Re: [RE-wrenches] Franklin Home Power

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Hey Darryl,

What voltage ranges do you mean? This is AC coupled, so it will rely on a third 
party solar inverter for the Solar generation side of things. If you mean AC 
voltage tolerance, I’d assume it gets wider when “off grid” like Outback. The 
specs and manuals don’t say. Would be worth asking Franklin unless another 
Wrench has gotten this already?

--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
VP of Engineering
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2023 12:23 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Darryl Thayer 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Franklin Home Power

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

sorry for a dumb question but what is the voltage ranges of the Franklin?

On Thu, Sep 14, 2023 at 4:26 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Enphase does generator support as well. Fortunately, I do not need that, so 
maybe it opens up my options. It's good to know that Franklin supports 
off-grid. I will reach out to them to confirm.

I asked my Enphase rep to run this up the chain of command to see if they would 
support this installation given that it's kind of high profile and a fantastic 
marketing opportunity.

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


On Thu, Sep 14, 2023 at 5:17 PM Daniel Young 
mailto:da...@sesre.com>> wrote:
I believe they do. They also have generator support with programable SOC 
trigger points. They can start either  2 wire start generators, or if the 
generator is existing and has a complicated signaling system, you can actually 
wire the Franklin smart module to the existing generator ATS and let Franklin 
kill the AC power to the ATS to force the generator to start.

--

Danny Young
Engineering Team Lead
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
 On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 4:35 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
Cc: Jason Szumlanski 
mailto:ja...@floridasolardesigngroup.com>>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Franklin Home Power

Caution: This email originated from outside SES. Do not click links or open 
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Does anyone know if Franklin supports their AC-coupled battery solution in a 
completely off-grid scenario (no grid present)?

I need to install a demonstration system with ~40kWh capacity to run loads in 
an outdoor off-grid facility. It needs to be wall mounted, NEMA 3R, and have 
10kW AC output rating minimum. Aesthetics are important.

I'm contemplating installing an Enphase 5P battery system, but it's not 
officially supported, even though I believe I can trick the system enough to 
get it commissioned and running in off-grid mode. If Franklin supports this, 
that's a checkmark in their column of the comparison chart.

I'm not opposed to a 48V DC battery system with a Sol-Ark 15k or something like 
that, but I think my options for wall-mount, outdoor, and beautiful are going 
to be limited.

I don't need any generator integration.

Jason Szumlanski
Florida Solar Design Group


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Franklin Home Power

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

I believe they do. They also have generator support with programable SOC 
trigger points. They can start either  2 wire start generators, or if the 
generator is existing and has a complicated signaling system, you can actually 
wire the Franklin smart module to the existing generator ATS and let Franklin 
kill the AC power to the ATS to force the generator to start.

--

Danny Young
Engineering Team Lead
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 4:35 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Jason Szumlanski 
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Franklin Home Power

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

Does anyone know if Franklin supports their AC-coupled battery solution in a 
completely off-grid scenario (no grid present)?

I need to install a demonstration system with ~40kWh capacity to run loads in 
an outdoor off-grid facility. It needs to be wall mounted, NEMA 3R, and have 
10kW AC output rating minimum. Aesthetics are important.

I'm contemplating installing an Enphase 5P battery system, but it's not 
officially supported, even though I believe I can trick the system enough to 
get it commissioned and running in off-grid mode. If Franklin supports this, 
that's a checkmark in their column of the comparison chart.

I'm not opposed to a 48V DC battery system with a Sol-Ark 15k or something like 
that, but I think my options for wall-mount, outdoor, and beautiful are going 
to be limited.

I don't need any generator integration.

Jason Szumlanski
Florida Solar Design Group


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Re: [RE-wrenches] sealing a carport array

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Agreed with August. I have tried professional window teams using pro grade 
caulks and sealants. I’ve tried gaskets, I’ve tried the foam tape system Lumos 
suggests for their canopy system. Nothing has allowed a reliable and longer 
term seal. I moved to the same standard, 100% requiring a roof under the array 
as part of the canopy if water protection is desired.

For me canopies without dedicated roofing provide shade and limited snow 
protection. Protection from rain is limited to giving pedestrians several 
larger areas to hide under solar modules but water gets concentrated at the 
module gaps.

