Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

We've found the SQ Flex to be install-and-forget for many years. Lots of installations with never a call from customers. Except that we have had 3 apparent CU-200 failures in the last few months. And Grundfos has been very hard to deal with on the warranty. We've had to replace the unit on our

Re: [RE-wrenches] OSHA Training for Proper Rigging Tips/Tricks?

Ryan,If it can be arranged, its not a bad idea to have a roof anchor installed with a new roof. Then it can be left for future check-ups and any roof work. If the homeowner is fussy about the aesthetics then tell them you can paint it to match the roof when your done, it will hardly be

Re: [RE-wrenches] OSHA Training for Proper Rigging Tips/Tricks?

Try the Crosby Group. They offer a rigging class and a block (block tackle) class, as well as a trainer/instructor's class. Classes are held around the US. Hit their website, http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/default.aspx?, and you can get the info under the training tab. Roger Dixon Skylands

[RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

Hello Wrenches, Got one for you. . . We have a customer that has great potential for a micro-hydro system and already has the grid on his property. The obvious way to tie the turbine unit in would be to go back through batteries and a GVFX or XW. In trying to eliminate the batteries and the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

I'm aware of 2 CU-200 failures recently and I agree that Grundfos CS is about as bad as it gets in our industry. A customer had 3 Grundfos failures in the last 5 years all within 3 months of warranty expiration (of course!!), I did not make those sales but when he learned of my inclusion of the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

Derik at HI Power hydro has done several of these with grid tie DC voltage with diversion. You can reach him at de...@asis.com http://www.hipowerhydro.com/ cheers, David David Katz Chief Technical Officer AEE Solar 1155 Redway Drive P.O. Box 339 Redway, CA 95560 Tel (707) 825-1200 Fax

Re: [RE-wrenches] Service Magic update request

We never used Service Magic for lead generation but I did find our structural PE there and it has worked out great. Andrew Truitt Standard Solar Inc. On 4/20/10, solar...@aol.com solar...@aol.com wrote: Allan: Things may have changed since we used them (or rather, vice versa). This

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

I've had the worst time with those CU200 controllers as well. The only reason I use them at all is for the float switch function. Many of our agricultural installations have long wire runs between the tank/float and the controller, so we really have no other choice than to use the CU200. Out

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

Hi Mark, Yes I've done several grid-tie hydro systems. As Dave says Derik is your man for components. I've also worked with SMA to tweak the settings on the SB to be a WB (water boy). Actually no tweaks are absolutely necessary. But if you shorten the reset time it helps when the hydro

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

On Apr 21, 2010, at 11:07:07 PM, Mendocino Solar Service mso...@mcn.org wrote: Then they credit our supplier who credits us. Another installer we know has mentioned this has been a problem lately. Anyone else seeing this? I've had no pump failures but the CU200 has failed twice. No help from

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

My 1st concern before hardware is legalities. What are the water use rights, EPA, Fish and Game, hydro tied to local utility and so on (and on and on) issues...? O-t-g responsible gorilla hydro is one thing, permitted to be grid connected is a whole 'nother can-o-worms! 20 years ago I did a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

Jeff, What are the brands and specs of the relays you use? I have always avoided relays on array-direct operation, figuring the widely varying array voltage would wreak havoc with dc coil relays. How do you select a relay, given typical arrays that you use? Allan

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

SMA use the Windyboy with a rectifier/diversion box for this application. - Original Message - From: Mark Dickson To: 'RE-wrenches' Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 6:04 AM Subject: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro Hello Wrenches, Got one for you. . . We have a customer

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

Allan, Here the electrical inspector won't let us install the CU-200 or other SQFlex controls because they are not UL listed. The pump is not listed either, but he doesn't object to that. So I've installed the SQFlex pumps using a pair of SQ D QO breakers with interlock kit so they can be run

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

Hi Jeff, I probably should mentioned that many of our float switch wire runs exceed 3,000 feet from tank to Cu200. We use shielded, direct burial rated 18/2 cable, bury the wire and ground the drain wire at the controller. So with those long distance systems, do you think a relay would work?

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

Allan, Are you running 100+ volts DC through a Square D breaker? They are not rated for anything above 48VDC. Midnite Solar makes a manual transfer switch that can be fitted with 150 VDC breakers. That may be a better choice. David David Katz Chief Technical Officer AEE Solar 1155

Re: [RE-wrenches] monitor for SW4048 grit interactive system

Title: Todd Cory Cool if anyone has used this system, please report back to the group. Todd Allan Sindelar wrote: Todd, According to their website (I haven't tried them) the ENVI monitors suggested by Jeff Yago are 120/240 in single phase, and multiple sending units can send data to

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

Title: David Katz David, I'm not, but maybe Kent is. I had asked Jeff Oldham what brands and specs of relays he uses. Allan

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

Hi Jeff O, What do you use for power for the relay coil?. The pump can run on voltage up to 300 VDC. I suppose you could tap the output of one module or add a separate small module. David David Katz Chief Technical Officer AEE Solar 1155 Redway Drive P.O. Box 339 Redway, CA 95560 Tel

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

Mark, PowerSpout, from New Zealand, (www.powerspout.com) makes a grid tie version of their turbine that includes a dump load water heater at the inverter and uses an SMA grid tie inverter. Worth checking into. Good luck, Randy Brooks Brooks Solar, Inc. Solar Power for People 140 Columbia

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

Oops, the dump load water heater is at the turbine, not the inverter. :) Randy Brooks Brooks Solar, Inc. Solar Power for People 140 Columbia View Chelan, WA 98816 509-682-9646 ra...@brookssolar.com www.BrooksSolar.com On Apr 22, 2010, at 4:37 PM, Randy Brooks wrote: Mark, PowerSpout,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

David, Sq D doesn't have them UL listed for it but they self certify the 10 to 30 amp 2-pole breakers for 125 volts dc. Problem is: if you need a UL listing, you are stuck at 48 volts. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. David Katz wrote: Allan, Are you running 100+ volts DC

Re: [RE-wrenches] Roof anchors and proper rigging

Hi Ryan, A few thoughts on this. One, it is all about safety, and more than any code or compliance concern, you should be concerned about the safety of you and your crew, because that's basically why code is written. I spent 12-hours today and 12-hours yesterday (who needs the gym?!) hanging from

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid-tie hydro

I just spoke with Derek at Hi Power and he insists that his LV1500-120V unit can run with no load present and not burn out. He recommends tying it directly to a PVP inverter with no diversion load-doesn't get much simpler than that! That is a system that will produce 650watts continuous for

[RE-wrenches] Inter row shading: Portrait V landscape

Friends: 99% of the time, we install modules in portrait mode. We find ourselves installing a set in landscape with some short inter-row spacing, due to roof vents. We are using Solarworld SW230 modules. It is my understanding that shading the short edge of this type of module is much

Re: [RE-wrenches] Roof anchors and proper rigging

Rebecca, A great post, with lots of good information and a wonderful attitude. However, there are some small nits that I feel compelled to pick, hopefully without distracting from the value of your message. Clear caulk has little to no UV resistance, and will degrade much quicker than colored.