Re: [RE-wrenches] Troubleshooting Stumper - Homerun Interference in Conduit/Inverter Turning Off/On Rapidly
"string two in conduit but string one outside of conduit, the inverter does not operate"... Maybe string two has a mild ground fault at the last module, positive side, or at its internal diode. ??? Basically why can't string two operate in the conduit? -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Matt Partymiller Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 4:46 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Troubleshooting Stumper - Homerun Interference in Conduit/Inverter Turning Off/On Rapidly Wrenches, One of our systems is having an issue I have not encountered before where the inverter switches between nighttime mode and interconnection every few seconds. I am hoping for some technical wisdom from the community. We have an array of 20 TrinaSmart modules in two strings of 10. The array is connected to a Solectria 3.8 kW inverter. The conduit run is simple, all four homerun wires (#10 PVwire) in 1" EMT down to the proximity of the Solectria inverter where the conduit switches to 1" LFMC before entering the inverter. The run is about 20', straight down the side of the wall before hitting the inverter. A 600V jacketed communications wire was also in the conduit but has since been removed and run separately. Our inverter is starting up, running for a few seconds, giving a low voltage error, briefly showing nighttime mode, then going into startup mode again. Solectria was gracious enough to send us a new inverter but we have the exact same issue. They tell us their error codes (266, 274) indicate 0 volts. The transition between low voltage error and startup is almost instant. Basically we have 20 seconds of start up, 5 seconds of run, 5 seconds of error then repeat. This is not a grid problem, the identical system next door works fine. In the process of troubleshooting, our technician pulled all four homerun wires out of our conduit and meggered them. They all tested fine so he connected to the inverter. The inverter worked fine. The technician verified grounding of the array and conduit, pulled new homeruns back through the conduit, and reconnected to the inverter. He had the same error as before. He connected each string separately to the inverter by removing the string fuses. Either string will operate fine independently. With string one in conduit and either homerun of string two in conduit (but not both) the inverter operates fine. With string two in conduit but string one outside of conduit, the inverter does not operate. I was certain the error had something to do with homerun roof wiring so I went out with the technician and removed and checked pretty much every module. Everything appears fine, all connections solid, all homeruns have been remade at least once at this point. Now I am stumped and lack the technical knowledge to diagnose the problem. I would be extremely grateful if an esteemed wrench can provide technical support/advice. Thanks, Matt Matthew Partymiller Solar Energy Solutions LLC (877) 312-7456 m...@solar-energy-solutions.com ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance 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 List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance 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 List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Anyone Able To Contact SWWP?
They sold everything but Skystream to Primus, very recently. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeremy Rodriguez- All Solar Inc. Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 9:13 AM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Anyone Able To Contact SWWP? Has anyone been in touch with Southwest Windpower lately? We are trying to order a replacement part. No Luck. We have left numerous messages. Jeremy All Solar Sent via BlackBerry. Sorry for typos and shorthand! ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] C-40 question
From my personal experience. Not true. If you put 80Aoutput potential on the input of a 40A PWM controller, the output breaker will trip (assuming it is a 40A breaker). If there is not an output breaker, you will smoke the controller. The C-40 does not have a output current limit setting, like most MPPT controllers. This is not the case for a MPPT controller (generally speaking). I use MPPT controllers to charge 12V battery banks from 48V banks. I tried using a PWM controller for this purpose and found that it did not work. Good luck! From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chris Mason Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 5:50 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] C-40 question It does take. Your charge controller controls the load and current, hence the name controller. It is not a fixed resistance. If you program a charge rate limit, the controller will control the current flow to limit the charge rate, hence it is taking a certain current up to the limit of the source's ability to supply that current but not above, regardless of the size of the array. On Wed, Oct 24, 2012 at 10:17 PM, Richard L Ratico richard.l.rat...@valley.net wrote: Huh? The equipment does not take or draw anything. The electrical pressure of the source, called voltage, forces electrons through the load. Electrons per unit time are called current. The current is only limited by the resistance of the load, in accord with Ohms Law. The resistance of the load acts as a valve or choke point in the circuit, thus limiting the current. In the case Allan describes, the battery is the primary resistance in the circuit. If the battery was large enough and, or, sufficiently discharged (low resistance), and the source could provide enough current, the C-40 would Toast. Dick Ratico --- You wrote: Because it is not 80 amps current flowing, it is a capacity of 80 amps. Think of it this way. Your toaster is plugged into an outlet that is powered by the grid. The grid has infinite capacity. Why doesn't your toaster explode? Because it takes the current it needs. Now, increase the voltage and you may have a runaway current situation, but at the design voltage the equipment takes the current it needs up to the limit if the supply. --- end of quote --- ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Chris Mason President, Comet Systems Ltd www.cometenergysystems.com Cell: 264.235.5670 Skype: netconcepts ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] DC relay
If you need a single pole single throw (SPST), search www.mouser.com for D1D40 or D06D60. If not SPST, then you use there relay search tool to find what you need. Grainger.com and Digikey.com also have similar search tools and parts. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of mac Lewis Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 10:54 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] DC relay Hi Wrenches, Does anyone have a recommendation for robust relay that has a 12VDC coil rated 200mA and contact rating of 20A at 48VDC? Thanks in advance. -- Mac Lewis Yo solo sé que no sé nada. -Sócrates ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] S5! question
Jay I used them one time and went back to rails. It would have been prudent to build a thin plywood jig to match the PV you are using. The advantage of rails is that you have somewhere to attach wires, boxes (and inverters). Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 20, 2012, at 9:17 AM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: Hi All, I'm doing a S5! PV kit install for the first time. Any tips, advice ? thanks, jay Peltz Power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] S5! question
Jay The is always right! Just carefully align the S-5!s with a mason line and use a plywood template or some other material template to keep these straight. We also use a lot of S-5! and have Milwaukee 12v impact drivers to set the screws. Check the torque with a wrench as well. Good luck. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 20, 2012, at 9:39 AM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: hi Maverick, This install sort of follows the thread on wrenches. The client decided this was the racking he wanted. I'm with you, rails are easy, but ... jay On Aug 20, 2012, at 7:31 AM, Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] wrote: Jay I used them one time and went back to rails. It would have been prudent to build a thin plywood jig to match the PV you are using. The advantage of rails is that you have somewhere to attach wires, boxes (and inverters). Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 20, 2012, at 9:17 AM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: Hi All, I'm doing a S5! PV kit install for the first time. Any tips, advice ? thanks, jay Peltz Power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] S5! question
Just to be sure. We only use a little 12v version. Not a big 18v. Also get the dewalt universal joint 1/4 drive thingy. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 20, 2012, at 9:51 AM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: Great, I was wondering about a impact on those screws, but it'll speed things up alot. thx, jay On Aug 20, 2012, at 7:48 AM, Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] wrote: Jay The is always right! Just carefully align the S-5!s with a mason line and use a plywood template or some other material template to keep these straight. We also use a lot of S-5! and have Milwaukee 12v impact drivers to set the screws. Check the torque with a wrench as well. Good luck. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 20, 2012, at 9:39 AM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: hi Maverick, This install sort of follows the thread on wrenches. The client decided this was the racking he wanted. I'm with you, rails are easy, but ... jay On Aug 20, 2012, at 7:31 AM, Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] wrote: Jay I used them one time and went back to rails. It would have been prudent to build a thin plywood jig to match the PV you are using. The advantage of rails is that you have somewhere to attach wires, boxes (and inverters). Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 20, 2012, at 9:17 AM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: Hi All, I'm doing a S5! PV kit install for the first time. Any tips, advice ? thanks, jay Peltz Power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps
For the Bee's sake, just pump some grey silicone caulk into the ends and scrape flat. ?? From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dana Brandt Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 3:12 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Unirac SolarMount rail caps We just finished installing a system on SolarMount and the client is unhappy with how the ends of the SolarMount rail look. She says it looks unfinished and is concerned about bees nesting in them. I know there are other rail products with more finished looking ends but this system is already fully installed. Unirac has endcaps for the SunFrame, but those aren't compatible with SolarMount. Anyone run into this before? Thoughts on solutions? Thanks, Dana Dana Brandt Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC www.ecotechenergy.com d...@ecotechenergy.com 360.318.7646 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] 12V loads
