[RE-wrenches] Digital Refractometers
Hi William, The old school optical (analog) version is too time consuming for your needs? If not Misco makes two models oC or oF The oF model is 7084VP. The actual manufacturing of the unit is done by Reichert. Reichert makes multiple digital refractometers, hopefully of the same quality as the Misco unit. Best wishes, Bill LoeschSolar 19905 Vasel DriveSaint Louis, MO 63123314 631 1094 -From: re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Cc: Sent: Wednesday September 11 2019 4:03:40PM Subject: RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 12, Issue 262 Send RE-wrenches mailing list submissions to re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20190910/217e9a0e/attachment-0001.html> /> -- Message: 2 Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:10:53 -0700 From: William Miller To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Digital refractometers Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Friends: After three failed units I have given up on the Veegee MDX602. What brand of digital refractometer would any of you recommend? Thanks in advance! William Miller -- Subject: Digest Footer ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- End of RE-wrenches Digest, Vol 12, Issue 262 ___ 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-wrenches] Colorado PE Referral
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Multi-meters
Hi Will, Jay, et al, I have three years experience with a lower capacity Hioki clamp meter and could not be more pleased. Have you investigated what a Google search offers? Thanks, Bill Loesch314 631 1094 -From: "jay" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: Thursday September 13 2018 10:07:17AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Multi-meters HI Will, I found this unit from Japan. HIOKI CM4372 jay peltz power On Sep 13, 2018, at 5:28 AM, Will White wrote: Hello Wrenches, I've started doing some work on 1,000 VDC systems so I need to upgrade my meters. What I'd really like is a clamp-on amp meter that is rated for 1,500 VDC but they don't seem to exist. I want to get something now that I won't have to upgrade in a few years if I end up working on 1,500 VDC systems. The only 1,500 VDC meter I've found are the Amprobe HD160C which is a multi-meter (not clamp-on amp meter) that is rated for 1,500 VDC but can only measure up to 2 A with their amp clamp attachment. The other option is the Seaward Solar Utility Pro but I don't have that much money in the budget. Is it worth getting a 1,500 VDC meter or is 1,000 VDC enough? What are you techs in the field using? Thanks, Will -- WILL WHITE Curriculum Developer e: w...@solarenergy.org [2] w: www.solarenergy.org [3]p: 802-272-3092 PV Installation Professional # 093006-34 _FACT: If we covered 0.33% of the earth with solar panels, we could power the world with renewable energy._ Do you envision a world powered by renewable energy? Be the change [4]. ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [5] Change listserver email address & settings: [6]http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [7] List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html [8] List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org Links: -- [1] mailto:w...@solarenergy.org [2] mailto:w...@solarenergy.org [3] http://www.solarenergy.org/ [4] http://solarenergy.org/donate [5] mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [6] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [7] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [8] http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html ___ 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] Trackers
Chris,I thought since solar PV prices have come down (understatement), is it not more cost effective to buy more modules than a tracker? Are there scenarios that the above would not ring true? (As I remember, off grid water pumping for livestock ponds may still be an exception as also, limited space.) Please advise. Thanks,Bill LoeschSolar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 -From: ch...@oasismontana.com To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: Wednesday September 5 2018 3:45:25PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trackers * Dear people: What trackers are y’all using nowadays? I have a customer (with a great site) who’s insisting on a pair. We’ve sold Zomeworks and Array Technologies in the past, but I know there are more offerings now. Thanks for the input! Chris Daum Oasis Montana Inc. 406-777-4309 or 4321 406-777-4309 fax www.oasismontana.com [1] Links: -- [1] http://www.oasismontana.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] battery temp sensors for older Trace/Xantrex inverters
Fellow wrenches, Am I missing something? Other than the way the sensor connects to the inverter/CC/??? is this not simply a thermistor/other discrete component with the appropriate output? Yes, it is potted for preservation in the potentially acid vapor environment, and provided with glue when the attachment is other than the terminal and again, the connector is specific to each manufacturer. Thanks for your input, Bill LoeschSolar 1Saint Louis, MO314 631 1094 -From: "Chris Schaefer" To: "re-wrenches" Cc: Sent: Saturday August 4 2018 4:04:47PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] battery temp sensors for older Trace/Xantrex inverters Good Day All, Running into a lot of missing or chewed up battery temp sensors for the older Trace inverters. I'm looking for potential replacements. Anyone had any luck using another vendor or do you have a direct replacement source for these? Thanks, Christopher- Chris Schaefer’s [1] Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424 _www.solarandwindfx.com [2] ~ E-mail: ch...@solarandwindfx.com [3]_ Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Links: -- [1] http://mail2.spectrum.net/http:www.solarandwindfx.com [2] http://www.solarandwindfx.com [3] mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.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
[RE-wrenches] Does anyone have an SMA 2100TL or 2500 L sitting around?