--

Danny Young
Engineering Team Lead
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
August Goers via RE-wrenches
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 1:17 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: August Goers 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] sealing a carport array

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

Hi Kirk,

This probably isn't the answer you want, but we insist that a conventional roof 
is installed (could be metal, bitumen, etc) and then install the array on top 
if the client needs it to be watertight. It just seems like everything else 
such as rubber gaskets or tape will be temporary or problematic over time. 
Maybe others out there know of a good way to do it!

August
Luminalt




On Wed, Sep 13, 2023 at 10:08 AM Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
All,

Looking for recommendations to seal the gaps between modules in a carport array 
for weather-tightness. I've used the Sunmodo gaskets before, but curious about 
other reliable options. Thanks.
--
Kirk Herander / kirkh@vermont.solar
Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC
Celebrating our 32st Anniversary 1991-2023!!
dba Vermont Solar Engineering
802.863.1202
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Record Low

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

I still use the SolarABC’s reference map, pulls the ASHRAE data. Good for the 
US only.

https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/solar-certification/solar-reference-map/

Not record lows, but I have used this for years as the design low temperature 
for string sizing.

They claim the data is outdated, but with climate change I feel safe that the 
Extreme minimum temperature is likely to only go up 
--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
VP of Engineering
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Christopher Warfel via RE-wrenches
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 1:47 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Cc: Christopher Warfel 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Record Low

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


Hi Drake, here you go



ASHRAE climatic design conditions 2009/2013/2017/2021 
(ashrae-meteo.info)



Chris
On 8/22/2023 1:28 PM, Drake Chamberlin via RE-wrenches wrote:
Hello Wrenches,

Is there a good source for finding record low temperatures in various areas? We 
are designing a project that has very different temperature characteristics 
than we are used to.

Ashrae.org was recommended as a source. Does anyone know where on the site to 
look?

Thank you,

Drake


Drake Chamberlin

Athens Electric LLC

Ohio Electrical Contractor’s License 44810

CO Master Electrician’s License 4526

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional

--




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--
 Christopher Warfel
 ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
401-466-8978
[cid:image001.jpg@01D9D500.181C6290]

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Truss finder

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Can echo this, I did a fresh look into this last year and still have not found 
anything better than a hammer and feeler tool.

We are considering going to a deck direct attachment like rooftech as well, 
which makes rafter locations less critical. We intend to still have crews find 
the rafter and place the attachments on the rafter as best they can without 
drilling holes. As the attachments still prefer to be located on a rafter to 
maximize snow load bearing capacity. Nice thing about the Rooftech is that if 
you miss the rafter location with the center holes, it’s entirely likely you 
will hit it with the side screws. In either case you are still sitting above 
the rafter and can expect to bear significant weight there instead of relying 
on the OSB/Plywood decking.

--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Kristopher Schmid via RE-wrenches
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2023 2:47 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Kristopher Schmid 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Truss finder

Thanks William!  Laughed out loud at the first picture!
Shine On!

Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
137 West 1st Avenue
Luck, WI 54853
www.legacysolar.com
715-653-4295
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
BSEE

On Sun, Apr 16, 2023, 10:12 AM Kristopher Schmid 
mailto:sol...@legacysolar.com>> wrote:
I am considering buying a deep scanner for locating trusses.  Any 
recommendations or testimonials?
Shine On!

Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
137 West 1st Avenue
Luck, WI 54853
www.legacysolar.com
715-653-4295
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
BSEE
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Attaching PV with VELCRO

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

“I would also question the adhesive if it will take years of heat, water and 
the material it's adhered too.  “

That is the issue I found wit this.

I installed hundreds of kW of a “not to be named” roofing manufacturers solar 
system that used Velcro years back. Lets just say we spent more hours carrying 
solar modules back on the roof after they blew off over the next 4 years than 
we did installing the original system (at least it felt like it). The Velcro to 
roof glue connection is what gave up every time. Biological growth under the 
hot modules I think really deteriorated the glue joint quickly. In case anyone 
is wondering, we used the roofers provided adhesive primer, rolled on adhesive, 
and did so under their direct supervision and sign off.

That array has since been removed at the roofers expense.

Every system is different, and materials science is changing all the time, 
maybe this is better?

I would approach this with caution.

--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 5:50 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Jerry Shafer 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Attaching PV with VELCRO

Wrenches, Corey
Yes it was a thing in California but soon fell off the radar, They were based 
or had a shop in Sacramento CA. It was mainly designed for BIPV but was adopted 
to framed panels, grounding is an issue, mounting of the electrical another. l 
have had bolted modules rip out of unirac in Hawaii during a hurricane so no 
velcro for me. I would also question the adhesive if it will take years of 
heat, water and the material it's adhered too.
Fun times

On Tue, Apr 11, 2023, 2:41 PM Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Wrenches,

As far out as the subject line might seem, a company in Italy has apparently 
developed a system for attaching PV arrays to flat roofs using strips of 
VELCRO.