We use solar combiner boxes. For instance, the first breaker is actually a 63A for the Main and then you could have load breakers for each circuit. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 9, 2012, at 4:05 PM, Jesse Dahl dahlso...@gmail.com wrote: Hello, I've been looking at a lot of hunting shacks, fish houses and other 12V loads setups and was wondering how people go about setting these up? What are people using for load termination, fusing? I'd like to keep all disconnects and fusing in one box. Jesse Sent from my iPhone ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Morningstar MPPT charge controller
We used an Omron G2R-1-S-DC12S available from mouser.com. Don't forget to get the DIN socket as well. I think that is a P2RF-05-E. Good luck Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Solarguy Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2012 9:49 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: [RE-wrenches] Morningstar MPPT charge controller Wrenches The Morningstar Sure Sine inverter and MPPT charge controller sound like a good match considering the reliability of their products. But when I tried to use the CCs ability to act as a timer to turn on/off the Sure Sine via its remote on -off input terminals I found that the two are not compatible. A call to tech support and I find that I must use a third-party relay to activate the 1P-1T switch on the Sure Sine. I'm sure other Wrenches have come across this combination before for a 12V lighting system so I'm wondering what specific brand or technology of relay works reliably in a hot location. I prefer to have a DIN mounted relay but will consider something else. Thanks in advance Jim Duncan North Texas Renewable Energy Inc www.ntrei.com http://www.ntrei.com/ NABCEP PV 031310-57 TECL-27398 nt...@1scom.net 817.917.0527 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Xantrex 600v charge controller
We have installed about dozen in the last 9 months with no issues. They have great output and they talk to the XW Gateway, which is great. And you can / must program them via the SCP or the SCT. We use a string sizing tool Excel Spreadsheet first written by Richard Perez. We added a Temp Comp and series parallel user entry concept, etc. We usually string 12-14 each 60-cell polycrystalline panels or 10-11 each 72-cell monocrystalline panels. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On May 16, 2012, at 2:09 PM, lars Ortegren l...@cal-solar.com wrote: Wrenches, I’m wondering if here is anybody out there that has installed any Xantrex 600v charge controllers out there. I looking at a job and thinking about replacing an MX-60 with a 700 foot pipe run to the array wired with #6 thhn My understanding is that the further away you get from the battery voltage, the greater the efficiency loss is within the unit. Outback gives the curve to show the loss of output at higher voltages, but searching Schneider’s site I can’t find anything close. It’s either going to be this, or tying a grid-tied inverter through the Outback output, but doing that would only get me single stage charging. Has anyone watched these controllers over time? Monitored its output? Thanks Lars Ortegren Director of Operations California Solar Electric Company 10141 Evening Star Drive, Suite 6 Grass Valley, CA 95945 http://www.californiasolarco.com/ Phone : (530)274-3671 Fax: (530)274-7518 California C-10 Electical Contractor #779624 NABCEP Certified PV Installer # 091110-89 Certified NABCEP Continuing Education Provider ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Dongle for XW
It is a special part. It is called a System Configuration Tool. You can order it from Schnieder or from a dealer, like Conergy or AEE, etc. or from other RE websites. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On May 16, 2012, at 12:42 PM, Nathan Stumpff nat...@arcticsun-llc.com wrote: Wrenches, Is the ‘dongle’ used to interface a computer with an XW : A) a proprietary part from Schneider/Xantrex or B) a standard computer part? If A, any recommended sources for one? If B, any information on what it is, what it is called, cheap place to buy one, etc.? Thanks! -- Nathan J. Stumpff - Arctic Sun, LLC NABCEP Ceritified PV Installer #091209-175 NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer #032412-14 nat...@arcticsun-llc.com Office: 907/457-1297 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] #2 battery interconnects
Allen Let me know your volume requirements. We can make 6, 4 2 AWG cables using cobra xflex. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On May 6, 2012, at 4:43 PM, Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.com wrote: Wrenches, For years we have purchased #2 battery interconnects in 9 and 12 lengths for smaller systems, especially with golf cart batteries. AEE carried them until recently. Yes, we could make our own, but prefer not to. Can you suggest another distributor that continues to offer them, please? Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder and Chief Technology Officer Positive Energy, Inc. 3209 Richards Lane (note new address) Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 www.positiveenergysolar.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Abysmally low production from FLEXpowerTWO GVFX3648system
Bob, There are a lot of settings that could influence your numbers. I guessed at Yakima, WA for the PV Watts location and using 77%, I got: 239kwh for December, 254kwh for January 361kwh for February 531 for March. I would predict you should have at least generated most of this amount per month, not half as much for the whole quarter. 1. Make sure SellRE is enabled: ADV/FX/SELL/Grid Tie Authority = Yes (instead of NO SELL). 2. Double check the ADV/MATE/PG4/FN-DC Advanced Grid-Tie Authority settings for set correctly or off. This setting allows the inverter to absorb the batteries before enabling SellRE. If the charge is set for a 3 hour Absorb before selling, that can put a huge dent in production. You might consider turning this off or understanding if it intelligently shortens absorb or set absorb to a short time, to hasten sell. 3. Verify the Sell voltage is appropriate. I typically use the low side of the Float voltage printed on the battery (52.8 [whatever Outback allows]) and disable/lower Float on the Inverter's Charger. 4. Also verify the Float and Absorb settings on the charge controller. I use the high side of those same battery numbers (53.6 [whatever Outback allows]). In a normal day, you don't want the charge controller thinking it is done, but you want the inverter to do all it can. If the Charge Controller goes to Float, the inverter will have nothing the sell, so I set the charge controller Float a little higher than SellRE / Inverter Float. Of course, it should never get out of Absorb anyway, but just in case. Also keep in mind that you are splitting the selling across two inverters wherein each one is 93% efficient (from the spec sheet) and I think that is a peak value. So add up the losses down the chain to see if 77% is appropriate. I have a site where I get 70% in the Winter and about 82% in the Summer due to the tilt angle of the array. It is tough to get above 77% PV watts vs. AC watts. Does the site have the MATE3 so that you can some daily logs? Monitoring is the key to success, in my opinion. How can you know where your are going if you don't know where you've been? On another angle. During a bright sunny day at solar noon, open the combiner box and verify with a DC Amp Clamp that all is as expected, while the outback is Selling / FM80 is Absorbing as much as possible (expect 3.1-3.5kw on the FM80). Go off-grid and turn on a large load if necessary. Third Angle. Check the Grid Voltage while the Outback is selling at much as possible. Make sure it is not going above 129 VAC, or so (Stop Sell Reason other than 8, for instance). Good luck, Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bob Clark Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2012 9:43 PM To: RE-wrenches@lists.RE-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Abysmally low production from FLEXpowerTWO GVFX3648system Dear Wrenches: What am I not seeing with this situation? Only 133 DCkWH (120 ACkWH) during mid-December through April 6 (at least that is what the mate and the MX80 CC say). PVWATTS predicted ~600 ACkWH. Here are the major components of the system: 24 - Silicon Energy 190W solar modules in 8 series of 3 modules for 4560W nominal 1 - Midnite Solar, Combiner box, MNPV12 with 8 circuit breakers (one for each string) 1 - MX80 charge controller 16 - Concorde SunXtender Sealed AGM Battery, 6V, 405Ah, L16, PVX-4050HT (2 parallel series of 8 batteries for 48V and 810 AH) 1 - Outback FlexNet DC System Monitor, FN-DC 2 - GVFX3648 inverters 1 - Mate2 1 - HUB10 1 - Remote Temperature Sensor The insolation this winter has been, if anything, more than usual. The electrical usage noted on the utility bill was approximately 170 ACkWH more than the same winter period last winter. No appreciable change in usage pattern this winter compared to last winter (in fact, if anything, there has been less use this winter). Everything appears to be functioning (normally, I think). What is going on? It cannot just be a malfunctioning utility meter. It seems to me that regardless of the functionality of the utility meter, the Mate and the MX80 should show greater production. What is being overlooked? Thanks for your help. Bob Clark SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC (509) 826-1259 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Small Generator
I would add a Honda eu2000is unless you want an auto start unit. If so, an Onan RV microlite (we reclaimed one from an old RV and mounted it to our job trailer tongue) Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Apr 3, 2012, at 10:22 PM, Peter Parrish peter.parr...@calsolareng.com wrote: I have an off-grid demo consisting of 5 SX3170's, a Blue Sky CC, 6 kWh of 24 V batteries and a Xantrex ProSine 1000 inverter. I would like to add a ~750 W - ~1000 W genny that can be interfaced with the ProSine. Any ideas? Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., Chair Alternative Energy and Transportation Technology Department College of the Canyons peter.parr...@canyons.edu Ph 661-362-3888, Mobile 323-839-6108 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Gen start
After the OB AGS starts the Genny, check the last page of the AGS menu for the status / event code. The Mate manual has a table of codes for why it started. Also, Magnum has a neat stand alone AGS that I have used with great success. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Feb 26, 2012, at 2:02 PM, penobscotso...@midmaine.com wrote: Hi all, I have a customer I picked up in Culebra that has a previously installed PV system. His Outback AGS programming is wacky, with the gen starting and running whenever it feels like it and with no rhyme nor reason. I have defaulted and reprogrammed many times with the same results. While I know it is likely an outdated s/w version, I would really like to find something that is more foolproof Is there a quality, reliable, simple to program and reprogram AGS out there. Something that I can set a start voltage and stop voltage and be done with it. His system now works beautifully except for the AGS and I would like to remedy this quickly. Thanks for suggestions. Daryl ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB
I agree. With some exception, we use AGMs for GTBB and FLA for Off-Grid. That makes the most sense to me. But you would think after 20 years, inverter manufacturers would make some software similar to generator cycling to handle this cycling issue. We program inverter EQ settings to the Absorb Voltage setting and teach the customer to press the EQ button or menu once a month. We also instruct them to drop the grid once a month to make everything works as planned. No point in having battery backup system if it does not backup under a real outage. Certainly, there is room for improvement on battery care from the inverter guys on GTBB systems. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Feb 16, 2012, at 7:35 AM, Darryl Thayer daryl_so...@yahoo.com wrote: Well I have some but little experiance, I tried flooded batteries, cycleing batteries in float, I have had to many fail in two to 4 years, I have two CD sealed AGM battery sets in float, these are now 9 years old, and they are due for a test, but it apperas they are still going fine. One set has had about 2 grid outages in 9 years, the other maybe 9 grid outages. From my experiance the sealed AGM should be the battery of choice for long float periods. Darryl. From: toddc...@finestplanet.com toddc...@finestplanet.com To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 10:22 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB my inquiry is about the health of floating a lead antimony battery bank, in a grid-tie with battery back-up system, where the batteries float 99% of the time... considering (not specifically about any particular brand/manufacturer) i have also heard talk about the necessity to have to work harden a set of deep cycle batteries to get optimal use and capacity. in a battery backup system, the batteries wear our from old age, rather than cycling lifespan. it is common for batteries in these systems to go years with no cycling. if cycling is healthy for a battery. i'd like to know that. i have heard people speculate on it before, but never got a definitive answer from a manufacturer. i respect jamie and his expertise, so that is why i'd like to hear what he has to say about these batteries theories floating out there in wrench land. todd On Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:52pm, William Miller will...@millersolar.com said: Colleagues: I am no sure if it would be appropriate for a manufacturer to comment in this forum on the relative merits of two competing battery products. Respectfully, William Miller At 12:27 PM 2/15/2012, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote: i would LOVE it if jamie surrette would chime in on this comment. todd Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB
Unless you have an Outback FN-DC and have programmed Enable Auto Grid Tie control. Which will Absorb the batteries and then Sell the rest of the day. It is tricky to get the Charge Parameters Met to work but it is worth it to set it up. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Feb 15, 2012, at 2:08 PM, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote: the only time an OB GFX bulk charges is after a grid outage. todd On Wednesday, February 15, 2012 10:58am, Jason Szumlanski ja...@fafcosolar.com said: I’ve had some success with RE batteries in float service by reducing the absorb time and float voltage. Talk to the manufacturer for their recommendation. I think float service is fine for RE batteries, but bulk charging every day when the sun comes up just cooks them unnecessarily. Also anecdotal… Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:52 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB I would not recommend using an RE battery for standby/back up use. There is a similar problem that I have seen. People use 6 volt golf cart batteries in their motorthome and then stay plugged into shore power for long periods of time. I see premature failures from this type of use. A golf cart battery is designed to be cycled, not left in float service. Without exercising the battery by occasionally discharging it and then charging and equalizing, it is likely to fail early. My opinion is anecdotal but I'm convinced it is true. Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems (928) 342-9103 On Feb 15, 2012, at 11:38 AM, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote: I've been happy with Trojan batteries. They do say that they need up to 100 cycles to reach full capacity. so what does this mean for grid ties/battery back-up? todd Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Experience
I vote for absolyte. I have a customer with 22kw of PV (8 MX60s), an 8 stack of Outback FX inverters and a 9600Ah @ 48V Absolyte IIP AGM battery bank. It has been going strong since 2006. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Feb 8, 2012, at 10:02 AM, wes kennedy hathaso...@yahoo.com wrote: Howdy Gents, I have a project (high altitude, off grid, 25 kw PV, 9 x SI5048's, multicluster) where I am considering two similar batteries. The Absolyte GP (GNB 100G17) vs the Deka Unigy II (AVR95-19). Both have similar reported Lifecycle curves, 1200-1300 cycles at 80% DOD. Any field experience to share? The Deka seems better on paper, larger AH capacity per dollar quoted from my distributor. Thanks! -Wes Kennedy Solar Geek since 1996 303-653-3073 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator Selection -- XW specific
I was able to edit two parameters guided by Xantrex to make the issue go away. You will need the Xantrex Configuration Tool and the tech note / software tool from Xantrex. But otherwise its pretty simple to do. Of course, a firmware update will make the incompatibility go away easier. Software upgradeability is a great feature on inverters. Thanks Maverick -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 2:52 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Generator Selection -- XW specific Friends: The Kohler RES series generator has a bug when used in conjunction with the Xantrex XW inverters: The power waveform of the RES generators is distorted under no-load conditions. The result is that the XW will not connect. A fix is pending but a new firmware release date is not yet predicted. William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com License No. C-10-773985 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Request for Gennie Recommendation Honda EU 6500
I have a customer with that Gennie and we auto start it with the Xantrex XW AGS and without the Honda Remote. See Type 13. Let me know if you need more details. Thanks Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer R # 091209-26 President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Billing: PO BOX 1229, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Office: 512-919-4493 Fax: 512-607-6398 Cell: 512-460-9825 Corporate: http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com/ http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 5:50 PM To: al...@positiveenergysolar.com; RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Request for Gennie Recommendation I'm installing a small off grid system that has an existing generator. It is a Honda EU 6500 converted to run on propane. It is sweet. I haven't found out yet if the conversion cancelled the warranty. This would be too small for Allen's current project, but it seems like a good solution for many systems. Drake Chamberlin ATHENS ELECTRIC LLC OH License 44810 CO license 3773 NABCEP Certified PV ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] DC to AC derate
Ray, I think a few people have already chimed in. You can't use a balancing transformer because in fact you already have a balancing transformer. Mine is on the pole next to my house. Some are planted in the front or rear yard, etc. If you have an outback X-240, now you sorta have two in parallel (one little 4kw unit and one 25kw or 50kw version), that is not likely a good idea. Another thing to note, if the first outback sells a few hundred watts, it wakes up the other sleeper to help. I can't remember the exact figure, so I looked it up. Each GVFX3648 can sell about 3300 watts, and using the Power Save feature set P01 (the master to 0 [zero] and set P02 (the slave) to 0 for, I guess, sell all the time, 1 for start to help on or before 15 Amps AC, 2 for start to help on or before 24 Amps. Maybe even a setting of 3 would delay it even more??? I am not sure. In my home system I only have one GVFX inverter and one XW inverter, so I can't try it to be sure. For the sharp modules, I would use a clamp on dc meter to measure amps from each string at the combiner during full sun and verify that all strings are a) equal, b) high enough (shoot for 80% of nameplate for instance). I have found some strings to be lacking and moved modules around to get an optimized array. With the string breaker off, you can measure the individual pv module performance (kinda) with an incandescent bulb and some test leads in the junction box [or add a dc switch for MC cable]. Of course, ground mounted arrays are worth their weight in silver for this aspect alone. Maverick P.S. Of course, I think of some weird things at times... with one inverter, if you have local loads on the red leg, while selling on the black leg, doesn't the utility transformer run your power back through their meter $$$? Hopefully, the meter zeros out this cross flow... I digress... _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ray Walters Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 3:34 PM To: RE-wrenches Cc: Levi, Dean Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DC to AC derate I have a related question to this. Does setting up a pair of Outback GVFXs with the balancing transformer and allowing one inverter to go to sleep at lower AC output improve efficiency? It seems we would be reducing electronic loads, but adding transformer losses. Any comments? I have a recently commissioned double Outback system with 200 AH @48v battery bank. He's reporting efficiency at 77% DC in to AC out. I'd love to improve that, as his aging array of Sharp modules seems to be under performing as well, (4.08 KW STC rated, 3 Kw actual out) I haven't gone back and done testing with my insolation meter, so I'm not sure exactly what is happening, but his overall efficiency (STC rated to AC out) is only 56% . Ray On 1/4/2012 7:55 PM, Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] wrote: Please use the 90% of the CEC or PTC rating of the PV module at most. Among several systems that I monitor daily, I have an example 11.760kw (STC) system that has a 500Ah battery bank and it peaks at 77-80% of the STC rating each day. Peak is defined as the top of the bell curve that forms from the graphing watts output versus nameplate watts. If I use the CEC rating (10.54kw), it peaks at 86-90% of the CEC rating each day. If I go to the CEC list and copy paste into a spreadsheet and enter the values for the STC versus PTC, I might find I would loose 10% (or more) in the PV rating. http://www.gosolarcalifornia.org/equipment/pv_modules.php (go ahead, find your modules and divide PTC by Nameplate). I also have a grid-interactive system that has a very large battery bank (2600Ah @ 48V, with 9kw STC Array) and it only has a peak efficiency rating of 69% because of the load of the batteries. The larger the battery bank, the happier customers are for outage situations, but the larger the battery bank, the more current goes into Floating the batteries during selling. For that system, I may lower Grid Support/SellRE and use Auto EQ to keep the batteries fresh... Anyway, keep in mind that you cannot simply assume: 12kw Array x 6 hours of sun = 72kwh of generation each day. The brand of PV, the size of the battery bank and even the charge controller's Absorb Float settings can greatly reduce what the inverter thinks it can sell. With multiple inverters and charge controllers it gets even more complicated (worse). Good luck, Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of b...@midnitesolar.com Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 5:14 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DC to AC derate On 1/4/2012 3:01 PM, All Solar, Inc. wrote: Wrenches, Once again I am trying to size a grid tie w/battery system and I struggle a little with the efficiencies of them. With PV Watts (v.1), is changing the DC to AC derate an accurate method
Re: [RE-wrenches] DC to AC derate
Please use the 90% of the CEC or PTC rating of the PV module at most. Among several systems that I monitor daily, I have an example 11.760kw (STC) system that has a 500Ah battery bank and it peaks at 77-80% of the STC rating each day. Peak is defined as the top of the bell curve that forms from the graphing watts output versus nameplate watts. If I use the CEC rating (10.54kw), it peaks at 86-90% of the CEC rating each day. If I go to the CEC list and copy paste into a spreadsheet and enter the values for the STC versus PTC, I might find I would loose 10% (or more) in the PV rating. http://www.gosolarcalifornia.org/equipment/pv_modules.php (go ahead, find your modules and divide PTC by Nameplate). I also have a grid-interactive system that has a very large battery bank (2600Ah @ 48V, with 9kw STC Array) and it only has a peak efficiency rating of 69% because of the load of the batteries. The larger the battery bank, the happier customers are for outage situations, but the larger the battery bank, the more current goes into Floating the batteries during selling. For that system, I may lower Grid Support/SellRE and use Auto EQ to keep the batteries fresh... Anyway, keep in mind that you cannot simply assume: 12kw Array x 6 hours of sun = 72kwh of generation each day. The brand of PV, the size of the battery bank and even the charge controller's Absorb Float settings can greatly reduce what the inverter thinks it can sell. With multiple inverters and charge controllers it gets even more complicated (worse). Good luck, Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of b...@midnitesolar.com Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 5:14 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DC to AC derate On 1/4/2012 3:01 PM, All Solar, Inc. wrote: Wrenches, Once again I am trying to size a grid tie w/battery system and I struggle a little with the efficiencies of them. With PV Watts (v.1), is changing the DC to AC derate an accurate method for getting the output? Thanks in advance! Jeremy If you keep the batteries charged to a voltage just above their resting voltage, say, 52 volts for a 48V system, and the battery bank isn't too large, (~225 A-hours, maybe a bit more), about 90% PV to grid AC efficiency is in the ball park. That's what we figured in the early days of GFX inverters at OB. That's giving 5% for the electronics and 5% for keeping up the batteries. Different and/or more accurate information may have come along since that time. boB All Solar Inc. Jeremy and Amy Rodriguez 1463 M St Penrose, CO 81240 www.asolarelectric.com Phone 719-372-3808 Fax 719-372-3804 Email allso...@scswifi.net Email allso...@live.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase J-box brackets
William, I have two or three spares. One of which I can take to my machine shop and ask them for a quote. How many do you want? Thanks Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 12:34 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase J-box brackets Jason: How do you use 3/8 hardware to attach a bell box to a module mounting rail? Could you share a picture of your typical practice? The standard bell box has small, flimsy tabs to be installed on opposite corners of the box. Only one of these tabs would line up with the slot in the rail and the tab is too small to drill a 3/8 diameter hole. (We have drilled a hole in the back of these boxes and used hardware with neoprene washers, but this takes up valuable volume inside the box and is generally not a preferred method. More importantly, this would not allow the box to be mounted across the end of the rail, a most advantageous position.) You may not be aware that the brackets depicted have holes to allow 8/32 machine screws in each of the 4 corners of the back of the bell box, making a very secure connection. The bracket allows mounting a box across the end of the rail opens many possibilities for conduit routing. A lot of thought went into the design of these brackets and it is too bad they are no longer made. Do you have any spares you did not use? William Miller At 07:29 AM 12/18/2011, you wrote: Content-class: urn:content-classes:message Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=_=_NextPart_001_01CCBD99.DAC6A840 Why not just use 3/8� hardware in the rail channel to attach the junction box? Especially if your AHJ allows you to bury the junction box under a module, this works and looks great. Otherwise, just extend the rail outside the last module and attach the box there. I never saw the point of the bracket. Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of JRQ Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 1:21 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase J-box brackets William, I actually prefer to use Unirac L-brackets for mounting J-boxes. Sometimes I'll use the Enphase one because it comes with the Enphase whip (and therefore I save paying $2.75 on an extra L-bracket). However, I find the L-brackets to be sturdier and less visible. Jeffrey Quackenbush NABCEP-certified PV installer Ninja Solar From: William Miller will...@millersolar.com To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 11:33 PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] Enphase J-box brackets Friends: Enphase has changed the design of the brackets they provide to support a j-box. This is a problem because the new ones are inferior for these reasons: 1. They do not have a hole adjacent to the back of a mounted box (to the best of our knowledge). This hole allows for the use of the back hub in a standard bell box. 2. They can not be mounted offset (to see the benefits and application browse to: http://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/practices/Technical_Procedures/micro-inverter_wiring/_micro-inverter-wiring.html 3. They do not accommodate one and two gang bell boxes. I'd like to buy a quantity of these brackets. A jpg depiction is attached. Does anyone have surplus? Does anyone else miss these enough to write Enphase and ask that they be reinstated into the catalog? Thanks in advance. William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com http://millersolar.com/ License No. C-10-773985 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com http://www.avg.com/ Version: 8.5.454 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/4087 - Release Date: 12/17/11 19:33:00 Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com http://millersolar.com/ License No. C-10-773985 ___
Re: [RE-wrenches] best solar/electrical apps
Jay, My Top-10 iPhone Apps 1. iBooks for all those PDFs of the manuals and spec sheets 2. DropBox for the all the customer records 3. HomeDepot (Inventory of all the stores whereever I might be that day) 4. Inclinometer (from UniRac) 5. HeyTell (2-way radio, i.e. for pulling wire and million other uses) 6. SquareUp (Credit card reader) 7. SunTracker (it died and I could never get it to work, but it was nice) 8. JotNot Pro (great scanner for the Camera on the phone) 9. UPS (track inbound stuff) 10. e-mail (a must have on the phone) Good luck! Maverick -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 6:14 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] best solar/electrical apps HI All, Im new to the app market, but now have an I phone. Of the many apps for electrical/solar I'm sure many of you out there have some favorites? thanks, jay peltz power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Liability
Since the invention of the lawyer and insurance agent, there has alway been liability. Your hourly. Barge includes money that goes to both of them. You should carry $1M policy and have working relationship with an attorney (that is. It a family member). As a practical matter, we complete a Service Report in writing to give to the customer and we take digital photos before, during and after each visit. Those photos are stored in a customer folder forever (and sync'd off-site via DropBox). Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Nov 23, 2011, at 10:43 AM, mac Lewis maclew...@gmail.com wrote: Hey wrenches, Wanted to see what everyone does in a case like I just encountered. I got a call from a tenant for an off-grid system installed by the landlord (supposedly an electrician). I went up there to look at the site and it was a mess. System lacked OCPDs, there were gouges in the insulation of the wires, loose terminals, nothing ran in conduit, etc... I was called up there to see why the generator was not auto starting. I got the auto start working, expressed my concern to the tenant about the workmanship and left. Now I'm wondering whether I should have touched the system at all. What would you do? Is there liability here? Thanks -- Mac Lewis Yo solo sé que no sé nada. -Sócrates ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Liability
Remind me to learn how to type on the iPhone. Edit: hourly charge includes insurance and lawyers Edit: no family member lawyers. Sorry. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Nov 23, 2011, at 10:53 AM, Maverick Brown [Maverick Solar] maver...@mavericksolar.com wrote: Since the invention of the lawyer and insurance agent, there has alway been liability. Your hourly. Barge includes money that goes to both of them. You should carry $1M policy and have working relationship with an attorney (that is. It a family member). As a practical matter, we complete a Service Report in writing to give to the customer and we take digital photos before, during and after each visit. Those photos are stored in a customer folder forever (and sync'd off-site via DropBox). Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Nov 23, 2011, at 10:43 AM, mac Lewis maclew...@gmail.com wrote: Hey wrenches, Wanted to see what everyone does in a case like I just encountered. I got a call from a tenant for an off-grid system installed by the landlord (supposedly an electrician). I went up there to look at the site and it was a mess. System lacked OCPDs, there were gouges in the insulation of the wires, loose terminals, nothing ran in conduit, etc... I was called up there to see why the generator was not auto starting. I got the auto start working, expressed my concern to the tenant about the workmanship and left. Now I'm wondering whether I should have touched the system at all. What would you do? Is there liability here? Thanks -- Mac Lewis Yo solo sé que no sé nada. -Sócrates ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] High-power MPPT/Charge Controllers?