Does anyone have an SMA 2100TL or 2500 L sitting around that they'd sell? Please contact me off-list: Bill LoeschSolar 1314 631 1094solar1onl...@charter.net ___ 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] Electrolyte Dilution vs Voltage
Steve, Thanks very much for the IR image and the explanation and one possible remedy. I had (mistakenly) always considered once the plates were exposed to air there was always irreparable damage. What camera are you using? Thanks again, Bill Loesch314 631 1094 -From: "Steve Higgins" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: Wednesday July 18 2018 11:05:06AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte Dilution vs Voltage Mac, I don't think she diluted the battery, it sounds like she exposed the tops of the plates to air and they are corroding. See the attached picture... see where the bottoms of the batteries are cooler than the rest? With the batteries in this picture they plates have been exposed to oxygen and the plates are corroding. That corrosion is adding resistance, and causing heat build up within the battery. If this were sulfation, you'd see a more even temp range within the entire battery. My guess is she exposed a bit of the plates, the best way to get this back, is to focus on full charges followed by short 15 to 20% discharges... that'll help bring back what every capacity that can be recovered. To do this: You charge to full... full absorb time and spot check spgs... you should be in the 1.260+ range on your spgs. You then discharge for 30-60 mins at the C/10 discharge rate... this will be about 28 to 35 amps DC.. I would watch individual battery voltages during this discharge to make sure you don't have a weak battery or cell within the battery. After the 30-60 mins you then do another full recharge After 4-10 of these cycles you should see a capacity gain If not then the capacity has probably been lost permanently. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] Steve Higgins ⋅ Technical Services Managert +1.902.597.4020 m +1.206.790.5840 f +1.902.597.8447 e st...@surrette.com [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] - CONFIDENTIALITY: The information transmitted herein is intended only for the addressee and may contain confidential, proprietary and/or privileged material. Any unauthorized review, distribution or other use of or the taking of any action in reliance upon this information is prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy this message and all copies. - On Wed, Jul 18, 2018 at 8:38 AM, Mac Lewis wrote: Hello Wrenches, I have a homeowner client that takes pretty good care of her batteries. She has a 5 year old set of Interstate L16s (2 strings of 8). However, she recently didn't water them for longer than normal and they gulped up more distilled water than usual (4 gallons). She was unsure if any of the plates were exposed. She has reported that since she added the water the battery bank has lost about 1.5-2V (48V bank) of her bank voltage in the morning. She reported ~49.5V in the morning before she added the water and now she is below 48V. I have advised a good strong equalize charge to destratify the electrolyte. Will diluting the electrolyte make the voltage sag like that? Is there any other advice you might give her until I can get up there? Thanks -- Mac Lewis "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [27] Change listserver email address & settings: [28]http://lists.re-wrenches.org/ [29]options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: [30]http://www.mail-archive.com/ [31]re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm [32] Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org [33] Links: -- [1] http://www.rollsbattery.com [2] http://www.rollsbattery.com [3] http://www.rollsbattery.com [4] http://www.rollsbattery.com [5] http://www.rollsbattery.com [6] http://www.rollsbattery.com [7] http://www.rollsbattery.com [8] http://www.rollsbattery.com [9] http://www.rollsbattery.com [10] http://www.rollsbattery.com [11] http://www.rollsbattery.com [12] http://www.rollsbattery.com [13] http://www.rollsbattery.com [14] http://www.rollsbattery.com [15] http://www.rollsbattery.com [16] mailto:st...@surrette.com [17] http://mail2.spectrum.net/#UNIQUE_ID_SafeHtmlFilter_ [18] http://www.facebook.com/RollsBattery [19] http://www.facebook.com/RollsBattery [20] http://www.twitter.com/RollsBattery [21] https://www.youtube.com/user/RollsBattery [22] https://www.linkedin.com/company/rolls-battery-engineering [23] http://www.instagram.com/RollsBattery [24] http://www.instagram.com/RollsBattery [25] http://www.instagram.com/RollsBattery [26] mailto:maclew...@gmail.com [27] mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [28] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenche
Re: [RE-wrenches] Electric Water kWh/ person
Ray, Chris, et al, Both Paloma (185,500 BTU/h) and Bosch (117,000 BTU/h) manufactured natural draft heaters that used zero electric, just like common tanks. Because the majority of these units used a standing pilot, they were castigated by the energy bureaucrat folks in favor of something that used some electronics to create a spark. Complexity. Then to get the unit bigger (max ~200,000 BTU/h) for non-boiler applications, a power vent was added (more complexity) and in due time an electrically driven gas valve (yet more complexity). To help keep the heater from freezing when the installation was not done properly, electric ceramic heaters were added to the heat exchanger to minimize freezing (~300 w temperature activation). The way these non electric natural draft tankless heaters were used in Europe and Asia was to turn off even the pilot once you were finished using the water heater (they had the piezo (BBQ style) sparker that was integrated with the unit as factory equipment). Energy efficient and simple. There are rare non electric units still available (sometimes at a premium) if you look hard in the US. Alternatively, look no further than Canada and Mexico for the same non electric Bosch models outlawed in the US. The Paloma has been out of production for some time, so when my remaining new natural gas units are gone, I will not be able to get any more either. Best wishes, Bill Loesch 314 631 1094 -From: "Ray" To: Cc: Sent: 20-Mar-2018 21:15:19 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Electric Water kWh/ person Rianai have 3 major issues when used off grid. 1) The phantom load when I checked was over 30 watts continuous. That's over 700 w-hr/ day. 2) They need pure sine wave, and even have trouble on Trace SW inverters. (One system I took over has a separate Exeltech on its own battery and AC charger to run the Rianai, since they have Trace inverters. Talk about a waste!) 3) They still have the hard well water scaling issues. Ray Remote Solar On 3/20/18 12:03 PM, Dana wrote: It used to be that “tankless” water heaters were very sensitive to stable temperature production as flows from single handle facets shut down the hot and opened the cold flows. I can fully recommend the Rianai heaters of today as we have 2 in offgrid and 0 issues. I have family members that have had them in residential homes for several years also and 0 issues. They do require 120 vac & have digital controls. The water temperature is very stable & consistent. I have not measured the phantom load but could if someone needs to know. 2 thumbs up for Rianai heaters from MHO. Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc. C - 208.721.7003 d...@solarwork.com [1] Idaho Contractor - # 028765 Idaho PV # 028374 NABCEP # 051112-136 www.solarwork.biz [2] "Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" P Please consider the environment before printing this email. FROM: RE-wrenches [3] ON BEHALF OF cwarfel SENT: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 11:48 AM TO: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [4] SUBJECT: Re: [RE-wrenches] Electric Water kWh/ person What are the issues with tankless water heaters? I have heard them described as having "issues", but I haven't read anything that describes what they are. They are very popular where I live. Any info? Thanks, Chris On 3/20/2018 1:07 PM, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote: And a big maybe for Offgrid where we like multiple ways to charge/heat/cool and make hot water. The default method is almost always the most reliable. For a typical home a 50 gallon propane tank water heater with a zinc change every 7 years is the norm. An air to water heat pump, an open loop solar water panel or closed loop if conditions warrant it are great secondary methods. To me heating water with electricity does not work because of winter and is a last thing to add.A tankless and their issues are near the end of the list. Ground source heat pumps are even lower to me with very nice prices on extremely efficient mini split air source pumps. I always try and minimize generators but if you need them then it allows one to have more options. Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't" [5]http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ [6] e-mail offgridso...@sti.net [7] text 209 813 0060 Maybe. I designed my own house to incorporate this. The most efficient are the vertical type, and at 6' the company advertised 20% recovery for about $1,300 if I remember correctly. This I'm sure is for a new copper pipe,
Re: [RE-wrenches] GENERAC EcoGen 6kw problem
