Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum Inverters
Magnum has told us 24 weeks lead time Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer As the world focuses on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and every day Americans start feeling the impacts of this conflict, there is growing consensus that we can no longer rely on foreign adversaries for our energy needs. If we want to diversify our energy sources and reinforce American energy independence, encouraging solar and storage deployment and investing in domestic manufacturing is the best opportunity we have to double down on clean, and reliable energy. Congress is considering federal budget legislation that invests in clean energy and makes a major dent in President Biden's decarbonization goals. While this is an important opportunity to create jobs and expand solar accessibility, it's also an opportunity to eliminate U.S. reliance on energy from countries that do not align with our national interests. [cid:image001.png@01D8A366.F11F4660] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com<http://www.thesolarbiz.com/> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any viewing, copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail of any unintended recipients and delete the original message without making any copies. From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Ron Young via RE-wrenches Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2022 3:26 PM To: RE-wrenches Cc: Ron Young Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum Inverters I have been waiting literally months for delivery of 4024 and 4448 PAE inverters both this year and 2021. It seems Magnum has dropped through the cracks in the floorboards. My supplier, the largest in Canada, has no idea of future shipments, they just show up without advance notice. I think Magnum is in trouble. Ron Young earthRight Solar - Solareagle.com<http://Solareagle.com> On Jul 20, 2022, at 8:08 AM, Luke Christy via RE-wrenches mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> wrote: Hi Jeremy, Check with Zonna Energy in PA. I use them for almost all of my off-grid equipment now and have been very happy with the service and pricing. They normally stock Magnum equipment but I have not checked on inverters in a while. Luke Christy 719-588-3044 sgsrenewab...@gmail.com<mailto:sgsrenewab...@gmail.com> On Jul 20, 2022, at 5:29 AM, Jeremy Rodriguez via RE-wrenches mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> wrote: Does anyone have a source these days for Magnum Energy Inverters? Contact me off list if needed. Jeremy Rodriguez Solar Installation / Design Expert All Solar, Inc. 1453 M St Penrose Colorado 81240 Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand. ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org<http://re-wrenches.org/> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver
Re: [RE-wrenches] DC SHW pumps
We have March pumps, the fellow who made Ivan pumps died Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer As the world focuses on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and every day Americans start feeling the impacts of this conflict, there is growing consensus that we can no longer rely on foreign adversaries for our energy needs. If we want to diversify our energy sources and reinforce American energy independence, encouraging solar and storage deployment and investing in domestic manufacturing is the best opportunity we have to double down on clean, and reliable energy. Congress is considering federal budget legislation that invests in clean energy and makes a major dent in President Biden’s decarbonization goals. While this is an important opportunity to create jobs and expand solar accessibility, it’s also an opportunity to eliminate U.S. reliance on energy from countries that do not align with our national interests. [cid:image001.png@01D8861F.C7E76B10] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com<http://www.thesolarbiz.com/> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any viewing, copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail of any unintended recipients and delete the original message without making any copies. From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Todd Cory via RE-wrenches Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2022 9:33 AM To: RE-wrenches Cc: toddc...@finestplanet.com Subject: [RE-wrenches] DC SHW pumps I have a customer with a (now obsolete) Hartell DC 1/2" X 1/2" MIP solar hot water circulation pump which is failing. Does anyone happen to have one of these in their inventory? Or can anyone suggest an alternate? I remember March and ElSid used to also make similar DC 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 member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org 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 There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controller
Unfortunately a “ground fault” report, may just be some sort of anomaly, it could be even ripple voltage leaking through the inverter from a generator shutting down. Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Supply chain crunches brought on by the pandemic and Omicron’s toll on the workforce are causing shortages of goods. Most analysts agree that rising prices — not just in the US, but also across the world — are largely consequences of the Covid-19 crisis rather than policy errors by governments or central banks. Infectious waves have closed factories in Asian manufacturing hubs and caused chaos in transporting products to US markets, creating a spike in demand. Also Americans have cash to burn after two years of canceled vacations, closed restaurants and working from home, a major factor supercharging the price surge. [cid:image001.png@01D82D6A.9ED48220] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com<http://www.thesolarbiz.com/> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any viewing, copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail of any unintended recipients and delete the original message without making any copies. From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of r...@solshineenergy.com Sent: Monday, February 28, 2022 11:59 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controller Wrenches, Are there any recommendations on repair shops for the above device? Schneider provided me with a list of repair shops but none of them work on charge controllers. The charge controller in question throws a ground fault error when there isn’t one. I verified this with a different charge controller. Thanks, rick brown SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC Electrical & Solar Contracting Services www.SolShineEnergy.com<http://www.SolShineEnergy.com> Cave Spring, VA Office: 540.235.3095 Mobile: 540.808.9502 VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660 VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762 VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21 [cid:image002.jpg@01D82D6A.9ED48220] ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org 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 There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] High Voltage Breakers for Conext Mppt-80-600
Hi Mike No breakers I know of that fit the Conext boxes but you could use a MidNite Big Baby and a MidNite 600 volt breaker in it or even a touch safe 1000 volt fuse and holder they're DIN rail Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Supply chain crunches brought on by the pandemic and Omicron's toll on the workforce are causing shortages of goods. Most analysts agree that rising prices - not just in the US, but also across the world - are largely consequences of the Covid-19 crisis rather than policy errors by governments or central banks. Infectious waves have closed factories in Asian manufacturing hubs and caused chaos in transporting products to US markets, creating a spike in demand. Also Americans have cash to burn after two years of canceled vacations, closed restaurants and working from home, a major factor supercharging the price surge. [cid:image001.png@01D8121E.5569DE30] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com<http://www.thesolarbiz.com/> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any viewing, copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail of any unintended recipients and delete the original message without making any copies. From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Michael Morningstar Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 1:02 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] High Voltage Breakers for Conext Mppt-80-600 Wrenches, Can anyone direct me to PV input breakers that are rated up to 600VDC that would work in a Conext Distribution Panel? From what I can tell, Schneider only offers breakers up to 160VDC. Thanks, Michael Michael Morningstar Morningstar Electric PO Box 1494 Mount Shasta, California 96067 530-921-0560 CSLB 949635 [cid:image002.gif@01D8121E.5569DE30] ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org 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 There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Fair price for an obsolete component
Hi Allan I usually look at the Good Old Trace stuff as 2/3 of the old new price. I have so many folks using the Trace SW that they bought in the mid 1990s and still going strong the price has remained steady all these years later. Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen told CNBC that the global shipping crisis is, “really going to be very hard to resolve.” Most eCommerce leaders predict more serious global supply chain issues in the coming years. The pandemic has fuelled a never ending cycle of shortages. "The pressures on global supply chains have not eased, and we do not expect them to any time soon," eCommerce businesses are taking the hit, and badly. Said Bob Biesterfeld, CEO of C.H. Robinson, one of the world's largest logistics firms. Many small businesses have shut down operations completely due to cancelled orders caused by shipping and supply shortages. [cid:image001.png@01D8015F.9F8BCD90] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com<http://www.thesolarbiz.com/> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL TRANSMISSION IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any viewing, copying, disclosure or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail of any unintended recipients and delete the original message without making any copies. From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Sindelar Solar Sent: Friday, December 10, 2021 2:39 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Fair price for an obsolete component What would be a fair and equitable price to ask for a good used Trace SW Remote display unit with the cable included, please? Obviously there will likely be a range of opinions. I'd simply like to get a sense of the range among us Wrenches. Thank you, Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@sindelarsolar.com<mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc. 505 780-2738 cell ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org 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 There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] combining 24v and 12v systems
Agree! use a Victron DC to DC Converter Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer If you don’t have the Time or Money to do it right in the first place, how will you get the Time and Money to fix it? [TSBLOGODPIx500x200] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 6:51 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] combining 24v and 12v systems Agreed: no 12v tap. I’ll add (with modest experience, as this doesn’t come up as an upgrade very often any more) that Mean Well, despite the odd name, proved itself pretty reliable in some early Wattsun tracker drives and some other DC-DC applications. Available online; see https://www.meanwell-web.com/en-gb/dcdc-converters/ Allan On Dec 31, 2019, at 10:46 AM, Dan Fink mailto:danbo...@gmail.com>> wrote: I second everyone. Center-tapping a 24 or 48v battery bank for 12v SEEMS like it should work just fine, especially for low load infrequent use like a 12v water pressure pump for a greenhouse, a weather station, etc.. Nope, I've been a loser every time, with that battery or pair always the first to go bad. Samlex and Victron both make DC-DC converters I have had good luck with; they are thermally protected and you can stack multiple units for more amperage. Dan Fink Executive Director, Buckville Energy Consulting NABCEP PV Associate NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector IREC Certified Instructor™ for: ~ PV Installation Professional ~ Small Wind Installer NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers d<mailto:dan.f...@greendustrialtraining.com>anbo...@gmail.com<mailto:anbo...@gmail.com> 970-672-4342 On Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 10:57 AM Ray mailto:r...@solarray.com>> wrote: Even with battery balancers, battery tapping is still a really bad idea. I know, I did it on my own system in the 90s. The DC/DC converters are the way to go, but be sure and over size it by a fair amount to handle the fridge starting surge. Unfortunately my favorites are no longer available: made by Solar Converters in Canada. I've seen them last decades. Iota should be good stuff, their chargers have long term reliability. Samlex inverters have been around for quite a while too, but I don't have long term experience with their converters. Ray Walters Remote Solar 303 505-8760 On 12/31/19 10:05 AM, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote: Tapping a battery bank is not a good practice. it will unbalance the bank. Much better to add a 24V electronic converter for the 12V loads. Then replace the 12V loads when time permits. They will need a spare converter so buy 2. Amazon has tons of these converters. Your quote is great BTW. H N Y ! Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't" http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail offgridso...@sti.net<mailto:offgridso...@sti.net> text 209 813 0060 On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:52:20 -0500, Chris Schaefer <mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.com> wrote: G'day and Happy New Year to All, Recently came across this offgrid OB FX system. The first part is a 12v battery system w/ 2 PV modules, 2 Trojan L16 batteries used to power a frig and freezer about 6 years old. The second is a 24v with 3kw of PV, 4 Trojan L16's, twin OB FX inverters installed by an HVAC contractor back in 2016. This was their first offgrid project. Oh boy, lol. The client would like to add more battery capacity to both. My thought here is since we are powering only a 12v frig and freezer why not simplify the system by creating a single battery bank and then tapping off of the 24v bank using proper fusing and creating a 12v buss? Admittedly I live in a 48v world so I'm asking our esteemed colleges as to options on how to address this. Oh yeah, the installer is unresponsive (no surprise there) and they are also having firmware issues with an old Mate 3 and would like me to install a new Mate 3s but that's another issue I'll tackle when I head out to site. Thanks All, Christopher- Chris Schaefer's [Image removed by sender.]<http://www.solarandwindfx.com> Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424 www.solarandwindfx.com<http://www.solarandwindfx.com> ~ E-mail: ch...@solarandwindfx.com<mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.com> [Image removed by sender.] Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -- ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Change listserver email address & setting
Re: [RE-wrenches] DC-DC converter for SQFlex
Why don’t you go solar direct no batteries? and use AC for your back up as the pump will do both. My experience says at least 60VDC to run the pump so 24 volt battery won’t do it. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [TSBLOGODPIx500x200] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Gary Higbee Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 12:18 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] DC-DC converter for SQFlex Hi Wrenches, I’m assisting a customer and well person in replacing a failed Lorentz ETApump (after 15 years of intermittent use). We’re looking for a quality DC-DC converter to power a not-yet- ordered Grundfos SQFlex 6 SQF-3 from a 24 V Surrette battery bank (wish it was 48!). The pump draws a max of 8.4A and the curves say we’ll need about 600 watts so I figure we’d want at least 70 volts out. Ideal would be a higher DC output, say 200V (save a couple hundred feet of larger copper, greater efficiency) and at least 3A (see questions). The primary power source will be 240V AC but my customer wants a fallback for battery operation. We plan to use the Grundfos IO 101 SQFlex switch box, which will switch to DC if the AC fails. Also the CU 200 SQFlex control unit, so we can accommodate the existing float switch up the hill, etc. The Grundfos tech person I spoke with today said the DC system should be able to supply 8.4A, regardless of the DC voltage.The pump curve says we need 600W for maximum performance at the lift we’ve got. It seems to me that if we’ve got 200V and need 600W we’d be drawing 3A. Yet if the Grundfos factory line is there should be 8.4A available that’s 1680W. The tech guy said he didn’t have specific information why we’d need 8.4A regardless of pump input voltage. The Grundfos Product Guide says: Max. ratings are as follows: • Maximum power input (P1) of 1400 W • maximum current of 8.4 A • maximum speed of 3600 rpm (think I read somewhere it’s 3000 rpm for this helical rotor model) The pump delivers its maximum performance when one of the above parameters is reached. Two questions: 1) Do any of you have experience running the SQFlex on DC, and what to make of the 8.4A at any input voltage factory recommendation? Maybe basic amps/volts/power calculations aren’t applicable given the pump electronics? 2) Are you aware of any DC-DC converters that will get us from a nominal 24V battery bank to 200V, or somewhere between 70 and 200V, with an appropriate current limiting amp rating to get us at least 600W (depending on thoughts regarding the above question)? Thank you, Gary Gary Higbee Windstream Solar Oregon License 17LRT Renewable Energy Consulting g...@windstreamsolar.com<mailto:g...@windstreamsolar.com> 541-954-3881 ___ 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] Aquion - Mix and Matching Layers
Hi All We have had similar disasters with the Aquions going bad… same problems, some installers have loosened the nut with ruinous results but, bad trays in the stack are common as well. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [TSBLOGODPIx500x200] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Bradley Bassett Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2019 2:36 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Aquion - Mix and Matching Layers As Aquion said, loosening the main nut will destroy the battery. I can vouch for that as well, not my doing, but I could not recover the batteries where that had been done. I tightened the nuts and got just about one cycle before they were gone. I suspect that the temperature cycling of the batteries enhanced creep of the case and active materials to the point where there was no longer adequate compression, and so they are failing. It could be that if they had mfg them with steel cases and permanent layer level compression they might have been longer lived. One thing about being able to take the layers apart is that they are much easier to move around that way. Each layer is only about 30 lbs. Then you can find creative uses for the aluminum bases and high strength threaded rod from them. If you need an MSDS to show to the disposal site, contact me at AEE Solar. At our Hazo House locally here, they took a brief look at the MSDS and said, sure bring them in, no problem. Worth a try. Brad On Thu, May 9, 2019 at 10:38 AM Glenn Burt mailto:glenn.b...@glbcc.com>> wrote: We got such a black eye from the Aquions we installed that we had to replace entire banks to regain customer confidence and prevent bad word of mouth talk about the company. They were a big loss both to our reputation and financial health. I recommend discussing the issues and replacing the entire bank. Sent from my Verizon LG Smartphone -- Original message-- From: Lou Russo Date: Thu, May 9, 2019 11:53 AM To: RE-wrenches; Cc: Subject:[RE-wrenches] Aquion - Mix and Matching Layers Wrenches, I am getting more and more call about orphaned Aquion systems that have gone bad. Many of the systems have one or two "layers" that have gone bad. Voltage spikes up to the 14-15V range while charging and cratering to zero if even the tiniest load is put on it (e.g. turning on a charge controller, like I said...tiny). So I do not believe charging that particular "layer" with 6V charger would fix the problem. Has anybody out there swapped out a bad "layer" with a good one and reassembled the stack? Is it even possible? As always thanks for the help. Aloha, Lou Russo l...@spreesolarsystems.com<mailto:l...@spreesolarsystems.com> 808 345 6762 Spree Solar Systems LLC CT-34322 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://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] Big AGM's and 24V Lithium batteries
