Re: [RE-wrenches] PV/Charge Controller Troubleshoot Help

My old MX60 said " hot" when the fan had failed.Todd "MX 2 Hot (Very rare) Either the MX60 is too hot or its internal temperature sensor is shorted. If this message appears, carefully check if the MX60’s heat sink is extremely hot. The heat generated by the MX60, and therefore its losses, is

Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement

Another option for grid tied with battery based systems, is to use flooded lead calcium batteries which last 20 years and only need about 20 ml/ cell, added every 3 years. Todd On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 12:35pm, "Roy Butler via RE-wrenches" said: And to add to Steve's good advice,

[RE-wrenches] Mate 3s with legacy FX inverters

Wrenches, I am receiving conflicting information about using a Mate 3s with legacy FX inverters. Has anyone done this and was the 3s able to function correctly? Thanks, Todd Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance

Re: [RE-wrenches] IQ Gateway outside straw bale house

And wifi at 2.4 gHz would work better than 5 gHz. Todd On Thursday, April 27, 2023 7:27am, "Drake Chamberlin via RE-wrenches" said: There is chicken wire under the stucco. The Gateway will be near a window, which is not too far from the router. William's experience is encouraging. If

Re: [RE-wrenches] Cell phone based relay control

I can help with this as Michael built something similar to what I designed and installed in 2001: I plumbed small irrigation sprayers every ~15' around the perimeter of my buildings under the eaves. This wets down the perimeter of the structures, particularly the combustion zone where the

Re: [RE-wrenches] California NEM3 specific question

My 2005 yearly billing, net metering agreement with Pacific Power says nothing about it being only valid for 20 years. Todd On Friday, March 3, 2023 8:46am, "William Miller via RE-wrenches" said: To my Friends on the Wrenches forum: This is a question that likely can only be

Re: [RE-wrenches] absolyte GP battery question/ sideways mounting.

Hey Jay, This is this is only anecdotal but I have two UPS's with sealed batteries. One sits where the battery is up right. The other one sits on its side and the battery is horizontal. The longevity of the battery in the one oriented upright is about double the other one. Todd On

Re: [RE-wrenches] Old Trace SW inverter connected to the grid.

If the grid is wired to AC2, then the inverter can charge off off that source but not sell to it. Todd On Monday, December 19, 2022 7:50am, "Tump via RE-wrenches" said: I have neve heard that but I would connect the utility to the AC1 input as the window is quite narrow then the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Today’s mindbender

I 100% agree. When I read the post about foolish, incredibly wasteful pv powered snow melting systems, I was happy I'm retired. Walking away from such nonsense is the only way I could sleep at night. Todd On August 10, 2022 6:44:43 PM Hilton Dier via RE-wrenches wrote: I just had an

[RE-wrenches] DC SHW pumps

. It would be best to find another Hartel unit to ease the plumbing, but any DC circulation pump would work. Thanks in advance, Todd Cory Mount Shasta Energy Services Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional m

[RE-wrenches] outback fx service work

wrenches, i have a customer with a failed air (xmfr) temp sensor inside their gvfx3648. when ordering a replacement, i was bitching about having to unwire the unit and remove it from the wall (60 pounds is heavier than it used to be)

[RE-wrenches] used panel mount questions

wrenches, i have a customer who purchased 20 used astropower ap75 modules. they are frameless and appear to have been previously mounted using four, 2" wide X 10" long strips of blue rigid foam, glued to the back of each module with some kind of

[RE-wrenches] pump questions

this question is part 2 about the customer with the used astropower 75 watt modules - he has a grundfos 11sqf-2 already set by the well driller. the input specifications for the cu200 pump controller are 30 to 300 vdc, 1400 watts, 8 amps.

[RE-wrenches] outback fx series inverters

wrenches... put on our tin foil hats... i have a customer who claims the emf from their grid tied gvfx3648 is making them sick. does anyone know the switching frequency of the inverter and has anyone else reported this? also any ideas on how to

[RE-wrenches] trace DR repair

i remember a thread awhile back about a good company in southern oregon who repaired trace dr/sw inverters. can someone refresh my aging memory please? thanks, todd cory ___ List sponsored by Home Power

Re: [RE-wrenches] outback power wrench support?

permail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Todd Cory Todd Cory KE6SXS toddc...@finestplanet.com Mt. Shasta Energy Services License C-10 #811428 P.O. Box 689 Mt. Shasta, CA. 96067

[RE-wrenches] Mitsubushi 180's (MF 180UD4)

Title: Todd Cory Wrenches, I have a customer wanting additional modules for his system. It'd be best if I could get what he already has. I am looking for 3 Mitsubishi 180's (MF 180UD4). From the spec sheet it looks like the size is identical and electrical characteristics compatible

