Re: [RE-wrenches] Winter Battery Maintenance

[Dana]

I have yet to see any FLA battery that can go 4-5 months without service.
Typically a FLA needs an increased voltage to attain the same full charge
rating at low temps, but you still require watering. I have clients with
shut down houses and no load situations, we back off the Absorb set point
voltage, & time at full & they still require watering.

This thread started with "? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to
disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out
there every season for them."

 

Based on this statement would you still recommend FAL batteries? I have
clients with AGMS that are partial year residents & their AGMS are at 8-10
years and still doing the job. That said some clients even full time
occupants cannot water & test the SG on a FLA to save their life (or sustain
the batteries life).



 



Dana Orzel 

Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136

E - d...@solarwork.com  - Web - solarwork.com 

O - 970.626.5253  C - 208.721.7003

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of Starlight Solar Power Systems
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2016 1:28 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Winter Battery Maintenance

 

I agree with Todd and Bob, leave the PV solar on, EQ off. 

 

I also instruct my customers to reduce the absorb timer to 0.1 hours. Since
the battery is staying full, there is no need to spend time above cell
gassing point which will increase water loss.


Larry

 

 

On Apr 30, 2016, at 10:28 AM, RE Ellison  wrote:

 

Everything mentioned so far works well however, if you're using a charge
controller with an auto equalize function.

 

Turn it off!

 

I had a friend who has left his system over the winter for years with no
issues and he shut his inverters off one year got back to the batteries
being boiled dry

 

After a lot of looking I figured out that it had gone into auto equalize and
since the available sunshine per day was so low that it just kept trying all
winter long to equalize the batteries

 

There was a battery replacement in his future relatively quickly!

 

It was an expensive lesson and I have since gone to all of the systems
similar to that that I have installed over the years and shut off the auto
equalize

 

It's not an issue if somebody's around but they were gone for like five
months and it was not a good outcome

 

This particular system had three charge controllers,

A combination of MX 60 and FM 60s I believe

 

Just my thoughts,

Bob ellison

 

 

 

 


On Apr 30, 2016, at 12:43 PM, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote:

i built a system for a friend's seasonal (summer) off-grid residence in
alaska. 

 

my instructions were simple: 

leave the pv input & cc output breakers "on" and the load breakers
(inverter, dc sunfrost etc) "off". 

 

there was never a problem with winter freezing (even at -40f) until one year
when he accidently left the inverter's breaker on. even with no load, the
inverter's idle current drained the batteries and they froze. he only made
that mistake once.

 

todd

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, April 30, 2016 8:13am, "Solar"  said:

> I do systems like this every year. (-45F winter temps). Use quick connects
and
> train the customer on the batteries and their maintenance. Find bats with
freeze
> points that match your area. I typically mount the modules at 90degree so
snow
> never covers the array/module.
> 
> I always recommend removal. I've thought about temp controlled
incandescent lamp
> with a timer in a battery box for really cold nights Haven't got
around to
> working through that design.
> 
> I'm interested in the real seasoned off-grid installers thoughts about
this.
> 
> Jesse Dahl
> 
> NABCEP PV Installation Professional
> IBEW Local 292 - Electrician
> Electrical/Solar PV Instructor - HCC
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> > On Apr 30, 2016, at 9:07 AM, AE Solar 
> wrote:
> >
> > Hey Wrenchers,
> >
> > A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under
1kW).
> It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all
recommend
> for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation would be
that they
> would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the winter (the cabin
will be
> subject to below freezing temps)??
> >
> > So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it
alright to
> leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to
> disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out
there
> every season for them.
> >
> > Thanks for any thoughts.
> > Adam
> >
> > Adam Katzman
> > Autonomous Energies
> >

 

 

___
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

List Address: RE-wrenches@lists

Re: [RE-wrenches] Winter Battery Maintenance

[Starlight Solar Power Systems]

I agree with Todd and Bob, leave the PV solar on, EQ off. 

I also instruct my customers to reduce the absorb timer to 0.1 hours. Since the 
battery is staying full, there is no need to spend time above cell gassing 
point which will increase water loss.

Larry



On Apr 30, 2016, at 10:28 AM, RE Ellison  wrote:

Everything mentioned so far works well however, if you're using a charge 
controller with an auto equalize function.