Dan I just stacked 5 Xantrex XW-MPPT-600-80 controllers with 10 strings of 10 in series 225W modules (2 strings per controller). The XW PDP accumulated all this wiring to battery back. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Nov 18, 2011, at 11:49 AM, Exeltech exelt...@yahoo.com wrote: Need info on MPPT/charge controllers able to output up to 500A at 48Vdc. High-voltage DC input (up to 300Vdc) preferred. Units will connect to a 20-24 kW PV array and 150 kW-h battery for a large off-grid system. Not locked into 48Vdc. Can go up to 108Vdc (nominal) if needed. Any such CC units available? If not, what's been the collective Wrench experience in paralleling multiple controllers of whatever max output amperage exists on the market? I realize a paralleled configuration of this nature would entail multiple separate arrays in use on the input. That won't be a problem. Just need to be able to feed the common battery bank. Thanks. Dan ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Repair depot fro Lorentz/Dankoff
You can try GenPro. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Nov 8, 2011, at 10:04 AM, William Miller will...@millersolar.com wrote: Friends: Where do I send an early Lorentz / Dankoff controller for repair? Thanks in advance! William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com License No. C-10-773985 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] intermittent battery problem; ...Battery Sulfation
Ron, Sorry to beat a dead horse, but a Pentametric will reveal what happens at 4am (or any other time). At a minimum all you need is the sending unit, 2-3 shunts and the serial converter. You then use your laptop to download and analyze what happened in the past few days, etc. of course, the display unit can show the customer details as well. The Pentametric can also monitor SOC and has a relay that can start the generator or turn on a Start the Genny Now indicator. As for sulfated batteries, I think SG will be higher with less water in the batteries for a given state of charge. That's just my gut talking not some advanced Molarity vs SG vs concentration calculation that I can vaguely remember doing. The bottom line, you still don't know if the customer will bounce another energy check since they are not keeping a check register to know the daily balance. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Oct 24, 2011, at 2:49 AM, Ron Young solarea...@solareagle.com wrote: Hi Larry, I immediately assumed sulphated battery when I heard the customers description a couple of weeks ago but the hydrometer readings didn't jive. Any sulphated battery I've encountered, and I defer to your greater experience, has always revealed itself with a simple S.G. test and these batteries were reading above 1.265. I then thought the possibility of a defective hydrometer and had them test with another but we just got confirmation of the same thing. The weird drop in voltage also isn't explained by your description. Why would this just happen without loads or charging present (except maybe the DC Sunfrost load) at the same predictable time at 4 a.m. The fact that when the generator was turned on and sent a surge of current into the system and the problem went away made the detective in me think there had to be another explanation. The bank was at rest for several hours through the night and the voltage dropout was cured by a brief application of charge current. When I arrived on site my discovery that the client was under watering the batteries and this chronic condition resulted in a very rich electrolyte, reading well above 1.265 - into the 1.280 range made me think that was the problem and it seems to have gone away now that the electrolyte level was raised and the batteries given a good charge. But it still nags at me that something else is lurking in the shadows. Your description of the sulphate converting to a crystalline form has me worried because if this is the case this expensive battery bank is in danger. I would have to camp out at the site and monitor the charging over a day or so. I'm going to forward some of your comments and those of others that have generously offered suggestions and we'll see if I can convince the client who now believes everything is A-Ok. Best Regards, Ron Young earthRight Products - Solareagle.com Alternative Energy Solutions ~ Renewable Energy Products On 2011-10-22, at 12:06 PM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems wrote: Hi Ron, As many on this list have suggested, it sounds like a sulfated battery condition. In your last message you revealed something to me that absolutely confirms this but perhaps you didn't recognize it. Battery voltage readings are deceiving because they do not indicate capacity. 25.7 volts sounds like a fully charged 24 volt bank, but is it? Only if the battery was at rest for 5-6 hours could you have some confidence that the bank was full at this voltage. But this is not the case because the bank is in daily use, always charging or discharging. However, there is one useful indication that voltage can be used for: detecting a sulfated battery. You mentioned that the the battery drops to 24.5 in the early AM without any heavy loads on. For the 4KS25 battery this equates to about 800AH at the 72 hour rate. Then you said that the customer ran a 2500 watt generator for 5 minutes and drove the voltage up to 29 volts. Here's the Ah-Ha moment: That is EXACTLY the behavior of a heavily sulfated battery bank. A fast rise in voltage indicates sulfation. It is impossible for that tiny generator, or any charge source they own for that matter, to replace the hundreds of AH it would take to drive a healthy battery up to the absorb voltage of 29 volts. The bank is about 45,000 watt hours (72h rate). There would have to be over 20,000 Wh removed to be at that voltage. How many Wh's are replaced in 5 minutes by a 2500 watt genny? I'm sure you are getting the picture. Why did this happen to these expensive batteries? Glad you asked. Battery plates are not uniformly efficient in the electrochemical process leaving some portions with lead sulfate even after 8 hours of
Re: [RE-wrenches] intermittent battery problem
Ron, Sounds like you might have a voltage drop in the system at point of measurement. A large voltage drop can happen for a few valid reasons. 1. High current demand. Trimetric or better yet PentaMetric can show this demand. 2. Poor Cable connection. Visual / Thermal inspection or local Vdc measurement along the cable chain. 3. Low to moderate current demand with low SOC. Check the MX60 Logging function to see when the last day Float happened, i.e. how many minutes of Float in the last 60 days, etc. If there are none or few, then you still might be at a low SOC. (Trimetric or better yet PentaMetric can show the SOC as well). Of course, not sure what happened to the Sunfrost, but a DC Clamp meter, might determine if it is normal now. good luck, Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ron Young Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 2:00 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] intermittent battery problem Wrenches, I received some additional info from the customer this morning. They have asked me to hold off my visit until they get a few more clues but some of what they are telling me doesn't necessarily jive with a sulphated battery. Would appreciate comments - here's a quote from their email: Hi Ron Still having problems with system. If the batteries are sulphated would the system return to full charge when you remove the load??? Checked our hydrometer against another and it is working fine. Batteries are all either in the green or on the line between green and blue this morning. Display showed the batteries at 25.2 when we got up this morning. About 10:30 this morning---I had just tested all batteries with the hydrometer---the readings dropped to 23.8. Retested batteries---they were in the green. I turned off all loadsthe readings returned to 25.2. I turned on the Sunfrost---readings immediately dropped to 23.8. I turned off the Sunfrost--- readings returned to 25.2. I turned on all lights in the house and the readings remained at 25.2. I turned the Sunfrost back on and the readings again stayed at 25.2. The one other thing that happened in the meantime is that the sun came out and we started buying power from the solar system---.1-.3kw. This all seems to be part of a pattern where as soon as we start buying power---whether from sun, wind or gen. the system returns to normal---But we are still suspicious of the Sunfrost because of our problems a few months back. Ron Young earthRight Products - Solareagle.com Alternative Energy Solutions ~ Renewable Energy Products On 2011-10-09, at 11:56 AM, Ron Young wrote: As always, impressed and gratified by the number of thoughtful replies from Wrenches, thank you again! It looks like a hefty EQ is in order. I've successfully recovered badly sulphated batteries by putting them through multiple charge/EQ/discharge cycles on more than occasion. Will check out that Sunfrost as well. My mistake was believing that the hydrometer could tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth but apparently it takes an amp hour meter to keep it honest. Ron Young earthRight Products - Solareagle.com http://Solareagle.com/ Alternative Energy Solutions ~ Renewable Energy Products On 2011-10-09, at 11:12 AM, Jonathan Hill wrote: Ron- We've seen this issue before,and it is almost always due to badly sulfated batteries. I'd try a LONG (8-12 hrs) EQ charge at 32 volts. We've done this with Hawkers and fixed the problem. I believe the Surrettes could handle this kind of charge, though you might contact Jamie Surrette. Jonathan Hill, senior system design engineer Sierra Solar Systems 563C Idaho Maryland Road Grass Valley, CA 95945 Celebrating our 31st year in solar! tech info and foreign orders: (530) 273-6754 order line: (888) ON-SOLAR (US only) FAX: (530) 273-1760 e-mail: mailto:solar...@sierrasolar.com world wide web: http://www.sierrasolar.com http://www.sierrasolar.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY-0UuabPEk Check out our 2 minute video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY-0UuabPEk Because of the high volume of e-mail to which I respond, please leave _all_ of the previous messages (unless it's unbearable) in your reply so I can better remember your original message. att6eade.png On Oct 8, 2011, at 6:42 PM, Ron Young wrote: Thanks Bob but he has a tubular type hydrometer, not the pointer type. They're usually ok but I'll check it against mine when I go there which looks like a certainty. They EQ the batteries on a regular basis as per my instructions (they say) but will have to nail them down on that. The small 2500w generator worries me but they have 800w solar and a Whisper 100. The wind blows a lot. Inverter is a 3524 Outback. Ron On 2011-10-08, at 5:07 PM, bob ellison wrote: I bet he has a cheap pointer type hydrometer, I have seen them be way off from reality. My guess is