Hi Jason RELiON makes what you’re looking for in 24 volts Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [TSBLOGODPIx500x200] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski Sent: Monday, April 1, 2019 5:41 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Big AGM's and 24V Lithium batteries [Image removed by sender.] I just replaced a 48V Lithionics battery with a 51V and I saw on their spec sheet that they do 12V and 24V as well. It seems like a very solid battery and BMS, but I have limited information on longevity. On Thu, Mar 28, 2019 at 4:09 PM Chris Schaefer mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.com>> wrote: G'Day All, Came across an older DIY 24v off-grid system. Looking to replace current AGM SunXtender batteries with less then 4 years on them but severely abused. Client won't go for my normal Rolls/Surrette because they are very sensitive to smells. Thus I was considering LiFePo4 batteries however I'm having difficulties locating them in a 24v bank. If you know of anyone that goes that way please let me know. So if I'm stuck with AGM's stored indoors what brand would you suggest for a heavy usage (1,500 Ahrs +) home? Thanks, Christopher- Chris Schaefer’s [Image removed by sender.]<https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/59cb3f5758d57d4056ef81b95b443197a4553df3?url=http%3Awww.solarandwindfx.com=1613865=1091bd1fd82cbd93> Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870 5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424 www.solarandwindfx.com<https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/32e574e6f9a99fd5d4f5aa9067442cf5f6f41266?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.solarandwindfx.com=1613865=a5185395c9ecbbf6> ~ E-mail: ch...@solarandwindfx.com<mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.com> [Image removed by sender.] Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org<https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/0b673b1323b43a4a127e77396af7ac5820c71a24?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.re-wrenches.org%2Foptions.cgi%2Fre-wrenches-re-wrenches.org=1613865=80fd340e63742710> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html<https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/114969f430419b365128bb6d315c1bd76158776d?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mail-archive.com%2Fre-wrenches%40lists.re-wrenches.org%2Fmaillist.html=1613865=f68f434adb2c503e> List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm<https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/04450d1ff34295dbcfa5ade3b6ba378cb305d3b6?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.re-wrenches.org%2Fetiquette.htm=1613865=f3437ae74198bbb4> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/5e7f3e8b802eefeba7116bdaf02b76315e1724d9?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.members.re-wrenches.org=1613865=f9dccc86e2b7426b> ___ 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] Plated versus unplated eyelets
Hi William Quick Cable makes two UL Listed lugs both are tin plated. The really heavy one is the MAGNA Lug and the more common one is the MAX Lug. We distribute both, so if you want more info call be. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [TSBLOGODPIx500x200] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2019 9:51 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Plated versus unplated eyelets Friends: Just wondering if anyone of you have a preference of finish on copper battery lead eyelets. I have always used tinned. I notice the plain copper are half the cost. I never really looked into this. Has anyone else? Thanks in advance. William Miller Miller Solar 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 805-438-5600 www.millersolar.com<http://www.millersolar.com/> CA Lic. 773985 Quote of the day: “If there is a job you hate, get really, really good at it. Maybe you will hate it less.“ W. Miller ___ 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] Aquion Testing
If you’re showing a lower voltage tray in the stack… You can’t overcharge the whole set to get the 6 volt tray to come up but you can separate (electrically) not physically (leave the center bolt alone) and charge the single tray with a 6 volt charger. We’ve done this with success several times. Make sure the MC4 connector is clean as they seem to get funky with low voltage. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [TSBLOGODPIx500x200] t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> MAIN TOLL FREE: 888-826-0939 DIRECT: 888-503-6772 International: 001-575-539-2111 PANAMA: 507-836-5588 X 122 FAX: 520-844-8442 www.thesolarbiz.com From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of John Blittersdorf Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2018 6:48 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Aquion Testing Lou, I recently discovered that each layer can be checked for voltage. I had one battery test lower than the rest. Looking at the battery closer, I found that my meter probe could get the voltage of each layer indivually. Through an opening in the case. The top layer had the reduced voltage output and it was one cell of the 4 cells in each layer. I have 4 customers with Aquions and we are seeing lower storage because the days are Shorter now and fewer sunny days here in the Northeast. These batteries really like long slow charges. I have one customer with 8000 watts of Pv and a 12kw generator and he can’t figure out why his generator has to run so long. It is the nature of the batteries and our darkest month. His system is undersized with 12 battery stacks and he is driving to Maine tomorrow to buy 20 more from another unhappy Aquion user who is going back to lead acid. I am hoping doubling his storage will solve another problem of voltage dropping to 36 volts when his 1.75hp well pump runs when no sun or generator. Over sizing the battery bank is ok with Aquions as they don’t need to be fully charged.on a regular basis. John Blittersdorf . On Sat, Nov 10, 2018 at 5:33 PM Lou Russo mailto:l...@spreesolarsystems.com>> wrote: Aloha Wrenches, I have a orphaned system with 6 - Aquion Aspen 48Ss that is running out of energy nightly. This is a off-grid system with a Outback FP1. The logs from the Mate 3 do not show excess usage. Beyond testing the voltages of the individual stacks is there any way to check if a battery is good, bad, or failing? I don't have much experience with Aquions and have yet to have any of the 40 or so stacks I have installed fail. Thanks for your insight. Aloha, Lou Russo l...@spreesolarsystems.com<mailto:l...@spreesolarsystems.com> 808 345 6762 Spree Solar Systems LLC CT-34322 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://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] Aquion disposal
We had some random 6 volt tray failures from 48 volt Aspens as well, (making the whole stack look bad, but it was bad MC4 connections. So we just charged the low trays (6 volts) individually and brought them up. There does however seem to be poor series connections in the stacks and occasional goo at the connectors, no explanation. We too had an installer unstack (unbolt) a whole set and now they're all trash. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Solar-Biz-new-logo-800X300] Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate!<https://goo.gl/WVpOYr> Solar Biz(tm) team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Friday, July 27, 2018 6:12 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Aqueon disposal How many of these are going bad? Is this a major problem, or has mismanagement ruined a few? Drake At 06:54 PM 7/26/2018, you wrote: I was lucky that my local county Hazo-house took a look at the MSDS and said drop them off. The person there saw my big MSDS printout and said uh oh, but then she knew just where to look and said fine no problem drop them off. Too bad not everyone is that knowledgeable about what they are looking at. These are so much easier to move when you take them apart too. 30 lbs cell blocks. Then you have some interesting parts to do something with. Attached is a photo of my Super Aquion Gravel Tamper tool. Some of the other aluminum parts will get incorporated into one of my homemade telescopes. Brad AEE Solar On Wed, Jul 25, 2018 at 4:22 PM, Glenn Burt mailto:glenn.b...@glbcc.com>> wrote: Howdy wrenches,  Does anyone have any experience with disposing of the Aqueon battery stacks? We have a number that have failed and our local waste station is balking, regardless of how much hand-holding we provide and specifications, MSDS and manufacturer info we supply. We have been referred to the state Environmental Conservation Agency and they are discussing haz-mat and recycling requirements with no understanding of their components. Any suggestions, recommendations or experience with recycling/disposing of these batteries?  Thanks, Glenn ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://www.members.re-wrenches.org> Content-Type: image/jpeg; name="Aq GT sm.jpg" Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="Aq GT sm.jpg" X-Attachment-Id: f_jk35mu4a0 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://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] UL/CSA listed battery monitor?
Look at either the BlueSky IPM Pro Remote with shunt or the Schneider Battery monitor. The MidNite Battery monitor is more basic as it has no shunt Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Solar-Biz-new-logo-800X300] Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate!<https://goo.gl/WVpOYr> Solar Biz™ team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Hilton Dier III Sent: Monday, July 09, 2018 9:06 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] UL/CSA listed battery monitor? I have a client who needs a monitoring system for a 48V nominal NiCad battery bank on a boat. It's 4 parallel strings of 6V batteries. (Not ideal, I know) It's a passenger boat in Canada so all electrical devices need to be UL/CSA listed. None of the Bogart Engineering monitors are listed. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks! Hilton -- Hilton Dier III Missisquoi River Hydro Renewable Energy Design ___ 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] for all you Aquion installers
Thanks Darryl I’m going to have the installer bring the offending battery here We’ll see how it goes Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Solar-Biz-new-logo-800X300] Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate!<https://goo.gl/WVpOYr> Solar Biz™ team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Darryl Thayer Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 3:11 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] for all you Aquion installers Since the cells stack in series the low voltage cell must be discharged. they are under compression, However If they are disconnected and charged separately perhaps they can be brought back. Are these batteries used in frequent cycles or just backup power? Lead Acid depends upon overcharge immunity, thee may not have that. If they are not overcharging the good cells the weak cells will continue to discharge until the battery has some very weak cells. On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 9:42 AM, Tom Duffy <t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com>> wrote: We have a situation with a customer's Aquion (Understand there's now longer a warranty) I spent some hours looking at the Aquions. I tested the voltage of each cell. 4 out of the 6 stacks had a cell that was low, in the range of 0, 3, 4, volts, while all the rest were above 6. Each of the cells has a test point above the connector. The cells that were low each have corrosion on the positive terminal, such as you see in the photo. Any ideas as to what is causing this? Has anyone seen this before? Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122<tel:507-836-5588%20X%20122> Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122<tel:575-539-2111%20X%20122> SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://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] Apollo inverter TSW4048
Chris I know those guys personally but There's no joy there. A Nice Controller I'm still using the BETA they sent, it's been years but when it's gone... it's gone. Same goes for the Inverters, I think they were made in the same factory that makes Samlex Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate! Solar BizT team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of ch...@oasismontana.com Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 4:33 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Apollo inverter TSW4048 Hi folks: So, it seems Apollo Solar in no longer a functioning business. Does anyone know if there is any tech support for their products? Feel free to contact me off list. Best, Chris Daum Oasis Montana Inc. 406-777-4309 or 4321 406-777-4309 fax <http://www.oasismontana.com> www.oasismontana.com ___ 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] Shock absorber for older ZomeWorks
Chris Just go to an auto parts store and cross reference the Gabriel number to whom ever Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate! Solar BizT team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of ch...@oasismontana.com Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2017 12:38 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Shock absorber for older Zomeworks Dear people: I've got a fellow looking for a pair of F series shock absorbers for a friend's tracker; Zomeworks says their supplier for these --Gabriel? - says they are discontinued (ZW-2003, shock #GABRIEL 659171). It's for a 4X tracker that holds four Shell SQ155 modules. If anyone has a couple of these lying around, please feel free to contact me off list. Sincerely, Chris Daum Oasis Montana Inc. 406-777-4309 or 4321 406-777-4309 fax www.oasismontana.com ___ 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] Unique Off Grid Ranges
Drake I have had a Peerless for 11 years and have not had to replace the batteries for the ignition yet Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate! Solar BizT team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2017 7:36 AM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Unique Off Grid Ranges Hi Michael, That really helps. With the problems reported on the Unique Range, I'm leaning heavily toward Peerless. Since the Peerless has 8 D cells for the ignitor at 1.5 VDC each, I am wondering if a 48V to 12V voltage reducer might be able to run the sparker and avoid the use of the batteries (if these are still available). Thank you, Drake At 06:23 PM 10/11/2017, you wrote: >There is a thread of comments on the HP web site about off-grid ranges, >including some comments about the Unique. > >https://www.homepower.com/articles/home-efficiency/equipment-products/a >sk-experts-grid-ranges > >Drake wrote at 12:31 PM 10/11/2017: > > >Hello Wrenches, > > > >Some time back, Unique Off Grid Ranges were discussed on the list. > At that time on one had any experience with them. > http://uniqueoffgrid.com/product/unique-elite-30-off-grid-propane-rang > e/ > > > >Has anyone tried them? > > > >Is there a range out there that you really like. > > > >Thanks, > > > >Drake > > > >Drake Chamberlin > >___ >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 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] ] Dusty off -grid conditions
Hi All The Extreme is no longer available Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate! Solar BizT team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Matthew Sirum Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2017 1:23 AM To: re-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: [RE-wrenches] ] Dusty off -grid conditions Greetings William, Regarding a sealed charge controller; may the OutBack FLEXmax Extreme Charge Controller be an option?... Its spec sheet identifies it as being IP54 rated (dust protected) and there is an optional fan kit to help it run cooler. Just a thought, if they are still being produced and available. Best regards, MATT Matthew Sirum P.O. Box 1227 Greenfield, MA 01302-1227 USA phone: +1.413.773.0611 email: matthewsi...@gmail.com -- Original Message Below -- [RE-wrenches] ] Dusty off -grid conditions William Miller william at millersolar.com Tue Sep 5 08:35:33 PDT 2017 Friends: Thanks for the input on this topic. A few thoughts: 1. I could change the design from a vented 8k Radian to 4 sealed FX inverters. However the Outback charge controllers will still be vented. This makes me think the best plan is an actively vented cabinet. This cabinet has a fan with filtration: http://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Portfolio/Commercial/Cal_Trans/Pase_2/Phase_B_Caboinet_2.jpg 2. We have tried in vain to keep rodents out of a building or even a room. Our best successes are in critter-proofing as small a space as possible. Attached is a photo of an Outback installation with screen wire to keep out wood rats that destroyed the previous installation by urinating on the SW circuit boards. William Lic 773985 millersolar.com 805-438-5600 ___ 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] Generator choice for Sunny Island
8 hours at least but 24 would be more accurate Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Solar-Biz-new-logo-800X300] Your 5-star rating really matters to us. Click to rate!<https://goo.gl/WVpOYr> Solar Biz™ team works hard to provide you the best customer service. If we don't deserve a 5-star rating, please contact us directly. We'll do what it takes to win your approval. Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: Monday, July 24, 2017 3:24 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island My experience with Sunny Islands are that their SOC can be off by quite a bit. Unfortunately with sealed batteries, you can't check SG with a hydrometer to confirm, and tweak the settings. Probably the best you could do, is shut the system down and let the batteries sit for long enough to take voltage readings to double check the SOC. I found systems that the SI thought it was close to full, but the batteries were actually only at 60%. R. Ray Walters Chief Technical Officer, RemoteSolar.com BS Mech Engineering, 1988 Former NABCEP Certified, 2004-2016 Licensed Master ELectrician, Colorado 303 505-8760 On 7/24/17 2:16 PM, August Goers wrote: Hi Drake, Good questions. Yes, the taper charge appears to be working well. I've been to the site a couple of times where loads were low, irradiance was high, and battery SOC was ~90% and the Sunny Boy was just covering the load and a little trickle charge. I have noticed that the SOC seems to max out around 90 to 92% - that seems to be the case with Sunny Islands in general. I'm not enough of a battery expert to know if this is a good thing or not. I do know that I custom programmed in all the AGM battery parameters and set max voltages. I also disabled equalize mode since I couldn't find any literature from US battery on recommendations for their AGM. August August Goers Luminalt Energy Corporation o: 415.641.4000 m: 415.559.1525 www.luminalt.com<http://www.luminalt.com> On Mon, Jul 24, 2017 at 5:36 AM, Drake <drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org<mailto:drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org>> wrote: Are you getting a good taper charge with this system? Are the batteries reaching a decent state of charge from the AC coupled connection with the inverter? Thanks, Drake At 11:08 AM 7/23/2017, you wrote: August, Of course the genny itself has its own emission of noise but the environment its in certainly will affect its overall "annoyance level". Backed up to metal container is a negative, I can't tell from the photo if the Kohler is on the side away from most of the public, probably don't have to go on, you must have thought of these thingsit could have its own (partial?)enclosure with some sound deadening qualities. Hondas are a little quieter but not that much, hopefully the darn thing doesn't have to come on, eh? Nice set-up. Bill Feather River Solar Electric Bill Battagin, Owner 4291 Nelson St. Taylorsville, CA 95983 530.284.7849 CA Lic 874049 www.frenergy.net<http://www.frenergy.net> On 7/21/2017 11:39 AM, August Goers wrote: All, I thought I'd provide an update on our setup since we've completed the install and commissioning. More or less, the installation went well. We did have one of the US Battery AGM L16 batteries dead on arrival with a bad cell. That bad battery screwed up the state of charge (SOC) calculations in the Sunny Island and made the SOC reading jump from ~ 80% to 19% in just a couple of minutes. It was easy to find the bad battery - all the batteries were about 6.5 v with the bad battery reading about 4.5 v. We pulled that battery out of the string for warranty replacement and are currently running it with seven batteries at 42 v nominal. It's cool that the Sunny Island allows for this. Other than that, the frequency shift derate between the Sunny Island and Sunny Boy is working perfectly and the system has more than enough capacity to run the loads during the summer mo
Re: [RE-wrenches] Apollo Contact
A year or so ago I tried in vain to get anywhere with Apollo and I know Daniel and John personally... didn't help... I fear it's a dead end. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Please note my new E-Mail E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeremy Rodriguez Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2017 11:17 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Apollo Contact Hello, I have a potential client needed some help with an Apollo charge controller. If anyone has a current phone number I'd appreciate it. Jeremy Rodriguez Solar Installation And Design Expert All Solar, Inc. 1463 M St Penrose Colorado 81240 Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand! ___ 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] Battery Watt hours FLA VS Iron Edison Batteries