Re: [RE-wrenches] Air conditioning for batteies in high temperature climate

Title: Todd Cory If my memory serves me correctly (and that is a big if) I recall tropical locations sometimes install batteries with slightly a weaker electrolyte solution. Maybe Jamie can chime in on this. Todd Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher wrote: Hello Battery Wrenches

Re: [RE-wrenches] Reality check

Title: Todd Cory Cool... a 40 amp fuse on #12 wire... Todd William Miller wrote: Friends: I just found out I've been doing it all wrong. Time to go back to school: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0dQddOQoyAfeature=channel Have a nice weekend! William Please note new e

[RE-wrenches] paralleling amp hour meters on one shunt?

Has anyone ever paralleled two amp hour meters on one shunt? How about paralleling two e-meters on a single shunt and a single prescaler? Todd ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address:

[RE-wrenches] battery life

I have a survivalist minded system owner who is interested in buying a set of deep cycle batteries dry charged. I have heard even dry batteries have a limited lifespan. Can any one comment on that please? thanks, Todd

Re: [RE-wrenches] On Demand Heaters for SDHW

Title: Todd Cory The payback on a demand heater in energy savings is like 50+ years. A traditional tank heater, super insulated has very little loss. Todd Peter Parrish wrote: You’re right, Todd, there is often a space limitation. But overall, the tankless approach is more economical

Re: [RE-wrenches] Surrette AGM's

Title: Todd Cory I know people disagree, but I NEVER use sealed batteries... I only use wet cell batteries. If people want no maintenance, they should not have a "survival mode" system. That level of unconsciousness is what usually creates the need for "survival mode"

[RE-wrenches] two year update on Surrette FC-420 batteries

Title: Todd Cory I was one of the beta test sites for the Surrette, lead calcium, L-16 style, wet cell battery starting in 2008. These are a part of an Outback grid-tied RE system. After the second year of operation today I checked and added water to the cells. The batteries used about 5 ml

[RE-wrenches] wind scam?

Sorry to bother the list with this kind of BS, but I have a client who insists this is a revolutionary wind machine design that is not a yard art scam. Feedback? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9flSPAdOLk ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine

Re: [RE-wrenches] Flashed Footing Requirements

those rubber flashings may not be as great as I had assumed they were. Since we were putting up an array, it was a no brainer to have the aging roof replaced first, along with the flashings. The comp was 20 years old. Todd Peter Parrish wrote: Todd Cory

Re: [RE-wrenches] Flashed Footing Requirements

etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Todd Cory Todd Cory KE6SXS toddc...@finestplanet.com Mt. Shasta Energy Services License C-10 #811428 P.O. Box 689 Mt. Shasta, CA. 96067 (530) 926-1079 I'd put my money on solar energy

Re: [RE-wrenches] E-meter/Link-10 prescaler

-- Todd Cory Todd Cory KE6SXS toddc...@finestplanet.com Mt. Shasta Energy Services License C-10  #811428 P.O. Box 689 Mt. Shasta, CA. 96067 (530) 926-1079   “I'd put my money on solar energy...I hope we don't have to wait till oil and coal run out before we tackle that." ∞ T

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

Re: [RE-wrenches] kwh meters

enches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Todd Cory Todd Cory KE6SXS toddc...@finestplanet.com Mt. Shasta Energy Services License C-10 #811428 P.O. Box 689 Mt.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification

Title: Todd Cory So William... are you saying as a part of wrench survival we are expected to become glorified electricians? I am not sure about your point. I think this thread should move to the marketing list though. Todd William Miller wrote: Todd: Survival is about learning to adapt

[RE-wrenches] Power 4 Home

http://www.power4home.com/index.php?hop=watertt Why are we building these expensive systems for customers when this dude sells em for $200.00! I wish on line advertisers would not perpetuate these myths. Todd ___ List sponsored by Home Power

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fwd: Grounding on a glacier??

I have heard that this requirement (to bond negative to ground) as well as bonding one of the AC conductors to ground (neutral wire) was pushed through by wire manufactures and unions. The wire manus sell more of their product and the electricians get more labor in installing them. I also

Re: [RE-wrenches] Tube solar collectors

In snow country good old, simple, flat plate collectors do better then the EV tubes. The snow slides off and melts faster... and unless you are trying to make steam, the summer performance is about the same. IMO evacuated tube units are an overly high tech product looking for an application.

