[RE-wrenches] Midnite DIY hardware feedback

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Wrenches,
Has anyone used, or known customers who have used, Midnite Solar's new, 
inexpensive imported 'DIY' line? Any stories, any feedback on 
performance and reliability so far?

Thanks, Allan
--
*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
(Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
(Retired), Sindelar Solar
*505 780-2738 cell*

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Inverter bypass

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Kris, It was SqD QO403, and it was a 3-pole load center/disconnect, not 
4-pole. You may recall that the dual-inverter Trace Power Panels of long 
ago used two of these, each one serving as an inverter bypass switch to 
one 120V AC leg.


On 3/2/2023 11:46 AM, Kristopher Schmid via RE-wrenches wrote:

Hi All,

I have a stand alone system that was upgraded from an FX inverter to a 
Radian WITHOUT  the companion load center.  I would like to add an 
inverter bypass circuit to operate the house on generator power.  
There used to be a 4 slot breaker panel (SqD?) with the rocker switch 
preventing both breakers from being in the on position 
simultaneously.  I have not been able to find it on the interweb.  
Anyone know of something out there that would meet my needs?


Kris


Shine On!

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



--

*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 

(No longer) NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
(Still) New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
(Retired) Founder, Positive Energy, Inc.
(Retired) Founder, Sindelar Solar
*505 780-2738 cell*
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Old Trace SW inverter connected to the grid.

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Todd is correct. This solution is simple and works. You'll still want a 
switch or breaker on the input.

Allan

On 12/19/2022 9:13 AM, Todd Cory via RE-wrenches wrote:


If the grid is wired to AC2, then the inverter can charge off off that 
source but not sell to it.

Todd

On Mon, Dec 19, 2022 at 8:21 AM David Palumbo via RE-wrenches
 wrote:

Wrenches,

I have been retired from doing solar installs for 10 years now
and I am reaching out for help as to recommending a solution
to an old do-it-yourself customers question.

His solar system that was formerly off-grid and is now using
grid power instead of a back up generator.

He had/has no intention of doing a net-metered system. Just
trying to reduce dependance on a fossil fuel genset during our
mostly sunless Vermont winters.

He says that he brought in power a few years ago to run their
expanding maple sugaring operation located next to their
house. At that time they ran a 115Vac circuit (grid power)
over to their house and connected grid power into AC Hot In
terminal #! in their Trace SW 2512. This is correct as I see
terminal #2 is labeled for generator power.

He has the Trace programmed for float mode  not sell mode.

Their local utility was working on the line nearby on the main
road and noticed a small amount of current flowing into the
grid and figured out where it was coming from. The utility did
not immediately shut him down. Just told him to correct the
problem. He is asking me for advice.

My first inclination is to separate the grid power completely
from the inverter power and to feed both power sources into a
double pole double throw transfer switch. What other options
should be considered.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays,

Dave Palumbo

Formerly > Independent Power & Light

Hyde Park, VT

802-371-8678 voice or text
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum MS4024 grief

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Chris,
I also found Kirk's response to capture what I would've checked first. 
Ray is correct about multiple neutral-ground bonds, but there's a point 
that I think has been missed. You didn't identify the generator, and I'm 
going to assume that it's a portable gasoline unit. They have GFCIs on 
the AC output because they're almost never connected to a solid ground, 
and that's the safest they can make the output - they internally bond 
neutral to the chassis of the gennie and run the output through a GFCI. 
When they're connected to an off grid home there's always going to be a 
ground loop in a correctly wired installation, because the Powercenter 
is the first point of disconnect and is thus where the overall system 
neutral-ground bond should be made.


In my experience there is no fully Code-compliant solution to this. At 
least, I never came up with one, and many years ago neither could John 
Wiles when I discussed it with him. You don't want to disconnect the 
bond in the E-Panel because if the gennie is the only bond point and 
it's disconnected (by unplugging it) your system ground becomes 
unbonded. Stationary generators generally separate the bond, or at least 
allow it to be separated (small Kohler units always allowed this), 
because of this very issue - for prime power (non-solar) applications 
the bond is made at the source, but where it's a secondary source it 
needs to be separated. Portable generators don't give this option.


The best solution John and I came up with is to treat the gennie as a 
separately derived system: ground it to its own rod; put it far enough 
from the home that you can't touch it and anything grounded in the home 
at the same time; bond normally in the E-Panel; and eliminate or 
disconnect and tie off the bonding conductor between the gennie and the 
PV system. Only by treating it as a separately derived system can you 
get around the requirement that all service equipment must be bonded.


And if the gennie has a separable neutral-ground bond that's been 
opened, I have no idea how to solve your issue... 

Allan
--
*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
(Former) NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
Founder (Retired), Sindelar Solar
*505 780-2738 cell*

On 12/16/2022 12:44 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:


Undoing the N-G bond at the E panel may not do it either.  Are you 
sure neutral isn't also bonded in the main distribution panel?  It 
usually is bonded at the generator, so you definitely have to unbond 
there.  I'd say 60 to 70% of off grid systems are not bonded correctly 
that I've seen.  Just what Kirk said: it should only be bonded N-G at 
one and only one spot.  Check sub panels too.  My record was seven N-G 
bonds on one site.  It caused the shower to be energized; the customer 
thought that was normal(don't touch the shower head!?!).That 
site even had a N-G bond in the well pump wiring!  Took 3 days of 
unF***ing that wiring to finally get it.


It ain't safe, until it's right.  The GFCI is doing its job, and so is 
the Magnum.  Now the electrician has to do his job. Unless you wired 
the whole house, you're On to fix it. Especially off grid, I see an 
amazing bunch of DIY garbage. Find out who did the original wiring.  
Probably not a pro.


Ray Walters
Remote Solar

On 12/16/2022 11:35 AM, Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches wrote:
You may have neutral and ground connected at more than 1 location, 
meaning at the genset and in house panel, which means the ground is 
carrying current back to the generator in parallel with the neutral.


I remember with some Honda portables we had to float the neutral at 
the genset or the inverter would trip the generator's GFI when trying 
to charge the batteries.


On Fri, Dec 16, 2022 at 1:16 PM Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar via 
RE-wrenches  wrote:


The easy answer is try another genset ! You have to be more
specific, did it ever work? Is it new? etc. Good Luck !

*Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail offgridso...@sti.net
text 209 813 0060*

On 2022-12-16 10:04 am, Chris Daum via RE-wrenches wrote:


Hi folks:

We have a new Magnum MS4024 mounted on an E-Panel using a
MidNite Classic 150 and Whiz-Bang JR with power coming from an
array of Trina TSM365-De06X-05(II) (three strings of three) with
the ME-RC50 and a HUP SolarOne 6-85-14/24 battery.
When we attempt to use the PFC (Power Factored Charger), the Gen
Set’s GFCI outlets trip.  Thus far we have verified the
connections are secure, assured that the gen set is grounded,
disconnected the jumper within the E-Panel between the ground
buss and neutral, checked AC voltages, removed the MNSPD’s from
the buss(s)…  Stumped now on what an appropriate next step
should be.  How do we get the PFC to 

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Monitor for Li

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Matt, you didn't indicate whether this is a TM2020 or a newer TM-2030. 
The steps are the same, so it shouldn't matter.
Set the charge efficiency to 99%. Set the voltage to a few tenths of a 
volt below the Simpliphi's BMS setpoint.

Set the amps to off.
Make sure that P01 for auto reset is on.
Should work fine.
Allan

On 9/2/2022 12:43 PM, Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches wrote:
I’ve never installed simplify batteries. Do they make their own state 
of charge monitor?
The trimetric has a perimeter called charge efficiency % You can tweak 
that to get it to match the any benchmark more closely.
Also the trimetric should be reset to full on a regular basis, When 
you have confidence the batteries are full. All trimetrics drift off 
over time, especially given the unique charge characteristics of 
lithium-ion’s versus lead acid batteries.


On Fri, Sep 2, 2022 at 2:32 PM Matt Sherald via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:


Hello Friends,
I have an off-grid customer for whom I recently installed some
SimpliPhi 3.8kW batteries.  This is an older system and it has a
Trimetric battery monitor that the homeowners have used for years
to keep an eye on their battery bank.
The SimpliPhi batteries appear to be working fine at the site, but
the homeowners feel uneasy b/c the Trimetric is reporting that
they are finishing each charging cycle with an amp-hour deficit. 
The voltage of the SimpliPhi batteries indicate that they are
getting fully charged and are doing so fairly early in the AM
(solar is the primary power source).
I've spoken with SimpliPhi tech folks and their hunch is that the
Trimetric is not reporting correctly.  They suggested that a
Victron BMV-712 would be more accurate at tracking Percent Full
etc...
Do you folks think that the Victron is better at counting Ah
in/out for Li batteries?  Or is the Trimetric adequate - do I
maybe just need to adjust the settings?
Anyway, the implication that the Victron BMV was better at
monitoring Li batteries has me curious and I will enjoy hearing
what the group thinks.
Thanks for your time!
-Matt
-- 
Matt Sherald

PIMBY Energy, LLC
304-704-5943
www.getpimby.blogspot.com 
www.getpimby.com 


--
*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
Founder (Retired), Sindelar Solar
*505 780-2738 cell*

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum Inverters

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

I have installed three of the Samlex EVO series in the last few years, 
all 24V units and all with Midnite E-Panels, and all have worked 
flawlessly. I've ordered all as preassembled units from Midnite.

