Re: [RE-wrenches] phone app/shading programs

[Kirk Herander]

Jay,
I've used a couple iphone apps. One is from RBI Solar called "shading 
calculator". Rudimentary, but good for discovering distances between tilt-up / 
pole mount racks so they don't shade each other. The one I like and often use 
instead of my classic pathfinder is "Sun Seeker". Amongst other things you can 
take a picture with solstice and equinox sun paths on it. Neither requires wifi 
access to operate.


Kirk Herander
VT Solar, LLC 
Proven PV provider since 1991
www.vermontsolarnow.com
dba Vermont Solar Engineering
NABCEPTM Inaugural Certificant
VT RE Incentive Program Partner
802.863.1202

-Original Message-
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of jay
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2015 4:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] phone app/shading programs

HI All,

I’m wondering what the recommendations are for phone app/ shading programs.


I used to have the Solmetric but they no longer support anything, and it won’t 
work with new IOS.

thoughts/recommendations.

thanks

jay


PS and if there are any that work without cell service?

jay

Peltz Power
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Re: [RE-wrenches] phone app/shading programs

[Dan Fink]

Solar Shading from Comoving Magnetics, for android.
Accurate enough once you learn how to tilt your phone instead of moving
your arms.

Dan Fink
Buckville Energy
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342



On Sat, Jul 25, 2015 at 2:17 PM, jay  wrote:

> HI All,
>
> I’m wondering what the recommendations are for phone app/ shading programs.
>
>
> I used to have the Solmetric but they no longer support anything, and it
> won’t work with new IOS.
>
> thoughts/recommendations.
>
> thanks
>
> jay
>
>
> PS and if there are any that work without cell service?
>
> jay
>
> Peltz Power
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[RE-wrenches] phone app/shading programs

[jay]

HI All,

I’m wondering what the recommendations are for phone app/ shading programs.


I used to have the Solmetric but they no longer support anything, and it won’t 
work with new IOS.

thoughts/recommendations.

thanks

jay


PS and if there are any that work without cell service?

jay

Peltz Power
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Re: [RE-wrenches] DC conductor line loss numbers

[Glenn Burt]

You would want to confirm hot temp PV circuit values with chosen Vdrop to 
ensure the irrelevant value doesn't drop you out of the inverters' operational 
limit, however.

Sincerely,
Glenn Burt
Sent from my 'smart' phone so please excuse grammar and typos.

-Original Message-
From: "Chris Mason" 
Sent: ‎7/‎25/‎2015 15:20
To: "RE-wrenches" 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DC conductor line loss numbers

It should be noted that the NEC recommendations for feeder circuits are to
do with acceptable voltages at the load, i.e., you do not want your 208V
equipment running on 200V. PV circuits are not feeder circuits, voltage
drop is irrelevant. Power loss may be relevant, but only in terms of
economic value. If it is preferable to add more PV and lose 10% of the
power, as long as there are no issues of heat and potential fire, why
shouldn't you be able to make that decision? As PV gets cheaper, replacing
cables costing $10,000 to save $10 a year does not make sense. The NEC
rules on voltage drop were never designed for PV source circuits.

On Fri, Jul 24, 2015 at 11:52 PM, Jerry Shafer 
wrote:

> Wrenches
> I have 3 engineering firms and one in-house engineer that only use 1%
> because in the NEC it is stated as a suggestion and not a requirement but
> they take this as a must not exceed instead,
> I cant change CC as it will be remotely monitored via the Outback
> connection, the Engineers refuse to make any changes to the 1% and still
> stamp the drawings. This is what I have found in my research it came from
> Mike Holt
>
>
> Contrary to common belief, the NEC generally doesn't require you to size
> conductors to accommodate voltage drop. It merely suggests in the Fine
> Print Notes to 210.19(A), 215.2(A)(4), 230.31(C), and 310.15(A)(1) that you
> adjust for voltage drop when sizing conductors. It's important for you to
> remember that Fine Print Notes are recommendations, not requirements
> [90.5(C)].
>
> The NEC recommends that the maximum combined voltage drop for both the
> feeder and branch circuit shouldn't exceed 5%, and the maximum on the
> feeder or branch circuit shouldn't exceed 3%. This recommendation is a
> performance issue, not a safety issue.
>
> Jerry
>
> On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 11:28 AM, Starlight Solar Power Systems <
> la...@starlightsolar.com> wrote:
>
>> Jerry,
>>
>> A long distance wire run is practical now days using a high voltage
>> controller. Have a look at Schneider and Morningstar 600Vdc controllers.
>> Not sure what you mean "by nothing can be changed but wire size” but you
>> will have to rewire the strings into series and protect the wire run.
>>
>> Larry Crutcher
>> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jul 22, 2015, at 10:37 AM, Jerry Shafer 
>> wrote:
>>
>> Wrenches
>> Some time back there was discussion on the conductor size and efficiency
>> rating requirement for long DC runs.
>> What I am looking at is this, 400 feet of MCM 400 to keep the line loss
>> at or below 1% per NEC code for an off grid application, cost vs return is
>> not acceptable. 2/0 is less than 2.5% and the cost is far less. Specs are 4
>> strings of 3, 250 watt modules feeding one Outback FM 80 charge controller.
>> There are lots of things I can do like SMA instread, or 200 VDC charge
>> controller but nothing can be changed except the wire gauge. Does anyone
>> recall a thread with this topic.
>>
>> thoughts ??
>> Jerry
>> 
>>
>>
>>
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>>
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-- 
Chris Mason
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
Solar Design Engineer
Generac Generators Industrial technician