Wrenches, Kudos to Ray for "getting down to basics" May I suggest that my own observations are that a comprehensive visual inspection of the affected component can be the most valuable time spent diagnosing a problem. Recently I was called in after five other techs had "looked" at the power vented tank water heater and replaced numerous parts, all to no avail. Simply looking at the installation under operation revealed that condensate was not properly being drained from the heater. All the onboard diagnostics could never have recognized what a simple visual inspection offered. RTFM, understand what you have read and execute those instructions to the letter. The end result,whether if be for water or electric is a trouble free installation. An installation that brings you more business and produces a happy customer. Respectfully, Bill Loesch Solar 1 314 631 1094 -From: palumbo1...@gmail.com To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: 09-Jan-2018 21:19:00 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] GENERAC EcoGen 6kw problem Thank you all for your help. Ray gets the gold star long distance diagnostics award as it was simply a thin layer of ice underneath the air cleaner. I cleared that out and it started right up and ran in good shape. Dave Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 9, 2018, at 3:35 PM, Chris Mason wrote: > > If the unit is still under warranty, have any Generac dealer run through > the diagnostics. The testing flow suggests rotor or stator problems, and > there is a proscribed testing flow that needs to be performed. If it is > determined to be a warranty issue, it will be fixed for you at no cost. > If it is not under warranty, I would still have a dealer look at it. There > are a large number of possible issues and you are going to spend a lot of > time trying to find the problem. A Generac tech will likely find the > problem in a few minutes unless it is a serious problem, in which case you > were never going to find it. > I'm a Generac tech so I can speak from some experience that this is likely > not a simple issue. > >> On Mon, Jan 8, 2018 at 8:13 PM, David Palumbo wrote: >> >> I am troubleshooting a 6kw EcoGen LP gas generator in my neighborhood that >> starts quickly >> • but immediately shuts down with an “Under Voltage” shutdown alarm >> • I can clear shutdown alarm and restart with same result. I tried this a >> few times with same result. One of the start attempts included a back fire >> before shutting down. >> • Generator was recently run successfully for a few hours during a cold >> snap. Started after several attempts at -10 F. >> • According to the EcoGen manual this Under Voltage alarm is triggered “If >> the generator voltage falls below 85% of nominal for more than 15 >> seconds”. This definitely isn’t happening as the generator starts as usual >> but shuts down within one or two seconds. >> I will check for fouled spark plugs tomorrow. Anything else that might be >> the problem? >> >> David Palumbo >> Independent Power LLC >> Hyde Park, VT >> 802-371-8678 voice or text >> >> Sent from Mail for Windows 10 >> >> ___ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://www.cometenergysystems.com [1]> > 264.235.5670 > 869.662.5670 > Skype: netconcepts > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > > 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: List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org Links: -- [1] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org /> >> >> List-Archive: 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] DC-DC converter question
Allen, John, et al, Aren't DC-DC converters a mainstay of Solar Converters, Inc. product line? Just to toss another manufacturer into the mix. Stay warm, stay safe, Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 -From: "John Blittersdorf" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: 19-Dec-2017 11:54:47 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DC-DC converter question Allan, I have used the Mean-well converters several times and have had good luck. My other choice would be an Iota but definitely more expensive. John Blittersdorf Rob Stubbins Solar On Tue, Dec 19, 2017 at 1:29 AM Sindelar Solar wrote: > Wrenches, > The time has come to upgrade a longtime client's 1985 12V system and > original Trace 1512 inverter. The inverter still works fine after 32 > years of continuous operation, but 12V is too limited to allow much > expansion. The power system has numerous 12V loads - mostly lighting > throughout the home, as the 12V SunFrost fridge will also be replaced, > so a 24-12 step-down DC-DC converter is part of the upgrade. > > Is there any reason that I shouldn't use a Mean Well RSD-300B-12 > (https://www.trcelectronics.com/ecomm/pdf/rsd300.pdf) [1] wouldn't fill the > bill? I'm familiar with this brand, as they were used for years by Array > Technologies to step down voltage to run tracker drives, and I have > never known (or heard of on this list) of a failure. The price is right > too at a bit over $100. > > Any reviews, cautions, or other recommendations? > Thank you, > Allan > -- > > *Allan Sindelar* > al...