Allan

On 7/20/2022 4:34 PM, Bradley Bassett via RE-wrenches wrote:
The Samlex EVO4248SP is a potential substitute. The only system panel 
is the MidNite E-panel. This is a 4.2 kW split phase inverter.

Brad
AEE Solar



--

*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum Inverters

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Jeremy,
I have long and happily used Backwoods Solar, who carries Magnum, but I 
checked their website and see that all split-phase Magnums are shown as 
on backorder.

I work with Erika Karnitz, 541 482-3439.
Allan

On 7/20/2022 5:29 AM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:

Does anyone have a source these days for Magnum Energy Inverters?
Contact me off list if needed.

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

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.

--

*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Flex Power ONE FXR expansion

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Yes, but keep in mind that the X-240 autotransformer is only needed with 
the FX/VFX inverters, and shouldn't be used with the FX-R/VFX-R series. 
I learned this recently on a job where I replaced two older 24V VFX 
units with new 48V VFX-R units and had to remove the balancing X-240.

Allan

On 6/14/2022 5:16 PM, Jerry Shafer via RE-wrenches wrote:

Jeremy
I have and used a second PS1 and added a transformer to connect the 
two, worked fine was just parts that all needed to connected

Jerry

On Tue, Jun 14, 2022, 4:08 PM Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches 
 wrote:


Hello
Does anyone have a solution for adding a second inverter to an
single flex power pre wired panel, to achieve 120/240V ?
I know it wouldn’t be on the same panel, but looking for an option
here.
Regards,
Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design Expert
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St
Penrose Colorado 81240
___


--

*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*
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[RE-wrenches] Shurflo 9300 submersible alternative?

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

Wrenches,
In years past I used to have more than a dozen clients with Shurflo 9325 
('9300') 12/24V DC submersible well pumps, and kept the parts to rebuild 
them. It's been at least ten years since I was asked to repair or 
replace one. In that time the price has risen enough that the retail 
price is now around $1,000. This morning my neighbor called to tell me 
that hers had failed and she wants a replacement.


Please reply if you have found a less expensive replacement that will 
fit the same application: 24V array-direct; under 200' TDH with open 
discharge; around 200 watts of 40-year-old modules. It would pretty much 
have to be a Chinese copy of a diaphragm pump like the Shurflo.


I'm not looking for a better pump solution; I know that there several 
good ones. My neighbor lives alone on a fixed income, on the homestead 
she built in the 1970s, and this approach has served her for decades. 
I'm just looking for a cheaper pump that will replace the Shurflo and 
has a decent track record for reliability.


Thanks, Allan
--
*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Retired Founder, Positive Energy, Inc.
Retired Founder, Sindelar Solar
*505 780-2738 cell*
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Re: [RE-wrenches] GJ 250 circuit breaker DC 250

[Sindelar Solar via RE-wrenches]

I have one, Jeremy. The exact item - Heinemann GJ250 in good condition. 
You can have the Trace (pre-Xantrex) DC250 standoff bracket too if you 
want it. I see that it's missing both allen set screws for the 4/0 
terminals. You'll have those, right? If not I can include a pair off of 
one of the two GJ175s that I found in the same box.


What's a fair price to both of us for this bit of unobtainium? A new 
Midnite MNEDC250 is $142 from Backwoods, dealer price $97.76. I think 
that $100 plus shipping would be the most I'd ask for it, and I'm 
willing to consider a good argument that it's worth less. When it was 
new it was $195 from Trace Engineering, as I recall, and those were real 
dollars. Funny how far it's dropped over the decades.


Let me know, mi amigo,
Allan

On 5/31/2022 10:15 PM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches wrote:

Hello
Does anyone have a good used 250A CB for the old DC250 by  Xantrex? I 
believe they are a GJ250?
Or does any of the new equipment work. Kind of looks like the Magnum 
Energy breakers in a MMP.

Contact me off list If necessary.
Regards,


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

--

*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*
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