Turn it off!

I had a friend who has left his system over the winter for years with no issues 
and he shut his inverters off one year got back to the batteries being boiled 
dry

After a lot of looking I figured out that it had gone into auto equalize and 
since the available sunshine per day was so low that it just kept trying all 
winter long to equalize the batteries

There was a battery replacement in his future relatively quickly!

It was an expensive lesson and I have since gone to all of the systems similar 
to that that I have installed over the years and shut off the auto equalize

It's not an issue if somebody's around but they were gone for like five months 
and it was not a good outcome

This particular system had three charge controllers,
A combination of MX 60 and FM 60s I believe

Just my thoughts,
Bob ellison





On Apr 30, 2016, at 12:43 PM, toddc...@finestplanet.com 
 wrote:

> i built a system for a friend's seasonal (summer) off-grid residence in 
> alaska.
>  
> my instructions were simple:
> leave the pv input & cc output breakers "on" and the load breakers (inverter, 
> dc sunfrost etc) "off".
>  
> there was never a problem with winter freezing (even at -40f) until one year 
> when he accidently left the inverter's breaker on. even with no load, the 
> inverter's idle current drained the batteries and they froze. he only made 
> that mistake once.
>  
> todd
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> On Saturday, April 30, 2016 8:13am, "Solar"  > said:
> 
> > I do systems like this every year. (-45F winter temps). Use quick connects 
> > and
> > train the customer on the batteries and their maintenance. Find bats with 
> > freeze
> > points that match your area. I typically mount the modules at 90degree so 
> > snow
> > never covers the array/module.
> > 
> > I always recommend removal. I've thought about temp controlled incandescent 
> > lamp
> > with a timer in a battery box for really cold nights Haven't got around 
> > to
> > working through that design.
> > 
> > I'm interested in the real seasoned off-grid installers thoughts about this.
> > 
> > Jesse Dahl
> > 
> > NABCEP PV Installation Professional
> > IBEW Local 292 - Electrician
> > Electrical/Solar PV Instructor - HCC
> > 
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > 
> > > On Apr 30, 2016, at 9:07 AM, AE Solar  > > >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hey Wrenchers,
> > >
> > > A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under 
> > > 1kW).
> > It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all 
> > recommend
> > for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation would be 
> > that they
> > would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the winter (the cabin 
> > will be
> > subject to below freezing temps)??
> > >
> > > So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it 
> > > alright to
> > leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to
> > disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out 
> > there
> > every season for them.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any thoughts.
> > > Adam
> > >
> > > Adam Katzman
> > > Autonomous Energies
> > >


___
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] Winter Battery Maintenance

[RE Ellison]

Everything mentioned so far works well however, if you're using a charge 
controller with an auto equalize function.

Turn it off!

I had a friend who has left his system over the winter for years with no issues 
and he shut his inverters off one year got back to the batteries being boiled 
dry

After a lot of looking I figured out that it had gone into auto equalize and 
since the available sunshine per day was so low that it just kept trying all 
winter long to equalize the batteries

There was a battery replacement in his future relatively quickly!

It was an expensive lesson and I have since gone to all of the systems similar 
to that that I have installed over the years and shut off the auto equalize

It's not an issue if somebody's around but they were gone for like five months 
and it was not a good outcome

This particular system had three charge controllers,
A combination of MX 60 and FM 60s I believe