Hi Dana Two thoughts... how many days of autonomy are they quoting? If nickel Iron were this magical how come nobody has noticed them for the past 100 years? Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Solar-Biz-new-logo-800X300] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email - You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don't lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off... It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dana Sent: Friday, October 14, 2016 8:56 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Battery Watt hours FLA VS Iron Edison Batteries Good Morning All, I have a charity case client that needs 760 to 900 AHR at 24 VDC. I have installed HUP Solar One Batteries for 20+ years and do not have any experience with the Iron Edison battery. My client went to Iron Edison & was told that 360 AHR at 24 VDC would cover the same AHR as a 760 to 900 AHR in FLA. I understand you can use the IE deeper typically than a FLA. Math is math to me & how I have sized [successfully for years] Is there something I am missing or has my client been misinformed? __ Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc - NABCEP # 051112-136 d...@solarwork.com<mailto:d...@solarwork.com> - www.solarwork.biz<http://www.solarwork.com> O - 970.626.5253F - 970.626.4140 c - 208.721.7003 "Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" ___ 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] Test procedure for Concorde batteries
Hi Larry John Pfeifer at Apollo Solar sponsored the testing and now John has disappeared from the solar scene altogether. I don’t have any contact info for him. BTW the Concordes have been working without a hitch for eight years now. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [New-Logo-Solar-BiZ] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email – You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don’t lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Starlight Solar Power Systems Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 1:22 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Test procedure for Concorde batteries Hi Tom, Will you share the failures you had with the testing you did? How long ago was the test? It looks to me like Rolls Battery has chosen FullRiver as their OEM supplier for AGM batteries. I’m very sure they tested extensively and choose carefully. Thank you, Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems On Sep 2, 2016, at 10:40 AM, Tom Duffy <t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com>> wrote: Gary A number of years ago I designed the back-up system for the Washington DC Metro System communications in conjunction with Apollo Solar. After extensive testing of both the Concorde and Full River brand batteries. We chose Concorde SunXtender because of failures in the Full River during testing. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email – You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don’t lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. ___ 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] Test procedure for Concorde batteries
Larry It looks like the UPG batteries come from the same Chinese factory as well. We’re hoping the Trojan Reliant work out well with their re-introduction Q1 2017. AGM batteries seem to be the most misunderstood (after Gels) I have noticed the failure rate is higher than wet, I assume most folks think VRLA means “don’t pay any attention at all.” Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [New-Logo-Solar-BiZ] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email – You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don’t lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Starlight Solar Power Systems Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 1:22 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Test procedure for Concorde batteries Hi Tom, Will you share the failures you had with the testing you did? How long ago was the test? It looks to me like Rolls Battery has chosen FullRiver as their OEM supplier for AGM batteries. I’m very sure they tested extensively and choose carefully. Thank you, Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems On Sep 2, 2016, at 10:40 AM, Tom Duffy <t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com>> wrote: Gary A number of years ago I designed the back-up system for the Washington DC Metro System communications in conjunction with Apollo Solar. After extensive testing of both the Concorde and Full River brand batteries. We chose Concorde SunXtender because of failures in the Full River during testing. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email – You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don’t lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. ___ 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] Test procedure for Concorde batteries
Gary A number of years ago I designed the back-up system for the Washington DC Metro System communications in conjunction with Apollo Solar. After extensive testing of both the Concorde and Full River brand batteries. We chose Concorde SunXtender because of failures in the Full River during testing. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [New-Logo-Solar-BiZ] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email - You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don't lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off... It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Gary Willett Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 9:08 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Test procedure for Concorde batteries Larry: What is your experience with FullRiver DC1150-2 2V 1150AH AGM L16 battery? Regards, Gary Willett Icarus Engineering LLC 214-629-4279 On 9/1/16 8:51 PM, Starlight Solar Power Systems wrote: Hear, Hear, Gary, listen to the Graybeards. One thing I would like to mention here. Over the last 3 years, I have seen a dramatic increase of early failures of Lifeline (like Sun Xtender, made by Concorde) batteries. I have been selling and installing Lifeline since 2004 and have hundreds of 8-12 year old battery systems being used. I have not been able to identify any cause related to use. So, has anyone seen Sun Xtender or Concorde early failures in recent years? BTW, we have been selling FullRiver batteries for a few years now with no failures and very happy customers. Thank you, Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems (928) 342-9103 On Sep 1, 2016, at 6:19 PM, jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com<mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com>> wrote: HI Ray, I second your opinion. jay peltz power On Sep 1, 2016, at 4:43 PM, Ray Walters <r...@solarray.com<mailto:r...@solarray.com>> wrote: Hi Gary; I think it would be a waste of time to load test a sealed battery that is 9 years old. Even at only 20% discharge, that battery only has 2800 cycles. At 80% discharge, its 550 cycles. The daily system cycle is probably roughly a 10% cycle, coupled with the frequent deep cycles. We have been seeing 5 to 7 years in GTB systems with regular sealed batteries. Even in float mode, they don't last forever. Also the customer has already done a basic load test, and the battery is failing. Its only a matter of time before you start seeing cell failures, and then the system won't even work when the grid is up. I'd just replace the set on your next trip. R.Ray Walters CTO, Solarray, Inc Nabcep Certified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 On 9/1/2016 2:00 PM, jerrysgarage01 wrote: Wrenches You can do a carbon pile test but the best way is testing under several conditions. Here is an option real easy and maybe faster, put a volt meter on each battery under constant charge conditions, higher volts on one battery meens high resistance in battery, low volts meens low resistance, either extreme can be an issue. Then let sit for at least an hour with no load and check the volts, next put a fixed load on the system, again a volt meter check each battery, here you may find a lower reading then the rest, there is the problem, now replace the entire bank not just the single battery. This is an easy test and the customer can see it easily too. Jerry Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S(tm) III, an AT 4G LTE smartphone Original message From: Gary Bassett Date:09/01/2016 2:51 AM (GMT-10:00) To: "RE-wrenches (re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>)" Subject: [RE-wrenches] Test procedure for Concorde batteries We have a grid tied battery backup system that uses 8 Sun Xtender PVX-2120L batteries, about 9 years old. The grid has been going out frequently - about 4 times in the past 3 weeks. When the grid goes out, the battery voltage gets too low and shuts the system down pretty quickly. One of the times, this happened within 4 hours. We want to test the capacity of the batteries and we have a testing procedure from
Re: [RE-wrenches] Bosch/aleo PV module warranty excuse for a hotspot
Sounds like a catch-all excuse for “sorry no warranty at all” Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email – You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don’t lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chris Mason Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 2:28 PM To: Pekka Laine - Photon Solar Power Inc. <pe...@photonsolarpower.com>; RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Bosch/aleo PV module warranty excuse for a hotspot Did the original documentation say "dirt on the glass is liable to cause hotpots and invalidate the warranty"? No? Thought not. They can't just make stuff up after the fact. On Wed, Jun 29, 2016 at 3:16 PM, Pekka Laine - Photon Solar Power Inc. <pe...@photonsolarpower.com<mailto:pe...@photonsolarpower.com>> wrote: Hello wrenches, Has anyone ever gotten a similar response from Bosch/aleo for a warranty claim on a "hotspot." " Sorry, this is the result. Soiled module glass is the cause, this resulted in current surges and HotSpot on the cell. External influences (shading) is not a part of the aleo product and performance guarantee. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to you. Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards Sales Customer Service (SEDE/SCS) Bosch Solar Services GmbH | August-Broemel-Str. 6 | 99310 Arnstadt | GERMANY |www.bosch-solarenergy.de<http://www.bosch-solarenergy.de/> Tel. +49(3628)6643-4728<tel:%2B49%283628%296643-4728> | Fax +49(3628)6643-4107<tel:%2B49%283628%296643-4107> " So they are saying the dirt on the glass caused the problem. How convenientthat response can be used to derail every claim. These panels should be designed for ourdoor use. Th<http://use.th/>at is total bs. So does their product lliterature state dirt is a problem and indicate how often they should be cleaned. Should we as installers accept this? Pekka Laine President Photon Solar Power Inc. www.PhotonSolarPower.com<http://www.PhotonSolarPower.com> Cell. 760-556-8170 Toll Free 888-SUN-ACDC CA Lic. #933648 NABCEP Certified PV Installer # 032611-174 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://www.members.re-wrenches.org> -- Chris Mason NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ Solar Design Engineer Generac Generators Industrial technician www.cometsolar.com<http://www.cometenergysystems.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] Steel Trusses
Hi Jason www.apoc.com<http://www.apoc.com> Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email – You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don’t lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 7:18 AM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Steel Trusses While on the subject, anyone have a good source of 2" wide Butyl double sided tape? Our local roofing suppliers only have 1". On Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 7:36 PM, Peter Giroux <pgir...@mindspring.com<mailto:pgir...@mindspring.com>> wrote: Chad I second August. We have had great success with self tapping screws. Put some butyl on the L-foot and set it in. thx peter - Original Message - From: August Goers<mailto:aug...@luminalt.com> To: RE-wrenches<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 6:44 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Steel Trusses Hi Chad, We’ve occasionally installed onto steel trusses with either self drilling screws (no pilot required) or thread forming screws (pilot hole required). See attached sample spec sheets. I suppose you could install a standard tile hook type product with the types of fasters I listed above. Or, hire a roofer to waterproof your stanchions and reinstall the removed tiles. More and more, we are moving towards the latter because we’ve bumped into issues with degrading underlayment (felt paper) under tile roofs. Best, August Luminalt From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] On Behalf Of Chad Waits Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 3:15 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Steel Trusses Wrenches, Anyone out there have any experience attaching arrays (from the topside) to roofs with steel trusses under plywood decking? We’ve got a new project that has steel trusses and we would prefer to not have to spend time in the attic bolting through (it was 113 degrees here today)… Is there a fastening system out there that anyone has experience with? Oh, the roof is composite/strengthened clay tile as well. Thanks! Chad Waits President/Owner – Net Zero Solar 101 W. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85705 Office: 520-207-4053 Cell: 520-270-4873 NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer [cid:image003.png@01D1C0D3.07A4FA60] ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://www.members.re-wrenches.org> ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://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-wre
Re: [RE-wrenches] Steel Trusses
Hey Chad E-Jot Makes a fastener for steel that's thread cutting (must be pre drilled) It also has a neoprene washer and stainless hardware. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> **Please note my new email - You will now be able to find me at: t...@solar-biz.com<mailto:t...@solar-biz.com> Please update your records so we don't lose touch!** Main Number: 888-826-0939 Panama Office: 507-836-5588 X 122 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 X 122 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz (e-mail first) NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off... It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chad Waits Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 5:15 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Steel Trusses Wrenches, Anyone out there have any experience attaching arrays (from the topside) to roofs with steel trusses under plywood decking? We've got a new project that has steel trusses and we would prefer to not have to spend time in the attic bolting through (it was 113 degrees here today)... Is there a fastening system out there that anyone has experience with? Oh, the roof is composite/strengthened clay tile as well. Thanks! Chad Waits President/Owner - Net Zero Solar 101 W. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85705 Office: 520-207-4053 Cell: 520-270-4873 NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer [cid:image003.png@01D1C01D.BB63CEC0] ___ 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] Solarworld
Hi All Solarworld themselves have offered us low pricing on containers of 250 or 260 German manufactured modules, but no pricing like 30 cents a watt. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off. It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jay Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2016 9:01 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solarworld Hi guys. Look not all of us are getting these emails. So please share what's going on ok And my opinion is that if these are published emails with prices you can share them, especially if you think they are bogus parts. Jay Peltz power Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 21, 2016, at 5:33 PM, drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org wrote: > > Can they really get away with selling fake Solarworld modules? Is > there no way to verify there manufacturer? It would seem that > Solarworld would want to bust a company selling modules labeled with > there name that weren't theirs. > > If they are old stock at cheap prices, they might be good for some > systems. If they are fake, then there would be no warranty and could > likely have other issues. > > Has anyone actually seen knock off modules or seen reliable > information that documents their existence? > >> What I've seen lately in my Spam box, advertised at the usual >> ridiculous price, is for low wattage Solarworld modules. We >> currently are installing 285 and 290 watt models, and what was being >> offered were 260 and under. Either they're knock offs, or someone is >> moving some really old stock. >> This would be a clever way for Chinese manufacturing to circumvent >> the tariff I suppose. >> >> R.Ray Walters >> CTO, Solarray, Inc >> Nabcep Certified PV Installer, >> Licensed Master Electrician >> Solar Design Engineer >> 303 505-8760 >> >>> On 1/21/2016 8:46 AM, drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org wrote: >>> So far I have purchased mostly from known distributors, so haven't >>> encountered the cheap knockoff issue. Is this happening much? What >>> is the evidence that this is gong on? >>> >>> I've seen ads claiming SolarWorld modules at over $0.30 / Watt >>> cheaper than the REC modules which I get good pricing on. I don't >>> know the companies. For all I know, they could be counterfeit. They >>> have definitely been advertised as cheap at times as the very lowest >>> end of the Chinese imports. When something seems too good to be >>> true, it usually isn't. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Drake >>> >>> Good morning, >>>> Are they one of the ones that are being put out as knockoffs ? >>>> You know what I mean, cheap counterfeit make everything look good, >>>> make the label look exceptional grab the money and run panels ? >>>> >>>> I certainly hope not, I have had exceptionally good luck with solar >>>> World and their predecessors! >>>> >>>> Later, >>>> Bob >>>> >>>>> On Jan 20, 2016, at 7:59 PM, AE Solar >>>>> <autonomousenerg...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> What's your definition of cheap...and for which size panels? >>>>> >>>>>> On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, Jerry Shafer >>>>>> <jerrysgarag...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> I deal with Platt as there are very close to the SW factory Jerry >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Jan 20, 2016 1:58 PM, "Drake" >>>>>>> <drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org> wrote: >>>>>>> A lot of ads for cheap Solarworld modules come into my inbox. >>>>>>> Does anyone know why they are so cheap? Does anyone have a >>>>>>> truste
Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback customer service?
Hi Rebekah Many, not all, OutBack Distributors offer design and tech support as well to dealer/installers. In most cases they will be able to answer questions on a larger range of products as well. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Rebekah Hren Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 5:44 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback customer service? Advice I often give to students in PV classes: if you are trying to decide between two similar pieces of equipment at a similar cost (rack, inverter, modules, whatever), try calling the tech support line to ask a technical question and see what happens. Does anyone answer and how quickly? If so does that person have a clue as to how to answer your question? If they don't know how quickly can they get you to someone who does? I know things wax and wane over time at any company, but you can sure learn a lot about a company calling the tech support line before you spec equipment. I would just add that it's pretty amazing Midnite puts their tech support folks names, phone numbers and email addresses on their website. I don't think I've seen any other PV company do that. Rebekah On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 5:15 PM, Starlight Solar Power Systems <la...@starlightsolar.com<mailto:la...@starlightsolar.com>> wrote: Hi Peter, I only had the option to leave a message and after about 1 hour on hold I did so. That was a week ago. I had not heard of calling at a specific hour. Is this something they suggest? Where did you hear of this 0700 calling time? Larry On Dec 8, 2015, at 3:00 PM, Peter Parrish <peter.parr...@calsolareng.com<mailto:peter.parr...@calsolareng.com>> wrote: Phil Undercuffler has the title of Chief Technologist, Product Development – or something to that effect. I suggest not trying to reach him with run-of-the-mill issues, but if your want to engage him about future product development, or to get confirmation about utility issues, NEM 2.0, industry trends, etc. he is the best person at Outback Power to talk to. If you want to know more about how to program the Radian Series, he could point you to the right person. I think a lot of problems with Outback can be traced to their off-grid history… Has anyone tried to make a telecon appointment with Outback Tech Support: call them at 0700 h PT and ask to get a call back at a certain time later in the day? - Peter Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D. President, SolarGnosis 1107 Fair Oaks Ave. Suite 351 South Pasadena, CA 91030 (323) 839-6108 peter...@pobox.com<mailto:peter...@pobox.com> ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://www.members.re-wrenches.org> -- Tel: 336.266.8800 NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional™ 091209-85 NC Licensed Electrical Contractor ___ 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 customer service?