@sindelarsolar.com > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional > New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician > Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc. > *505 780-2738 cell* > > ___ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > > 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: List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org Links: -- [1] https://www.trcelectronics.com/ecomm/pdf/rsd300.pdf) ___ 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] Outdoor rated insulation covering for Solar Water Heating Systems
Hi Chris, Your question certainly generated a number of responses. While the field applied covering I mentioned certainly peeled off and had the consistency of latex paint, I did _not_ perform an analysis. There is outdoor latex paint which should have UV inhibitors, so perhaps it really was latex. The original owner is gone, so no help there but a paint manufacturer may be able to verify latex paint as an inexpensive _and effective_ covering solution. What made this solution stand out in my mind so well was the flex roof flashings, which when unprotected become brittle (and useless) oftentimes before the ten year mark. This painted flashing was just as flexible as a new unit and as you are well aware, replacing a solar flashing is way more involved than a plumbing flashing. I am aware of many manufacturers that rebrand/repackage a common item as a solution for a very specific problem and charge an outlandish premium for the common item in a shiny package (sometimes not even a shiny package). Bill -From: "cwarfel" To: Cc: Sent: 06-Nov-2017 13:01:11 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outdoor rated insulation covering for Solar Water Heating Systems Hi Bill, thanks. I did not think latex would hold up anywhere near that long. Chris On 11/4/2017 9:13 AM, solar1onl...@charter.net [1] wrote: Chris, The fitted covers certainly provide a more finished appearance. One of my customers painted the insulation (w/o fitted covers) with latex paint and after 30+ years the insulation was still quite flexible. My take away was simply that eliminating the sun (UV) effects paid off big time. As I remember they used white paint. Best wishes, Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 -From: "Glenn Burt" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: 04-Nov-2017 00:21:14 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outdoor rated insulation covering for Solar Water Heating Systems How about the white PVC jacketing? You can buy fitted elbow covers and other fitted parts as well. Probably paintable in any color to blend into location. List-Archive: List-Archive: ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [2] Change listserver email address & settings: [3]http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [4] List-Archive: [5]http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html [6] List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm [7] Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org [8] -- Christopher Warfel, PE Entech Engineering, Inc. 401-466-8978 Links: -- [1] mailto:solar1onl...@charter.net [2] mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org [3] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [4] http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org [5] http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html [6] http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html [7] http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm [8] http://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] Outdoor rated insulation covering for Solar Water Heating Systems
Chris, The fitted covers certainly provide a more finished appearance. One of my customers painted the insulation (w/o fitted covers) with latex paint and after 30+ years the insulation was still quite flexible. My take away was simply that eliminating the sun (UV) effects paid off big time. As I remember they used white paint. Best wishes, Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 -From: "Glenn Burt" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: 04-Nov-2017 00:21:14 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outdoor rated insulation covering for Solar Water Heating Systems How about the white PVC jacketing? You can buy fitted elbow covers and other fitted parts as well. Probably paintable in any color to blend into location. List-Archive: List-Archive: ___ 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-wrenches] Does anyone else have problems connecting with the links at the bottom of each email posting?
