[RE-wrenches] Outback with grid charging

Hello, I got a call from a family today about a system they had installed recently and they think they have a problem. They claim their electric bill has just about doubled since the system has been installed due to outback using the grid to power the loads instead of the battery bank. They c

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

I have experience with the SI/SB designs, and can warn you that they typically need a boatload of additional switchgear to support a good robust design. That being said they work great together, handle battery charging like no other and we rarely get calls on them. I have seen the XW system, an

[RE-wrenches] Direct PV-EV charging: possible?

As a former EV builder, the big question that comes to my mind is the battery type. Lead acid is possible, lithium ion, not. If the EV has lead acid batteries, then a high voltage DC charge controller will work. It will have to handle voltages in the 195 range to equalize a 156 volt pack. If

Re: [RE-wrenches] Direct PV-EV charging: possible?

Peter I am interested. I have 2,level 2 charging stations with PC on them. Please keep me posted. Thanks. David Katz Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint! - Reply message - From: "Parrish, Peter" To: "al...@positiveenergysolar.com" , "RE-wrenches" Subject: [RE-

Re: [RE-wrenches] Power line communications interference

William, You might try calling Enphase again. I was discussing a similar issue with them recently and they said that they have a noise filter option for handling noisy lines. As with all tech support, some representatives are better than others. -August August Goers Luminalt Energy Corporation

Re: [RE-wrenches] Direct PV-EV charging: possible?

I am currently researching this opportunity from the perspective of having "Solar Carports with EV Charging". The idea is to have about 2.5 kW-dc produce about 10 kWh/d @ 240 Vac (avg over a year). They could also be set up with a specialized charge controller to handle DC charging. I want to pi

Re: [RE-wrenches] Power line communications interference

In every single case that we have installed an AC outlet for the Envoy directly off a circuit combiner panel, the Envoy works flawlessly. It definitely likes to be very close to the inverters. I have also found that GFCI outlets in a garage near the main panel actually work well despite the recomme

Re: [RE-wrenches] Direct PV-EV charging: possible?

Allan, Can be done but I don't believe it is economical. You will have more cost in equipment yet your daily PV power production will be less. The reason is that battery charging will not use 100% of PV potential for the entire charge cycle. Every day the power will taper off as the battery get

Re: [RE-wrenches] AET Rayport array #1

Hi Jim, We have installed a number of these racks both with and without micros. It’s a good system that allows for a lot of flexibility in layout and design, and seems pretty durable once bolted together. Just make sure to request the integrated bonding clamps (they also have a leash, which ad

[RE-wrenches] Power line communications interference

Friends: In the old days of the Sunny Boy Control Light we battled problems with power line communications due to interference from external sources. I am now troubleshooting a problem with and Enphase Envoy. I have spoken to Tech Support several ties about this. I was told I need to move t

Re: [RE-wrenches] AET Rayport array #1

Hi Jim, We have worked with AET to add their Rayport B (ballasted) racking system to our Enphase Racking Compatibility List. AET has developed an Accessory Kit for mounting Enphase microinverters to the Rayport B. (accessory kit 80672A), which is detailed on our list. We updated the Racking Com

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

No, that's not an issue. Allan On 8/23/2012 10:29 AM, Solarguy wrote: You weren’t too specific on mounting location options but does it matter that the SI is NEMA1 rated?   Jim

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

You weren't too specific on mounting location options but does it matter that the SI is NEMA1 rated? Jim Duncan North Texas Renewable Energy Inc www.ntrei.com NABCEP PV 031310-57 TECL-27398 nt...@1scom.net 817.917.0527 On Aug 23, 2012, at 7:39 AM, Alla

[RE-wrenches] AET Rayport array #1

Wrenches We’re preparing a design for a 2nd story flat commercial office building roof using AET 15° stainless frames with ballast. The 1920s vintage building is on the National Register of Historical Places so fortunately the array will be hidden behind a 3 ft parapet. No real problem there but

[RE-wrenches] Labels for PV systems

Wrenches, I'm still on the hunt for a good label supplier or method of making them ourselves. We install several projects each week and the label expense is not insignificant. We're currently using a mix of the Tyco labels, custom engraved labels, custom reflective labels required by some fire j

Re: [RE-wrenches] Direct PV-EV charging: possible?

Allan, As a EV enthusiast, and RE Wrench, I've also thought of, and fielded questions about, direct PV charging an EV. - The first issue that usually causes me to not pursue this is getting the most power production from the PV array each day. If the EV is not there, the PV array output is n

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

We have a few GT w/Battery backup systems in the pipeline, and would also be interested in hearing comparisons between the SI, GVFX, and Radian systems. We've done several off-grid SB/SI systems and like them (although as Allan says, they are pricier), as well as innumerable off grid VFX systems,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

Hi Allan, I'd guess you'd have to define "better". But I'm pretty sure the efficiency of the the sunny boy is much higher than the XW CC. I don't like the fact that the XW CC you have to mount your own disco/fuses. Did you know that Midnite is coming out with an Epanel for the SI? The best

[RE-wrenches] Sunny Island vs. XW system - advice requested

Wrenches, We have worked with Outback Radian and Schneider XW once or twice each for grid-tie with backup, and with Sunny Boy/Sunny Island numerous times. The SMA is certainly the most sophisticated equipment, but also the most expensive. For a particular job co

[RE-wrenches] Direct PV-EV charging: possible?

Wrenches, We have a customer who has built several EVs, and wants to eventually develop a business around them here. A few years ago we installed a GT system on his home. He has now moved and wants to install a system on his new home as well. This time, he'd like to d