The potential advantages of this system seem hard to ignore:
   - lightweight
   - no ballast required (also, no mechanical attachments)
   - quick installation and easy assembly

Has anyone ever encountered anything similar here in the states? Any opinions 
about the feasibility of this approach?

Corey Shalanski
Portland, Jamaica
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Re: [RE-wrenches] replace part of rolls battery bank

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Thanks all for the advice. I figured it was not worth trying on a different 
battery brand. I honestly needed to be able to tell them I researched it and 
asked my peers.

The client really uses the 3 x strings they have and did not really want to go 
down to 3. They are currently choosing to get the two Rolls under the prorated 
warranty, and hopes to get another 2 useful years out of the bank before 
planning to replace.

Already prepared him on the cost of the equivalent Li+ at todays prices. So he 
knows roughly where he is heading.

Side note: I am in the camp of trying for 2 x strings when possible (agree that 
3 x strings is the absolute limit, and not the best option), simply because if 
a single cell goes bad, I don’t want a client with essentially nothing 
available until we can get a replacement and get on site. With 2 strings, they 
can make due at least. That’ll go out the window with Lithium though. Looking 
at Fortress Power for the next battery bank for this client. But we will see 
what changes in the market by the time it’s needed.

With Regards,
--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com<mailto:da...@sesre.com>

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Dave 
Angelini Offgrid Solar via RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 4:34 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] replace part of rolls battery bank

5 years old on 3 strings, it might not matter to mix, better get ready for a 
new bank.
I have never used more than 1 string for my clients and get closer to 10 years 
life, so maybe there is better advice out there.

Good Luck!



Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar

"we go where powerlines don't"

http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/

e-mail  offgridso...@sti.net<mailto:offgridso...@sti.net>

text 209 813 0060



On 2023-04-03 11:03 am, Daniel Young via RE-wrenches wrote:

Hello Wrenches,



Have a client with 24 x Rolls S550’s. 2 of the batteries have given up the 
ghost. Rolls will replace them under the pro rated warranty.



The issue us, the client is wanting to replace them with non Rolls batteries to 
save $. They can get 400AH 6V L-16 form factor FLA batteries from a local 
battery house for the same price I am going to get the new Rolls for. And that 
also means they don’t need to pay for freight. The net result is that they 
could save $4-500 by getting the batteries locally. No freight, and no markup 
on the batteries we provide (I can technically add the lost markup back in as 
labor, we do need to make something off of the 3hr one way drive to swap the 
batteries)



Question is, has anyone got experience mixing battery brands like this?



3 x strings of 8 c S550’s (L-16HC would be the replacements) both dead 
batteries are on the same string.

Whole battery bank is near the 5yr old mark.

The last rolls battery bank the client had lasted them 10 years. (they baby the 
battery bank to be sure, and take maintenance seriously)



I understand where the client is coming from, but do not want to let them shoot 
themselves in the foot, and I simply do not know what the chances are of 
swapping in batteries from a different brand. In my head, I don’t see a big 
issue, even if they are sub par, they will likely just get older faster, and 
fail around the same time as the rest of the 4-5yr old battery bank. But I’m 
unsure if there are any more subtle issue that these other batteries would 
cause.



Client has been loyal for more than a decade, so I want to give them a fair 
shake at saving some $ now, as they plan to move to lithium when the whole 
battery bank finally gives out.



With Regards,

--



Danny Young

NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90

Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions

Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis

513-448-5176 (mobile)

877-312-7456 (Main Office)

da...@sesre.com<mailto:da...@sesre.com>



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List 

[RE-wrenches] replace part of rolls battery bank

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Hello Wrenches,

Have a client with 24 x Rolls S550's. 2 of the batteries have given up the 
ghost. Rolls will replace them under the pro rated warranty.

The issue us, the client is wanting to replace them with non Rolls batteries to 
save $. They can get 400AH 6V L-16 form factor FLA batteries from a local 
battery house for the same price I am going to get the new Rolls for. And that 
also means they don't need to pay for freight. The net result is that they 
could save $4-500 by getting the batteries locally. No freight, and no markup 
on the batteries we provide (I can technically add the lost markup back in as 
labor, we do need to make something off of the 3hr one way drive to swap the 
batteries)

Question is, has anyone got experience mixing battery brands like this?

3 x strings of 8 c S550's (L-16HC would be the replacements) both dead 
batteries are on the same string.
Whole battery bank is near the 5yr old mark.
The last rolls battery bank the client had lasted them 10 years. (they baby the 
battery bank to be sure, and take maintenance seriously)

I understand where the client is coming from, but do not want to let them shoot 
themselves in the foot, and I simply do not know what the chances are of 
swapping in batteries from a different brand. In my head, I don't see a big 
issue, even if they are sub par, they will likely just get older faster, and 
fail around the same time as the rest of the 4-5yr old battery bank. But I'm 
unsure if there are any more subtle issue that these other batteries would 
cause.

Client has been loyal for more than a decade, so I want to give them a fair 
shake at saving some $ now, as they plan to move to lithium when the whole 
battery bank finally gives out.

With Regards,
--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

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Re: [RE-wrenches] 1000Vdc Combiner Block, Fusing

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Have not used them in some time, but used to a LOT and generally happy with 
them.

http://www.solarbos.com/Products

Lead times were a bit long, in the 1-2 month range, but who knows what they are 
now, last time I used them was pre-pandemic.

--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Mac 
Lewis via RE-wrenches
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 10:54 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Mac Lewis 
Subject: [RE-wrenches] 1000Vdc Combiner Block, Fusing

Good Morning Wrenches,

I am looking for suggestions on suppliers that work in the 1000Vdc UL listed 
equipment space.  Specifically, I'm trying to build a 1000Vdc rated combiner 
(Combining 4 x 100A rated battery outputs up to 900Vdc) as well as add OCPD 
(fuse or breaker) on the output going to the storage inverter.  I'd love to 
find a packaged UL listed combiner for this, but I've had no luck with that.  
Any suggestions/supplier contacts are appreciated

Thanks!

--



Mac Lewis

"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
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[RE-wrenches] Sunpower Performance Warranty Claim

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Hello Wrenches,

Any experience successfully submitting a performance warranty claim with 
SunPower on their solar modules? Right now, in order to Provide what they are 
asking for, we will likely spend more time/money testing to their satisfaction 
than it would cost for us to likely buy new modules and just replace the array.

Anybody have a similar experience? Or suggestions on how to deal with Sunpower?

Don't want to bog this down with all the details but suffice to say we I-V 
traced the array at the string level as a sanity check (7-10 % lower than 
anticipated performance), and a random selection of individual modules as well 
and we are seeing roughly 8% lower performance than expected given the array 
age and listed performance warranty. (STC corrected I-V trace is 8% lower than 
it should be for an 8 year old solar module from SunPower)

With Regards,

--

Danny Young
NABCEP PV Installation Professional #031508-90
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Roof Jack

[Daniel Young via RE-wrenches]

Just curious if there is a reason you don’t just cut the roof vent off above 
the flashing?

It is allowed by the 2018 IRC and later in section P3103.1.3, solar modules are 
explicitly called out as a reason to cut the vents.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P1/chapter-31-vents#IRC2021P1_Pt07_Ch31_SecP3103

Not all states adopt this of course. Ohio for example redacted this from the 
code version they have adopted. So maybe that is the reason. If not, there is 
your code reference if needed.

--

Danny Young
Engineering Team Lead
Solar Energy Solutions
Lexington | Louisville | Bloomington | Cincinnati | Evansville | Indianapolis
513-448-5176 (mobile)
877-312-7456 (Main Office)
da...@sesre.com

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of AE 
Solar via RE-wrenches
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2022 7:48 AM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: AE Solar 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Roof Jack

We just used a few of these recently. Seemed easy enough and plan on using more 
on an upcoming project. We had easy access to the vent in the attic which 
probably helped. Only complaint was that I was worried about the vent cap 
(provided) blowing off and eventually having debris get in there and get stuck 
in the horizontal run on the roof. I’m not a plumber though…so maybe I’m over 
thinking it. We put a screw into the cap just in case

On Thu, May 12, 2022 at 7:33 AM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches 
mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> 
wrote:
Has anyone used this product? I'm looking for feedback on installation ease and 
your impressions.

Jason Szumlanski
Florida Solar Design Group
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--
Adam Katzman (he/him)
Autonomous Energies | Owner/Operator
www.AutonomousEnergies.com
(518) 567-1468

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