Re: [RE-wrenches] intermittent battery problem
We always put meters on the system. We typically use just pentametric sending unit and a serial converter with 3 shunts. Then you can hook your PC and get details on what's going on. I also recommend giving the customer a 60$ DVM like the ideal brand or an old fluke. As far as your current situation. Sounds like low SOC. Have the customer run the Genny and check the charging voltage and current. If the batteries are full and loads low, charging current will also be low. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Oct 8, 2011, at 1:31 PM, Ron Young solarea...@solareagle.com wrote: There is no amp hour meter in the system. The dump load on the Whisper sounds like a possibility... Batteries are 4ks21 Surrettes with an 1100 a/h rating @20hr rate and should have plenty of life left in them. They have been eq'd on a regular basis and maintenance has been good. Alas the customer doesn't own a multimeter so can't check the individual battery voltages but has checked each cell with tubular hydrometer and tell me that all cells are in the green. They may misread a hydrometer but the colour is easy to see so I'm pretty sure they don't have a bad cell. Ron earthRight Products - Solareagle.com Alternative Energy Solutions ~ Renewable Energy Products On 2011-10-08, at 11:20 AM, jay peltz wrote: HI Ron, Do you have an amp hr meter in the system? When you say 15 min of genny brings the batteries back up, back up to what as you also say, 2 hrs later they are at 25.8v? I would guess the problem is the dump load controller on the Whisper, its turing on for some reason, draining the batteries. But for me without an amp hr meter, hard to really know what is happening overnight ie was there really a drain on the system? jay peltz power On Oct 8, 2011, at 11:01 AM, Ron Young wrote: Howdy Wrenches, One of my customers that lives 3 hours out in the back country is having an intermittent problem that I haven't encountered before. The batteries drop rapidly in voltage but hydrometer readings are in the green. Turning off the inverter and just using DC doesn't change anything. Meters on the Mate, Outback MX and Whisper controller are all the same so it's not a metering problem. On the way to bed the batteries were at 25.4, overnight with no loads they dropped to 22.9 then a short 15 min. charge with a generator brings the batteries back up and two hours later they are at 25.8. This scenario has occurred several times and then doesn't appear for a day or two. It doesn't seem to be sulfation as the batteries are reading good on the hydrometer every time. All cells check out. The inverter doesn't seem to be the problem. They have a Sunfrost on a separate DC circuit. It sounds like an intermittent circuit problem or electronics issue. Customer has checked and tightened all the connections he can get at but hasn't been inside the components. Would appreciate any suggestions or clues before I make the trip. Ron Young earthRight Products - Solareagle.com Alternative Energy Solutions ~ Renewable Energy Products ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Re: [RE-wrenches] Re-configuring expanded array
Go with all 32 as 8 strings of 4. Replace both CCs with Classic 200 or 250. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Sep 30, 2011, at 8:55 AM, hol...@sbcglobal.net wrote: Battery based grid tie system Current array: 20 modules - 5 strings of 4 Proposed array: 32 modules - 10 strings of 3, 1 string of 2 - all to MNPV12 combiner changing charge controller (long story) and expanding system to 2 CC's. voltage limits me to 3 max in string. Question: is the 3-2 mix of strings an issue? Also - would modules of slightly different voltages in the same string be an issue? Think I know the answer - that's why I'm asking others.just want to be sure Holt E. Kelly Holtek Fireplace Solar Products 500 Jewell Dr. Waco TX. 76712 254-751-9111 www.holteksolar.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Float, Sell Voltages
Mike, I approached it as if the batteries where installed in a UPS system. What constant float voltage would the batteries be charged at during grid-up, so they would be ready for grid-down? I would use 53.2V for Float and for Sell. I also recommend to use software on the inverter to automatically bring the batteries to Absorb periodically. Most inverters have a setting to do this daily. The Absorb Time can be rather short since the Depth of the Discharge is so low. Of course, I would use different Absorb settings for an off-grid location. I am not sure what you mean by wide open. The Charge Controller should go wide open so long as it can stay in Bulk mode while the inverter is selling. I have seen settings on the CC that cause it to go into Float and then the inverter has nothing to sell. I would not set the float to 55V for hours on end. The batteries might start to off-gas. At the same time, you can adjust Sell seasonally for inverters that do not Temperature Correct the Sell Voltage. Concorde's Lifeline AGM Technical Manual has a temperature chart that explains the V/T relationship. Good Luck, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer R # 091209-26 President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of hol...@sbcglobal.net Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:31 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Float, Sell Voltages Trying to tweak a couple of battery based grid-tie systems.Trying to maximize sell back without frying or draining the batteries. Have gotten various opinions from manufacturer's techs, so why not a few more.. Concord AGM's set now as follows: Bulk = 57.2v float = 53.2v sell = 52v It is my understanding that sell is actually a low end float on a grid-tie system and to keep the CC wide open for sellback, I might set the float to around 54.5v+ ( and maybe even as high as 55v?) and the sell voltage a bit higher - (53.2?) with the understanding that if grid goes down for extended period of time that the float must be set back to 53.2. Any thoughts? One other thingwith 4.3kW PV array, what would you expect as the maximum sell wattage to show up at peak sun? (my guess is 3.3 - 3.5) Holt E. Kelly Holtek Fireplace Solar Products 500 Jewell Dr. Waco TX. 76712 254-751-9111 www.holteksolar.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] High intensity LED spotlights
Larry, I had a project that never left the launch pad, but this is the light I was going to use. http://www.doctorled.com/M503.htm Thanks Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:48 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] High intensity LED spotlights A customer needs to light a long, narrow area from a single location using PV solar power. The application requires a light (or lights) with a 45' throw only producing an 8-10' beam spread. I am looking for recommendations for high output, narrow beam, LED spotlights suitable for outdoor use. If you have actually installed anything like this, or if you can recommend another high efficiency light, I would like to talk with you. Thank you, Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems www.starlightsolar.com 928-342-9103 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Home Brew Frequency Switch
I have considered using a drop out contactor to isolate the inverters from the generator following a loss of line voltage. I suggest that method above as the best. Generators can change frequencies under load and other conditions, etc. so there would not be such a precise control. Line voltage coil relays are also cheaper and easier to get as compared to frequency controls. The voltage drop out contactor might be easier to implement using the KISS method. Good Luck! Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mark Frye Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 11:20 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: [RE-wrenches] Home Brew Frequency Switch Folks, I am back on the project where I want to install grid tied inverters (Enphase) on a feeder located downstream of a generator and ATS. I have considered using a drop out contactor to isolate the inverters from the generator following a loss of line voltage. As an alternative, how well might it work to reset the generator frequency so that it is outside the inverter range? In this way the inverter would always see the generator as bad energy and therefore would never connect to the generator, only the utility. The nominal frequency range for the inverter is 59.3 to 60.5. What is the effect on the loads in the household if the generator frequency is adjusted to say 58 or 62 hertz? Would the higher or lower number be better? Would this fry everything in the house? I can't see that making a relatively small change like this would effect the overall impedance such that a problem with current capacities would be a problem. It seems like the frequency would be more of a problem for some devices. Anyone have experience with deliberately adjusting generator frequency away from 60 hertz as described above? Mark Frye Berkeley Solar Electric Systems 303 Redbud Way Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 401-8024 http://www.berkeleysolar.com www.berkeleysolar.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Meter base minimum conductor size