Not necessarily the user included links but the list archive, rules, and bio links? Thanks, Bill Loesch Solar 1 ___ 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] Hurricane damage to solar arrays
Jason, Thanks for the preliminary failure analysis of the latest hurricane damage. Do you have any photos which shows the bent mounting plates for the micros? Wouldn't that be an indication of the force applied before something gave up? Good call to get new micros when the leads and their attachments may have been compromised. TIA, Bill Loesch Saint Louis, MO -From: "Jason Szumlanski" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: 14-Sep-2017 20:26:09 + Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Hurricane damage to solar arrays More early anecdotal data... We are finding NO anchors pulled out of roofs, regardless of roof type or attachment type. That is clearly not the failure point. We also see no attachment to L-foot or L-foot to rail issues. And contrary to my expectation, we see no t-bolt failures. What's happening? The panels themselves are flexing (bowing) sufficiently to work their way right out of the mid-clamps. This applies both to Unirac's older 1-inch space clamps and newer 1/4 inch bonding mid-clamps. This attached pictured system had panels on a north roof pitched very slightly to the south. We had northeast hurricane winds in this area, and the way the wind went under these panels was obviously what caused the panels themselves to fail. This is an essentially flat roof commercial application. It was bad luck to have the wind direction from the northeast corner (the NW edge of the eye wall passed right over this area). But we are seeing similar results on residential pitched hip and gable roofs in terms of the failure mode. What's interesting is that there is no rhyme or reason to where in the array we see damage. I have seen absolutely no catastrophic damage on a residential roof - just one or 2 modules mostly. And the missing module can be on the lower edge, upper edge, or right in the middle of the array. More often than not, the t-bolt and mid-clamp assembly is still sitting right there in the channel of the Unirac Solarmount rail, but a module is missing. It's quite freaky. And much like tornado damage I have seen on TV, houses adjacent to each other have very different fates. We have a new community (100+ homes slated for solar) with about two dozen homes completed, and just one home had a panel pop out in the middle of an array. It was gently deposited onto the adjacent panel with absolutely no damage and the DC leads still connected to the microinverter. One issue we are facing is that when panels fly off, something has to give with the DC leads to microinverters. No panel leads have been broken so far. In most cases, the MC4 connectors simple un-snap somehow - no loss of crimped connectors. We have a few cases of leads ripped out of the microinverter case completely. The microinverter bracket is badly bent on many microinverters, indicating that there was tremendous force until something gave up. I am extremely hesitant to reuse these microinverters because the force on the DC input leads must have been huge. I think we are going to insist on microinverter replacement when replacing modules in these cases. Hopefully I will have more, but not too much more to come. It looks like we did very well here (as an industry). There are spotty issues, but it's far from the catastrophe that kept me up for multiple nights before and after Irma. Then again, many people have not returned home yet. Jason Szumlanski Florida Solar Design Group On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 6:18 PM, Jason Szumlanski wrote: I'm based in Fort Myers and we cover the hardest hit areas from Irma. We are in the "stuff" right now, so I'll make this brief until I have more time, which might be a while. We are seeing quite a bit of minor damage and some major damage. We're getting calls from all dealers' customers and a couple of our own clients. We have several homes with one or two panels dislodged. There is no rhyme or reason. Some are middle of arrays, some on edges. Panels are ripped right off rails, leads ripped from microinverters. Strangely, it looks like the panel j-box connection