I would always use caution when asking anyone for design recommendations. I they can't give good info get another distributor. Price is not the holy grail Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off... It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Tump Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 10:29 AM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback customer service? Many, not all, OutBack Distributors offer design and tech support, that can lead to questionable system design. I had a client discus a system that they were getting from a distributor in LA that was NOT designed correctly for the low temps here in maine. Be careful ...sometimes you DO get what you pay for. On Dec 9, 2015, at 10:12 AM, Tom Duffy wrote: Hi Rebekah Many, not all, OutBack Distributors offer design and tech support as well to dealer/installers. In most cases they will be able to answer questions on a larger range of products as well. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz<mailto:t...@thesolar.biz> Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off... It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Rebekah Hren Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 5:44 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback customer service? Advice I often give to students in PV classes: if you are trying to decide between two similar pieces of equipment at a similar cost (rack, inverter, modules, whatever), try calling the tech support line to ask a technical question and see what happens. Does anyone answer and how quickly? If so does that person have a clue as to how to answer your question? If they don't know how quickly can they get you to someone who does? I know things wax and wane over time at any company, but you can sure learn a lot about a company calling the tech support line before you spec equipment. I would just add that it's pretty amazing Midnite puts their tech support folks names, phone numbers and email addresses on their website. I don't think I've seen any other PV company do that. Rebekah On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 5:15 PM, Starlight Solar Power Systems <la...@starlightsolar.com<mailto:la...@starlightsolar.com>> wrote: Hi Peter, I only had the option to leave a message and after about 1 hour on hold I did so. That was a week ago. I had not heard of calling at a specific hour. Is this something they suggest? Where did you hear of this 0700 calling time? Larry On Dec 8, 2015, at 3:00 PM, Peter Parrish <peter.parr...@calsolareng.com<mailto:peter.parr...@calsolareng.com>> wrote: Phil Undercuffler has the title of Chief Technologist, Product Development - or something to that effect. I suggest not trying to reach him with run-of-the-mill issues, but if your want to engage him about future product development, or to get confirmation about utility issues, NEM 2.0, industry trends, etc. he is the best person at Outback Power to talk to. If you want to know more about how to program the Radian Series, he could point you to the right person. I think a lot of problems with Outback can be traced to their off-grid history... Has anyone tried to make a telecon appointment with Outback Tech Support: call them at 0700 h PT and ask to get a call back at a certain time later in the day? - Peter Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D. President, SolarGnosis 1107 Fair Oaks Ave. Suite 351 South Pasa
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan Batteries
Drake et al I only design with series strings (no parallel) I use a fairly high bulk and absorb setting and I always calculate the absorb time. Further I don't pretend there is enough solar if there's not. I design for a full charge daily for 8 months a year from solar alone, thus insuring fully charged batteries at a minimum of every 10 days. I have been selling Trojan for years and with the new RE line we have never seen a failure that wasn't caused by abuse, either a poor bank design or bad or no charge settings or failure to maintain properly (this includes judicious equalization). Failing batteries after two years always indicates improper charging and probably too many parallel strings that are not being dealt with the way parallel strings require. I have been selling batteries for 47 years now and in that time I have only seen 5 honest to goodness (Manufacturing defect) batteries. Everything else was abuse. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off... It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mark Frye Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2015 9:23 PM To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan Batteries It does not bode well that Trojan is currently back ordered on at least some AGM batteries until October in order for them to address issues on their manufacturing line. On 8/12/2015 6:44 PM, Ray Walters wrote: Oh I'm going to risk the wrath of Trojan and others, but I can confirm issues with the Trojan L16 having premature cell failures within a couple of years just as you reported. We use the T105 RE and have not had problems, but stay away from their L16 line. I otherwise do not know or understand the causes behind these failures, but I think this list proves to be at its most valuable when we can save each other and our customers needless suffering. R.Ray Walters CTO, Solarray, Inc Nabcep Certified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 On 8/12/2015 4:03 PM, Drake wrote: Hello Wrenches, I have had a number of customers with Trojan L-16s have problems lately. In some cases, I know that the batteries weren't very well cared for, but in no case were the batteries totally discharged and let get cold or sit for a long time. It doesn't seem that the batteries should have died after a couple of years. I could see diminished output and a reduced life. One customer who supposedly knows someone with inside information claims that Trojan started cutting corners a few years ago to be more competitive on price. Has anyone else seen more problems with Trojan Batteries, or heard that the company is cutting corners? Thanks, Drake Athens Electric LLC OH License 44810 CO License 3773 NABCEP Certified Solar PV 740-448-7328 http://athens-electric.com/ ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto: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.htmhttp://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.orghttp://www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto: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.htmhttp://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.orghttp://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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Chofu Hot Tub Heater
Hi Allan Contact me off list as we have three different all stainless steel size wood fired thermosiphon heaters that actually work. The old Chofu was really made for a special charcoal block and didn’t work well on wood Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2015 9:05 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Chofu Hot Tub Heater Wrenches, I have an off grid client who wants a hot tub, and would prefer a propane heater rather than wood. The Chofu appears to be the only unit that doesn't require a circulation pump. He had located this on his own, but told me that The propane fired, self igniting, hydrosiphoning Chofu is no longer available domestically. Seems the Japanese do not wish to export these to the USA anymore. I will keep looking as this was the most sane idea for the project and of course cheapest. Chofu listed on Island Hot Tub is currently unavailable. I talked to him a week ago and it sounded like there was no availability for the foreseeable future. Does anyone have a line on where one can be located before they're all gone? Or a good alternative? Thanks, Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@sindelarsolar.commailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc. 505 780-2738 cell ___ 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 control boards
Hi Jay Call me 888-503-6772 EST Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2014 11:20 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback control boards Hi all I'm looking for control boards to converter 2 GVFX 3648 to VFX. If anyone has some or knows where to get them ( outback won't sell them to me) Please let me know off list 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Unique off-grid
Dan Although I don’t understand the politics of this We have been selling the SunDanzer 48 Volt 14 cu.ft. here in Panama, Central America, so as far as I know there is a 48 volt something out there. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dan Fink Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2014 10:24 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Unique off-grid I have a client in Canada who has a Unique fridge/freezer and chest freezer at 2 lodge locations. They are high quality and easy to live with. All brands are expensive and use a lot of propane IMO, and Unique is right in the usual price range. Their fridges and freezers are not the same as Crystal Cold. Also note that in Canadian installations these must have automatic CO-detector shutoffs or approved direct venting. Which is fine, until the 9V battery dies and it shuts off while you are at a remote camp for a week. Or when someone drops the plastic CO detector and the battery door breaks off and you have to hold the battery in with duct tape and rubber bands. The detector is the only flimsy plastic part IMO, the rest is great. They come crated OK for helicopter sling load delivery, which can be brutal. Also note propane fridges don't have to be transported upright. I have to replace another 20 gas range here and am going to try the Unique (before I try it on clients) as I like the quality of their refrigeration units. My local distributor for Peerless/Premier dropped the brand, because of abysmal customer service for the high price, and long wait time on repair parts. The only other quality options I've found for a 20 range are expensive yacht galley setups, with ovens too small for a chicken much less a turkey, or expensive drop-in cooktops and a wall ovenalso hard to find in 20. I spec propane fridges and freezers to very remote clients often actually. Solar may be cheap now, but battery banks are not, especially delivered by heli to locations with no direct insolation for 3 months of the year and an expected 3-4 year lifespan. Of course always better to use an efficient electric like SunFrost or Novacool or SunDanzer (if the client can deal with a chest refrigerator), but I sure wish someone made a 48VDC model of anything, so I don't have to install 48VDC to 24VDC converter(s). Kits for built-ins using very efficient compressors (Danfoss etc) and heat exchangers are available from both Novacool and Adler-Barbour but you need a very talented fridge cabinetmaker to ensure condensation (and then mold) don't creep out of the cabinet into the insulation. Just my 2 cents. Dan Fink Buckville Energy IREC Certified Instructor™ for: ~ PV Installation Professional ~ Small Wind Installer NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers™ 970.672.4342 On Sun, Nov 9, 2014 at 11:50 AM, William Miller will...@millersolar.commailto:will...@millersolar.com wrote: Friends: A client has asked me to enquire about a provider of appliances specifically for off-grid consumers. Their web site is: http://www.uniqueoffgrid.com/en-Ca/Products/Product-Line-up.html Do any of you have any experience with this firm and their products? Thanks in advance, William [Gradient Cap_mini] Lic 773985 millersolar.comhttp://www.millersolar.com/ 805-438-5600tel:805-438-5600 ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto: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.htmhttp://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.orghttp://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: [RE-wrenches] Unique off-grid
I’m not sure if they are available everywhere as yet, I think they’re still testing them with a few distributors. The compressors are not the Danfoss they’re Tecumseh on the 48 volt units. Call me for more info on this. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economythe light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off… It should have been solar. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dan Fink Sent: Friday, November 14, 2014 3:59 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Unique off-grid Oh, nice, thanks Tom! I wasn't aware of the 48v SunDanzer. Good units. Dan Fink Buckville Energy IREC Certified Instructor™ for: ~ PV Installation Professional ~ Small Wind Installer NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers™ 970.672.4342 On Fri, Nov 14, 2014 at 1:53 PM, Tom Duffy t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz wrote: Dan Although I don’t understand the politics of this We have been selling the SunDanzer 48 Volt 14 cu.ft. here in Panama, Central America, so as far as I know there is a 48 volt something out there. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer ___ 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 200 RE
Chris Yes they seem to be a well-made good quality battery, and we have not had any problems in properly designed and programed systems. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chris Mason Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 7:58 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback 200 RE So back to the question...has anyone had experience with the Outback 200RE? inline: image003.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback 200 RE
Hi Chris For an off grid system a 200AH 12 volt battery is rather small without resorting to parallel strings. Three strings is only 600AH which is still on the small side, so one might ask why the 8K inverter? The OutBack cabinet is fine for a back-up grid-tied system, not really a full off grid house Without starting a big discussion, I would stick to a single series string sized to the load for three days autonomy. 200AH is usually a rather small weekend cabin and 600AH would be a smaller medium sized house. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chris Mason Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 6:16 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback 200 RE We don't do a lot of off-grid systems so I am short on experience with battery systems. I have a 8KW Radian system for which I am considering Rolls Surrette or Outback 200RE AGM batteries. I know people like the Surrettes, what is the experience with the outback battery system? -- Chris Mason inline: image003.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L 16's
Folks like to buy these floor sweeper batteries because they're cheap, but the RE Series are more appropriate for Renewable Energy systems. I have never seen long life out of the standard L-16 like this, I have not confirmed this but I suspect they have more, but thinner plates, to get amperage out quicker for floor sweepers and the like. IMHO Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of RE Ellison Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 1:45 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L 16's For the off grid wrenches out there. Has anybody noticed L16 G series batteries failing faster than normal? I've got about three packs that were installed in 2009 and 2010 With existing customers that know how to maintain them and I'm having what seems to be higher than on what would be expected failure rates. If they got 8, 9 or 10 years all of the previous pack there is no reason they shouldn't get the same out of the replacements. all things being equal no major changes Wondering thanks, Bob Ellison ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Sick pack
Bill
With 4 parallel strings at 6 years you surely will have some bad cells. I would
let the bank sit (with no load or charge) for at least 8 hours, or if you can
24 hours and simply do a voltage check. You can't get a good 6 volt battery
below 6 volts (at rest) so eliminate the 4 lowest voltage batteries and EQ the
other 3 strings individually (check voltage after to make sure that they did
equalize) all batteries should now be equal voltage, if not, wait and EQ again.
You can call me Toll Free 888-895-8179 with questions.
Kind regards
Tom Duffy
Senior Solar Design Engineer
[Real-logo-X-195]
E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz
Panama Office: 507-6126-1253
Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772
International: 575-539-2111
SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz
Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of
electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole
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From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Tump
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 6:52 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Sick pack
What is the Spg (use a good refractometer)of each cell 1.11?1.15? that temp is
not to hi especially w/ the temp comp. Charging w/ the unit in bulk, the
inverter will see voltage rise quickly and decide that they are charged.
disconnect the batteries and check as individual units Eq at high voltage `32 v
and a low charge rate 10 amps, watch the temp Spg . I would suggest that if at
all possible remove 2 sets and eq from the grid for ~week on /off.DO use a temp
sensor and watch the spg. See Surrette's tech bulletin re/ highly sulfated
batteries. www.surrette.comhttp://www.surrette.com.
Anything over 2 strings will cause a headache, BUT thats more the norm w/ the
cheep off grid, I'm going to manage my gen run time kinda of folks!
On Dec 19, 2013, at 1:28 AM, frenergy wrote:
Gentlemen and women,
I have been called in to deal with a pack of 16 (4 strings of 4 for
24V), L-16s, 6 years old. She is having to run her generator 2 times a day.
Here in N.E. CA. its been cold, mostly clear, little wind. Her inputs are
about 1 KW of PV, and small wind machine and of course a serious generator.
Cables and terminals looked clean, were tight. The bulk setting on the Trace
4024 was 28.0 V for 2 hrs with RTS, however, she would manually turn off the
generator soon after it reached 28V. Recipe for suphation.
Rather than getting into too much detail, here's my quandary. When I
fired up the generator, the input amps in each of the 4 strings were string
#1:29A, 2:34 A, 3:25 A, 4: 13 A. A survey of IR temps throughout the pack gave
temps ranging from 63 to 92 degrees. The highest temps were in the string
pulling highest amps. In trying to find shorted/failed and/or sulphated cells
which data are most relevant? Temps, amp draw during charge, disconnect
strings from each other and check volts of each 6 volt batt?, active bubbling?
...all the above?
I'm thinking I should have (1) checked the amp draw with batts under
load/genny off in each string AND (2) check amps between strings with the pack
at rest, no input or output. I would love to EQ the pack but with a temp
already in the 90's and uneven currents in the strings I don't want to risk too
high of temp or worse, a runaway situation and fire. I'm thinking I'd like to
yank a few bad batts and run on 3 strings and then carefully EQ.
I appreciate any insights.
Thanks in advance,
Bill
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Any familiarity with Dynapro batteries?
Allan The name rings a bell, they might be produced by Dyno Battery out of Seattle 206-283-7450 Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 1:00 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Any familiarity with Dynapro batteries? Wrenches, Through a circuitous route I have come across Dynapro Batteries - the name, not any of the actual batteries. They basically manufacture and distribute flooded fork lift batteries at (relatively) low prices and freight included. Most are made as 12V sets with welded intercell connectors, but they can make them with flag/pigtail connectors to enable individual cells to be removed for loading and installation. I haven't spoken with the company yet, only with an East Coast distributor who has been quite slow to come through with promised information and pricing. I'd like to find a source for lower cost flooded cells to fill the large gap between L16s and HUPs (or their equivalent). Does anyone here have any experience with these batteries, positive or negative, that they will share? On or off list, of course. Thank you, Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.commailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder, Positive Energy, Inc. A Certified B CorporationTM 3209 Richards Lane Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell www.positiveenergysolar.comhttp://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ inline: image002.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] SWWP Whisper 200 - Looking for a Short to Ground
Matt Checking a stator is not easy without the proper equipment. My stator tester uses 120VAC to check phases and phase to ground. Generally an Ohm meter will not check the resistance right for the phases. The best way for you would be to take the stator to an auto electric rebuilder and have them check it. Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Matt Sherald Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013 7:39 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] SWWP Whisper 200 - Looking for a Short to Ground I've got a Whisper that's not performing and I'm putting this out to the group in hopes that someone has had a similiar dilemma. My line to line voltage measurements are the same between the three phases. However, my line to ground measurements are consistent across only two of the phase-ground combinations. The third phase appears to be shorting to ground. I had the tower down and took the machine off to check the split bolt connections at the top of the tower for wear/rubbing. The down tower wiring checks out. I opened the wire access on the machine to double check wire insulation and the wire nut connections. I unbolted the slip rings and checked for any sign of a smoking gun there. Nothing jumped out at me during the inspection and I'm curious if it might be in the spinner assembly. With no tech support to turn to I am hoping that someone in the Wrench community might have had a similiar conundrum at one time. I'd appreciate hearing from you if you have. Many thanks in advance. Matt Sherald PIMBY: Power In My BackYard NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer® m...@getpimby.com (304) 704-5943 www.getpimby.blogspot.com www.getpimby.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] On demand WH
AquaStar had this but it disappeared when Bosch took them over Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of toddc...@finestplanet.com Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 11:19 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] On demand WH i remember hearing there was one brand which had a tiny hydro generator, operated by the flowing water, which was used to light the burner... yet, no one mentioned them? todd On Tuesday, October 1, 2013 5:48am, Bill Loesch solar1onl...@charter.netmailto:solar1onl...@charter.net said: Hi Dick, Following the Carter era oil embargo energy awareness, pilot lights were reduced from ~700 BTU/h to ~ half. In a tank, that heat is put to amazingly efficient use; not so with a tankless. In places where they take energy usage seriously, the pilot light is lit only when the tankless is going to be used. A piezo igniter is standard on the standing pilot natural draft heater identified earlier. For all those folks with a tank, using it as a batch heater with the circuit breaker or pilot gas selector also eliminates the majority of standby loss. My pet peeve is folks who unwittingly heat the water well past the using temp and temper it with cold at the faucet. Glad you are pleased with your tankless operation, Bill Loesch Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar 314 631 1094 On 30-Sep-13 7:29 AM, Richard L Ratico wrote: As concerns standby loss, I can't speak to the others, but the Rinnai has a simple on/off button on the front of the unit. A remote controller is available which also provides the switch. It does take afew seconds for the unit to boot up. Up to three remotes may be installed, making the on /off operation and temperature adjustment fairly convenient. Been using a Rinnai here, on grid for 10 years or so. It works. We like it. I understand a pilot uses a significant amount of gas over the course of a year. Just sayin'. Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric --- You wrote: If its a Rinai, I measured one once that was 30 watts AC standby, and jumped a bit higher when firing. It also needed pure sine. The customer swapped it for a regular hot water tank. Some Bosches and old Palomas, etc. had either a piezo ignition or pilot, but took no power. I'm working on a system with one now that needs 12vdc at about 5 watts. R.Ray Walters CTO, Solarray, Inc Nabcep Certified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 --- end of quote --- ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmhttp://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.orghttp://www.members.re-wrenches.org - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.comhttp://www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4142 / Virus Database: 3604/6707 - Release Date: 09/28/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.comhttp://www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4142 / Virus Database: 3604/6707 - Release Date: 09/28/13 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmhttp://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.orghttp://www.members.re-wrenches.org Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. inline: image003.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] XW 600 VDC Controller?
Greg We too have had several installed for over a year with no problems whatsoever Kind regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] E-Mail: t...@thesolar.biz Panama Office: 507-6126-1253 Direct Toll Free: 888-503-6772 International: 575-539-2111 SKYPE Address: thesolarbiz Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Greg Egan Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2013 7:05 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] XW 600 VDC Controller? Friends, Have a customer that needs to put the array 420' from the batteries. Have never really wanted to wire an off grid customer for hi voltage DC but the price difference on that much copper has me considering it. Anyone used the XW-MPPT 80-600 and been happy with it? I did a search of the archive and only found 1 post with my keywords in it. Thanks again, Greg Egan NABCEP Certified PV Installer, Licensed Journeyman Electrician Remote Power Inc. g...@remotepowerinc.commailto:g...@remotepowerinc.com -- inline: image003.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Sundanzer questions
I don't think allowing every crazy out there to post a review on everything is really forwarding civilization at all Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer [cid:133065820@02122011-32D5] t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 2:28 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Sundanzer questions Wrenches. We have sold four Sundanzer chest refrigerators or freezers over the last ten years. All have worked without a hitch. Today I got a call from a customer asking about DC refrigerators; when I mentioned Sundanzer, she stopped me. She said the reviews on Amazon convinced her not to buy one. I checked the reviews; of nine (among all four chest models), I read five 5-star, one 4-star, one 3-star, and two 1-star. The 1- and 3-star reviews were about both failure of the units and lack of support from the manufacturer. So I'm curious: who has sold many of these? How have they performed? And what has been your experience with dealer support? Thanks, Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.commailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder and Chief Technology Officer Positive Energy, Inc., a Certified B CorporationTM 3209 Richards Lane Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell www.positiveenergysolar.comhttp://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ inline: image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Looking for EC-110's, or?
Bill would you concider Helios 140 or 145 for the other rack. Contact me off list Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of frenergy Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 11:48 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Looking for EC-110's, or? Wrenches, We installed 12 Evergreen EC-110's on a 16PV top-of-pole rack 9 years ago for a customer. They just bought a Nissan Leaf and wants to charge it with his off-grid system! (I warned them). The 2 Outbacks and HUP pack should be able to keep up somewhat but I'm looking for 4 more of the Evergreens to fill the existing rack, before adding another rack with more 12 volt PVs. The run back to the MX60 was originally over-sized for more power and PV's are wired for 48 volts. Will also be looking for 8-12 more 20-22 Voc PVs for the additional rack as I know the needs of an electric vehicle, we have a RAV4 EV and it's been pulling most of the 4KW upgrade we did here for it. They will be able to charge some in town. So, if anyone has 4 more EC-110's (25.7 X 62.5) or something close that'll fit on the rack, please contact me offlist. Thanks in advance, Bill Feather River Solar Electric 4291 Nelson St. Taylorsville, CA 95983 530.284.7849 / 6544 fax ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Conext inverter
Hi Allan Schneider sent us one of these units for testing and I too am impressed (so far) and I would have to say that it poses stiff competition to the PAE. We are currently testing this unit in a fairly harsh salt environment so time will tell but so far so good. Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer [cid:133065820@02122011-32D5] t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 7:24 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Conext inverter Wrenches, When a new product comes out I usually wait for a few reviews on this list before using it. That would have been the case with the new Schneider Conext series, the low-cost 120/240 SW off grid unit. But I was talking with Tom Carpenter of Midnite about other issues and he happened to speak quite highly of the unit he was bench testing. So I'm asking: has anyone worked with this unit yet? What's the feedback, please? Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.commailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder and Chief Technology Officer Positive Energy, Inc., a Certified B CorporationTM 3209 Richards Lane Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell www.positiveenergysolar.comhttp://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ inline: image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Kohler 14RES phantom load?
Jeff While it will cause the little battery to go dead in about 2 weeks, it can't be too much as a 5 or 10 watt solar module will keep up with it without a charge controller Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer [cid:133065820@02122011-32D5] t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Oldham Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 5:22 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Kohler 14RES phantom load? I know I read it in here and can't find it now, can anyone tell me the 24/7 load a Kohler 14RES poses? much thanks! From the Solar, Wind and Hydro powered office of Jeff Oldham/Regenerative SOLutions Extended Stay America Get Fantastic Amenities, low rates! Kitchen, Ample Workspace, Free WIFI http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3132/52153dcf996983dcf3b7bst01vucextendedstayamerica.comhttp://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3132/52153dcf996983dcf3b7bst01vuc inline: image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] GFX Series with generator
William How about the Schneider XW4024 or if 48 volt a XW4548? It'll sand alone now with gen and later grid-tie Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2013 10:47 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: [RE-wrenches] GFX Series with generator Friends: We a have a client that is off-grid right now but will have a grid connection in a few months. They need an inverter that will connect to a generator now and the grid later. Can the Outback G series inverter do that? How about any other inverters in the 4Kw range? Thanks in advance. William [cid:image006.jpg@01CE942D.464306C0] 17395 Oak Rd. Atascadero, CA 93422 www.millersolar.comhttp://www.millersolar.com/ 805-438-5600 voice* *Note: above number replaces cell number inline: image005.pnginline: image006.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] retail price lists
Jay I have sent you an OutBack retail price list in a separate e-mail let me know if you don't get it. Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 6:37 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] retail price lists Anybody know the logic on why some manufacturers don't publish a retail price list? For example, Outback? thx, jay peltz power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] XW availability
Hi Allan: We're a Schneider Distributor and they have informed us that they (may) be receiving the controllers Aug 22 they are getting 300 in and have 215 currently on order. Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 3:32 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] XW availability Wrenches, A local installer called yesterday to ask if we had any XW charge controllers in stock, to replace on recently killed by lightning. We didn't. He told me that he had called several distributors and all are backordered until an order arrives from China. Does anybody know more about this? Is there a back story? Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.commailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder and Chief Technology Officer Positive Energy, Inc., a Certified B CorporationTM 3209 Richards Lane Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell www.positiveenergysolar.comhttp://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ inline: image003.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s
Jay Sorry I should have explained that too... Absorb starts off at around 50% of the available amps and tapers down to around 20% So I divided 20 by 50 = .40 there's a 5% loss factor hence .42 Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jay Peltz Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 1:27 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s Hi Tom Where did you get the .42 from? Jay Peltz power Sent from my iPhone On Jul 22, 2013, at 11:04 AM, Tom Duffy t...@thesolar.biz wrote: Drake Keep the absorb rate recommended for the CC. The trimetric strays over time and will become accurate again when you overcharge (equalize) The math: Amp hours of battery @ 20 hour rate divided by max charge available in amps, from whatever you using to charge (solar or inverter/charger) Times .42 = absorb time in hours i.e. your system 980 watts, 980 divided by 28.8 (average volts) = 34 amps max charge 370 AH divided by 34 = 10.88 X .42 = 4.57 round up to 4.6 hours absorb time for the CC Your inverter VFX3524 max charge 85 amps... 370 divided by 85 = 4.35 X .42 = 1.82 absorb time for the inverter/charger when running generator Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 10:04 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s Hi Larry, I will bump up the absorb voltage to 29.6 V. How long do you think the bank should stay in absorb at that rate? The bank now seems healthy, with the bad battery replaced. It does accept charge, without going high prematurely. The max charge rate from the array is around C/10. The system can also be fast charged from a Honda 6500 inverter generator through the Outback 3524 VFX. We have a Trimetric meter on the system. The discrepancy between the percent charge and the voltage is what demonstrated that we had a problem. Thanks, Drake At 09:30 PM 7/19/2013, you wrote: Hi Drake, It always concerns me when I hear that a battery bank reaches absorb setting very quickly. It typically means one of two things: very few AH were removed from the bank; the battery bank has sulfated cells due to chronic undercharging. Far too often I find the latter to be true. Healthy batteries will accept current and hold the charge voltage down with a fairly linear, slow climb to absorption voltage. Sulfated batteries do not accept current well which allows voltage to climb rapidly as the battery presents little load on the charging system. I'm not sure how this plays into your original post about a bad cell but it seemed worth mentioning. My opinion is to aggressively charge, by using higher voltage, large flooded batteries. This is especially true when the PV system is moderate or undersized. 29.6 volts is what Trojan recommends. You can go as high as 32 volts on the L-16's but make sure the temperature compensation is installed properly and working. You will use more water. One last comment, I highly recommend that ALL off grid systems have a battery capacity monitor installed. It's kind of like flying an airplane without a fuel gauge...it might not end in disaster. Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems On Jul 18, 2013, at 1:11 PM, Drake drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org wrote: Tom, The batteries usually reach absorb voltage shortly after the sun hits the array. The reason the bank wasn't working correctly is that one cell was dead in one of the batteries. I could increase the absorb time to 4.6 hours and the voltage to 29.6, especially since the bank has a new battery. That is longer and higher than I'd previously heard recommended. What would be the effect on water consumption? How did you calculate the absorb time? Thanks, Drake ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s
Drake Keep the absorb rate recommended for the CC. The trimetric strays over time and will become accurate again when you overcharge (equalize) The math: Amp hours of battery @ 20 hour rate divided by max charge available in amps, from whatever you using to charge (solar or inverter/charger) Times .42 = absorb time in hours i.e. your system 980 watts, 980 divided by 28.8 (average volts) = 34 amps max charge 370 AH divided by 34 = 10.88 X .42 = 4.57 round up to 4.6 hours absorb time for the CC Your inverter VFX3524 max charge 85 amps... 370 divided by 85 = 4.35 X .42 = 1.82 absorb time for the inverter/charger when running generator Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 10:04 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s Hi Larry, I will bump up the absorb voltage to 29.6 V. How long do you think the bank should stay in absorb at that rate? The bank now seems healthy, with the bad battery replaced. It does accept charge, without going high prematurely. The max charge rate from the array is around C/10. The system can also be fast charged from a Honda 6500 inverter generator through the Outback 3524 VFX. We have a Trimetric meter on the system. The discrepancy between the percent charge and the voltage is what demonstrated that we had a problem. Thanks, Drake At 09:30 PM 7/19/2013, you wrote: Hi Drake, It always concerns me when I hear that a battery bank reaches absorb setting very quickly. It typically means one of two things: very few AH were removed from the bank; the battery bank has sulfated cells due to chronic undercharging. Far too often I find the latter to be true. Healthy batteries will accept current and hold the charge voltage down with a fairly linear, slow climb to absorption voltage. Sulfated batteries do not accept current well which allows voltage to climb rapidly as the battery presents little load on the charging system. I'm not sure how this plays into your original post about a bad cell but it seemed worth mentioning. My opinion is to aggressively charge, by using higher voltage, large flooded batteries. This is especially true when the PV system is moderate or undersized. 29.6 volts is what Trojan recommends. You can go as high as 32 volts on the L-16's but make sure the temperature compensation is installed properly and working. You will use more water. One last comment, I highly recommend that ALL off grid systems have a battery capacity monitor installed. It's kind of like flying an airplane without a fuel gauge...it might not end in disaster. Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems On Jul 18, 2013, at 1:11 PM, Drake drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org wrote: Tom, The batteries usually reach absorb voltage shortly after the sun hits the array. The reason the bank wasn't working correctly is that one cell was dead in one of the batteries. I could increase the absorb time to 4.6 hours and the voltage to 29.6, especially since the bank has a new battery. That is longer and higher than I'd previously heard recommended. What would be the effect on water consumption? How did you calculate the absorb time? Thanks, Drake ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s
Hi Drake The first thing I would look at is how the batteries are being charged... Can they even be charged by the present equipment? What is the Bulk/Absorb voltage and time? Equally important is the design of the bank... series or series/parallel and if parallel how many strings. Lastly which Trojan L-16 are these? Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 8:59 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L-16s Hello Wrenches, A 1 1/2 year old bank of Trojan L-16s had a battery with a dead cell. I have heard that there have been some complaints about the L-16s lately. Has anyone had experiences with Trojan L-16s (or the RE series), good or bad? Are they still a good choice to use in off grid systems? Thanks, Drake Drake Chamberlin Athens Electric LLC OH License 44810 CO License 3773 NABCEP Certified Solar PV 740-448-7328 http://athens-electric.com/ inline: image002.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] battery watering systems
Jay We have them Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Friday, June 07, 2013 3:53 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] battery watering systems HI All, Any good places to order watering caps from Battery watering technologies? thanks, jay peltz power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Defective modules
Hilton We have been seeing catastrophic failures with 3C panels here in Panama mostly either No-Name or Re-Branded from a discounter in the USA (who shall remain nameless) The problems seem to occur within the first three years. BTW we don't sell any Chinese 3C panels. We have had some luck with Canadian Solar Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Real-logo-X-195] Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-4058 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Central America Sales (Panama) 507-6-126-1253 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 SKYPE: thesolarbiz From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Hilton Dier III Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 8:09 AM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Defective modules Greetings wrenches, I'm sure many of you have seen this article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?hp_r=1; I have already gotten an email from a panicked client asking about canceling his project. First question: Has anybody dealt with defective modules lately, and if so, what brands? Second question: How much does this affect first-tier manufacturers (Trina, Suntech, Yingli...) and how much of this is no-name brands? Third question: Is this restricted to a particular technology such as thin film? And the big question: How do we deal with this? I can imagine the fossil fuel and nuclear industries promoting this story with enthusiasm. Thanks, Hilton -- Hilton Dier III Renewable Energy Design Partner, Solar Gain LLC 453 East Hill Rd. Middlesex, VT 05602 inline: image002.png___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan 2 volt L-16s