Try using ferrules: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Phoenix-Contact/3200315/?qs=Hp4IEBVVqKI9 npAWQtu7Sg%3d%3d Strip the wire and insert into the ferrule, crimp with terminal crimper and then insert into the larger lug. Good luck, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer R President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Billing: PO BOX 1229, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Shipping: 11402 Antler Bend Road, Austin, TX 78737 Office: 512-919-4493 Fax: 512-607-6398 Cell: 512-460-9825 Store:http://www.mavericksolar.com Corporate: http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Carl Adams Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 6:23 PM To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Meter base minimum conductor size Wrenches, We often use a conventional 100A meter base and analog meter as an independent metering system for inverter output. These meters typically have a minimum conductor size of #6 AWG. For smaller systems the inverter output conductors are smaller than #6 AWG. We have upsized the conductors to match the meter base requirement, but this adds expense. I am looking for other suggestions for resolving this. With Regards Carl Adams SunRock Solar ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] module / panel
I think it is a tough battle getting that straight. If there is one of them, it is a Module. If there is more than one, then it is a Panel. All of them together is an Array. Most customers would like to think: panel versus panels or module versus modules. There are a very few other English words that change completely when made plural... A Gaggle of Geese i.e a Panel of Modules. It just sounds weird. Try using both together, like PV Module Panel. That is what I do... Thanks Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer R Specializing in Off-Grid Remote Power Systems President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Billing: PO BOX 1229, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Shipping: 11402 Antler Bend Road, Austin, TX 78737 Office: 512-919-4493 Fax: 512-607-6398 Cell: 512-460-9825 Store: blocked::http://www.mavericksolar.com/ http://www.mavericksolar.com Corporate: http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com/ http://www.mavericksolarenterprises.com _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of benn kilburn Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 4:50 PM To: Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] module / panel Wrenchers, Which term do you to describe a single framed unit with either a j-box or two wire leads on the back, module or panel? Which term do you believe to be correct and why? My interpretation is that a single framed unit is a module. Any number of modules attached to a single detached 'rack' is a panel, and a group of panels with the same orientation or mounting location/type is an array. If you agree with my interpretation, what are your thoughts on the widespread use of the term 'panel' to describe a module. thanks, benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. b...@daystarsolar.ca 780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] outback mate question
Do they have a PC connected to the Mate? Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Feb 7, 2011, at 7:33 PM, jay peltz j...@asis.com wrote: HI All, I'm curious if anyone can shed light on this one. I've got a customer whos telling me their mate changes from USE to drop on its own. they say they set it on USE, come back and check it and its on Drop? Ive never seen this one. any thoughts other than user error? system is 6 years old, probably original mate, no AGS, sealed fx thanks, jay peltz power PS the site is a 8hr drive each way, not my install, just trying to help out. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Photosensor for 12VDC System with load controller
It think the C12 has a built in night light function. Use a knob on the inside to set up. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Jan 31, 2011, at 7:52 AM, Jason Szumlanski ja...@fafcosolar.com wrote: I have a customer with a Xantrex C12 charge controller with LVD controlling a 5A load. Their battery and PV are not large enough to run the load 24/7, and they don’t need it to run at night. I am thinking about recommending a photocell to disconnect the load at dusk and turn it back on at dawn. They are not interested in upgrading the PV and battery (too costly). Can anyone recommend a photosensor source, and maybe a model number? Other ideas welcomed… Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] SunSaver failures; MPPT controller reliability (1A Charge/Load controller)
Larry Were the failures on 12 or 24v systems? Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Jan 23, 2011, at 9:58 AM, la...@starlightsolar.com wrote: Jason, Not much to elaborate on. A single 200 watt Sanyo module, about 25' of 8 gauge wire, lowest temperature 20 degrees. When the SunSaver controllers fail, they cause a short circuit at the battery terminals. Morningstar handled the warranty as they do all SunSaver warranty's, quickly sending replacements with return postage for the defective unit. We have had 4 SunSaver failures since November 1. I sell 150+ charge controllers at our retail store each season (Nov. ~ Dec.), most of which are MPPT. Reliability is critical to me and I pay very close attention to failures. Most of my customers are mobile and not able to return to our store if a product fails. I have tested and sold many MPPT models. The Phocos MPPT controller I was evaluating failed and we have had our share of Outback and BZ controller failures. Blue Sky Energy has had a few bad controllers but compared to the volume of BSE products we sell (over 1100) they have been the most reliable. I have not yet tested Steca, TriStar, or Xantrex MPPT controllers. Larry Starlight Solar Power Systems Original Message Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 10A Charge / load controller From: Jason Lerner wapa...@rockisland.com Date: Sat, January 22, 2011 11:56 am To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Hi Larry, I am curious about the failures you have had, could you elaborate? Thanks, Jason Lerner Waldron Power and Light Co. On Jan 21, 2011, at 5:37 PM, Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher wrote: I have had failures with the Sunsaver MPPT. I have used them with a single Sanyo module in small battery systems. Perhaps they just can't handle the 50.9 Voc. Larry Starlight Solar Power Systems ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Late 2010 Report: Magnum Advanced Remote Magnum Switchgear
I just installed my first MMP. I love that box! I agree that the charge controller bracket is whimpy. Make it from 0.125 or fold it to make it more rigid. I did not have trouble with the Torx head screws. I had been using a Milwaukee M12 Impact Driver and have the big set of bits to go with it. I bought the Milwaukee specifically to drive 10-32 type F philips screws to hold ground lugs to PV modules. Faster than a regular screw driver and no stripped Philips heads. You don't HAVE to use Torx for the MMP. And, I don't mind u$ing Torx for ground lugs if I could find them. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Dec 23, 2010, at 5:30 PM, Brian Faley bfa...@magnumenergy.com wrote: Thanks Mick for the post we always welcome feedback from installers after all you guys are the experts! A couple of notes to clarify Mick's observations. Mick is correct, the version 2.1 of the ME-ARC release Feb 2010 did have a software bug where the decimal point was in the wrong place in the Amps IN/OUT meter. The calculation for the SOC meter was still correct so the actual SOC displayed was correct but the individual meter was wrong by a factor of 10. The bug was reported in May 2010 and the fix (along with some new features) was released Nov 2010. We apologize for the inconvenience this bug caused but we didn't recall the product as the SOC was still correct, which is the most critical meter to determine battery SOC. Again thanks for your insight on the MMP and MP panels. We use Torx fasters not as a deterrent but because the sheet metal is funnel punched, which means when we receive it there are no threads for the screws. We use a special thread forming screw (not to be confused with self tapping screws, thread forming screws leave no metal shavings when forming the threads) to drive into the sheet metal which takes some force to achieve the threads. We use Torx instead of Phillips heads because Phillips heads screws strip out to easily during the process of using the thread forming screws. We have used Torx thread forming fasteners in our products from the very inception of Magnum and you may notice they hold the top covers and all the boards together in the inverters. The original MMP units did not have a charge controller bracket. It was added later as were the PEM nuts for the mounting to the MMP, so there are no holes to drill on the current MMP. The charger controller bracket fits the right or left hand side and fits: MidNite, Outback and Morningstar controllers. The controller is mounted with the nipple at the bottom and the bracket holds the top of the controller from pivoting. For the Outback controllers there is also a hole in the MMP if you want to take one of the controller cover screws out you can reinsert the screw through the MMP into the controller. The last item I will mention is the lack of a bracket to mount the standard remote to the MP panels. The MP panels are designed for multiple parallel inverter installations which a ME-RTR (we call it a router, like a Hub and Mate in one unit) is required so you can parallel two or more inverters. We do provide a router bracket since most likely you would use an MMP for one inverter and the MP for multiple inverters. Hope this helps, and again thanks Mick your insight. Brian Faley Chief Engineer Magnum Energy 2111 W Casino Rd Everett, WA 98204 425-353-8833 bfa...@magnumenergy.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Suntech 175W 24V Module