[RE-wrenches] lay in lugs

Does anyone have a part number for the lay in lugs they use for module grounding? I don't want copper or aluminum ones because of problems with dissimilar metals. Don't they make a tin plated copper one that works with the aluminum module frames? My wholesaler cannot seem to find the part

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunpower modules

Mitsubishi also makes a black framed module. Todd Jeff Blick wrote: Hiya Jeff, You are correct that the sunpower modules are positively grounded. You are also correct that sunpower only deals with dedicated "dealers". That means that if you are not one of their dealers you cannot get

[RE-wrenches] link 10 problems

Title: Todd Cory Wrenches, I always use the e-meter (now brand X's link 10) on my off grid systems. IMO this is the best amp hour meter out there mostly because of the simple bar graph display for customers not well versed in amps/watts/amp hours/volts etc. Last week I was completing work

Re: [RE-wrenches] Professional conduct

Unfortunately, this seems more and more like the fiasco created by the DHW credits 25 years ago. Sadly, this is what I expected and why I am opposed to incentive programs. Most people have no clue about energy or resource depletion issues. For example, I was contacted by a group that runs the

Re: [RE-wrenches] PSR SCT

If anyone has any of these PSR-SCT's in stock still and wants to sell them to me (off list) please contact me. Todd penobscotso...@midmaine.com wrote: Hi Todd and all, We use products from US Plastics. They make great, acid resistant trays in lengths up to four feet. Here's the link

[RE-wrenches] PSR SCT

Title: Todd Cory I was just informed I can no longer get the Outback PSR-SCT (spill containment tray). What are others using in their battery boxes for spill containment? Todd -- Todd Cory KE6SXS toddc...@finestplanet.com Mt. Shasta Energy Services License C-10 #811428 P.O. Box 689

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wood shop lighting

Another efficiency option is to wire the 4 tube fixtures with two sets of two lamps that are independently switchable. Or you could get really fancy and have three lighting levels by switching one lamp on, three lamps on or all four in each fixture. That way there are options for various

Re: [RE-wrenches] Insurance classification

I pay 1400.00 a year for 1/2 Million. I don't know how adequate the coverage is because I had to tell them I do not work on roofs. Todd William Miller wrote: Colleagues: If y'all don't mind my asking, what are you paying in these categories? I know I am mis-categorized and I've

Re: [RE-wrenches] Insurance classification

correction - I pay 1400.00 a year for 2 Million. I don't know how adequate the coverage is because I had to tell them I do not work on roofs. Todd William Miller wrote: Colleagues: If y'all don't mind my asking, what are you paying in these categories? I know I am mis-categorized and

Re: [RE-wrenches] Insurance classification

I am listed on my insurance as "99080 solar electric contractor". Todd Starlight Solar, Yuma, AZ wrote: Does anyone know what the insurance classification is for installation of renewable energy equipment installer? My insurer has me under 95647, heating and AC contractor. I asked about

[RE-wrenches] tankless hot water and pumping question

Title: Todd Cory I am working on a semi-volunteer job for a local non-profit. It is off grid with water being trucked in and stored in a ground level polyethylene tank. I need recommendations for: 1) A 24 volt DC pressure pump. This is a single residence so can be relatively low volume

Re: [RE-wrenches] hydro coils

Thanks Ben... I downloaded it yesterday but have not read it yet. Todd Benjamin Root wrote: Hi Todd, See the current issue of/ Home Power/ for article on Heat Exchangers (by Chuck Marken). I know that at least one of the manufacturers mentioned in/ Access/ has a unit specifically designed

[RE-wrenches] hydro coils

I have a client that is wanting to add a water loop in their wood stove. Does anyone know if the old SS hydro coils are still made? Todd -- Todd Cory KE6SXS [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]* Mt. Shasta Energy Services License C-10 #811428 P.O. Box 689 Mt

Re: [RE-wrenches] life expectancy of sealed batteries

No, this is a 4.5 kW, grid tied, PV only system. Todd jay peltz wrote: HI Todd, ARe you using this in a year round hydro application? jay peltz power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] generator-pump

I think generators, being mechanical devices have much more mechanical inertia to power through large load spikes then their electronic counterparts. Todd Drake Chamberlin wrote: Hello Wrenches, I've noticed, over the years, that generators will start pumps that have a higher surge

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fake Email solar orders

I always write them back and tell them I will only sell to them if they use a bogus credit card. I never hear back. Todd John Raynes wrote: Jeff, We get a few a week, every week. They're always for a list of parts, never for a group of items that would go together and make anything

[RE-wrenches] 48 VDC to 24 VDC converter

Wrenches, I am needing a 48 VDC to 24 VDC converter to power one of my home system's tracker. The ones supplied by array technology are suspect. The DC input voltage can go as high as 60 volts when equalizing and the tracker control can take up to around 35 volts or so. I believe I am