www.cometsolar.com 
264.235.5670
869.662.5670
Skype: netconcepts


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Re: [RE-wrenches] DC conductor line loss numbers

[Chris Mason]

It should be noted that the NEC recommendations for feeder circuits are to
do with acceptable voltages at the load, i.e., you do not want your 208V
equipment running on 200V. PV circuits are not feeder circuits, voltage
drop is irrelevant. Power loss may be relevant, but only in terms of
economic value. If it is preferable to add more PV and lose 10% of the
power, as long as there are no issues of heat and potential fire, why
shouldn't you be able to make that decision? As PV gets cheaper, replacing
cables costing $10,000 to save $10 a year does not make sense. The NEC
rules on voltage drop were never designed for PV source circuits.

On Fri, Jul 24, 2015 at 11:52 PM, Jerry Shafer 
wrote:

> Wrenches
> I have 3 engineering firms and one in-house engineer that only use 1%
> because in the NEC it is stated as a suggestion and not a requirement but
> they take this as a must not exceed instead,
> I cant change CC as it will be remotely monitored via the Outback
> connection, the Engineers refuse to make any changes to the 1% and still
> stamp the drawings. This is what I have found in my research it came from
> Mike Holt
>
>
> Contrary to common belief, the NEC generally doesn't require you to size
> conductors to accommodate voltage drop. It merely suggests in the Fine
> Print Notes to 210.19(A), 215.2(A)(4), 230.31(C), and 310.15(A)(1) that you
> adjust for voltage drop when sizing conductors. It's important for you to
> remember that Fine Print Notes are recommendations, not requirements
> [90.5(C)].
>
> The NEC recommends that the maximum combined voltage drop for both the
> feeder and branch circuit shouldn't exceed 5%, and the maximum on the
> feeder or branch circuit shouldn't exceed 3%. This recommendation is a
> performance issue, not a safety issue.
>
> Jerry
>
> On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 11:28 AM, Starlight Solar Power Systems <
> la...@starlightsolar.com> wrote:
>
>> Jerry,
>>
>> A long distance wire run is practical now days using a high voltage
>> controller. Have a look at Schneider and Morningstar 600Vdc controllers.
>> Not sure what you mean "by nothing can be changed but wire size” but you
>> will have to rewire the strings into series and protect the wire run.
>>
>> Larry Crutcher
>> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jul 22, 2015, at 10:37 AM, Jerry Shafer 
>> wrote:
>>
>> Wrenches
>> Some time back there was discussion on the conductor size and efficiency
>> rating requirement for long DC runs.
>> What I am looking at is this, 400 feet of MCM 400 to keep the line loss
>> at or below 1% per NEC code for an off grid application, cost vs return is
>> not acceptable. 2/0 is less than 2.5% and the cost is far less. Specs are 4
>> strings of 3, 250 watt modules feeding one Outback FM 80 charge controller.
>> There are lots of things I can do like SMA instread, or 200 VDC charge
>> controller but nothing can be changed except the wire gauge. Does anyone
>> recall a thread with this topic.
>>
>> thoughts ??
>> Jerry
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> 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
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>>
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>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>>
>>
>
> ___
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>
>


-- 
Chris Mason
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
Solar Design Engineer
Generac Generators Industrial technician

www.cometsolar.com 
264.235.5670
869.662.5670
Skype: netconcepts
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Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power

[frenergy]

Is another possible solution.use the prior version of the SB (non-TL)?, of 
course if the VDC of the strings works out.  You wouldn't need to worry about 
any of the wiring, or trying to convince a clueless AHJ one inverter in safer 
than another.  I've used exclusively TL's in all my installs lately, I assume 
the non-TL SB's are still available.

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric
  - Original Message - 
  From: billbroo...@sbcglobal.net 
  To: 'RE-wrenches' 
  Sent: Friday, July 24, 2015 4:07 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA 1800u not generating power


  Glenn,

   

  While the installation may not claim exact compliance with the current NEC 
(debatable), you can easily show that the TL inverter is much safer than the 
older 1800U. The TL has arc-fault detection and much better ground-fault 
detection. Conduit is not the answer since it breaks several other code 
requirements like the module manufacturer’s instructions (110.3(B)).

   

  Bill Brooks.

   
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