Unless those Suntech's have black frames, the Conergy P180M will work. Also many monos of that size (power) are very close in dimensions, ie Sharp NT-180, and quite close in volt/amp, etc. Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer R President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Billing: PO BOX 1229, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Shipping: 11402 Antler Bend Road, Austin, TX 78737 Office: 512-919-4493 Fax: 512-607-6398 Cell: 512-460-9825 _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Davis Terrell Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 6:59 AM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Suntech 175W 24V Module Wrenches, I am looking for one Suntech 175 24V module to match an existing array. Please contact me if you know where one might be found. Thanks, Davis Terrell Project Manager Green Earth Energy da...@mckernongroup.com office: (802) 247-1200 cell: (802) 989-1661 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] lifting shingles
I have used a heat gun, a flat crowbar and long serrated bread knife (I am sure there is a real tool made the same way). Good luck Maverick _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of benn kilburn Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 4:05 AM To: Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] lifting shingles salute, i was inspecting a (~3yr old) 2/12 pitch roof for an upcoming install that was going to have flashed roof connection points and noticed that i could not lift up any of the shingles for installing the flashing. the sealing strip that holds the upper shingle to the one below it, is aggressively stubborn. i tried several in the area of the array location and they are all sealed down very well, much better than any other comp shingle i've come across, which typically lift and separate from the 'sticky strip' with a careful little tug on the shingle. all the ones i tried began to tear the back off the top shingle that i was trying to lift. i'm told these are a higher quality comp shingle and are well suited for low pitch roofs, they have a 35 yr warranty. i contacted the shingle mfg. tech support and after explaining what i was doing his suggestion was literally try lifting them when its warm out then try when its cold out, see if that works. thanks tips! my first thought was to use a torch to heat and soften up the shingles' sealing strips that i needed to lift. i'm not surprised that the shingle tech did not endorse this method. i'm not thrilled about it either. just having a propane bottle and torch on the roof, risk of overheating (burning) the shingles, extra time to do this, are things i'd prefer to avoid. i'm sure if done carefully this method would work, but i'm a little more cautious than just trying it without asking around so i've been contacting a few roofers i've worked with, as well i'm wondering if any of you have come across this issue of having to lift particularly well-sealed comp shingles and how you have dealt with it. if the consensus is to stay away from the torch then i'm prepared to go with the good ol' l-feet on this one. cheers, benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. b...@daystarsolar.ca 780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] roof-mounted AC combiner box
Soladeck can hold 5-6 branches with some added din rail parts. I have used ac din rail breakers in those Outback and MidNite combiners. Likely legit and it was wall mounted. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 22, 2010, at 8:50 AM, Kirk Herander, VSE k...@vtsolar.com wrote: Hello, I am about to start some larger Enphase systems, and I’m wondering if there is an AC combiner out there (outdoor load center, etc) that is listed to be mounted at an angle(meaning roof angle), ala the Outback DC combiner boxes. I want several combiner / discos on the roof and it won’t look very pretty to have them mounted vertically. Thanks. Kirk Herander Vermont Solar Engineering 802.863.1202 fax 802.863.7908 VT RE Incentive Program Partner NYSERDA Incentive-eligible Partner NABCEPTMCertified Installer ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] corrigated roof mounting feet
S-5 also makes a bracket called a CorruBracket. Made from AL and has edpm seals. Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Aug 7, 2010, at 9:19 PM, Jeff Yago jry...@netscape.com wrote: Most of the past metal roof projects we have completed worked great with S-5! clamps. However, we have a boat load of modules to mount on a large commercial sloped metal roof that has no standing seams. The corrigations are constant across the roof surface so there are no flat lands where we could place a racking foot. Due to the large array size and weight, we will need to bolt through to the metal truss below, but any standard foot would just squash down the roofing when we tighten the bolts. I have seen homemade blocks used and saw an Australian manufacturer called ALzone that has the exact product we need, but I do not understand why this same mounting foot is not available from the likes of UniRac or other U.S. manufacturers. I also would like to order local and am not sure if the Alzone hardware has a local distributor. Doesn't anybody make a aluminum plate that is flat on top, has a corrigated bottom surface, is about 6 to 8 sq to distribute the weight across several humps, and has some type of mastic sheet you can place under it to seal. We don't want to get into making our own as we will be required to submit all kinds of wind loading design data, so we just want to order this as a completed product from somebody who can provide wind data on tests of their product. Any help would be appreciated, Jeff Yago _ Netscape. Just the Net You Need. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Foam Insulation Install
What about using the UNIRAC rapidfoot? Thank you, Maverick Maverick Brown BSEET, NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ® President CEO Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc. Office: 512-919-4493 Cell:512-460-9825 Sent from an iPhone. On Jul 19, 2010, at 8:59 AM, hol...@sbcglobal.net wrote: For residential install with the spray foam insulation Underside of deck has 12+ of foam.no way to accurately locate rafter there.hammer and ear also out of the question...don't think any of the stud finders will workbeen told that peeling back shingles to locate rafter is only accurate way...would like to avoid that if possible..any suggestions? Holt E. Kelly Holtek Fireplace Solar Products 500 Jewell Dr. Waco TX. 76712 254-751-9111 www.holteksolar.com - Original Message - From: Ken Schaal k...@commonwealthsolar.com To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 8:25 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Slate roof strategies During the 80's we installed several SHW jobs on slate, one with 8 - 4x10 collectors. It continues to be leak free. The key thing to remember is that it is NOT the slate that keeps the water out, it is the tar paper underneath the slate. Here in Va. the paper is good for about 100 years before it dries out and deteriorates to the point where it can break up from wind storms. Then any wind driven rain can lead to leaks. Of course , there are differing grades of tar paper--- For mounts to be water tight, the typical technique is to remove a slate with a slaters tool to remove the 2 nails holding the slate. Then slide a sheet of copper under the tar paper shingle fashion--also a good time to check the tar paper to see what condition it is in-- so that there is a durable material to seal to.Then L feet can be installed with black silicone in the lag hole and under the foot, oozing out all around, especially on the uphill side, and smooth over to seal the top edge. Snug the lag but do not tighten excessively ! We want to maintain a silicone pad. For those that need the security of a boot, it can be installed in conjunction with the copper flashing. A decorative piece of slate can even be installed by cutting a strip or 2 of copper strap that is fastened under the boot, or inserted into or under the main flashing, nailed with a copper nail and some silicone, extending below the bottom of the slate, and then bent up and over the bottom of the slate, making a durable hook. Remember, all the slate does is look good and protect the tar paper from UV rays. Anytime a plumbing boot is installed, it is best if its inserted into or under the roofing material, not just caulked on top of the roofing. I wouldn't use the' hole saw thru the slate' Ken Schaal CommonWealth Solar slate roof territory - Original Message - From: Mick Abraham m...@abrahamsolar.com To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 4:35 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Slate roof strategies Hi, Drake~ Consider this item: http://www.sunslates.net/ These are sized to match Eternit brand slates. I know very little else about this...but if you have a different size of slates... thinking... somebody else is out there with other sizes. OpenEnergy is a brand you might do well to search out, and friend Brian on this list with Eagle Roofing may have other suggestions. The holesaw through the slate idea sounds to me like it would ultimately rely on a caulked seal between the Oatey flashing and the slate upon which it rests. That sounds risky for what is probably a high end roof with a high end structure beneath. Jolliness, Mick Abraham, Proprietor www.abrahamsolar.com Voice: 970-731-4675 On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM, Drake Chamberlin drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org wrote: Hi Wrenches, There was a strategy mentioned for slate roofs recently. Removing the slate under the array area and replacing with decking and shingles would certainly work. That might be the best solution. There are two potential problems however. It would cost a fair amount to replace that portion of the roof My slate roof guy estimates that the existing rock is good for another hundred years with a little maintenance. The slate is an incredible roofing material, and it would be a shame to scrap it. One strategy that might work would be to take a diamond hole saw and cut circles of slate out, over the rafters, to screw standoffs directly to the rafters. Then an Oatey flashing could go over the standoff. Any feedback as to the viability of this method would be appreciated. Thanks, Drake Chamberlin Athens Electric OH License 44810 CO License 3773 NABCEP TM Certified PV Installer Office - 740-448-7328 Mobile - 740-856-9648
