Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

I would have figured that everyone in the PV industry would know about anti-seize compound by now. SS to SS or SS to Al is prone to seizing even when not over-tightened. Dis-similar metals everywhere can be vulnerable to seizing. Jim Duncan, retired North Texas Renewable Energy Inc

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

That phenomenon could be just the result of the fasteners resting exposed to the elements. William Miller www.millersolar.com > On Sep 7, 2021, at 9:42 PM, Corey Shalanski wrote: > >  > Hi Will, > > I'm not sure if this is what you were asking (I see that your message was > directed to

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

Hi Will, I'm not sure if this is what you were asking (I see that your message was directed to Jerry), but we 'discovered' the over torquing by setting our torque wrench on the spec value and confirming that the wrench 'clicked,' and then progressively increased the setting higher and continued

[RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

A few other ways to test, mainly for SS. Cracks in components, especially cracks that are orientated transverse to the load are a sign of impending failure. Cracks can be found using visual inspection (using a 50 x magnifier), or by dye penetrant testing. X-ray testing, eddy current testing,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

Wrenches Per request from Unirac I cut sections off and sent it back to unirac and they say that modules that did not come loose we over tightened, they do something like magaflux on iron, they could see fractures in the rails, aluminum cracks when bent where steel is bending. Jerry On Tue, Sep

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

Jerry, I'm curious, how did they prove over torquing? When doing inspections it's easy to find connectors that are under torqued but I haven't heard of a reliable way to check for over torque. Thanks, Will On Mon, Sep 6, 2021 at 1:34 AM Jerry Shafer wrote: > 1/4" x 20 is no more the 10 ftlbs

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

That particular racking system is not very forgiving of over torquing because the SS studs are embedded in aluminum. I have seen where the stufs for both the mod clamps and the wind deflectors just spin in the aluminum. We use socket wrenches and torque wrenches to avoid that failure mode,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

1/4" x 20 is no more the 10 ftlbs (120 inlbs) and a good 1/4" impact should be able to get you over 30 ftlb. When you overtorq bolts and nuts you put undue and irreversible stretching and or tearing of the material not to mention warping or bending of the plates, and rails, loosening and retorqing

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

August, Thanks for your feedback.The racking model is EcoFoot2+ by Ecolibrium Solar (now part of Unirac). These module clamps are also self-grounding with teeth to bite into the module frame. I reached out to the manufacturer, who confirmed that the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

I don't think impact drivers should be used at all, unless they have a way to adjust torque.  Instead, use a drill/ driver with torque setting set fairly low, and do a final tightening with a torque wrench.  Also, you need to be really careful what speed you use;  even with low torque, the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

I definitely agree with Jerry’s comment… I’ll add some more to this in a bit I just want to say that right away. Benn On Sat, Sep 4, 2021 at 12:08 PM Jerry Shafer wrote: > Wrenches > its not the tool its the user so when I hear about impacts got to know the > feel. > Jerry > > On Fri, Sep 3,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

Wrenches its not the tool its the user so when I hear about impacts got to know the feel. Jerry On Fri, Sep 3, 2021 at 12:06 AM Corey Shalanski wrote: > Wrenches, > > (This question actually does refer to the proper use of 'wrenches'...) > > While inspecting some recent work from one of our

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

Hi Corey - For many years we used Pro Solar racking and Unirac Solarmount and tightened the clamps with impact drivers. At some point maybe roughly 8 years ago, Unirac switched its mid clamps to stainless steel self grounding clamps with teeth to bite into the module frame. We continued to use

[RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

Wrenches, (This question actually does refer to the proper use of 'wrenches'...) While inspecting some recent work from one of our contractors, we noted that the PV module clamps had been torqued to ~150% of the racking manufacturer's specified value. My question is whether that might have any