William You apparently misunderstood my poorly worded question I am sorry, I meant... why can't they make a big 1110 AH 2 volt... like Surrette does. I have seen very few truly defective cells in the 45 years I have been in the battery business. Its true cell failure is a common enough occurrence but this always stems from abuse. Battery manufacturers make good products, but people kill batteries by abuse. It is very rare (If ever) to have failure in a single series string bank, if proper charging and maintenance are followed. Also in a single series string the differences in internal resistance from new to old is cancelled out by the single Path of the series. If you add a new cell to a series string the worse thing that happens it the older cells will wear out before the young ones, but in the natural course of life, not from any abusive design And yes in parallel connections the difference in resistance from new to old is a disaster waiting (usually not too long) to happen. - Tom Duffy Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 4:30 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan 2 volt L-16s ~Ray: Yes, indeed. But--- would one defective cell bring about the early demise of the other two in the same case? If this occurs after one year of age, are we advised against changing out the one bad battery and required to replace all of them? More questions seem to occur the more we think about this idea. Wm At 02:12 PM 10/8/2012, you wrote: At least the imbalance would only be one cell, not a whole string of cells. Ray ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan 2 volt L-16s
William I have wondered about this as well, why don't they just make a big 1110 AH cell? Which as you point out would be less caps to feed and less chance of cell imbalance as well. I do like 2V cells over 6V but this question bothers me. Tom Duffy -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 1:59 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trojan 2 volt L-16s Friends: Has anyone used the Trojan 2 volt L-16 batteries? They each have 3 cells, I presume in parallel. The question presents: Although you can divide the strings by three, there are still an equal number of batteries and cells to maintain and to get out of whack. Will these batteries be equally likely or less likely to have cell imbalances in the future? The only benefit I see is a reduction in string wiring jumpers. Comments? Thanks in advance. William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com License No. C-10-773985 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Eco Gen
Hi John We've been having great service from Gillette Generators out of Indiana Greg Kolber is the rep he's very helpful From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of john Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 12:29 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Eco Gen Wrenches My trusted Kohler dealer recently passed away and now that I don;t have a good source of generators and service expertise to draw on, I am once again entertaining the thought of selling the Generac Eco-Gen. Their PR makes it sound like they have a great new generator for the off-grid market. I am looking for comments/ experience with the new generator. I have always tried to have and use most of what I sell but I already have two generators at home that work great. I have several new off-grid customers asking me for suggestions. I also have an aging Kohler 8.5 (2300 hours- but running very well) ) on a mouintaintop transmitter I service which may need some help down the road. Any generator related comments appreciated. John Blittersdorf NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer tm Central Vermont Solar Wind LLC 104 River Street Rutland, VT 05701 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar/Small Wind in Columbia
Ryan We have three offices in Panama and regularly sell into Columbia, as a distributor we don't do installs. Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer [Description: cid:133065820@02122011-32D5] t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Harkins Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 9:55 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar/Small Wind in Columbia Wrenches, Have any of you installed in Columbia? I've been talking with some friends outside of Bogota, Columbia about solar and wind, and now I am curious. If any of you have experience with renewables there it would be great to hear from you. Topics - On and off grid systems, Interconnection, permitting, exporting, code, electric rates, licensing, wind maps, etc. Thanks, Ryan Harkins NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer / Project Manager Synergy Renewable Systems, LLC PO Box 58 Stoughton, WI 53589 PH: 608-712-7862 ryan.hark...@energycraft.commailto:ryan.hark...@energycraft.com www.energycraft.comhttp://www.energycraft.com inline: image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP Recertification Survey
Allan We have also seen some rather cleverly worded references to NABCEP Techs (somewhere in the company) meaning there is a slim chance that you could get the NABCEP guy but probably not, when a consumer calls. They try to give the impression that all the techs are NABCEP. And who knows maybe none are. They’re out there! I do agree that a customer reference via the three questions is a relevant venue for re-cert Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer [Description: Logo No Sun-small] Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 9:51 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP Recertification Survey Jeff, I got certified in the first round in 2003, so my recert is due this year and I'm facing this added requirement for the first time just like you. While it's definitely an added hassle, and I would have preferred an earlier and louder heads-up announcement about the new requirements, I think it's a good thing. Here's my take on it - when NABCEP started nobody knew what it was and Certification didn't mean much. Now it's a big deal, more in some areas than others. Now I regularly come across companies claiming some sort of NABCEP certification or approval that's not legitimate, and I periodically send web page links or quoted excerpts from their websites or newspaper ads to NABCEP, who sends them some sort of cease and desist warning. It's all about protecting the legitimacy of certification, resisting the call to make it easier to get and to keep. Once it's weakened it's hard to regain a solid reputation for it. Most of us know of installers who are good at taking tests, and of someone who is certified but who probably shouldn't be, right? The need to submit actual customer feedback adds one more level of legitimacy, one more step to make it harder for that marginal installer to stay certified. So when I look at the bigger picture I have to be in favor of this added requirement. And I'll add that I would have a hard time wording three questions to better get the results that would address quality of installation issues than the ones used. Just my $.02... Allan Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.commailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder and Chief Technology Officer Positive Energy, Inc. 3209 Richards Lane (note new address) Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 www.positiveenergysolar.comhttp://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ On 7/15/2012 7:49 AM, Jeff Wongstrom wrote: Hello Wrenches, I have recently learned that as part of the NABCEP recertification process a Quality Assessment Survey must be presented to three System Owners during the recertification period. The questions in the survey are: TO BE COMPLETED BY SYSTEM OWNER: 1. Upon completion of the System installation, did the System work as expected? Yes • No • If no, please identify and explain all deficiencies or problems that you experienced. 2. Did the System installation cause any leaks or property damage? Yes • No • If yes, please identify and explain the nature of such leaks and/or damage. 3. Did the System installation cause any other problems or deficiencies that needed resolution during or after the installation of the System? Yes • No • If yes, please identify and explain such problems or deficiencies, and whether they were satisfactorily resolved in a timely, professional manner by the Installer? Specifically asking about 'leaks and property damage' seems to me as unnecessary and in bad form as does the survey in general. Are wrenches complying with the survey requirement and do you find the survey appropriate both in content and as a requirement to recertification? Jeff [cid:part3.01080309.02040807@positiveenergysolar.com] Jeff Wongstrom NABCEP Certified 406.291.3416 Check out the new website: www.thirstylakesolar.comhttp://www.thirstylakesolar.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htmhttp://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.orghttp://www.members.re-wrenches.org inline: image003.jpg___ List sponsored
Re: [RE-wrenches] De-Sulphators. The last word?
I have to agree with Larry… a properly sized, designed and charged series battery bank does not need “magic elixir” and if you add it to an old poorly designed bank it still will be poorly designed, even if you could fix the hard sulphation the problem would re-appear. I have never seen this stuff work however in my 45 years in the battery business. Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Dorsett Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 3:16 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] De-Sulphators. The last word? If this is a fancy name for EDTA, perhaps 10 years ago I went through virtually all of the previous 15 years of Chemical Abstracts to see if there were ANY reference to its working. And while there were hundreds of scholarly abstracts on lead acid chemistry, there was only 1 that mentioned EDTA and that was a mixed review and attributed any benefit to the ion with which EDTA was combined as a salt. Like desulfators, there may be anecdotal hearsay, but little science. Bill Dorsett Sunwrights Manhattan, KS From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]mailto:[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Hill Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 12:33 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] De-Sulphators. The last word? Try Thermoil deslphator additive. Has good reviews. We are selling it. Jon Hill Sierra Solar Systems On May 28, 2012, at 7:17 PM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systemsla...@starlightsolar.commailto:la...@starlightsolar.com wrote: Dan, I'm perplexed. Where was anything mentioned about de-sulphators? Where was anyone slammed? What in the world are you talking about? Perhaps you meant to reply to someone else's thread. BTW, I do not recommend a desulfator or pulser be installed on batteries. I'll reiterate my points: 1. KC-120's from a certain production era fail and can be warranted. 2. Applying enough load will cause full current to flow from a PV array. 3. Sulfated batteries have high resistance causing a quick rise in voltage. I welcome your response but please reply off list. Respectfully yours, Larry On May 28, 2012, at 6:42 AM, d...@foxfire-energy.commailto:d...@foxfire-energy.com d...@foxfire-energy.commailto:d...@foxfire-energy.com wrote: Seems I have a stalwart Battery Specialist in the neighborhood still convincing folks that de sulphators are the smartest thing since sliced bread (And slamming anyone who disagrees). In my experience, sparklers have little to no effect on battery longevity and in most cases add unlisted, hazardous and unnecessary wiring devices to a potentially hazardous environment. Is tar and feathering still an acceptable means of dispute resolution.. or am I totally missing something? tks db Dan Brown Foxfire Energy Corp. Renewable Energy Systems (802)-483-2564 www.Foxfire-Energy.comhttp://www.Foxfire-Energy.com/ NABCEP #092907-44 Original Message Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Troubleshooting Off-grid PV From: Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems la...@starlightsolar.commailto:la...@starlightsolar.com Date: Sun, May 27, 2012 7:37 pm To: RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.orgmailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Hi Eric, Check the dates on the KC-120 module label. If any were manufactured between January 1999 and December 2002, they have or will fail. We have been replacing these modules for over 8 years now. There was a defective solder joint during manufacture. Kyocera will still replace them under warranty even though they have no legal requirement to do so. They will ship you remanufactured 120's and pay for return shipping. Contact Kyocera about the procedure. If the batteries are sulfated, they will not produce the load necessary to drive the current high. Capacity has nothing to do with it; internal resistance does. You can test the array by pulling the voltage down (turn on some big loads) at solar noon. This will force the controller into bulk and reveal the maximum current the array can produce. I think you have two problems here. With bad modules, you may not see much. It is typical for a controller to transition to float very early in the charge cycle if the battery is sulfated. Look for a fast rise in voltage in the morning. This is an indicator of sulfated battery. A healthy battery will slowly climb in voltage. Let me k now if you need more understanding about batteries, charging and why MOST of them never see old age. It's my speciality. Larry Crutcher
Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP
Certification is just a business, whether it's for computer Techs or Solar Installers, and they seem to be entities unto themselves. I have heard all the arguments for certs, but like you said some folks don't test well but are knowledgeable others test well but are clueless as to practical applications. Back a decade or so ago I taught Computer Tech certification (A+) at our local university. In one class that I taught I had 23 network admins (Employed as such) and managing large networks. Only three tested and one passed. The point is all were capable network admins. The real question is... how does one prove their expertise? Especially to the general public. I have seen some real nightmarish off grid systems setup by NABCEP installers and Non-NABCEP as well. It is a problem and though I don't believe in certification, I also don't have an alternative suggestion either. Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dana Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:04 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP NABCEP has been a strangely quiet subject on this forum. FYI - I checked with our honorable moderator prior to posting this. If we are attempting to expand the field of certified installer and designers why is NABCEP run the way it is? Getting the NABCEP cert and living in w.CO has been a virtual nightmare living where I do and having to travel 7 hours each way, stay in a hotel etc, this is a joke. I may be in the minority but point to make here. Beyond that I became a wrench because I do not test well [avoided a 4 year degree] yet I can outline a schematic for electrical or plumbing in my head and build it the first time correctly. The test schedule and availability - NABCEP needs to open up to local proctoring, libraries, schools, etc. 2 tests a Year? Electricians can re- test 24 or 48 hours? later and use a variety of resources. Why can we not? When an electrician tests they get their results as they walk out of the test room. Why do we have to wait 6 weeks? The NEC book is the only reference material at the test when is not doing a trade about knowing your resources and utilizing them? From what I understand any number of professions and trades get to use several resource books. You would think we were going to be secret agents or the like. I have done off grid for 24 years. Most NABCEP folk who are GT only have not a clue as to battery based design and should not be allowed to do the same. I am certified and probably very competent up to 50KW would be just fine but 100KW or 1MW? This is probably not a brilliant idea without a backup coach. Questions on 3 phase on the test? I would ask my licensed master electrician yet we are asked several questions on 3 phase. I have asked masters and they have had to go look up the answer. I would suggest a basic GT cert up to 50KW with a supplemental for 50kw and a separate adder for off grid. Tests every 2 month or on a scheduled basis with you local librarian I fly my NABCEP cert in the bathroom and upside down. It is in distress, stinks, and needs help. The re-wrenches is strangely silent on this much damaged product called certification. I see some major issues and would like to start a discussion about how it is managed. I think it needs rethinking. Thanks for considering your opinion? Dana Orzel - Great Solar Works, Inc - E - d...@solarwork.commailto:d...@solarwork.com - V 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.4140 C - 970.209.4076 web - www.solarwork.comhttp://www.solarwork.com Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988 P Please consider the environment before printing this email ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Nickel-Iron Batteries
Nickel iron has been around since Edison (Thomas) the cells are 1.2 volt and use potassium hydroxide as an electrolyte. The problem we had with them 20 or so years ago was that the voltage range is large, too large for electronics. So the useable range (window) is not that great. I have actually seen some that the cases were nickel... I can't imagine what that would cost today. We concluded that while what you read looks amazing, they're not all that useful for RE applications using inverters. They might be useful if you're doing straight DC circuits. But it's a lot of cells. Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Phil Theis Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2012 12:35 PM To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Nickel-Iron Batteries Greetings, Does anyone have experience with Iron Edison Batteries for an off grid application? They claim excellent and reliable performance for 20+ years Thank you, Phil Theis NABCEP Certified PV Installer PennSun Solar ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] DC power supply
Howie We sell Iota Power Supplies they work well and last for years. They are made in China Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Howie Michaelson Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 1:08 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] DC power supply Hi All, I have a client who hads been off-grid, but is finally bringing power in. We will be removing his battery bank and converting his solar over to a straight grid-tied Net Metered system. However he still has a few critical DC loads which he'd prefer to keep as DC, so we are in the market for a DC power supply (12 and 24 loads) for maybe 150-250 watts max. I assume we will have a single power supply and then use a converter to supply the 12 or 24 vDC that isn't supplied by the power supply. Anyone have a power supply they like using? Thanks, Howie -- Howie Michaelson NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer(tm) Catamount Solar, LLC Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service VT Solar Electric Hot Water Incentive Partner http://www.CatamountSolar.com 802-272-0004 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Helios Modules
Dick We have been a distributor for these modules for more than a half a year. They are a first class, well-made module and they are a good company to work with Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Richard L Ratico Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 7:02 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Helios Modules Wrenches, Does anyone have experience with Helios Modules they wish to share? Thanks, Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Request for Gennie Recommendation
Hi Allan We too have used Gillette Generators with good results as well. They make these in Indiana Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer [Description: cid:133065820@02122011-32D5] t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 11:00 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Request for Gennie Recommendation Wrenches: We have cautiously agreed to take on a substantial upgrade and rehabilitation of a poorly designed 48V off-grid system. Our upgrade will include a substantial array addition, battery replacement, and charge controller/safety disconnect replacement. But the immediate need is for a generator. The 6 year old system has worn out two Onan residential standby generators; the second one just now (at winter solstice) has failed completely. We expect to keep the two SW5548 inverters. The site is at 7,800' elevation. The fuel must be LP. The customer is willing to pay for a high-quality unit. We expect only to specify or recommend the unit, but not resell it, so there's no profit motivation involved; we just want the best solution.. I am looking for recommendations of a low-speed, liquid-cooled, commercial- or industrial-grade LP generator, of at least 12kW and preferably around 15kW, with a good reputation for long-term reliability, and that is not designed for home standby use (with phantom-load heaters and controls). It will be located outdoors, so must have a weather enclosure. I occasionally am asked to answer this same question by Home Power readers, who assume I know the answer because I wrote a primer on generators for HP awhile back. Truth is, I don't have any good recommendations in this size range, and I'm really hoping that some of you experienced off-grid Wrenches who have done larger systems can help here. Thank you, Allan -- Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.commailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Positive Energy, Inc. 3201 Calle Marie Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 www.positiveenergysolar.comhttp://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ inline: image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] battery venting
Hi Jay I have never seen a battery enclosure explode, but I have seen individual batteries explode, always in a multiple parallel string configuration (4 strings or more) Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 4:05 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] battery venting Hi All, We've been having this discussion about battery box explosions. I would like a show of hands who has actually seen or truly known of a battery enclosure that has exploded due to hydrogen gas build up. And some specifics about that occurrence if possible. Thanks, Jay peltz power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback 2024 FX
Drake We have always seen used working product for selling retail for up to and around 2/3 of the original price Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer [Description: cid:133065820@02122011-32D5] t...@thesolar.bizmailto:t...@thesolar.biz USA Toll Free 888-503-6772 Bocas del Toro, Panama 6126-1253 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 5:38 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback 2024 FX A friend has a very early Outback 2024 FX that he is thinking about selling. It sat in the original box until last year. When it came out, it was defective and went back to Outback for a rebuild. After that, he maintained a battery bank with it for a short time, with no loads. What is this unit worth? Thanks, Drake Drake Chamberlin ATHENS ELECTRIC LLC OH License 44810 CO license 3773 NABCEP Certified PV inline: image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Invert first?
Dan We have done two so far and they seem to be good Input needs to be over 200vdc. They are available and we have them in our warehouse. Contact me off list for particulars. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dan Fink Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2011 11:37 AM To: penobscotso...@midmaine.com Cc: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Invert first? Brand new, and it is shipping now. XW-MPPT80-600. It certainly raised my eyebrows. But it's so new that i don't know of anyone who has installed one yet. Dan Fink Executive Director; Buckville Energy Consulting Buckville Publications LLC NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ accredited Continuing Education Providers http://www.buckville.com/ i...@buckville.com 970.672.4342 (voicemail) 970.373.1311 (fax) penobscotso...@midmaine.com wrote: Dan, Is the Xantrex controller available/released yet? I've used the Classic 250 and the Apollo HV but have yet to see/use a Xantrex 600 Voc controller.will anyone who has used one chime in and share their experience ? Hi Eric; I'll be very interested to hear what others on this list who have far more experience than me in large systems have to say about this. But my first thought is, go DC. The new Xantrex XW high voltage MPPT charge controller will take up to 600 Voc from PV and put it into a standard battery bank, that roughly puts you realistically at just 30 amps in your DC lines. How were you planning to invert to AC at the PV array? Enphase etc? How do you do battery backup with an Enphase system (I have no idea, but am eager to learn from others here)? Any standard islanding grid-tie inverter will need to be right next to the battery bank. Dan Fink Executive Director; Buckville Energy Consulting Buckville Publications LLC NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ accredited Continuing Education Providers http://www.buckville.com/ i...@buckville.com 970.672.4342 (voicemail) 970.373.1311 (fax) Eric Thomas wrote: Wrenches, We are designing a super high end grid-tied w/ battery backup system for a customer. Array will be ~15kW; pole or stand alone structure mounted; 250' from home/batteries. My question is: does it make any sense to invert the power at the array and use this ac to make the long run to the batteries THEN connect to a typical battery charger rather than a dc charge controller? Im mostly concerned with huge dc conductors making this run across the property. Havent delved into the specific design enough to size said conductors yet, or specify any equipment, but wanted to know if im barking up the wrong tree ir not. Thanks for the insight. Eric Thomas Founder Solar Epiphany LLC NABCEP Certified PV Installer WA Electrical Contractor # SOLAREL911NR ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive
Re: [RE-wrenches] unique battery bank design question
Mac Don't do it! ...use a dc to dc converter to step down to each bus 12v 24v etc. and then just hook up the equipment thru breakers to each bus Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of mac Lewis Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 1:52 PM To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] unique battery bank design question Hello wrenches, I have a battery bank questions. I have an Oil Gas client interested in setting up an off-grid control system that has a various DC loads at 12VDC, 24 VDC and 48 VDC. My thought is to build a 48 V battery bank and tap off the bank at various points to create a 12V bus, 24V bus and 48V bus. I am a bit concerned about unequal loading of the batteries. Has anyone dealt with something like this that would like to share some insight? Thanks -- Mac Lewis Yo solo sé que no sé nada. -Sócrates ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Torque Wrenches
Snap On... and I believe they will calibrate it for free for life Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski Sent: Friday, July 08, 2011 7:02 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Torque Wrenches I'm looking for a recommendation on a good torque wrench for installing S-5 clamps. I saw the past posts on torque screwdrivers, but I'm looking for a wrench calibrated to the 100-150 in-lbs range. Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar image004.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] 24 volt Battery Bank comparison
Wrenches: This is a really great thread. Here’s my two cents… I started selling and configuring battery systems when I got out of the Army back in 1967 I’m a marine electrician. In the boat environment everybody tries to make a big battery out of a bunch of small batteries, Over the years this is what I’ve witnessed; All else being equal. 3 parallel strings = 4 ½ to 5 ½ years Max 2 parallel strings = 5 ½ to 6 ½ years Max 1 series string = 8 to 12 years Max The above seems to hold true if the charge settings, Bulk, Absorb time and Voltage are correctly set. But as we all know 85% of the time this is not the case. So my conclusion is that parallel configured banks just about cut the life in half. And there is always the stories about the guy that drank a quart of Bourbon a day and smoked cigars chasing women until he was 102 years old. The same is true with batteries… the exception but not the rule. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 122 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 11:07 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 24 volt Battery Bank comparison I had done this a few times in the distant past, and also had done it in recent years on my own previous battery bank (four strings of S-530s - yes, I know; it was in anticipation of future plans to upgrade to 48V, and two strings wouldn't have been enough). It worked fine - and that turned out to be a problem. I had noticed reduced capacity, but assumed foolishly that it was simply to age and cycle life (going on six years and three teenagers). Found out I had two failed cells in two different strings. The parallel connections probably - I'm not sure here - allowed the bank to perform more robustly and less obviously weakened. It might have even allowed the bank to perform as if both failed cells had been in the same string. But it also allowed me to not pay enough attention to a potentially serious problem by disguising it. I blame myself more than the parallel connectors (just some #2 interconnects I had lying around). I'm just not sure I would use it on a customer's system. Allan Sindelar mailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Positive Energy, Inc. 3201 Calle Marie Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 www.positiveenergysolar.com http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ On 6/1/2011 9:20 AM, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote: Does it make any difference to do as boB recently suggested and inter-connect the strings? So in other words, if you have two parallel strings, what happens if you parallel each battery in one string with the battery in the other string? Has anyone tried this? It might help insure more balance between each series string. Todd On Wednesday, June 1, 2011 3:06am, James Surrette mailto:ja...@surrette.com ja...@surrette.com said: Hi boB, I would say maintenance is a large issue - especially when dealing with L-16's or the like, as the number of cells connections gets large, i.e. 1000-1200AH @ 48VDC is three (3) strings, 24 batteries and 72 cells. Will a client water 24 cells...maybe - 72?? However, from Tech Support days, imbalance is the larger problem. It seems to take 18 months - 3 years and then you would get SG readings where one (1) bank was perfect and the other(s) is significantly lower..which is hard to overcome without effort (either break the banks charge independently or hammer the banks and allow the high string to get even higher). One of the key take aways that often gets overlooked is the proper initial activation of the strings. It is impossible for all cells to have identical resting voltage. During commissioning, each string should be charged to 2.45-2.5VPC and held until all cells read the same voltage. If running multiple strings, then connect the strings and run the entire bank at 2.45-2.5VPC until all cells measure the same voltage. Now the bank is well balanced and the chances of a major imbalance are greatly reduced. However, even after this effort, if you use an amp clamp, you will notice slight differences in the amount of current being accepted by each bank. Best
Re: [RE-wrenches] Trickle charge a generator cranking battery?
David and All Even a 5 watt module will do the task well, as long as the generator digital regulator doesnt use more than that, and it probably doesnt. The bleed back thru the module is insignificant in this scenario. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of David Katz Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:39 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trickle charge a generator cranking battery? I have been using a 10 watt module without a charge control to charge my generator cranking battery for more than 5 years and i have never had to add water. David David Katz Founder CTO AEE Solar T(707) 825-1200 C(831) 325-9582 F(707) 825-1202 dk...@aeesolar.com mailto:da...@aeesolar.com www.aeesolar.com http://www.aeesolar.com/ On 4/15/2011 10:28 AM, William Miller wrote: Friends: Ii it possible, with the correct module, to trickle charge a generator cranking battery without the use of a charge controller? What modules fit this criteria? Thanks in advance. William William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com http://millersolar.com/ License No. C-10-773985 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Quick Cote troubles
Hi everyone Weve been selling this stuff for over a decade, but we learned that, when using QuickCote never put it between the mating surfaces, it makes a lousy connection. It does however seal out corrosion quite well (better than Vaseline) and if applied right should last ten years. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 5:47 PM To: Roy Butler Cc: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Quick Cote troubles Roy, I have always coated terminals before assembling them, then added a final coat to the tightened terminal assemblies. That's just how I was taught years ago and never saw reason to change. It's also one of the tasks I give a homeowner who wants to get involved in some parts of the installation; owners tend to like this, and it saves them money doing a careful but tedious task. But I haven't knowingly had the problem Russ has described. Allan Allan Sindelar mailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer EE98J Journeyman Electrician Positive Energy, Inc. 3201 Calle Marie Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/ www.positiveenergysolar.com On 2/22/2011 5:29 PM, Roy Butler wrote: Allan, I used Quick Cote for years until my local supplier had problems getting it in a timely manner. I never had a problem with it but then again, I never put it on the lug/ terminal mating surfaces prior to making the connections. Then I carefully coated the terminals, making sure to not miss any spots. I've had several opportunities to have a look at the mating surfaces years later and never found any corrosion. I would imagine that grit would indeed create a connection problem. But you say you've never seen this yourself? I wonder if the formulation has been changed recently? Roy Butler NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer® NYSERDA eligible PV wind installer PA Sunshine Program Approved PV Installer Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC 8902 Route 46 Arkport, NY 14807 607-324-9747 http://www.four-winds-energy.com www.four-winds-energy.com Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. On 2/22/2011 7:12 PM, Allan Sindelar wrote: Wrenches, Russ in our Taos office sent me the following query. I haven't seen this problem before and told him so, but others among you may know more. What problems if any have you had with Quick-Cote battery terminal coating? What else works really well and lasts the life of the batteries? From Russ: We just had a situation involving Quick Cote on battery terminals that has made us question its use for coating battery terminals and cable lugs. We just installed a bank of HUPs on Monday using Quick Cote. First we lost power with just the Trimetric and MX60 powered up -- using an ohmmeter I found the problem to be a single jumper -- I got 7 megohms across two battery terminals connected by a jumper -- so I replaced the jumper and got the Trimet and MX60 powered up again. Then, when I powered up the OutBack inverters, there were sparks on the battery terminals, and the power cut out again. At that point I guessed that the problem must lie with the Quick Cote, since ours has tiny crystals in it (it feels gritty), and I thought those crystals must be holding the cable lugs off the battery terminals a tiny bit. Sure enough, Mark and I took the cables off, wiped off the Quick Cote from the contact surfaces and applied vaseline, and when we powered up the system, no sparks. (So, the jumper I removed probably wasn't to blame for the first loss of power.) Our container of Quick Cote stayed on the truck (which stays parked outside) during the seriously cold weather we got this winter, so it probably froze. I'm guessing that's when the crystals formed. Nowhere on the Quick Cote label does it say to keep it from freezing though. We're going to go back out to another job to wipe off the Quick Cote from the contact surfaces of the battery terminals and cable lugs, since we just installed four new batteries there and used Quick Cote, and I remember it being gritty at that time as well. Is your Quick Cote gritty? Russ I told Russ that it always has been gritty. When it's dried out in the can
Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz pump failures
William There were a lot of locked rotor Lorentz back in '05 to '07 they fixed the problem and we haven't had one since. Call American West Windmill and Solar 888-535-4788 Kind regards Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:04 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz pump failures Friends: I have a client with a Lorentz pump that has failed for the fourth time. Failure mode is the rotor locks and won't turn. Does anyone know why this happens and how we can prevent it? Where do I send this pump for repair? The shop in the upper mid west (can't remember the name, initials are SPP) has a disconnected number. Thanks in advance. William Miller Please note new e-mail address and domain: William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com http://millersolar.com/ License No. C-10-773985 image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Low temperature over-voltage bypass (not Apollo Solar)
Lee I think that the Apollo may still be gotten call me 888-826-0939 or contact me off list Thanks Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Lee Bristol Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 12:46 PM To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Low temperature over-voltage bypass (not Apollo Solar) Wrenches, Does anyone know of a UL Listed low temperature, over-voltage bypass device like the dis-continued Apollo Solar product? I need to knock out or bypass one module of a string when the temperature gets below 5 degrees F. The Apollo product was appropriate but is no longer available. Thanks! Lee -- Lee Bristol NABCEP Certified Solar Designer/Installer Co-Founder Commercial Channel Manager Standard Solar, Inc. 1355 Piccard Drive, #300 Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 944-5105 (240) 479-1510 (c) www.standardsolar.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Industrial battery chargers
Larry Ive used the Associated 6080A charger for years 0 to 106 volts at 6 amps. If you know what youre doing it can be a great tool to bring back batteries Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 8:30 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Industrial battery chargers Hi Drake (et alia) An quality inverter/charger would work for half of our situations. The other half is that we do capacity recovery of AGM and flooded batteries. For that I need unregulated or controllable voltage and manual current limiting. Larry - Original Message - From: Drake mailto:drake.chamber...@redwoodalliance.org To: RE-wrenches mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 7:51 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Industrial battery chargers I've been through this one, to balance the third leg of a 3 phase generator which has a pair of stacked SW4024s on it. After a long search of the available industrial chargers, we added another SW4024. The system had certain heavy surge loads, which we put on a special panel powered by the third inverter. For the money, I think another inverter is the best bet. Maybe Chinese imports may change the situation, but if you want to stay away from them, another inverter would likely still be your most economical choice. At 06:13 PM 12/27/2010, you wrote: Hello battery wrenches, I am looking for recommendations for an industrial grade battery charger for our shop. Most of what I am finding is in India, China or Germany but I would like something a little closer to home. I am looking for these features: * automatic 3 stage charging selectable for 6 or 12 volt AGM, flooded or GEL * manual adjustable voltage control up to 20+ Vdc * manual adjustable current limiter 1 to 50+ amps * adjustable timer shut off Thanks, Larry Crutcher General Manager Starlight Solar Power Systems http://www.starlightsolar.com 11881 S Fortuna Road, #210 Yuma, AZ 85367 Phone (928) 342-9103 powered by S TARLIGHT ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/ _ ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate Controller Issues
Thats real strange we had this happen just three days ago, and after we reset it, everything was fine Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kirpal Khalsa Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 9:30 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Outback Mate Controller Issues Good Morning All..we have recently had 2 off grid outback systems go haywire.both have been running perfectly for more than 2 years.then all of a sudden the mate stops allowing AC inputs.a variety of troubleshooting indicated all components were fine.Outback support took care to help with the confirmation that all the components were fine..finally with us being stumped, tech support asked us to unplug the mate from the hub and replug it back in.Voila! everything started working properly again..only setting that seemed to be changed and needed to be reset was that the chargers on the inverters were turned off and a few button pushes later and this was also restored.. Anyone else having any similar experiences? This is puzzling as we haven't ever had this kind of problem and for some coincidental reason we had two systems both with long term smooth operating histories have the same issue..we appreciated the quick, accessible, competent support from Outback tech support but remain puzzled as to what may have triggered these odd events..feedback appreciated! -- Sunny Regards, Kirpal Khalsa NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer Renewable Energy Systems www.oregonsolarworks.com 541-218-0201 m 541-592-3958 o ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
[RE-wrenches] World Business Guide Scam
Beware!! Here we go again the Euro business Guide Scam has morphed into the World Business Guide Scam. SEE BELOW Promising a FREE update in the e-mail, if you fill their form out and sign it they will charge you $1393 per year for three years for insertion. They are not in the Netherlands like they say they are in Romania, hidden behind aliases and re-directs. Conceivably they could ruin your credit. Beware!! Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer Ladies and Gentlemen. In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2011/2012 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address: WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE P.O. BOX 3079 3502 GB, UTRECHT THE NETHERLANDS email: regis...@wbg2011now.com FAX: +31 (20) 203-1129 Updating is free of charge! If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to unsubscr...@wbg2011now.com Your request shall be dealt with accordingly. Message ID: Btajfef ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem
Todd: Here’s the long story. First the bulk charge brings the bank to an 80% charging level. The charger will maintain current level until the bulk set point has been reached. Then, the charger will switch to the absorption timer. The absorb mode takes care of the remaining 20% of the capacity, and is a function of time and current. This needs to be programmed, or at least checked, by the installer. To me this is the most important charge rate because as you see if this is not correct the batteries really don’t have any chance of a long life. Most folks think that the absorption mode is some function of sensing by the Charge Controller or Inverter/Charger. it is not. The absorb mode is governed only by what ever the installer or the factory programs. Like I said earlier the typical default setting is always way too short. So what usually happens is the charger goes through the bulk charge, then switches to absorb, holds it there for a too brief period, then goes to float. The batteries never get full charged so they begin to hard sulfate and the usual scenario goes like this; after a few years the customer calls and says the batteries are bad because they’re loosing capacity In the absorb mode the current levels start decreasing as the internal resistance in the battery increases. I assume over the time of the absorption charge that 50% of the maximum charge current will be available (this is factored into the equation). t = 0.42* C/1 Where: t = Absorption Charge Time C = 20hr Rated Capacity I = Charging Current 0.42 = (20%/50%) + 5%. 5% is added due to losses Some Inverter/Chargers will only let you set an absorb time by telling it the AH capacity of the battery bank. If this is too short just tell the inverter that bank is larger and the time will go up. Also some of the cheaper Inv/Chargers don’t let you select absorb volts either except by type, I always select Wet Cell even if I have AGMs which ups the voltage a small amount. Gel cell batteries are another matter all together and can be over charged and cooked easily. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of toddc...@finestplanet.com Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 10:29 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem proper absorb times (do the math) Can you talk more about this please. Todd Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem
Bob Yes the problem is hard sulfation due to chronically under charging. The absorb time and voltage is the most critical charge mode for charging batteries. The default settings on inverters and charge controllers are always way too short, so they hold the batteries in absorb for a little while, then go to float, leaving the batteries under charged forever, thus we get hard sulfation. This is what you have here. Typically two parallel strings will yield about 6 ? years of life in a system that is used off grid. While a single series string will yield 10 to 14 years (properly maintained) 14 years is not the rule however. A bit of due diligence is now required to get these back, (and they may not be worth it). Separate the two strings and give them 62 volts for 10 hours; you'll have to watch them so they don't get too hot. Set the absorb settings below and give them about three weeks. If there is some improvement in capacity, another EQ; 61 volts for two hours may just do it. With the Magnum 48 volt inverter I calculate the absorb time at 5 hours, now typically the absorb charge should be about 58.8 volts but, most batteries die because of under charge so I would set the absorb voltage at 59.4. You may have to update the software for the Magnum control panel to get more programming flexibility. The MX60 with 6 of the 175s should be set to absorb for as long as possible, I think the last software version allows 4 hours. I calculated absorb time with this setup is 19.6 hours which is not possible, so just keep the controller from going to float for as long as you can. Concord makes a real nice 915 AH 2 volt cell which should give a decade plus life, for the next bank. I would avoid parallel strings at all cost. If you feel this is too large a bank then use the 660 AH 2 volt. You can always call me 575-539-2111 if you have questions. I have been in the battery business almost 45 years. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. Confidentiality Notice: This message including any attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete any copies of this message. _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of bob Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 4:53 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem I have 2 systems that I am trying to correct that another local dealer has installed. This one is 2 strings of (8) UL-16 HC Interstate Batteries, 16 batteries total. We cannot get the batteries to charge over 1.225 despite discharging them and generator charging them till everything shut down. This is a 48 volt system with a Magnum 4448 inverter. He also has (6) 175 watt Solar World panels on a manual tracker. (spends all day tracking the sun) He is adding 2 more this summer. The controller is an MX-60. I have moved the Magnums settings to 1600 AH battery bank size to allow for the inverter to have a longer absorb time to help it finish charging and get to a full battery. It's not working; we have 1 cell at 1.240 and the rest at 1.225. These have not been cycled hard if at all, I am going to suggest that he cycle them several more times to see if anything improves after that The other system has the same problem with a different inverter! So it's not inverter related, but I am at a loss. I have not used Interstates before and want to stay away from them in the future. Any other suggestions? Thanks, Bob Ellison ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP
Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Doug Wells Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 6:33 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] NABCEP William, I agree that the value of NABCEP is mixed. I would like to think that it is still a benchmark. To me the importance of NABCEP has not been the test, but the prerequisites to take the test. A test is just a test and I have always felt that they have limited value. But experience is different. When I applied you had to have 3 years of experience installing(in my track). And the jobs that you used had to be lead installs. Not just, yeah I was on a crew for a couple jobs. Or I have some experience installing. I feel it important to understand the job from beginning to end. Design, Safety, Installs and Commissioning. The more they water down the experience component to fast track eager installers, the less the certification will mean. Doug Wells The Solar Specialists Morrisville, VT 05661 (p) 802-223-7014 (c) 802-498-5856 www.thesolarspecialists.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Equipment shortages, long lead times?
