Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread mark
The float voltages are indeed adjustable, but with the MPPT500, they cannot be adjusted as high as the spec says they can.For a 12V unit, the upper limit is often 14.4V, where the spec says 15.5V.Mark Original Message Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread mark
I see what you mean by no float/3rd stage. Indeed the MPPT500 just tapers off the amps once it reaches the "float" voltage.The MPPT250 however does have an undocumented(?) mode where once it thinks the battery is thoroughly charged, it only puts a brief burst of charge into the battery when the

Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread Jonathan Hill
Not at all unsupported. We tried them for about 4 months, about 50% failure rate (sold about 25), Many promises about delivery dates, rarely kept. Jon Hill solar...@gmail.com 530-559-3781 On Apr 11, 2013, at 4:11 AM, m...@hurshtown.com wrote: I have used Frank's controllers for many years.

Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
Hi Mark, I am a real stickler about terms and I hope to always further understanding about batteries so consider this: No charge controller tapers charge current. The reduction in current is due to the slowing of the electrochemical process as the battery is saturated. At constant voltage, you

Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread mark
During bulk charging, the MPPT PWM controller gives the battery all the amps it has available.During absorption (when the "float" voltage is reached) the controller gives the battery all the amps it can accept without the battery voltage climbing further. The controller really is controlling the

Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread mark
The original post was unsupported.Yes, as Ialluded, the controllers have had some rough periods.I had one entire batch of MPPT500s that didn't track at all, but he did make things right.Frank has had some very serious health issues off and on too.During whattime-framedid you use the controllers?

Re: [RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

2013-04-11 Thread Jonathan Hill
Last summer. I know Frank had some health issues, so I don't mean to be uncompassionate, but my customers were very unhappy and we lost several. Seemed that the 500 was everything we needed, almost too good to be true. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for. Jon Hill solar...@gmail.com

[RE-wrenches] Teck 90 cable

2013-04-11 Thread Hilton Dier III
I asked this one last year and got a few That's interesting responses, but nobody actually came up with an answer. Perhaps it was too obvious. I have been looking at Teck 90 waterproof metallic armored cable as a possibility for DC wire runs. This is the stuff:

Re: [RE-wrenches] Teck 90 cable

2013-04-11 Thread Benn Kilburn - DayStar Renewable Energy
Hilton, I can't speak to the specific NEC rules but my experience here (canadian electrical code) for PV or other electrical work has been that if metallic conduit in needed unless the requirement is specific for ridged metal conduit, then teck cable is fine. My bet is that you are safe, but why

Re: [RE-wrenches] Teck 90 cable

2013-04-11 Thread Dave Click
I don't believe this would work; official metal-clad cable would, but not armored cable. Metal-clad only works under the 2011 NEC, and only then when it meets 250.118(10). On 2013/4/11 19:24, Hilton Dier III wrote: I asked this one last year and got a few That's interesting responses, but

[RE-wrenches] Enphase Wire Management

2013-04-11 Thread Aaron Mandelkorn
Just wondering what people like to use for supporting the trunk cable for the enphase 215 inverters. WIth zipties going brittle after a couple of years aluminum or steel options are what I am more interested in. I have seen some installs with steel zipties but the sharp edge on them makes me

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Wire Management

2013-04-11 Thread Brian Mehalic
Heyco Sunbundler! Typos courtesy of my iPhone. On Apr 11, 2013, at 8:52 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn reoso...@gmail.com wrote: Just wondering what people like to use for supporting the trunk cable for the enphase 215 inverters. WIth zipties going brittle after a couple of years aluminum or steel

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Wire Management

2013-04-11 Thread penobscotsolar
We use as clips specifically designed to hold Enphase trunk cable to SnapN Rack rails. We buy them from ARE. DARYL Heyco Sunbundler! Typos courtesy of my iPhone. On Apr 11, 2013, at 8:52 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn reoso...@gmail.com wrote: Just wondering what people like to use for supporting

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Wire Management

2013-04-11 Thread Jesse Dahl
I use the clips that come from Enphase. They are quick to install, much faster than zip-ties. Jesse Sent from my iPhone On Apr 11, 2013, at 8:33 PM, penobscotso...@midmaine.com wrote: We use as clips specifically designed to hold Enphase trunk cable to SnapN Rack rails. We buy them from

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Wire Management

2013-04-11 Thread wirewiz
How do you tighten a Heyco Sunbundler? Granted it will prevent the cable from falling to the roof but I could not tighten them to the point of securing the cable from movement. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: Brian Mehalic br...@solarenergy.org Sender: