Re: [RE-wrenches] Parallel Homegrid Stack'd Busbar

Hi Jason We’re using the Midnite MNCB battery combiner for the same purpose. https://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=439 &productCatName=BATTERY I’m curious what others may suggest for option

Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum issues?

Magnum inverters are indeed trickling back into suppliers but most boards seem to remain unavailable to repair shops. Sensata is apparently selling new equipment 1st rather than taking care of customers with damaged inverters or warranty repairs that have been waiting a couple of years for part

Re: [RE-wrenches] Tech Support Issues with Sensata

Magnum has been difficult that last 3 years – we currently multiple inverters that are down needing boards for repair that can’t be obtained. It appears stock of new inverters is just starting to trickle back into suppliers so we hope to see parts soon. It seemed Magnum quality took also took a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Pika T701 & X3001 GT Inverter

We've had a good experience thus far with the Generac Powercell systems and tech support has been reasonable. You are supposed to be certified to sell and install the systems and most importantly in this case, you need a dealer number and tech id number in order to work with tech support. (of co

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark/Fortress charging issue

We’ve started to use Fortress batteries for off grid installations lately as well. The tech support has been very frustrating and the integration guides are ridiculous – the Magnum guide was the worst – absolute nonsense, I believe most of which has been pulled from the Fortress site now. The va

Re: [RE-wrenches] GT inverter for SWWP turbine

Same disastrous experience here as well with the Skyboxes. We installed three – I now own them as I replaced them at my expense with another competing product. Worse solar product I dealt with in the last 15 years. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dark Starting Simpliphi PHI3.5 batteries

Hi Howie You may just need to cycle the breaker on the top of each battery to wake up after bms shuts down for low voltage. If truly a dark start is required your welcome to borrow my 48v Iota if it’s worth your drive time back and forth to Sutton. Rich (cell 802-535-6191) Sent from my iPad

[RE-wrenches] Solarworld Warranty

Hello Wrenches Does anybody have a contact for whoever the 3rd party is that supposedly will honor Solarworld warranties? Also, have any of you pursued warranty assistance due to issues with the Amphenol connectors (melting/arc faults) I had thought the issue was only with Amphenol to MC4 connec

Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum MM1524AE rebuild?

Hi Dave Call John Hassle at Be Green Solar in Benton NH He is an authorized Magnum repair facility and stocks parts at least for PAE etc. it sure about 1524 AE though. Close by - just outside of Woodsville NH. 603-787-2317 Thanks Rich Sent from my iPad > On Jun 8, 2021, at 9:01 AM, palumbo1...@

Re: [RE-wrenches] Aurora PVI 4.2 inverter

Hi Howie ABB (now Fimer) 1-877-261-1374. They typically require specific photos for warranty. Error code 031 is common. Junk arc fault detector that require upgrade also common. Thanks Rich Sent from my iPad > On Nov 3, 2020, at 5:52 PM, Howie Michaelson > wrote: > >  > Hi All, > Does anyone

Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum Inverters - Digital Clocks Losing Time?

line. The steam turbines would be destroyed otherwise. Chris On 4/1/2019 7:08 AM, Rich Nicol wrote: Hello Wrenches I have a site with two PAE 48v Magnum inverters stacked. System voltage fluctuates ~ +/- 4 volts ranging from 243 to 247. Evenly split on the two lines. Site has a few electrical

[RE-wrenches] Magnum Inverters - Digital Clocks Losing Time?