Just my thoughts,
Bob ellison





> On Apr 30, 2016, at 12:43 PM, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote:
> 
> i built a system for a friend's seasonal (summer) off-grid residence in 
> alaska.
>  
> my instructions were simple:
> leave the pv input & cc output breakers "on" and the load breakers (inverter, 
> dc sunfrost etc) "off".
>  
> there was never a problem with winter freezing (even at -40f) until one year 
> when he accidently left the inverter's breaker on. even with no load, the 
> inverter's idle current drained the batteries and they froze. he only made 
> that mistake once.
>  
> todd
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> On Saturday, April 30, 2016 8:13am, "Solar"  said:
> 
> > I do systems like this every year. (-45F winter temps). Use quick connects 
> > and
> > train the customer on the batteries and their maintenance. Find bats with 
> > freeze
> > points that match your area. I typically mount the modules at 90degree so 
> > snow
> > never covers the array/module.
> > 
> > I always recommend removal. I've thought about temp controlled incandescent 
> > lamp
> > with a timer in a battery box for really cold nights Haven't got around 
> > to
> > working through that design.
> > 
> > I'm interested in the real seasoned off-grid installers thoughts about this.
> > 
> > Jesse Dahl
> > 
> > NABCEP PV Installation Professional
> > IBEW Local 292 - Electrician
> > Electrical/Solar PV Instructor - HCC
> > 
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > 
> > > On Apr 30, 2016, at 9:07 AM, AE Solar 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hey Wrenchers,
> > >
> > > A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under 
> > > 1kW).
> > It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all 
> > recommend
> > for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation would be 
> > that they
> > would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the winter (the cabin 
> > will be
> > subject to below freezing temps)??
> > >
> > > So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it 
> > > alright to
> > leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to
> > disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out 
> > there
> > every season for them.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any thoughts.
> > > Adam
> > >
> > > Adam Katzman
> > > Autonomous Energies
> > >
> > > ___
> > > 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
> > 
> >
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
> ___
> 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: R

Re: [RE-wrenches] Winter Battery Maintenance

[toddcory]

i built a system for a friend's seasonal (summer) off-grid residence in alaska. 
 
my instructions were simple: 
leave the pv input & cc output breakers "on" and the load breakers (inverter, 
dc sunfrost etc) "off". 
 
there was never a problem with winter freezing (even at -40f) until one year 
when he accidently left the inverter's breaker on. even with no load, the 
inverter's idle current drained the batteries and they froze. he only made that 
mistake once.
 
todd
 
 
 
 
 
On Saturday, April 30, 2016 8:13am, "Solar"  said:



> I do systems like this every year. (-45F winter temps). Use quick connects and
> train the customer on the batteries and their maintenance. Find bats with 
> freeze
> points that match your area. I typically mount the modules at 90degree so snow
> never covers the array/module.
> 
> I always recommend removal. I've thought about temp controlled incandescent 
> lamp
> with a timer in a battery box for really cold nights Haven't got around to
> working through that design.
> 
> I'm interested in the real seasoned off-grid installers thoughts about this.
> 
> Jesse Dahl
> 
> NABCEP PV Installation Professional
> IBEW Local 292 - Electrician
> Electrical/Solar PV Instructor - HCC
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> > On Apr 30, 2016, at 9:07 AM, AE Solar 
> wrote:
> >
> > Hey Wrenchers,
> >
> > A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under 
> > 1kW).
> It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all 
> recommend
> for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation would be that 
> they
> would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the winter (the cabin 
> will be
> subject to below freezing temps)??
> >
> > So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it alright 
> > to
> leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to
> disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out 
> there
> every season for them.
> >
> > Thanks for any thoughts.
> > Adam
> >
> > Adam Katzman
> > Autonomous Energies
> >
> > ___
> > 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
> 
> 


Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
___
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] Winter Battery Maintenance

[Dana]

AGM  - sealed type batteries are perfect for non- maintenance individuals and 
prolonged non usage periods as long as the bank does get a semi regular 
recharge.

 



Dana Orzel 

Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136

E - d...@solarwork.com  - Web - solarwork.com 

O - 970.626.5253  C - 208.721.7003

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of AE Solar
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2016 8:08 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Winter Battery Maintenance

 

Hey Wrenchers,

 

A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under 1kW). 
It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all recommend 
for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation would be that 
they would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the winter (the cabin 
will be subject to below freezing temps)??

 

So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it alright to 
leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to 
disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out there 
every season for them.

 

Thanks for any thoughts.

Adam




Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies

 

___
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] Winter Battery Maintenance

[Solar]

I do systems like this every year. (-45F winter temps). Use quick connects and 
train the customer on the batteries and their maintenance. Find bats with 
freeze points that match your area. I typically mount the modules at 90degree 
so snow never covers the array/module. 

I always recommend removal. I've thought about temp controlled incandescent 
lamp with a timer in a battery box for really cold nights Haven't got 
around to working through that design. 

I'm interested in the real seasoned off-grid installers thoughts about this. 

