Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

2013-05-07 Thread Solarguy
Maybe stuns was a poor choice of words. Mellows might be better. Still works on bees but the point was that it might have the same mellowing effect on wasps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_smoker Jim From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

2013-05-07 Thread Dave Palumbo
If there is enough space so that you can get at the back of the array with a smooth edged wood or plastic spatula like tool and a large garbage bag you can remove the wasp hive manually. Must be done at first morning light when it's cool out. Get the whole thing captured in the trash bag before

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

2013-05-07 Thread Drake
I spray wasps with WD 40 when it is necessary to remove them. I think it penetrates their exoskeleton. Whatever the reason, it drops them. I haven't sprayed WD on solar modules. I minimize the use of toxic chemicals due to the environmentally caused cancer epidemic that is pretty much

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

2013-05-07 Thread Jason Szumlanski
Unless I missed it, I'm kinda surprised that nobody suggested the obvious: hire a professional. Hand the manufacturer's datasheet and instructions to them and let them do their job. *Jason Szumlanski* *Fafco Solar* On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Dana Brandt d...@ecotechenergy.com wrote: Hi

[RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Troy Harvey
Since we stopped using micro-inverters due to the high failure rate, network problems, difficultly in replacement – I've been using the power-one inverters a bunch because the dual channels solve most of tricky issues like different roof aspects, shading, and uneven strings. However, they are

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Troy Harvey
7 to 12 kW for residential systems? wow... its hard for me to believe there is not some waste there. I have found that the home owner's target system price point has stayed the same over the years even as prices have fell. So our systems have just gotten bigger to cover more of their loads.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Troy Harvey
Hi Troy, The Sharp Sunvista JH-3500U stopped being produced in 2005ish. Fronius and Kaco may have products with 3 MPPT inputs. Sorry to hear about your trouble with microinverters. I'm guessing those were older units. Our current line of products has had extremely low failure

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

2013-05-07 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jason's suggestion of hiring a pro is great. Just to throw another 'remedy' idea out there. If you are still looking to do it yourself. Vinegar would be effective. Not sure it's effect on mod back sheets thou? But it could be sprayed down with water after the chaos has calmed down. A few

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Jason Szumlanski
I suspect that the early failure rate on the M215 is tiny next to the M190. Most of the M190's that did have failure problems early on failed very soon after installation in my experience. After the initial duds died, the failures on most M190 systems dropped off. I'm not seeing a linear failure

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Chris Mason
What you are asking for is the Sunny Tripower 10/12/15/17 3 phase 2 mppt input inverters, which we are using in the 415V locations but are not available in the US. I don't understand why, they are fantastic units. The units have up to 6 string inputs, string monitoring, built in electronic safety

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Bob-O Schultze
Jason, I'm one of the many installers who still won't touch a micro yet. It's not so much that there were failures early on, it's how companies like Enphase HANDLED them. My understanding is that you basically got a replacement inverter and got stuffed for your time and travel. That may have

[RE-wrenches] Faraday cages and EMP

2013-05-07 Thread Chris Daum
Dear people: So I have a customer worried about the end of the world as we know it. I've looked at the HP archives and see comments from a while ago. Other than screening/boxing components and adding mucho surge protectors, is there anything else that can be done that might actually work?

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Steve Jefferson
The STP (Sunny Tri Power) will be here shortly. The first unit is in the States and being fired up tomm. Unfortunately, due to NEC and UL, the ESS will not be used in the US. Which is a mystery, as it is superior to what the NEC requires. It will have a standard type disconnect on the bottom,

Re: [RE-wrenches] SHW Schuco issue

2013-05-07 Thread Dave Palumbo
Hello wrenches, Is there a specific Solar Hot Water list? What I need help with is in tracking down a specific circulator for a Schuco 1.3 Pump Station. It is a WILO Typ Star S 21U-15-130 pump. Schuco has left the solar biz as of last November. I called Schuco-USA and they have put in an

Re: [RE-wrenches] SHW Schuco issue

2013-05-07 Thread Chris Mason
WILO is a standard pump for solar water heating, I can get one if you can't. On Tue, May 7, 2013 at 3:35 PM, Dave Palumbo d...@independentpowerllc.comwrote: Hello wrenches, ** ** Is there a specific Solar Hot Water list? What I need help with is in tracking down a specific circulator

[RE-wrenches] Equipment failures

2013-05-07 Thread Dana
In light of Bob O's post - after now 25 years of design installation(OMG) I have been guinea pigged one time too many with New products. I second BobO's post. I remember so clearly sitting in a presentation by a new inverter manufacturer that repeatedly spoke of MTTF, mean time to failure or

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters; Hosed By Fronius

2013-05-07 Thread Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
Bob-O, Fronius is not good for reimbursement anymore. While they used to be, Fronius has refused to pay for warranty service. Since December, 2012, they have refused to reimburse me for an inverter swap that THEY told me to make. The display had an intermit ant problem. When I swapped out the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps, rats and mice no more

2013-05-07 Thread Jeff Oldham
this is my gem - Dryer sheets (like Bounce) these hideous things smell God-awful to me and it seems many other lifeforms as well. I wear latex gloves or use my needle nose to touch them! A mouse, rat, wasp and most anything will not get within several feet of these noxious things! I put them in

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps, rats and mice no more

2013-05-07 Thread Brian Teitelbaum
A bit off the renewable energy topic, but I have found another good way to get rid of yellow jacket nests. If you have skunks in the area, just throw a piece of fish scrap or juice from canned tuna or sardines near the nest (at night!) and within a couple of days the skunks will find the nest

[RE-wrenches] Enphase / Inverter failures

2013-05-07 Thread William Miller
BobO: I too was hesitant to install micro inverters for the reasons you cite: why should I have to go on a roof to replace electronics? and, should electronic components even be on a roof? I am converted. We have had a few failures, but a manageable percentage. It does suck to go on the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Chris Mason
Could I get the exact same unit as we buy for 415V, but in 208V? I don't care what the NEC says. On Tue, May 7, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Steve Jefferson steve.jeffer...@sma-america.com wrote: The STP (Sunny Tri Power) will be here shortly. ** ** The first unit is in the States and being

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase / Inverter failures

2013-05-07 Thread Peter Talmage
Hello Bill, I'm curious to know what the array STC DC rating to Fronius inverter AC rating you typically had? Thanks. Peter Talmage --- On Tue, 5/7/13, William Miller will...@millersolar.com wrote: From: William Miller will...@millersolar.com Subject: [RE-wrenches] Enphase / Inverter failures

Re: [RE-wrenches] SHW Schuco and Labor warranty issues

2013-05-07 Thread Solar Energy Solutions
Our biggest issue with Schuco moving on is finding their 'typhocor' glycol... which is of such a special nature that not even the CIA know what the heck it is, or what makes it so special or where in this great country of ours we can get it.   So far as Labor warranties it has been my crusade

[RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread don
Hi all- While I have not had the failure problems noted with microinverters, PowerOne inverters have recently given me a big headache. Installed their 6kW model last November that failed in a month. They replaced it under warranty, no problem no reimbursement. Then the replacement failed in March.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Dual Channel Inverters

2013-05-07 Thread Jesse Dahl
I installed 2 10kW 208V powerone inverters this summer and both failed. The first one failed right out of the box and the second made it a few months. We were hired just to install the system by a local firm that designed and sold the system and have had a bear of a time getting paid from