and MC4 connectors survived better than the microinverter end of the DC leads. Amazingly, we have several panels that were blown onto driveways, other roofs, and pool cages with NO DAMAGE except frame scrapes. Very weird. We haven't seen a shattered panel yet, but it's early. I'm heading to a self-storage facility tomorrow where there are three 25kw systems on different buildings. Two buildings are unscathed. One building lost ALL of the panels apparently. Tornado? Hard to say. So far (other than the 25kw I have not evaluated) we have not seen a single fastener pulled out. All of the failures are panel top and mid clamps at this time. Anchor and rails remain intact. Possibly installation errors? Possibly sheared off T-bolts? Hard to tell and we may never fully know. We generally require 48 inch spacing between anchors into trusses for engineered
Re: [RE-wrenches] New Washer - Old Inverter
Lou, You are getting great advice from the list. Yesterday's sinewave inverter is not today's sinewave inverter. The washers are improved, too, likely using an ECM motor today. If the washer is the only holdout, have you considered a dedicated high quality, high surge, 1800 watt inverter for just the washer? Food for thought, Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 -From: "Lou Russo" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: 08-Feb-2017 19:10:59 + Subject: [RE-wrenches] New Washer - Old Inverter Aloha All, I have a client with a old Trace 4024 on a APT center. Everything has worked great for over 20 years. He purchased a new washing machine from Sears that does not want to work. The voltage at the outlet is 117 vac and the Sears guy says that is the issue. When the system is running on the genset (Northern Light 6kW Diesel) we get 121 vac and the washer runs fine. That seems like a very tight voltage window and a issue with the washer not the system. I have seen sensitive electronics go wacky with no N-G bound maybe that is the issue? I did not install the system so I would have go poke around. Any one out there have any ideas? Aloha, Lou Russo l...@spreesolarsystems.com [1] 440 345 6762 Spree Solar Systems LLC CT-34322 Links: -- [1] mailto:l...@spreesolarsystems.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trina Module Annual Degradation
boB, Can you expand on the warranty coverage in this situation? TIA, Bill -From: "b...@midnitesolar.com" To: "RE-wrenches" Cc: Sent: Thu, 16 Jul 2015 19:01:32 -0700 Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trina Module Annual Degradation It's too bad that when a module goes to a REAL high degradation, like, 100% down to nothing before that 25 year "warranty" is up, that it is NOT considered degradation and is not covered under "warranty". P.S. This has nothing to do with Trina or any PV company in particular. boB On 7/16/2015 6:24 PM, jay wrote: > HI Peter, > > I’ll bite. > > From the folks I know who deal with multi mega watt systems, are seeing less than that level of degradation. > > That said, the standard module 25 yr warranty to 80% is just on .7% year if I have my math correct. > > jay > > peltz power > > > > >> On Jul 16, 2015, at 9:08 AM, Peter Parrish wrote: >> >> I have recently been in discussion with a company that builds a large number >> of medium-sized PV ground mount system (30 kW to over 100 kW). They claim >> that they have been seeing something on the order of 0.7% annual degradation >> in the output of their systems due to intrinsic degradation in the PV >> modules. They also claim that this number is supported by the PV module >> manufacturer. Many years ago (2007?) I remember reading a report containing >> data gathered by NREL that showed the number was about 0.4%, and I thought >> the number was actually decreasing over time. >> >> The module in question is the Trina TSM-310 (PA14.8, I believe, if it makes >> any difference). >> >> Has anyone read anything recent about annual degradation in general or Trina >> modules in particular? >> >> - Peter >> >> Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D. >> President, SolarGnosis >> 1107 Fair Oaks Ave. Suite 351 >> South Pasadena, CA 91030 >> NABCEP Certified PV Installer #031806-26 >> (323) 839-6108 >> peter...@pobox.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