Jesse Dahl

NABCEP PV Installation Professional
IBEW Local 292 - Electrician 
Electrical/Solar PV Instructor - HCC

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 30, 2016, at 9:07 AM, AE Solar  wrote:
> 
> Hey Wrenchers,
> 
> A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under 1kW). 
> It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all 
> recommend for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation 
> would be that they would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the 
> winter (the cabin will be subject to below freezing temps)??
> 
> So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it alright to 
> leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to 
> disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out 
> there every season for them.
> 
> Thanks for any thoughts.
> Adam
> 
> Adam Katzman
> Autonomous Energies
> 
> ___
> 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

Re: [RE-wrenches] Goofy roofing

[frenergy]

Benn, August, etc

Sorry for omitting a somewhat crucial detailbelow these 
stringers it is a "standard" residential stacked roof with 2X6 rafters 
on 16" centers with 1/2 " plywood deck. No purlins.  I appreciate the 
feedback/good ideas.


Bill

Feather River Solar Electric


On 4/29/2016 3:28 PM, August Goers wrote:


Benn,

We’ve done it several ways including putting four 14 x 1.5” TYPE 17 
screws per attachment point through the metal and into the 1” x wood 
purlin. The key is that the load path all the way down needs to be 
capable of handling the worst case loads. So we had to check that too. 
Some racking manufactures such as Unirac have online calculators to 
give point loads.


Best, August

*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
] *On Behalf Of 
*Benn Kilburn

*Sent:* Friday, April 29, 2016 2:17 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Goofy roofing

August, et al;

If the purlins are only 1"x4" or 1"x6" or1"x anything, are you 
only relying on the 1" purlin as the attachment point or are you 
hitting the vertical trusses below the purlins?


We are working on a corrugated roof right now and using a Schletter 
roof bracket. The name of it escapes me at the moment. Maybe FixT?


We are attaching to purlins which are 2"x6".  I wouldn't think 1"x 
anything would provide enough pull-out?


Benn Kilburn

SkyFire Energy Inc.

780-906-7807


On Apr 29, 2016, at 9:09 AM, August Goers > wrote:


Hi Bill,

It sounds like you’re talking about a purlin type setup – 4’
sounds a little far apart but I guess that’s what you have to deal
with. If you have a corrugated metal roof, we’ve used S-5
CurruBrackets screwed through the metal and into the purlins and
then either run the solar rail up and down the roof or install a
sub-rack system (with strut or angle aluminum) perpendicular to
your solar rail.

Best,

August

*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
] *On Behalf Of
*frenergy
*Sent:* Friday, April 29, 2016 6:55 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Goofy roofing

Recently, a customer had a metal roof (not standing seam)
installed by a "handyman".  Pretty clean installation however for
some reason he ran 1X6 stringers across the roof  on the 1/2"
plywood deck spaced about every 4 feet (as you go from ridge to
eaves).  Of course the roofing screws are at the stringers.  I'm
sure he had a /great/ reason for doing so.  So now I have been
asked to install an array on this roof.  You can feel how "soft"
the roof is as you walk on it of course because you are walking on
air-below-metal for most of the roof.  Stringer locations don't
jive with possible feet/post locations for rail. I'm usually
pretty good at problem solving but I'm accepting ideas.

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric

Bill Battagin, Owner

4291 Nelson St.

Taylorsville, CA 95983

530.284.7849

CA Lic 874049

www.frenergy.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 



___
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




--
Feather River Solar Electric
Bill Battagin, Owner
4291 Nelson St.
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530.284.7849
CA Lic 874049
www.frenergy.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-wrenches] Winter Battery Maintenance

[AE Solar]

Hey Wrenchers,

A friend wants a very small battery set up at hunting cabin (like under
1kW). It will only be used in the warmer months. I'm wondering what you all
recommend for the batteries over the winter. I assume the ideal situation
would be that they would be disconnected and brought somewhere warm for the
winter (the cabin will be subject to below freezing temps)??

So long as they go into the colder months with a full charge is it alright
to leave them hooked up? I don't think the friend will be savvy enough to
disconnect/connect them every year and I don't feel like having to go out
there every season for them.

Thanks for any thoughts.
Adam

Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies
___
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] Outback programing question

[Chris Mason]

Why size is the generator?
How much load?