Yes. Xantrex, Outback and Apollo, but I think Apollo is shipping as of last week. For instance we have bought all the Xantrex, OutBack and Apollo Charge Controllers we could find, because of the long lead times from The Manufacturers. Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of wind...@wind-sun.com Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 7:55 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Equipment shortages, long lead times? Is anyone else starting to see a few equipment shortages and/or long to very long lead times on equipment, especially inverters and other BOS items? Xantrex has always been famous for that, but we are also seeing it in a few other areas, such as Fronius. So far, panels still seem to be in vast oversupply. Many, but not all, of the shortages seem to be for items mfg'd in China so far. We even got hit with an 8-10 week backorder on a common Square-D pressure switch. .. Northern Arizona Wind Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979 Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/ .. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] FX2000 / Trojan battery question
Bob On the other note: Were the L-16s in series or series/parallel? Also were the voltage readings and Hydrometer readings done on an active bank or at rest and what were the readings? Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 X 301 _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of robert ellison Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 5:40 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] FX2000 / Trojan battery question Just visited a site with a 04 version FX2024 The inverter is shutting down and showing low AC output voltage It is hooked to 4 Trojan L-16 G batteries. When i arrived the voltage was 23.8, the other day when i arrived it was 25.5 volts and shut down both times with the same error showing. There are 1050 watts of panels and an MX 60 on the battery bank also. In the past when the batteries went low it would show a low battery error, so i don't expect that is the problem. Loads are minimal Disconnecting the battery or starting the generator clears the error. When i called Outback i was told there was a $250.00 out of warranty charge as well as a retail of $1400 for the boards. She also insists it was probably a bad battery bank, or at least needing an eq charge. It just had one 9 days ago. The hydrometer readings are all close and the voltages similar. Anyone run into this before and have any knowledge on this error? On another note, has anyone had any Trojan L-16 G batteries with cell failures? The date code is J8 I have had 2 in the last year, one was under warranty and the last one out of warranty. Anyone else had this problem or am i just unlucky? Thanks, Bob image002.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar fountain pump.
Kelly We had been the suppliers of The Sun Delight Pump for years but we discontinued it about a year ago, in favor of the longer life Oase German Pumps. We are the North American Importer of the Oase DC Pumps, contact me off list for pricing or call 888-826-0939 Kind regards Tom http://thesolar.biz/ Real People Not Buy It Buttons Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer The Solar Biz HC 61 Box 184 http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmapaddr=HC+61+Box+184csz=Glenwood%2 C+New+Mexico+88039country=us Glenwood, New Mexico 88039 t...@thesolar.biz tel: fax:575-539-2111 520-844-8442 https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=12885166360v0=595607k0=104298511 Add me to your address book... P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary. http://www.plaxo.com/signature Want a signature like this? _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kelly Keilwitz, Whidbey Sun Wind Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 6:25 PM To: RE Wrenches listserve Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar fountain pump. Hi all, We have a pond with rockery and small cascade ( 5-ft total head) with a solar-direct pump for demonstration at our office. The Dankoff Sun Delight pump that's been running it for a year (plus at shows for the last 8 years) has given out and needs to be replaced. We tried a 12-V bilge pump but that lasted about a month. In previous subject threads (example below) back in '04 there were several recommendations for the Oase AquaSolar pumps, said to be carried by AEE and others. However, I can't find these pumps in the AEE catelog, or even on the Oase website. We ran the Sun Delight on a 75-watt, 12-volt module, but I'd like to upgrade to a freight damaged, Sharp 175W (24 vdc) to allow the cascade to flow more in low sun conditions. Any current suggestions, or sources? Thanks, -Kelly Kelly Keilwitz, P.E. Whidbey Sun Wind, LLC Renewable Energy Systems NABCEP Certified PV Installer 987 Wanamaker Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239 PH FAX 360-678-7131 sunw...@whidbeysunwind.com On 8/7/04 9:38 AM, Matt Tritt Matt Tritt wrote: Eric makes larger solar fountain pumps for large water features but the Oase pumps are perfect for small fountains. We've had one running since '98 with 0 problems. AEE has been selling them for years. Matt T Hi, Now with a retail store attached to our installing business, we are getting lots of requests for stuff of which we have little direct knowledge. The request of the month is for a small submersible pump which can run directly off a PV panel and make a small fountain. We saw one demonstrated at MWREF but failed to get info on it. Anyone had good results from a particular pump... longevity, etc. It seems that a lot of people here in Vermont have small ponds on their properties but no moving water. Any suggestions would be helpful. John CVSolar solar biz square logo email.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Desulfators
Chris Over the years I have looked at the various incarnations of these devices. I have two thoughts on this subject the first is a cheap constant current battery charger (2Amp) left on for two weeks or more will slowly melt hard sulfation. if that is the problem, the time it takes might not be worth it. My second thought is if the battery system is designed right in the first place there will be no sulfation issues (unless the bank is pulled down and left that way) I never parallel battery strings I just use a single series string, if done this way there will be no sulfation at all and battery life nearly doubles. Contact me off list 575-539-2111 and we can discuss this Tom http://thesolar.biz/ Real People Not Buy It Buttons Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer The Solar Biz HC 61 Box 184 http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmapaddr=HC+61+Box+184csz=Glenwood%2 C+New+Mexico+88039country=us Glenwood, New Mexico 88039 t...@thesolar.biz tel: fax:575-539-2111 520-844-8442 https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=12885166360v0=595607k0=104298511 Add me to your address book... P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary. http://www.plaxo.com/signature Want a signature like this? _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of R. Walters Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 10:41 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Desulfators I have a picture of one that burned up pretty spectacularly. (definitely a fire starter) I wouldn't hook them up without fusing. I think modern charge controllers with PWM and temp comp do the job of desulfation adequately and safely. R. Walters Solarray.com NABCEP # 04170442 On Jun 18, 2009, at 9:45 PM, Wind-sun.com wrote: We sell them, but don't push them much. while they will do some good for a battery that has a sulfation problem, quite often the battery that won't hold a charge has multiple problems, which desulfation will not fix. .. Northern Arizona Wind Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979 Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/ .. - Original Message - From: Chris mailto:ch...@oasismontana.com Daum To: 'RE-wrenches' mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:12 PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] Desulfators Dear folks: What is y'all's opinions on desulfators? I have a customer who is having to do a battery upgrade, and someone's stuck a bug in her ear about them. I figure proper battery care is most essential, but I am interested in hearing about your experiences. Thanks so much for your information! Chris Daum Oasis Montana Inc. _ ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 solar biz square logo email.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] FW: BP warrantee contact info
TUMP
Usually BP warranty is handled by the distributor that sold the modules. If
you don't know who that was send me (Off List) the serial number from the
module and I'll see if I can't look it up for you
Kind regards
Tom
http://thesolar.biz/ Real People Not Buy It Buttons
Tom Duffy
Systems Design Engineer
The Solar Biz
HC 61 Box 184
http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmapaddr=HC+61+Box+184csz=Glenwood%2
C+New+Mexico+88039country=us
Glenwood, New Mexico 88039
t...@thesolar.biz
tel:
fax:575-539-2111
520-844-8442
https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=12885166360v0=595607k0=104298511 Add me
to your address book...
P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary.
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_
[Tom Duffy]
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Tump
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 10:54 AM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] FW: BP warrantee contact info
I have some older ~2000, BP585 modules that have water migrating under the
teldar backing causing a burnt spot on the bottom solder joint. Anyone out
there have a contact person from BP that is actually able to get things
addressed?
Thanks in advance TUMP
mailto:t...@swnl.net t...@swnl.net http://www.swnl.net/
www.SWNL.net
Solarwinds Northernlights
Serving Mid Coast Maine Northern California
Me.# 207-832-7574 Cl.# 610-517-8401
Blair TUMP May
MAINE'S CHARTER
NABCEPCertified PV Installer
MAINE'S CHARTER
Trace Xantrex Certified Dealer / Installer
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery based grid tie question.
Hi Drake We sell the SW used all the time for $1500 Tom Real People Not Buy It Buttons Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer The Solar Biz HC 61 Box 184 Glenwood, New Mexico 88039 t...@thesolar.biz 575-539-2111 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake Chamberlin Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:59 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery based grid tie question. That is a good question. What are they worth used? At 09:11 AM 3/26/2009, you wrote: What kind of money are you geting for SW's on e bay? Drake Chamberlin Athens Electric OH License 44810 CO License 3773 740-448-7328 740-856-9648 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] SW BOS
William If you have the old conduit box you can use the Midnite Solar MINI DC if you don't try asking Robin (Midnite Solar) about re doing the SW Conduit Box Tom Duffy http://thesolar.biz/ Real People Not Buy It Buttons Tom Duffy Systems Design Engineer The Solar Biz HC 61 Box 184 http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmapaddr=HC+61+Box+184csz=Glenwood%2 C+New+Mexico+88039country=us Glenwood, New Mexico 88039 t...@thesolar.biz tel: fax:575-539-2111 520-844-8442 https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=12885166360v0=595607k0=104298511 Add me to your address book... P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary. http://www.plaxo.com/signature Want a signature like this? From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 3:10 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SW BOS Jay: Everyone is out. I bought a used set from a Gentleman Wrench a few months ago. Anyone else out there have a PS4 system? William At 01:58 PM 2/13/2009, you wrote: Hi William, Have you checked with Outback. They did have some old stock not that long ago at least on PS2's don't know about the PS4's. jay solar biz square logo email.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Soldering electrical conductors
About 28 years ago I read a study, by either Niehoff or Prestolite, on the pros and cons of soldering or crimping, heavy duty starter cables, for over the road trucks. The finding was, that a properly crimped lug made a solid (molecular) connection while solder did not make as good a connection because solder was not as good a conductor as copper. They concluded that the crimped connection carried more amperage and did so over the long haul. We use an air over hydraulic crimper on all our cables with a hydraulic gauge reading of 10,000 lbs PSI. I have done a pull test with this connection by pulling a truck behind another with this connection Tom Duffy The Solar Biz From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of North Texas Renewable Energy Inc Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 10:08 AM To: RE Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Soldering electrical conductors Wrenches Over the years I have heard almost nothing about soldering of electrical connections in PV circuits, AC or DC. The only reference I recall is from the recommendation that one should crimp AND solder larger compression fittings to assure a permanent connection. There were references to factory made battery cable crimps not holding after installation and during the final pull-test. I can't find any reference to the practice in the NEC, either pro or con. It seems that any technique so susceptible to poor results would be at least addressed. The reason I want to definitively address this practice, by the Wrenches community, is this. A group of PV industry specialists were invited to help develop a curriculum for a state funded technical college with 4 separate campuses. The Waco Campus, with the fuel cell and wind degree programs, is now creating a solar installer technician degree program. A group of experts spent two days picking our brains to help create an overview plus detailed duties, tasks and the separate steps involved in the design/installation process. So now that the initial draft is finished we are asked to critique it. One of the General Knowledge items is soldering techniques. I need to mention that the degree will cover both PV and thermal installs. Of course some soldering is necessary in the thermal installation process, less since the introduction of compression connections, but I'm interested in addressing the electrical side. If any negative long-term effects from solder joints have been discovered I would like to hear about them. If they seem serious enough, I would consider recommending that the staff include a clarification that electrical soldering should be avoided. If the long-term effect is negligible, it is still possible to do an electrically poor job even using top quality equipment. I'll defer to the collective knowledge of this organization. Thanks as always Jim Duncan North Texas Renewable Energy Inc 817.917.0527 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.ntrei.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.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