Hello Wrenches I have a site with two PAE 48v Magnum inverters stacked. System voltage fluctuates ~ +/- 4 volts ranging from 243 to 247. Evenly split on the two lines. Site has a few electrical peculiarities I haven’t seen on the many other sites I have with Magnum inverters. Among those is thr

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar set backs

FD venting depends on direction of prevailing winds From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kristopher Schmid Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2018 4:07 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar set backs I had a student tell me that firefighte

Re: [RE-wrenches] No more Enphase

FYI: All Enphase Micro's still have 25 year warranty, but labor reimbursement which is not written into warranty document is for first two years. After that we're on our own for labor to replace failed units. This is from our inside sales rep at Enphase. Rich From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wr

Re: [RE-wrenches] Generac EcoGen problem

I've seen a number of Eco Gen's go with no issues for a long time and 2 others blow all the oil out just as Drake noted. Rather worrisome! Rich -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Friday, April 29, 2016 1:18 PM To

Re: [RE-wrenches] battery-based inverter

Had Radian failures and typical issues contacting Outback tech support in a reasonable amount of time. (ended up replacing boards on site, just like FX inverters, which is nice rather than sending the unit in) Xantrex XW is massively improved after a rocky past, interconnect box is very spaciou

Re: [RE-wrenches] What are the most reliable OTG washers these days?

I feel like the most damaging aspect of off grid power to household electronics in my experience living off grid for 20 years isn’t the quality of the inverters output (thinking of typical high grade inverters such as Magnum/Outback/Schneider) but rather the transfer back and forth from inverter

[RE-wrenches] Mounting on Steel and Fabric Buildings

Hello Wrenches I am in the initial planning stage of a 150kw roof mount installation. It’s new construction and the architect for this commercial agricultural building is strongly considering a steel (manufacture is Legacy) and fabric building. Any insights or experiences with steel & fabric b

Re: [RE-wrenches] Horizontal axis

Hi Dana I'm researching washing machines for my off grid home - check out the attached link which is updated on a monthly basis by CEE (Consortium for Energy Efficiency) http://library.cee1.org/sites/default/files/library/9268/2014_December_CEE_R esidentialClothesWashers.pdf Rich From: RE

Re: [RE-wrenches] Church Solar

Hi Alex A local Unitarian Church in my area installed solar where the generation credits were group net metered. Everyone who invested in the system (or bought a panel) that was mounted on the church had the proportionate amount of the credits applied to their utility bill at their residences. The

Re: [RE-wrenches] Relay for 48v Vent Fan

ne Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell <http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/> www.positiveenergysolar.com On 8/8/2013 5:49 PM, Rich Nicol wrote: Hello Wrenches, Does anyone have any advice about what to use for a relay to power a 48 volt Zephyr battery vent

[RE-wrenches] Relay for 48v Vent Fan

Hello Wrenches, Does anyone have any advice about what to use for a relay to power a 48 volt Zephyr battery vent fan using the 12 volt auxiliary output from the Midnite Classic Charge controllers. The fan only draws 6 watts but my problem is the 48 volt side of the equation. A supplier has reco

Re: [RE-wrenches] generator suggestions

While in the past not being a fan of Generac, we've had the same positive experiences thus far with the Eco Gen. The two wire start is simple and clear. It comes set up for 120v. The kit initially supplied for the 240v conversion was incomplete and the directions made absolutely no sense. I believe

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best practices for conduit penetration on roof

Soladeck it is, thanks everyone. Rich -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of SwingJunkie Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 9:48 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Best practices for conduit

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best practices for conduit penetration on roof

C 462 Solar Way Drive Hyde Park, VT 05655 www.independentpowerllc.com NABCEP Certified PV Installer Vermont Solar Partner 25 Years Experience, (802) 888-7194 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of

[RE-wrenches] Best practices for conduit penetration on roof

Wrenches, We typically run conduit for roof mounts over the edge of the roof to the eaves, rather than penetrate the roof whenever possible. An upcoming installation on an freshly asphalt shingled roof requires that we penetrate the roof for the conduit run (Enphase). I'm wondering if there are any

[RE-wrenches] Helios Modules

Hello Wrenches, We are considering Helios 6T modules from Helios Solar Works of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for some upcoming projects. Does anyone have any insight from experience into Helios in respect to number of years in business, quality of the product, warrantee support etc.? Thanks, Rich Nicol

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tie with BB

Thanks Dan/Dick and Larry – My concern was too high a charge rate, particularly when the batteries are cycled during or after an outage when the controllers are delivering maximum current and the inverter is not selling, yet not wanting to limit the charge controllers when we’re back in grid t

[RE-wrenches] Grid tie with BB

Wrenches, I'm have a mental block with battery backup systems such as the Outback Radian. Perhaps someone can help me get over it! Essentially these systems sell back power off the top of the battery bank and the array is maintaining the state of charge of the battery bank through traditional cha

Re: [RE-wrenches] L feet no flashing in shingle roof

The GRK fasteners mentioned in a previous post associated with the Ecofasten flashing and L feet are self-drilling, but a pilot hole is still helpful in some instances. Very nice structural fasteners – high quality stainless, extremely course thread to increase pull out value and they use a T30

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar World 2.0 frames

Hi Dave/Wrenches We've been using the SW with both the 2.5 and the 2.0 frames on most of our systems lately. The 2.0 frames work fine in traditional roof mounts, as long as the racking system chosen has good options for cable management. We did a DPW TPM with them last year where I came away in a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Off Gassing and CO Detectors

dux relay was set too high to catch the early stages of gassing. John CVSolar -Original Message- From: Rich Nicol To: 'RE-wrenches' Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 9:40 pm Subject: [RE-wrenches] Battery Off Gassing and CO Detectors Wrenches I understand that battery gassing of Hy

[RE-wrenches] Battery Off Gassing and CO Detectors

Wrenches I understand that battery gassing of Hydrogen Sulfide can set off CO detectors. A new customer who I am about to replace a large battery bank for had his furnace tech on site today to check for proper operation of the furnace since his CO detector was going off, the tech found the high l

Re: [RE-wrenches] Paralleling Multiple Inverter

Wrenches Thanks for the detailed responses. My understanding is the same as William's that my total back feed value is based on the over current devices for each inverter which is 40 amps X 4 = 160 Amps. Where I'm having a problem is choosing a panel based in respect to considering both the in

[RE-wrenches] Paralleling Mutlitple Inverter

Good Morning Wrenches, I'm wondering if anyone has an advice on preferred methods and component/panel recommendations for paralleling multiple inverters. The proposed system will utilize 4 SMA6000 inverters (100 amps) and will be a ground mounted system with inverters located outdoors in the cold

Re: [RE-wrenches] Metal roofs

Hi Ian I second Daryl's suggestion of Ecofasten products. They have high quality solutions and are great at offering support to work through challenging installs. Thanks Rich -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.

[RE-wrenches] Module Load Rating

Hi Wrenches - I've noticed discrepancies in load rating methods for various modules and wondered if there was any insight from the installer community. REC claims 113 PSF, Sharp claims only 50PSF. Solarworld notes 50PSF load rating, but 113 PSF snow load rating. I'm assuming the difference is tha

[RE-wrenches] Ground Faults and Designing PV systems for lightning prone areas

Hi Wrenches Is there a connection between lightening strikes and ground fault fuses popping? Can lightening strikes energize the grounding electrode and thereby pop a ground fault fuse? Thanks for your input, Rich From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@l

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV powered music festival

I think its CV Solar that does the Solarfest system. http://www.cvsolar.com/ Thanks Rich -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of wire...@gmail.com Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 8:06 PM To: RE-wrenc

[RE-wrenches] 2 volt Trojan RE series L16 Batteries

RE Wrenches My question regards a system (installed by homeowner / friend) where they recently upgraded their t105 battery bank to Trojan RE series L16 2 volt cells. The battery bank consists of 6 batteries in series for a 12 volt system. The interconnects are 12" long 4/0 cables with crimped an

[RE-wrenches] Pole Mounts - Frost/Conduit & Ledge

Hi RE-Wrenches 1. When installing pole mounts I have been running conduit into the side of the foundation and up the pole prior to pouring concrete. The conduit enters the foundation ~ 18" to 24" below grade level. We live in an area where frost depths are around 48" deep. I have been tol