On Wed, Apr 27, 2016 at 8:31 PM, jay  wrote:

> HI All,
>
> I’ve got a problem that outback tech hasn’t been able to figure out.
>
> off grid system
> mate 3
> quad stacked VFX 3648
>
> The generator is set to specific start/stop daily timer.  This works fine.
>
> The client has plenty of solar for the day, and when he runs his generator
> he doesn’t want the chargers to operate.
> OK so just hit charge off, and yes the chargers will turn off.
>
> But next day, genny starts up, and the chargers come back on as well.
>
> Outback says that shouldn’t be happening, but it is.
>
> Anybody have this issue or know of a fix?
>
> Thanks
>
> jay
>
> peltz power
>
>
> ___
> 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
>
>


-- 
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
___
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] Outback programing question

[Jay]

That is what we are doing as a temporary fix. 
According to outback the charger should stay off if it's set that way.  It's 
unclear why it's not doing it. 

Actually opticsRE will allow full programming. 
No phone app ( darn) but computer yes. 

Jay



> On Apr 29, 2016, at 7:41 PM, Ray Walters  wrote:
> 
> Hi Jay;
> 
> Ah, its for load shedding.  How come the max input amps setting doesn't limit 
> the total power drawn from the generator?  That should throttle back the 
> charging rate to maintain full power thru to the loads.
> Giving the batteries a 56 v for 5 min and dropping back to float wouldn't 
> constitute a cycle,  its really more like the refloat setting on Outback 
> equipment.  It actually should bring the batteries a few % closer to a true 
> full charge every day without overheating the cells.
> I agree programming every inverter separately is a pain, not something the 
> customer would want to do.  (I'm still waiting for that app that lets us set 
> up systems with a laptop or phone)
> Good luck, please post your solution.
> 
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
> 
>> On 4/29/2016 6:19 PM, jay wrote:
>> Hi Ray,
>> 
>> I guess my answer is that its way easier to switch one button with easy 
>> access than go deep into the menus and have to change 4 inverters.
>> This situation is a short term thing.  In this case it is an issue as the 
>> generator cannot handle both the chargers and the load. And he doesn’t want 
>> and I agree to have an additional cycle on the batteries when they don’t 
>> need it.
>> 
>> I’m working with OB to find out why this is happening.
>> 
>> Thanks
>> 
>> jay
>> 
>> peltz power
>>   
>>> On Apr 29, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ray Walters  wrote:
>>> 
>>> What's wrong with the chargers being on?  Just set the charge settings 
>>> (absorb 56 v, and absorb time 5 minutes) fairly low. It will lightly charge 
>>> for a few minutes, and then go to float.
>>> Just because your customer imagines this to be a problem, doesn't mean it 
>>> actually is.  Its not going to hurt the batteries or use excessive fuel to 
>>> go through a little refresh charge like this, and if the batteries actually 
>>> are low, these charge settings will be helpful.
>>> 
>>> R.Ray Walters
>>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
>>> Licensed Master Electrician
>>> Solar Design Engineer
>>> 303 505-8760
>>> 
 On 4/29/2016 11:56 AM, Darren Emmons wrote:
 When the generator is auto started, the inverter's charger will be 
 enabled. After the generator is stopped, the inverter's charger will be 
 returned to the mode before the generator started. The logic is if you are 
 running the generator the Inverter's charger should be enabled. You could 
 lower the charger AC limit to 0 Amps.
 
 08:00 Inverter charger OFF
 10:00 Must run start -> charger ON
 11:00 Must run stop -> charger OFF
 
> Darren
 
> On 04/27/2016 05:31 PM, jay wrote:
> HI All,
> 
> I’ve got a problem that outback tech hasn’t been able to figure out.
> 
> off grid system
> mate 3
> quad stacked VFX 3648
> 
> The generator is set to specific start/stop daily timer.  This works fine.
> 
> The client has plenty of solar for the day, and when he runs his 
> generator he doesn’t want the chargers to operate.
> OK so just hit charge off, and yes the chargers will turn off.
> 
> But next day, genny starts up, and the chargers come back on as well.
> 
> Outback says that shouldn’t be happening, but it is.
> 
> Anybody have this issue or know of a fix?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> jay
> 
> peltz power
> 
> 
> ___
> 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
 
 
>>> ___
>>> List sponsore