 10V.   
We had no trouble determining that module # 8 was defective..In these
modules I believe that the entire 72 cells are in a series.string...(am i
right?roughly .5+V per cell.).
Covering 1 module at a time did not give us any indication as to which panel
was defective.  The Voc with 1 module covered ranged from a low of 299VV to
a high of 304V. This did not make sense to me as to reducing the string Voc
from 312 to 304 by covering 1 module.

Anyhowthe 2 modules that had reduced voltages..1 with ~38V and 1
with ~36V..would you consider those defective?  Worthy of trying to get
BP to warranty those?
We will be filing a warranty claim on the single panel that is obviously
defective...
Thanks for your advice and input.
Cheers,

Kirpal Khalsa
Renewable Energy Systems



On Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33 AM, Bill Brooks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Kirpal,

 

When you parallel, your voltages have to be the same, so you are correct in
that assumption.

 

Your assumption about the diodes is not correct. Diodes don't work like
that. You could have a shorted module (all three diodes shorted) which would
lower the Voc by one module. It looks like you have nearly two modules worth
of problems. It could be a total of 5 bad diodes, but that would be weird.
It could be you have a ground fault, and haven't tripped the GFP yet because
of lower sunlight levels-(it has to be very low sun to stay under 1 amp).
You also could have a wiring mistake, either because the factory reversed
wired a module (rare, but it happens)-that would be 2 modules low; or, you
could have skipped two modules somehow.

 

It does seem like a quarter of the bad string is out. Your assumption about
bad diodes could be correct, but it only affects the groups of cells its
connected to. Each diode protects 24 cells-it looks like you have 5 diodes
worth of loss. It could be in 2 modules, or up to 5 modules. 

 

The shading test is the best way to find bad diodes. Disconnect the bad
string from the good one and take a piece of cardboard the dimension of the
module. With your meter testing Voc on the back string, completely cover
each module, one at a time. When the Voc is not affected by complete shading
of a module, that module is completely bad. If the shaded module only loses
a portion of one module's Voc, then you have one or two, of the three
diodes, bad.

 

This is a great opportunity to learn how to troubleshoot a PV array. Take
the time, and the effort, to run through it carefully, learn the problems,
and report back with your findings. It's a beautiful thing to learn
something new.

 

Bill.

 

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kirpal
Khalsa
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 10:43 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trouble Shooting Bad Diode

 

Greetings all..I was hoping i could have someone help me confirm a
troubled series string on a system we have installed.
System consists of 16 BP 170 W 24V nominal modules..2 strings of 8
modules.Vmp of each module is roughly 34V and Voc of each module is
roughly 41V.  One string is under-producing..String 1 Voc is 346V and
String 2 Voc is 272V.  String 1 Vmp under load is 270V and String 2 Vmp
underload is 270V.  I am hypothesizing that String 2 has a bad diode on the
3rd panel in and is reducing the Voc of that string by th 2 panels ahead of
it in the string.  I am hoping to figure this out without removing the
entire string and checking each panel if possible.
I think the Vmp is equal due to the fact that both strings are paralleled in
the inverter and the 1st string is being pulled to the same level V as the
2nd string under load..Is my logic good?
Thanks for the help and advice.
Cheers,




___
Lis

Re: [RE-wrenches] Reversed polarity on S530 battery

[Chris @ the Oasis]

Gentlemen:
 
Date code on this battery says 26082008.  Most of the others say 09092008.
Of course, the reversed polarity beast was in the middle of the bank, but I
have reconfigured the bank--everything seems fine, and I am gently charging
them vis a vis my PS2524 inverter/charger.  If there are any problems, I wil
let you know, but I think they are charging okay now.
 
It sure felt wierd to wire this one up 'backwards'!  There is a red blob of
paint on the 'negative' terminal.  It's been a helluva learning experience!
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 
406-777-0830 fax
www.oasismontana.com <http://www.oasismontana.com/> 
 
 

  _  

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of James
Surrette
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 6:52 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Cc: Pascal Ferron
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Reversed polarity on S530 battery



Hello Chris, 


Sorry for the trouble and we are very thankful you picked this up. 


If you could send date code (front of the cover) to our QC Manager, Pascal
Ferron, we will get this sorted on Monday. 


Regards, 


Jamie


James Surrette

Surrette Battery Co. Ltd
1 Station Rd.
Springhill, NS, CAN
B0M 1X0

Direct: 902.597.4027
Fax: 902.597.8447



>>> "Chris @ the Oasis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 11/08/08 6:39 PM >>>
Dear folks:

I am installing a new set of sixteen Surrette/Rolls S530 batteries in our
home office system, and very quickly discovered one battery mislabelled--the
polarity is reversed.  There were no fireworks thank goodness, but be sure
you test each battery before you assume anything!

Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 local line
406-777-0830 fax




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[RE-wrenches] Reversed polarity on S530 battery

[Chris @ the Oasis]

Dear folks:

I am installing a new set of sixteen Surrette/Rolls S530 batteries in our
home office system, and very quickly discovered one battery mislabelled--the
polarity is reversed.  There were no fireworks thank goodness, but be sure
you test each battery before you assume anything!

Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 local line
406-777-0830 fax

 


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fake Email solar orders

[Chris @ the Oasis]

Hi All:
 
A lot of times it's foreigners in THIS country (judging from the varied
accents I hear on the few times I get someone on the phone).  But all that
ever happens is the credit card company cancels the card, then re-issues a
new one to their (real) client.  No one is much interested in pursuing the
would-be thief.  I think it's such a common scam, there simply aren't the
resources for follow-up.
 
Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 
406-777-0830 fax

  _  

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joel
Davidson
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:09 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fake Email solar orders


The probably got the rip-off special package deal that includes stolen
credit card and phony id. I wonder if the INS would be interested in their
address? 


- Original Message 
From: Todd Cory <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: RE-wrenches 
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 7:55:34 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fake Email solar orders

I always write them back and tell them I will only sell to them if they 
use a bogus credit card. I never hear back.

Todd

John Raynes wrote:

> Jeff,
>
> We get a few a week, every week.  They're always for a list of parts, 
> never for a group of items that would go together and make anything 
> resembling a system.  I've never been tempted to even try to respond.
>
> It seems to me as if they always leave that "signature" of bad 
> grammar, or "Dear Sir/Ma", almost as if to cue any savvy dealer, whom 
> they would not want to deal with.  They're only trolling for rank 
> newbies, I would think.
>
> John Raynes
> RE Solar
> Torrey, UT 


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fake Email solar orders

[Chris @ the Oasis]

 Hi Folks:

Because of our (cursedly) good web presence, we get perhaps 4 to 6 of these
a day.  When I got fewer of them (thinking perhaps they were not bogus), I
would call the credit card(s) issuing bank -- you can get that information
through your credit card processor, by giving them the first six digits of
the card number.  Then the issuing bank can contact the REAL card holder and
verify if the transaction is on the up-and-up.  But it's very time
consuming, so now I just delete them.  Vague orders are just scammers; we
also have a nice collection of forged, stolen or voided bank checks and
money orders.  We do a fair amount of international business, but with those
out-of-country customers, it's bank transfer only.

Let the seller beware!  We haven't been hurt by such scammers, but I know of
other businesses who have not been so fortunate.

Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 
406-777-0830 fax
www.oasismontana.com
 
 

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jeff Yago
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 1:01 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fake Email solar orders

I am wondering if any of you are receiving fake email orders as I think they
are a scam by hackers in China or other countries.
 
They always start out asking for a very "odd" list of items they are looking
for.  For example, they will say they will take almost any brand of solar
module and any size.  They  also ask for solar pumps or inverters, but do
not care what size.  If I am trying to order a pump, inverter, or solar
module for a specific job, I would expect to know the size I need and not
take whatever the supplier is willing to sell.
 
Also, all of these email's have a non-business email address using one of
those free email services, and always indicate they have also sent the same
email to others as"un-disclosed."   When we check the street address they
give us, it is usually an apartment complex or residential area of a large
city.   They always say right up-front that they will be paying by credit
card
 
Finally, the real give-away is their grammar is never correct and they
always mis-match the verb tense or there is a mis-match in subject-verb.
Here is a recent one we received  - 
 
Hello, Kindly get quoted pricing for these Grundfos well pump for us ,we
would be glad for offer your discounted prices. 
LET ME KNOW THE POSSIBILITY OF THE SUPPLY AND KIND OF CREDIT CARDS YOU HOST
FOR PAYMENT. MUCH REGARDS

 
I have heard these scammers are using stolen or bogus credit card numbers
which are good when you check, but a few days after you ship out the solar
hardware the credit card is declined.  I have also heard they ship to some
apartment that is rented for a few months where the turn the orders around
and ship overseas to 3rd world countries where they can get rid of almost
anything that is solar with no questions asked.
 
Has anybody been stung by these fake orders, and please do not check my
email grammar!!
Jeff Yago

 


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